Teacher Information:

Name: Mrs. Miller

Room: A17
Telephone: (810) 229-7946
E-mail: jmiller@stpatschool.org
Class Website: stpatschool5m.weebly.com

Course Objectives:
1.) To develop analytical skills for processing our world.
2.) To apply the scientific method to investigations of our world.
3.) To relate aspects of science to real-world contexts and everyday situations.
4.) To accurately utilize appropriate scientific vocabulary in explanations and discussions.
5.) To demonstrate through practical, visual, written and verbal assignments/assessments an understanding of
general science.
6.) To exceed Michigan and Diocese Grade Level Content Expectations for fifth grade science
7.) To develop a sense of excitement about the world we live in.

Fifth grade science will be the last year that students are presented with a general approach to science before moving to
a more discipline-centered approach. As with all science classes, the scientific method, science processes, laboratory
techniques, and measurement will be emphasized, especially at the start of the year. From there, we will progress
through the year taking time to overview the three primary disciplines of science. In the fall, students investigations of
the world of physical science will primarily focus around forces and motion. Next, our units on life science will lead
students through an investigation of human biology, genetics, animal adaptation and change over time Given the broad
nature of information in this course, topics will be broken down into units. Finally, we will wrap up the year with our
earth science unit as we explore the relationships between the Earth, the moon and the sun. Focus will be placed on
hands-on laboratory investigations exploring concepts in earth science as much as time allows. However, additional time
will consist of direct instruction, lectures, note taking, discussions, quizzes, teacher demonstrations, and current events.
Through this, students will be encouraged to make connections between science taking place in the world and what we
are studying in the science classroom so that they may emerge with an understanding of the interconnected nature of the
world we live in.

Absent Work
Please refer to the middle school handbook. Additionally, if students missed a lab investigation that they cannot
make up at home, they will be responsible for writing a 1-page summary reviewing the concepts explored in the
missed lab.
Grading
Student grades will be based on homework, labs, notebooks, quizzes, tests, projects, and participation. All
grades are on a standard point system.

Resources
We will be using the Houghton Mifflin Science Fusion series from Holt McDougal. Copyright 2012. The series has
many additional resources available online at www.thinkcentral.com. Online access instructions will be given
during the first week of school. Additionally, resources for notes and classroom activities such as interactive
notebooks can be found on my class website at stpatschool5m.weebly.com

FOR ADDITIONAL RULES, EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES, PLEASE SEE THE PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK

This course syllabus is based on teacher discretion and is subject to change as need arises.
All curriculum is aligned with Michigan and Lansing Diocese Grade Level Content Expectations.

Fifth Grade
Science
Mrs. Miller
Syllabus
2014-2015