School Year 2018 - 2019

Course Name Earth Science

School Henderson Middle School

678-874-2902
Phone
http://www.hendersonms.dekalb.k12.ga.us/hendersonmiddleschool_home.aspx
Website
Teacher Malka Greenberg

Email malka_greenberg@dekalbschoolsga.org

Website greenbergm.weebly.com
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to teach students various skills exemplifying the many forms/skills of a
scientist, including but not limited to, developing good characteristics of science, processing skills,
and understanding and applying the nature of science. Students will also focus on multiple concepts
of Earth Science. First semester includes studies in the areas of astronomy and geology. Students will
also develop their reading skills by reading in the content area.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS THE CURRICULUM AS SET BY THE
DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Unit 1 – My Place In the Universe: Earth, Moon & Stars
Standard(s): S6E1. & S6E2.
Unit 2 – Rocking the Earth: The Formation of the Earth’s Surface
Standard(s): S6E5.
Unit 3- Let’s Get Physical: Processes of the Earth
Standard(s): S6E5.
*Pacing in accordance with the curriculum as set by the DCSD Earth Science curriculum.
*Remediation may occur and will vary dependent on the time allowed and each individual
students’ progression.
*Parts of chapters may be excluded due to their correlation to the standards.

Description of Standards
Georgia Standards of Excellence for 6th grade Earth & Space Science will be taught during this
course.

S6E1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about current scientific views of the universe
and how those views evolved.
a. Ask questions to determine changes in models of Earth’s position in the solar system, and
origins of the universe as evidence that scientific theories change with the addition of new
information.
b. Develop a model to represent the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and in
the known universe.
c. Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the planets in our solar system in terms of:
  size relative to Earth;
 surface and atmospheric features;
 relative distance from the sun
 ability to support life.
d. Develop and use a model to explain the interaction of gravity and inertia that governs the
motion of objects in the solar system.
e. Ask questions to compare and contrast the characteristics, composition, and location of comets,
asteroids, and meteoroids.

S6E2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of the relative positions of
the sun, Earth, and moon.
a. Develop and use a model to demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the relative
positions of the sun, Earth, and moon.
b. Construct an explanation of the cause of solar and lunar eclipses.
c. Analyze and interpret data to relate the tilt of the Earth to the distribution of sunlight
throughout the year and its effect on seasons.

S6E5. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to show how Earth’s surface is formed.
a. Ask questions to compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, inner and outer core,
including temperature, density, thickness, and composition.
b. Plan and carry out an investigation of the characteristics of minerals and how minerals
contribute to rock composition.
c. Construct an explanation of how to classify rocks by their formation and how rocks change
through geologic processes in the rock cycle.
d. Ask questions to identify types of weathering, agents of erosion and transportation, and
environments of deposition.
e. Develop a model to demonstrate how natural processes (weathering, erosion, and deposition)
and human activity change rocks and the surface of the Earth.
f. Construct an explanation of how the movement of lithospheric plates, called plate tectonics,
can cause major geologic events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
g. Construct an argument using maps and data collected to support a claim of how fossils show
evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth. h. Plan and carry out an
investigation to provide evidence that soil is composed of layers of weathered rocks and
decomposed organic material.

*Please refer to the Georgia Standards of Excellence for the detailed listing of standards.
(https://www.georgiastandards.org/Georgia-Standards/Documents/Science-Sixth-Grade-Georgia-
Standards.pdf)

BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Title Holt Science and Technology; Earth Science, 2008 textbook

ISBN #
Replacement Cost
Online book and/or
resources
Online student access code
13: 97-0-03-092031-8
approximately $70 for textbook
http://my.hrw.com
To be issued to each individual student.

GRADING SYSTEM
The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning
shall be conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing
classroom instruction. A variety of approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver
educational services and to maximize each student’s opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate
student progress, report grades that represent the student’s academic achievement, and communicate
official academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the electronic grading
portal. See Board Policy IHA.

Grading Scale
CLASSROOM Tardy policy- Students are to be in class on time with all required materials every
EXPECTATIONS day. The school tardy policy will be enforced.
Homework- Homework is expected to be completed as assigned. Homework
assignments will be assigned AND completed digitally online and via resources as
provided by the teacher.
Late work- It is the policy of the DeKalb County School System that students will
receive a grade of zero for any missing assignments, until student work is
completed. Student work must be completed within time allowed by their teacher.
The following details how late work will be scored, according to the day/date
received and depending on accuracy:
 ONE day late will have a maximum value of 89%
 TWO days late will have a maximum value of 79%
 THREE days late the maximum value will be 69%
Missing work will receive a zero. It is important to note after three days, any late
work graded will receive a failing grade as noted above. Work will NOT be
accepted more than three days after the assigned due date, unless, it is
accompanied by an “excused” slip issued by the attendance office. Please be
advised, the “day,” ends once the student’s class period ends. For example, if a
students’ misplaces or leaves an assignment and it is recovered after class, but
prior to leaving for the school day, if submitted after the class is over, it will still be
considered one day late.
Make-up work- Announced work, such as homework, quizzes and major
assessments are due THE DAY the student returns. For each day’s excused
absence, students will have ONE day to make-up missed work. If a student is
absent under extenuating circumstances, special arrangements can be made to
make up work. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE
CALENDAR AND/OR REQUEST MISSED WORK.
Academic honesty- Receiving AND/OR giving information for an assignment is
cheating and when caught in the act, ALL involved students will not receive credit
nor receive the opportunity for a chance of make-up. Plagiarism is not
acceptable. If a student takes information from the internet or any printed
resources without a credit work can be submitted.
Lab work-Students that fail to follow lab safety protocols will be removed from
the current lab and possible future labs depending on the offense and given an
alternative assignment to be completed and graded.
Papers turned in without a name will be displayed in class for up to ONE
WEEK ONLY, after which any unclaimed assignments will be discarded.
Students must adhere to the DCSS Student Code of Conduct, as well as
specific class rules established and reviewed by each teacher
individually.
MATERIALS Students are expected to bring their own: paper, 4 science composition
AND SUPPLIES books, a working pen or pencil, coloring utensils, glue/scissors, and binder to class
every day. Students should NOT have to borrow supplies.
EXTRA HELP Safety nets may include but are not limited to: Academic Lunch, special projects,
 teacher tutorials, and technology based projects, research and other extended
learning opportunities.
PARENTS Please check my website weekly for important dates (quizzes & tests),
AS PARTNERS required projects and other special assignments, along with helpful websites and
other resources. Greenbergm.weebly.com
Check you student’s agenda DAILY! Students are personally responsible for
recording homework. Work should be written in it (class and homework
assignments) or it should say “none” when there is no homework. Sign up for the
parent portal via Infinite Campus to adequately monitor grades.
If you are concerned about your student’s progress please email me A.S.A.P.