Syllbus
6th Grade Math/Science
High Tech Middle North County
2013-2014 Syllabus
Instructor: Vivian Chen
[email protected]
760.759.2766
Digital Portfolio: vchen.weebly.com
Office Hours: Monday 3:15-4:15 PM or by appointment
Welcome to High Tech Middle North County! I am excited to be a part of your adventure here. I will be one of your guides and help you develop skills necessary for being a successful HTH student and citizen.
Math Overview:
This year's math curriculum is aligned with common core standards. We will begin with a statistical analysis project and progress to analyzing relationships between ratios and proportions. Next students will tackle an intense unit on equations and expressions, where students will learn how to set up and solve expressions. Other topics that will be covered this year are rational numbers, absolute value, fractions, and decimals. We will return to equations and have a new focus on inequalities. Students will close the year having knowledge of how to use formulas to make graphs and geometry concepts. Above all the numbers and symbols, our main goal in math is to develop students' critical thinking and problem solving skills.
This year the High Tech community will continue to phasing in the new national common core standards. These standards closely align with HTH philosophies, projects, and problem-based instruction. In addition, the common core standards place greater emphasis on rigor and depth than the previous CA state standards. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to review the scope and sequence HTH follows. You can read more about the common core standards at http://www.corestandards.org/.
Science Overview:
The emphasis this year is on earth science, although we will be touching on both physical and life science topics. We will cover the following units: scientific method, metric measurement, density, plate tectonics, volcanos, earthquakes, energy resources, topography, and weather. We will spend the year learning about the many cycles of the earth. You will understand how these cycles operate, how humans interact with them and how we can work to live more harmoniously on our planet. Students will also learn and use skills necessary for success in all science classes such as using equipment effectively, making observations,
analyzing and communicating data.
Grading Policy: Student grades will be comprised of the following categories: Projects/Tests, Smaller Projects/Quizzes, Classwork/Homework/Participation
*Grades are updated and posted through Powerschool (Powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public). You will receive one grade for Math/Science.
A+ 97-100% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79%
A 93-96% B 83-86% C 73-76%
A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 70-72%
Not Passing 0-69%
Absence Policy: HTMNC does not have bells, so make sure you are aware of what time it is and when class starts. Class time is valuable, so please do not waste it by coming to class late or unprepared.
*If absent: Please call HTMNC and notify Ms. Wallace of your absence 760. 759.2750
Homework:
Homework will be assigned as needed and can always be found on my Digital Portfolio (DP). Projects will also be posted on my DP. Homework must be turned in complete and on time.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check my DP and check with a friend to make up the work given in class and homework. You have ONE day to make up the work for every day you were absent.
Our academic program differs from other school programs. Students are often working on projects and collaborating in groups. Missed group work often times cannot be made up at a later time. The teachers and staff at HTMNC support a challenging and personalized curriculum.To receive academic credit for absences of five (5) days or more, students are required to have an independent study contract. To coordinate this contract parents must email Cindy Wallace ([email protected]) and their student's teachers at least two (2) weeks prior to the absence. Due to the nature of project based learning, contract work may not be the exact assignments a student would receive while attending class. This means that a contract will include current project and homework assignments with the addition of worksheets, essays, and reading. While completing work for a contract, students should be prepared to complete a significant amount of work while absent. All contract work is due the day the student returns to school.
Late Work: Late work will not be accepted. However, students may advocate for themselves to receive extra support. In the case that a student feels he/she needs extra help, I encourage them to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss their needs so that we can develop a support strategy to address the diverse needs of learners. These supports will include extra help sessions, after school tutoring, peer tutoring, or a family conference to develop an action plan specific to the student's needs.
Class Expectations: All students, as well as the teacher, will be expected to come to class ready to learn! This includes having class materials ready and required work ready to review. Everyone involved should be supportive of a safe, interactive, and fun learning environment.
Student Email and Computer Use:
Students will be given their own @hightechhigh.org email address and network log in. Topics communicated though email should be related to school work only. Students who misuse computer and technology privileges will lose access to their school account. Tools:
The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms for any school activity. Many families have been asking what supplies their child may need during this school year. Below, I have a recommended list of supplies that your child may bring to school. Please note that if your child does not bring the recommended supplies, the school will provide the supplies for him/her. If you have any questions/comments about this, please contact me or Susan Battistuz.
What a student must carry with him/her to be successful. (Materials available in classroom, upon request)
-3 ring binder w/ dividers (or organizational equivalent)
-Pencils & Erasers
-Pens (one must be blue or black)
-Two Lined Notebooks for notes
-Calculator
-Planner (whether paper or digital)
Course Outline For Math/Science*
All of the concepts learned this year will be introduced and revisited often. I believe in scaffolding all material to ensure relevance and mastery. With this being said, although the list below gives you a rough timeline of what will be covered, our time spent in class will be used learning new concepts along with mastering topics covered. Within each subtopic, challenge opportunities will be available for students who master the concept quickly.
*Due to the flexible nature of project-based learning, this schedule is subject to change. Please check my DP for updates.
Semester 2:
Week 1-2: Intro to Fractions Brownies for All Fractions
World Biomes
Week 3-4: Equivalent Fractions/ Comparing Fractions
Plate Tectonics
Week 5-6: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
Plate Tectonics/Adaptation
Week 7-8: Ratios and Proportions
Exhibition-Our World
Week 9-11: Geometry- Area
Earthquakes
Week 12-14: Geometry- Volume
Seismic Outreach
Week 15-16: Solving Equations
Seismic Outreach
Week 17-18: Graphing
tPOLs
High Tech Middle North County
2013-2014 Syllabus
Instructor: Vivian Chen
[email protected]
760.759.2766
Digital Portfolio: vchen.weebly.com
Office Hours: Monday 3:15-4:15 PM or by appointment
Welcome to High Tech Middle North County! I am excited to be a part of your adventure here. I will be one of your guides and help you develop skills necessary for being a successful HTH student and citizen.
