SCHEDULE - YEAR 23-24 6TH GRADE SCIENCE ALL CLASS INFO

WELCOME to all sixth graders and their parents!!! I will be putting updates for science here throughout the year. Hopefully, this will keep parents in the information loop and give everyone a heads up about the coming week and longer term projects.

8/23/20

Our first few days of science went very well. I am looking forward to getting to know the students better. It's going to take a little while until I get to know all their names - but I'm getting there! The short week gave us an opportunity to practice some of the science class procedures ( they had their first hands-on exercise and their first QOTD - Questions of the Day).

This coming week we will have our first Quiz, on Friday, over all the information we've covered since school started. We will be learning how to think like a scientist, reviewing the scientific method, and, time permitting, start to learn about the metric system. Students will have another "hands-on" - ( a mini lab).

Students have homework every night in science. The expectation is that they study their notes so they are ready for class the next day. We will be working on their note-taking skills all year. Their notebooks and 3 ring binders will be checked for a grade once each trimester.

It should be a fun week!

Mrs. Bertsch

6th Grade Science 10/5-10/9/20

Students survived the first Unit Test. The first Unit test is always an eye-opener for students. It sets the expectations for the rest of the year. After they recovered from the length of the test, most agreed that they need to remember to study and start early to prepare for a test. This test was very math based and subsequent tests will not be (there will always be math, but not a preponderance of it).

We are entering the more conceptual part of sixth grade science. Unit 2 focuses on the earth’s interior and plate tectonics. We have been discussing the interior of the earth and how we use indirect evidence to tell us what the interior is probably like. This week we will discuss heat transfer and students will be assigned their first trimester project - famous scientists in the field of geology and general science. Monday we will finish the video on the Interior of the Earth - The Core. Students have asked great questions as we ponder the mysteries of our own earth!

There will be a Quiz on Friday. Students should continue to study their notes each evening.

Fall break is right around the corner - I hope it’s a great break for everyone!

Mrs Bertsch

10/17/2020

I hope everyone enjoyed their fall break!

This week 6th Grade has Outdoor Ed on Thursday and Friday. I hope everyone is able to participate. It is a fantastic experience and I’m so glad we’re able to have a modified version - no overnights, but a great time will be had by all. My attempt at archery last year is the stuff of legends!

In class this week we will continue our overview of the history of plate tectonic theory by discussing sea floor spreading and doing a simple lab to make a model of the process.

Students should remember to pick up any missing assignments at lunch time in the lab. The assignments have been available for over a week, but few students have chosen to make up their missing assignments. Labs can be made up with a lunch time appointment with me so we can keep students from different cohorts separated. I really don’t want anyone to fail science this trimester, but the responsibility lies with each student.

Enjoy the rest of break and 3 cheers for Outdoor Ed!!!!!!!

Mrs Bertsch