Welcome to

Mrs. Ferrari’s Classroom

6th Grade ScienceGVMS Back To School Night

2013 - 2014

Education/Background

• B.S., Virginia Tech • M.S.I.A, Carnegie-Mellon• Education Certifications: K – 8, Special

Education K - 12, and Principal/Supervisor, Immaculata University

• 4th and 6th Grade Teacher, 7 years• K - 12 Science Supervisor/TOSA, 7 years

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)

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

Materials Needed (most students already have these materials)

• 2 inch binder with section devoted to science• Pencils with erasers• Sheet protectors - 10• Paper reinforcements – optional

Grading SystemPoint system

• Assignments weighted by points possible• Student’s final grade is calculated by:

Total points earned X 100Total points possible

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

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.

Science GradesStudents can earn points for the following

assignments: • Homework• Classwork• Quizzes• Tests• Lab Investigations• Notebook Checks• Projects• Extra Credit

Science Overview

• Science classes in 6th grade are not leveled• Our curriculum is inquiry-based• We use investigations from 2 STC kits and from

national environmental curriculum• Textbooks and other reading materials support

investigations• We begin with mini-units on lab safety, the nature

of science, and matter

2 Major Units of Study

Catastrophic Events

• Tornadoes• Hurricanes• Thunderstorms• Earthquakes• Volcanoes

2 Major Units of Study

Earth in Space

• Sun-Earth-Moon system• Seasons• Moon phases• Eclipses• Tides• Planets

Other Topics of Study

• Lab Safety• The Scientific Method• Matter

Science Textbooks

• Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Inside Earth• Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Astronomy• NSRC Smithsonian: Catastrophic Events

Student Guide and Source Book • NSRC Smithsonian: Earth in Space Student

Guide and Source Book

Thank You!

Thank you for coming tonight.

I anticipate a great school year!

Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.

Welcome to

Mrs. Ferrari’s Classroom

6th Grade Social StudiesGVMS Back To School Night

2013 - 2014

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

Materials Needed (most students already have these materials)

• 2 inch binder with section devoted to Social Studies

• Pencils with erasers

Grading SystemPoint system

• Assignments weighted by points possible• Student’s final grade is calculated by:

Total points earned X 100Total points possible

Social Studies

Two Areas of Focus:

• Geography• Ancient Civilizations

Geography Topics

• Geographic Tools• Physical Characteristics of Place• Human Characteristics of Place

Ancient Civilizations

• Mesopotamia• Egypt• Greece• Rome• Civilizations of the Americas – The Aztec, The Maya,

The Incas

Social Studies Textbooks

• Pearson Prentice Hall: World Studies: Foundations of Geography

• Pearson: My World History: Early Ages

Social Studies Grades

Students can earn points for the following assignments:

• Classwork• Homework• Quizzes• Tests• Projects• Extra Credit

Thank You!

Thank you for coming tonight.

I anticipate a great school year!

Feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions.