Back to Mr. Noonen's Home Page

 

6th Grade Science with Mr. Noonen

Welcome to sixth grade! I am looking forward to having you in science class this year. We will be primarily studying Earth Science, which is the study of Earth and Space!

earthsciencechart_jpg.jpg (163163 bytes)

6th Grade Ground Rules

The students and teachers of 6th grade have developed thier own set of ground rules and expectations for them. They are:

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Ready to Roll

Follow Directions

Maintain Personal Space

The following Expectations Matrix provides detailed examples of the behaviors expected at Dunlap Middle School. Failure to meet expectations has consequences.

Classroom

Coming & Going

Locker

Restroom

Bus

Be

Respectful
  • Listen when others are speaking
  • Keep your area clean
  • Be polite
  • Don’t lean in your chair or mark on the furniture
  • Don’t cheat
  • Walk
  • Allow room for others
  • Don’t delay others by talking to them
  • Give yourself plenty of time
  • Keep it clean and organized
  • Don’t slam, kick or hit it
  • Give your neighbors room
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Wash your hands
  • Be polite
  • Be quiet
  • Keep the noise level down
  • Respect the driver’s rules
  • Stay in your seat
  • Be polite

Be

Responsible
  • Listen while others are talking
  • Keep the classroom clean
  • Raise your hand to speak
  • Be prepared with everything you need
  • Turn your homework in on time
  • Walk quietly, on the right side of the hallway
  • Have everything you need
  • Get where you are going on time
  • No pushing
  • Keep the hallways clean
  • Keep your locker clean and organized
  • Make sure you have everything you need for class
  • Remember your combination and don’t give it to others
  • Make room for your neighbor
  • Get in and out quickly
  • Wash your hands
  • Keep the restroom clean
  • Keep the bus clean
  • Be on time to the bus
  • Don’t forget personal items on the bus
  • Be quiet and do not distract the driver
  • Stay in your seat

Be Ready

to Roll
  • Have all materials for that class
  • Be ready to listen when the bell rings
  • Stay on the right side of the hallway
  • Know your combination
  • Do your business quickly
  • Get in and out!
  • Watch for your stop
  • Be on time

Follow Directions
  • Listen to the teacher
  • Bring materials
  • Walk on the right side
  • Don’t run, yell or push
  • Know the combination
  • Don’t give out the combo
  • Don’t share your locker
  • Keep it organized
  • One person per stall
  • Wash hands
  • Don’t socialize
  • Sit down
  • Don’t yell
  • Be on time

Maintain Personal

Space
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Keep your belongings to yourself.
  • Keep feet under desk.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself
  • Walk on the right side of the hall.
  • Mind your own business.
  • Keep your belongings to yourself.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Stay in your own locker space.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Don’t overcrowd the bathroom.
  • One person per stall
  • Keep 3 or less people to a seat.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Talk quietly to people in your seat.

 

Before/After School

Assemblies & Trips

IRC

Cafeteria & Lunch

Extra Curricular Activities

Be

Respectful
  • Represent Dunlap well
  • Stay out of peoples yards
  • Don’t litter
  • Listen to the adults
  • Stay with the group
  • Represent Dunlap well
  • Quiet
  • Don’t copy
  • Respect school property
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Good manners
  • Keep the noise level down
  • No cutting
  • be on time
  • practice good sportsmanship
  • listen to the adults
  • respect property

Be

Responsible
  • Walk directly to your destination
  • Make sure you have everything you need
  • Sit quietly in the gym
  • Turn off electronics before entering school
  • Be quiet and pay attention
  • Be prepared and responsible with your belongings
  • Stay with your group
  • Follow directions
  • Make sure your parents know about upcoming events
  • Be quiet
  • Return books on time
  • Put books back where they belong
  • Use your time wisely
  • Use the computers and Internet wisely
  • Remember your code; Don’t share it
  • Pay your lunch account
  • Wait your turn in line
  • Don’t throw food
  • Stay in your seat until you are dismissed
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Be on time
  • Make sure you have what you need and respect other people’s things
  • Listen and follow directions
  • Show good sportsmanship
  • Make sure you have a ride home

Be Ready

to Roll
  • Before: make sure you have everything you need for school
  • After: make sure you have everything you need in your backpack to take with you
  • Listen to directions
  • Have money, materials, lunch, etc
  • Have the proper clothing
  • Know what book you want to check out
  • Have materials your teacher expects
  • Know your student id number
  • Have money on your account
  • Be on time
  • Have money if necessary
  • Dress appropriately

Follow Directions
  • Cross in front of the bus
  • Be on time
  • Come in the correct doors
  • Stay with the group/buddy
  • Walk in straight line
  • Listen
  • Be quiet
  • Wait your turn to check out book
  • Respect the books
  • Stay seated
  • Clean up after yourself
  • Don’t throw food
  • Listen to the people in charge
  • Be a good sport
  • Be on time

Maintain Personal

Space
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Maintain personal space in the gym and bus.
  • Walk in and out of school.
  • Maintain personal space.
  • Stay seated
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Stay with group or partner
  • Whisper
  • Keep your belongings to yourself.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Wait your turn in line
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • 1 person per seat.
  • Give people room to eat.
  • Keep hands and feet to yourself.
  • Maintain personal space in the gym and bus.
  • Walk in and out of school.