Math Overview:
This year's math curriculum is aligned with common core standards. We will begin with a statistical analysis project and progress to analyzing relationships between ratios and proportions. Next students will tackle an intense unit on equations and expressions, where students will learn how to set up and solve expressions. Other topics that will be covered this year are rational numbers, absolute value, fractions, and decimals. We will return to equations and have a new focus on inequalities. Students will close the year having knowledge of how to use formulas to make graphs and geometry concepts. Above all the numbers and symbols, our main goal in math is to develop students' critical thinking and problem solving skills.
This year the High Tech community will continue to phasing in the new national common core standards. These standards closely align with HTH philosophies, projects, and problem-based instruction. In addition, the common core standards place greater emphasis on rigor and depth than the previous CA state standards. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to review the scope and sequence HTH follows. You can read more about the common core standards at http://www.corestandards.org/.
Science Overview:
The emphasis this year is on earth science, although we will be touching on both physical and life science topics. We will cover the following units: scientific method, metric measurement, density, plate tectonics, volcanos, earthquakes, energy resources, topography, and weather. We will spend the year learning about the many cycles of the earth. You will understand how these cycles operate, how humans interact with them and how we can work to live more harmoniously on our planet. Students will also learn and use skills necessary for success in all science classes such as using equipment effectively, making observations,
analyzing and communicating data.
Grading Policy: Student grades will be comprised of the following categories: Projects/Tests, Smaller Projects/Quizzes, Classwork/Homework/Participation
*Grades are updated and posted through Powerschool (Powerschool.hightechhigh.org/public). You will receive one grade for Math/Science.
A+ 97-100% B+ 87-89% C+ 77-79%
A 93-96% B 83-86% C 73-76%
A- 90-92% B- 80-82% C- 70-72%
Not Passing 0-69%
Absence Policy: HTMNC does not have bells, so make sure you are aware of what time it is and when class starts. Class time is valuable, so please do not waste it by coming to class late or unprepared.
*If absent: Please call HTMNC and notify Ms. Wallace of your absence 760. 759.2750
Homework:
Homework will be assigned as needed and can always be found on my Digital Portfolio (DP). Projects will also be posted on my DP. Homework must be turned in complete and on time.
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check my DP and check with a friend to make up the work given in class and homework. You have ONE day to make up the work for every day you were absent.
Our academic program differs from other school programs. Students are often working on projects and collaborating in groups. Missed group work often times cannot be made up at a later time. The teachers and staff at HTMNC support a challenging and personalized curriculum.To receive academic credit for absences of five (5) days or more, students are required to have an independent study contract. To coordinate this contract parents must email Cindy Wallace ([email protected]) and their student's teachers at least two (2) weeks prior to the absence. Due to the nature of project based learning, contract work may not be the exact assignments a student would receive while attending class. This means that a contract will include current project and homework assignments with the addition of worksheets, essays, and reading. While completing work for a contract, students should be prepared to complete a significant amount of work while absent. All contract work is due the day the student returns to school.
Late Work: Late work will not be accepted. However, students may advocate for themselves to receive extra support. In the case that a student feels he/she needs extra help, I encourage them to meet with me as soon as possible to discuss their needs so that we can develop a support strategy to address the diverse needs of learners. These supports will include extra help sessions, after school tutoring, peer tutoring, or a family conference to develop an action plan specific to the student's needs.
Class Expectations: All students, as well as the teacher, will be expected to come to class ready to learn! This includes having class materials ready and required work ready to review. Everyone involved should be supportive of a safe, interactive, and fun learning environment.
Student Email and Computer Use:
Students will be given their own @hightechhigh.org email address and network log in. Topics communicated though email should be related to school work only. Students who misuse computer and technology privileges will lose access to their school account. Tools:
The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions, your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or uniforms for any school activity. Many families have been asking what supplies their child may need during this school year. Below, I have a recommended list of supplies that your child may bring to school. Please note that if your child does not bring the recommended supplies, the school will provide the supplies for him/her. If you have any questions/comments about this, please contact me or Susan Battistuz.
What a student must carry with him/her to be successful. (Materials available in classroom, upon request)
-3 ring binder w/ dividers (or organizational equivalent)
-Pencils & Erasers
-Pens (one must be blue or black)
-Two Lined Notebooks for notes
-Calculator
-Planner (whether paper or digital)
Course Outline For Math/Science*
All of the concepts learned this year will be introduced and revisited often. I believe in scaffolding all material to ensure relevance and mastery. With this being said, although the list below gives you a rough timeline of what will be covered, our time spent in class will be used learning new concepts along with mastering topics covered. Within each subtopic, challenge opportunities will be available for students who master the concept quickly.
*Due to the flexible nature of project-based learning, this schedule is subject to change. Please check my DP for updates.
Semester 2:
Week 1-2: Intro to Fractions Brownies for All Fractions
World Biomes
Week 3-4: Equivalent Fractions/ Comparing Fractions
Plate Tectonics
Week 5-6: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
Plate Tectonics/Adaptation
Week 7-8: Ratios and Proportions
Exhibition-Our World
Week 9-11: Geometry- Area
Earthquakes
Week 12-14: Geometry- Volume
Seismic Outreach
Week 15-16: Solving Equations
Seismic Outreach
Week 17-18: Graphing
tPOLs