Middle School

Updated on 5/13/2026 

6th Grade Science

Parent/Guardian and Student Information

Classroom Expectations

Be Respectful 

Be Prepared 

Be Willing

 

Consequences

1st time: One verbal reminder

2nd time:  Phone call or email home; student is also given a lunch reflection 

Severe Disruption: Student immediately sent to office.

Failure to follow the consequences moves students to the next level of consequences

 

Safety Contract

During our inquiries, unsafe behavior must be avoided.  Understanding and following these specific rules will help us make the most of our science inquiries and allow every student to learn.

1. I will behave in the laboratory and use laboratory equipment or materials safely.  I will engage in behavior that is safe, focused, and preserves another student’s right to learn.
2. I will protect my eyes, face, and hands while engaging in lab activities by wearing safety goggles and, when needed, latex gloves or other protective gear.
3. I will work only at my assigned station.
4. I will follow all written and oral instructions.  I will wait until I receive my teacher’s permission to begin a lab activity.
5. I will carry out only the assigned lab experiments.
6. I will not eat, drink, or taste anything in the laboratory.  This includes food and drink as well as science inquiry supplies.
7. I will wash my hands thoroughly after using chemicals and lab equipment.  When using chemicals, I will not touch my mouth, lips, or eyes until after I have washed my hands.
8. I will report any injury or accident to my teacher immediately.

I understand that failure to comply with these guidelines may result in these consequences:

• being removed from class
• losing credit for the work that is done during my absence
• A lunch reflection, which includes writing an explanation of my actions (behavior reflection) and a plan to restore or replace damaged equipment 

Grading

All grades are posted in Genesis as soon as possible. The best way to know how your child is doing in our class is to check Genesis DAILY with your child. 

 The grading policy has been set up to allow ALL active learners the opportunity for success.

1. Summative Assessments- Includes tests and quizzes

• Assessments are based on the NGSS standards. They will show if students have mastered content through the application of higher-level thinking skills, making inferences, and drawing conclusions. Range from 25-100 points depending on how much content is covered in the assessment.
• When absent on the day of an assessment, students must be ready to take it  when he/she returns to school
• Grades for assessments are posted online as promptly as possible. 

1. Formative Assessment-Includes Exit Tickets

• Exit tickets are typically Google Forms, which assess students' understanding of material while using their science notebooks. These exit tickets give teachers feedback on how well students are comprehending material taught in class. 

1. Classwork/ Homework- Includes reading assignments, online work, vocabulary, projects, and explanations. Points will vary depending on the length and complexity of the assignment

• Projects-Students are usually given adequate time in class to begin most projects, and points will vary by project
• Explanations- (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) Some parts will be completed in class, and other parts will be completed as independent homework. They are due 2 to 5 days after the inquiry or project is begun. They are graded on a rubric, and the points will vary depending on the assignment

 

• Participation- A grade is given each marking period for participation. Participation points are determined based on being prepared for class as well as remaining on task and collaborating with group members

Homework Policy- The best way to know what your child is learning and to monitor homework/projects is to check our science Google Classroom. Our slides are posted at approximately 2 pm daily.  Here you can find current assignments and topics being discussed in class.

It is the responsibility of each student to write down every assignment in his/her agenda planner.

1. Homework assignments must be completed by their due date to receive full credit.  During MP1, MP2, and MP3, if as assignment is turned in late, it will receive full credit.  However, in MP4 to transition students to 7th grade, if an assignment is turned in after the due date, it will receive half credit. For all marking periods, once the assessment on a unit is taken, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. 
2. When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to follow the steps presented on the “When You’re Out” document in their Science Reference section. The steps tell students to visit our Google Classroom, to review missed material, and to alert them of missed worksheets.  Upon returning to the classroom, students should pick up missed documents and promptly complete them for credit.  The number of days the student was absent equals the number of days the student will have to complete all missed assignments for credit.  If a student reviews the slides and completes all necessary actions from “When You’re Out” and they still do not understand the work completed in class, they MUST see a teacher during WIN and ASK for assistance.
3. A sample science notebook and extra copies of all handouts are kept in the classroom for students to ensure their notebook is complete and organized.  
4. Students are expected to perform their best work, such as answering questions in complete sentences using TTQA format, writing legibly, and including a full heading on all papers.  The amount of credit is determined by the quality and accuracy of work.
5. Homework is reviewed in class.  Students are required to make all necessary corrections and may be asked to show corrections.  Answer keys are provided in our daily slides and we encourage students to review their work daily.