Welcome to Mrs. Ferrari’s Classroom

1. Welcome toMrs. Ferrari’s Classroom 6th Grade Science GVMS Back To School Night 2014 - 2015

2. Education/Background • B.S., Virginia Tech • M.S. Industrial Administration, Carnegie-Mellon • Education Certifications: Teaching K – 8, Special Education K - 12, and Principal/Supervisor, Immaculata University • 4th and 6th Grade Teacher, 8 years • K - 12 Science Supervisor/TOSA, 7 years

3. Contact Information • Phone number: 610.579.5120 • Email: ferrark@garnetvalleyschools.com • Best times to reach me: • 7:00-7:30 am (by phone) • 12:30-3:00 pm (by phone) • Email (anytime)

4. Web Pagewww.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/ferrark My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will post additional resources to help your students with different concepts we will cover. Current Resources: • Science Course Overview • Discipline Plan • Homework Policy • Science Websites for 6th Graders • This power point presentation is currently posted on my web page for future reference

5. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) • 2 inch binder with subject dividers and a section devoted to science (OR) 1 inch binder for science only (no dividers necessary) • Pencils with erasers • Sheet protectors - 10 • Paper reinforcements – optional

6. Grading SystemPoint system • Assignments weighted by points possible • Student’s final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

7. Homework • Homework can be expected 2-3 times a week • Students should be reviewing concepts discussed in class 10-15 minutes per night/study hall • Late homework will receive half credit during 1st two marking periods if handed in one day late

8. Homework Tips • We take time at the beginning of each class to record homework assignments and reminders of upcoming project due dates or assessments • Students and parents can also verify HW and project due dates, as well as upcoming assessment dates, on Power School

9. Extra Help Opportunities I am available to offer extra help, to clarify assignments, and to provide study help for quizzes/tests to students after school until 3:00.

10. Science Grades Students can earn points for the following assignments: • Homework • Classwork • Quizzes • Tests • Lab Investigations • Notebook Checks • Projects • Extra Credit

11. Science Overview • Science classes in 6th grade are not leveled • Our curriculum is inquiry-based • We use investigations from an STC kit, our science textbook series, and national science curricula • Textbooks and other reading materials support investigations • We begin with mini-units on lab safety, the nature of science, and matter

12. 2 Major Units of Study Catastrophic Events • Tornadoes • Hurricanes • Thunderstorms • Earthquakes • Volcanoes

13. 2 Major Units of Study Earth in Space • Sun-Earth-Moon system • Seasons • Moon phases • Eclipses • Tides • Planets

14. Other Topics of Study • Lab Safety • The Scientific Method • Matter

15. Science Textbooks • Pearson: Earth’s Structure • Pearson: Astronomy and Space Science • NSRC Smithsonian Institution: STCUnderstanding Weather and Climate

16. Student Textbooks • Students will have access to online versions of each of the 3 textbooks used • Each student will receive his/her own copy of the two Pearson textbooks. These texts are owned by each student • The cost of a new book is around $30. Ordering information can be found on my website.

17. Thank You! Thank you for coming tonight. I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.

18. Welcome toMrs. Ferrari’s Classroom 6th Grade Social Studies GVMS Back To School Night 2014 - 2015

19. Web Pagewww.garnetvalleyschools.com/gvms/ferrark My web page is a work in progress. Throughout the year, I will post additional resources to help your students with different concepts we will cover. Current Resources: • Social Studies Course Overview • Discipline Plan • Homework Policy • This power point presentation is currently posted on my web page for future reference

20. Materials Needed (most students already have these materials) • 2 inch binder with section devoted to Social Studies (OR) 1 inch binder just for Social Studies • Pencils with erasers

21. Grading SystemPoint system • Assignments weighted by points possible • Student’s final grade is calculated by: Total points earned X 100 Total points possible

22. Social Studies Two Areas of Focus: • Geography • Ancient Civilizations

23. Geography Topics • Geographic Tools • Physical Characteristics of Place • Human Characteristics of Place

24. Ancient Civilizations • Mesopotamia • Egypt • Greece • Rome • Civilizations of the Americas – The Aztec, The Maya, The Incas

25. Social Studies Textbooks • Pearson Prentice Hall: World Studies: Foundations of Geography • Pearson: My World History: Early Ages • Online version of My World History is available to students

26. Social Studies Grades Students can earn points for the following assignments: • Classwork • Homework • Quizzes • Tests • Projects • Extra Credit

27. Thank You! Thank you for coming tonight. I anticipate a great school year! Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.