Welcome to the 2011-2012 academic school year for grades 6 through 8. My name is Pamela Sims and I am the science teacher for 6^th and 7^th  graders in the Middle School Program. I have a BA in Interdisciplinary History and what would be considered a minor in General Science from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa; I have a MA in Science Education from National Louis University here in Illinois. I am endorsed in Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts for the Middle School from the state of Illinois. I am a member of the Scientific Review Committee for Chicago Public Schools Student Science Fair, Inc. As a member of this committee, I review for approval all endorsement applications for science fair projects from all CPS students in grades 6 through 12 seeking to do project work with vertebrates or human test subjects. I am also a member of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

I enjoy teaching and am dedicated to education. It is my objective to help your student have a successful school year by assisting him/her to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and effective communicators, especially in science.

The Curriculum:

Our Middle School Science curriculum is underwritten by the National Science Foundation and adapted by CPS: 6^th Grade – Investigating Earth Systems, and for 7^th & 8^th Grades – Lawrence Hall of Science University of California at Berkeley, Lab-Aids Program.

6^th Grade: Earth Science                                             7^th Grade: Life Sciences

            Module 1 – Our Dynamic Planet                                Science & Life Issues

                                    The Changing Earth                                        Studying People Scientifically

            Module 2 – Astronomy/Fossils                                               Cell Structure and Function  

                                    Space Science/Rocks and                               Genetics

                                    Geological Time                                                Ecology

            Module 3 – Climate and Weather                                                                                          

            Module 4 – Energy Resources                       

The Science Fair Project:

Science Fair – 6^th through 8^th graders must complete an individual science project that allows students to solve a problem based on their own experimental design with observed, recorded data, and analysis of that data. The research component or written work, though required, is not meant to be the sole source of the work completed to answer their science fair topic or question; it is merely a tool to give background information concerning the topic itself and related subjects. Because this project work takes almost two (2) quarters to complete, a timeline and an accompanying handbook are issued and available online to ensure all guidelines are followed and that it gets completed in a timely manner. The visual component of the project must be displayed on a regulation-size, 3-sided display board – 48” x 36,” which can be purchased at most office supply stores, including Target stores. (Stores tend to run out quickly around the actual due date period, November & December, so if possible get it now and store it for later use.) The actual project topics are due soon and must be approved before any actual work is done. The Science Fair Handbook and timeline will be available soon, your signature acknowledging its receipt will be required upon its distribution.

Evaluation (The Grades):

All students are required to keep a scientific journal that will be a running record of all classwork; data recorded and analyzed; completed work and work still in-progress. It is essential that students keep track of their journals as it will be needed to complete assignments and as a reference guide for quizzes and tests. Grades are based on an evaluation of formal write-ups of science activities and investigations recorded in the science journal, class assignments, homework, quizzes, tests, projects, including the required science fair project. Students are expected to keep track of all assigned work in their agenda book that will be issued during the first week of school. When in doubt, please check and monitor this book and/or the middle school webpage for assignments in all classes. When students are absent, they miss out on lab and classwork, which directly affects their assigned work and learning. Please keep absences to a minimum, work missed can be difficult to make up. Students are given one (1) day to make up any missed work assigned in their absence without losing major points.

                        Grading Categories                                                   Grading Scale

Projects                                  30%                                           A         90 -  100                   

            Quizzes & Tests                      30%                                           B         80 -  89         

             Lab work/participation           20%                                           C         70 -  79

             Homework                            20%                                            D        60 – 69

                                                                                                             F         59 or below

Your assistance and cooperation will be greatly appreciated as we prepare for a great year of fun and learning. Together we will reach these goals and beyond!

Sincerely,

Pamela Sims

Middle School Science