Homework:
There is always a little homework everynight, even if I did not assign it. The students should do a couple of pages of notes each night. They should read the pages, take notes, and do the quick check for that section. Classwork becomes homework if it is not finished in class.
Notes:
When taking notes, students should not copy every sentence in the book. Notes should include:
* A title and page number for each set of notes.
* Information the student felt was important enough to share class.
* The definitions to the yellow highlighted words and other vocabulary words.
* Any questions the student has after reading the lesson.
* Pictures or diagrams that are helpful to understanding the lesson.
* The question and answer to the two quick check questions at the end of the section.
The notes will be shared by the students during class discussion. The students will be able to ask their questions and help guide the instruction from information they felt was important. This method also allows me to focus my instruction on the areas and topics that are more difficult, rather than spending class time reading the text book aloud.
The notes should be written neatly. Students will also take additional notes during class discussion and should be writing down everything I write on the whiteboard.
Quick Check:
The quick check should include the question and the answer. We will correct them in class together and should be corrected with a correcting marker or colored pencil.
Lesson Review:
At the end of each lesson, students will complete the lesson review. This should be written in their science spiral and should include a title, page number, and they must write out the questions.
Correcting Work in Class:
I always ask the students to correct their work in a colored pencil/pen. This gives them a visual reminder of the areas they need to review when it comes time to study. I also ask the students to "actively correct" their work by writting in the correct answer in their colored pencil/pen. This again provides them with additional information to use when studying for tests.
Tests:
All chapter tests will be announced with at least one week notice. The test date will be put on the Edmodo calendar. The study guide is posted here on Weebly.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit on a science test is usually questions about material I discussed in class, but was not found in the science book or for giving the correct answer for any T/F question when the answer is false. When extra credit is given on a test, it is not factored into their test score. It will be used later, when I am calculating their final science grade. If the student is on the border of a 4/5, and they have completed extra credit, I will push their grade up to the 5. If the student is on the border of a 3/4, the extra credit will push their grade to the 4. I encourage all students to complete as much extra credit as possible.
Science Packets:
At the beginning of the chapter, I will pass out a science packet that contains material we are covering in the chapter. The packet is due the day before the chapter test and all answers will be given in class. The students will "actively correct" the packet in a colored pen/pencil and use this packet to study for the test. The students are encouraged to study the areas they missed the most.
Pre-Test:
The use of a pre-test is one of the strategies I use to meet the needs of my high achieving science students. The strategy, called curriculum compacting, involves encouraging the students to share the responsibility of their own learning. My role becomes more of a facilitator than a teacher. The students are given the opportunity to take a pre-test to demonstrate their knowledge of the science content material. The test covers material that I have not yet taught or discussed in class. The students will be reading the material and studying the content on their own time. If a student passes the pre-test, then I allow them to use class time to research an approved science topic of their choice. When they complete their research, they present the material to the class.
Taking the pre-test is optional and is not required. In order for this strategy to be effective, a student must demonstrate they are self-directed and an independent learner. They must also demonstrate, via pre-tests and prior science tests, they have complete mastery of the science topics I am teaching in class.
Please help your child understand that it is not the end of the world if they do not pass the pre-test. I offer pre-test opportunities often. Reassure them that I acknowledge the amount of time and effort they put into studying and offer encouragement for those that need it. Feel free to contact me if you have further questions.
Helpful Science Links:
Biology4Kids
Chem4Kids
Nonvascular Plants
5th Grade Science Units of Study and Lessons
Life Science
Chapter 1: Structure of Living Things
Lesson 1 Cells
Lesson 2 From Cells to Organisms
Lesson 3 Diverstiy of Organisms
Chapter 2: Plant Structures and Functions
Lesson 1 Vascular Plants
Lesson 2 Plant Transport Systems
Lesson 3 Photosynthesis and Respiration
Chapter 3: Human Body Systems
Lesson 1 The Human Body
Lesson 2 The Digestive System
Lesson 3 The Respiratiory System
Lesson 4 The Circulatory System
Lesson 5 The Excretory System
Earth Science
Chapter 4: Earth's Water
Lesson 1 Earth: The Blue Planet
Lesson 2 The Water Cycle
Lesson 3 Fresh Water Resources
Lesson 4 California's Water Supply
Chapter 5: Earth's Weather
Lesson 1 Earth's Atmosphere
Lesson 2 Air Currents and Wind
Lesson 3 Oceans and Air Temperature
Lesson 4 Severe Weather
Lesson 5 Predicting the Weather
Chpater 6: The Solar System
Lesson 1 The Sun
Lesson 2 The Structure of the Solar System
Lesson 3 Gravity and Orbit
Physical Science
Chapter 7: Types of Matter
Lesson 1 Properties of Matter
Lesson 2 Elements
Lesson 3 Classifying Elements
Study Guide for Ch. 7 Lessons 1-3
Lesson 4 Mixtures
Lesson 5 Compounds
Study Guide for Ch. 7 Lessons 4-5
Chapter 8: Changes in Matter
Lesson 1 Chemical Reactions
Lesson 2 Metals and Alloys
Lesson 3 Salts
Chapter 1: Structure of Living Things
Lesson 1 Cells
Lesson 2 From Cells to Organisms
Lesson 3 Diverstiy of Organisms
Chapter 2: Plant Structures and Functions
Lesson 1 Vascular Plants
Lesson 2 Plant Transport Systems
Lesson 3 Photosynthesis and Respiration
Chapter 3: Human Body Systems
Lesson 1 The Human Body
Lesson 2 The Digestive System
Lesson 3 The Respiratiory System
Lesson 4 The Circulatory System
Lesson 5 The Excretory System
Earth Science
Chapter 4: Earth's Water
Lesson 1 Earth: The Blue Planet
Lesson 2 The Water Cycle
Lesson 3 Fresh Water Resources
Lesson 4 California's Water Supply
Chapter 5: Earth's Weather
Lesson 1 Earth's Atmosphere
Lesson 2 Air Currents and Wind
Lesson 3 Oceans and Air Temperature
Lesson 4 Severe Weather
Lesson 5 Predicting the Weather
Chpater 6: The Solar System
Lesson 1 The Sun
Lesson 2 The Structure of the Solar System
Lesson 3 Gravity and Orbit
Physical Science
Chapter 7: Types of Matter
Lesson 1 Properties of Matter
Lesson 2 Elements
Lesson 3 Classifying Elements
Study Guide for Ch. 7 Lessons 1-3
Lesson 4 Mixtures
Lesson 5 Compounds
Study Guide for Ch. 7 Lessons 4-5
Chapter 8: Changes in Matter
Lesson 1 Chemical Reactions
Lesson 2 Metals and Alloys
Lesson 3 Salts