 

Work Ethic

We do a lot of projects in Science. I try to carve enough time from the day for students to get their work done. Therefore, I do not have a lot of homework. As a matter of fact, we usually only have about one homework assignment per week.

If your child is in Band/Chorus/Orchestra or some other activity, they might be bringing home more homework than other kids. This is because they have class during study hall and do not get the extra time to do work.

Although your student does not have a lot of traditional homework in Science, they do have plenty to work on. I usually give a vocabulary list and study guide for the units we are working on. The study guides serve as templates for any lectures and demonstrations. I encourage students to spend about 10 minutes per night studying the notes from the day. This allows children to learn things in much smaller chunks. Working on smaller chunks of information is much more efficient and proves to be more long-lasting than "cramming."

The science curriculum at Dunlap Middle School is designed to be challenging. Sometimes that can be frustrating for parents as well as students. Be assured that if your child brings home work to be completed, there was definitely an explanation of how to do it and several examples were demonstrated in class. If your student doesn’t understand and is frustrated, attach a note explaining the situation, or send me an e-mail. I will address it the next day.

Remediation

If a student fails a test (64% or lower), an opportunity for remediation will be given. The student will be allowed the opportunity to improve their test score to a 66%. A "Remediation Notice" will be sent home and must be completed and returned before credit is given. A sample is attached.

Late or Incomplete Work

Students are required to turn in all assignments on the assigned dates. Assignments are due at the beginning of the respective class period. Assignments not produced at that time are considered late and a 25% penalty is assessed. Students have until the end of study hall the following school day to turn in the late assignment. No credit will be given for assignments turned in after the deadline.

My Website

For an overview of the day’s work, please use the Homework Hotline found on the Dunlap Middle School website. But, if you want a detailed look at science class, take a look at my website. It includes a calendar page with access to many, but not all, assignments; links to additional websites for deeper explanation; and study guides for approaching tests.

My website can be accessed at http://www.dunlapcusd.net/dms/Noonen/tnoonen/index.html

Mr. Noonen’s Schedule

PERIOD

TIME

CLASS

1ST

8:30-9:13

SCIENCE

2ND

9:16-9:59

SCIENCE

3RD

10:02-10:45

PLAN TIME
4TH

10:48-11:31

TEAM TIME

 

11:31-12:01

LUNCH

5TH

12:04-12:47

SCIENCE

6TH

12:50-1:33

SCIENCE
7TH

1:36-1:58

PANTHER PRIDE

8TH

2:01-2:44

STUDY HALL

9TH

2:47-3:30

SCIENCE

Contact Mr. Noonen 

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time through email tnoonen@dunlapcusd.net or phone via the DMS office (243-7778). The best time to reach me is 10:05-11:55. I will do my best to answer any phone call or e-mail on the day that I get it.

 

6th Grade Science Curriculum

The 6th grade science curriculum at Dunlap Middle School is focused on Earth Science. Earth Science is the study of Earth and space. That includes weather, plate tectonics, the atmosphere and a whole range of other topics. For a general list of things that will be covered this year, please look at the attached curriculum map.

earthscience.jpg (32362 bytes)

 

 

Curriculum Map 2010-2011

Dunlap Community School Unit District 323
Noonen, Tim / Science 6 / Grade 6 (Dunlap Middle School)

 

Essential Questions

Content

Skills

Assessment

Learning Activities

Resources

Science Process Skills

(Week 1, 3 Weeks) 

  • What is science?
  • How does science affect everyday life?
  • What is the scientific method?
  • Historically, how has science contributed to society?
  • What does a safe laboratory look like?
  • What is the difference between a hypothesis, a theory and a law?

 
  • The Scientific Method
  • Introduction to Science Vocabulary
  • Observation Methods
  • Science History
  • Measurement
  • Lab Safety

 
  • Describe and use the Scientific Method.
  • Memorize and incorporate science terminology.
  • Practice different methods of data collection.
  • Explain how science is dynamic citing historical practices.
  • Make measurements using the metric system.
  • Identify, select and use appropriate lab equipment correctly.
  • Compare and contrast different scientific theories and laws.
  • Record and analyze data using different observational methods.
  • Apply the scientific method to an everyday problem.
  • Complete an experiment and identify the steps of the scientific method.

 


Formative: Lab Assignment


Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Astronomy

(Week 4, 5 Weeks) 

  • How is the universe organized?
  • What are some of the theories of the origins of the universe and its components?
  • What cycles are present within our solar system?
  • How do the movements of the objects in our solar system affect us?
  • What did ancient scientists contribute to modern astronomy?

 
  • Heliocentrism
  • Galileo/Copernicus
  • Inner Planets/Outer Planets
  • Planet Characteristics
  • Rotation/Revolution
  • Solstice/Equinox/ Seasons/ Day/Night
  • Moon History/Moon Phases/Lunar Eclipses Gravity/Magnetic Field
  • Comets/asteroids/meteoroids
  • Temperature- Celsius/ Fahrenheit/Kelvin
  • Distance- Kilometer/Mile/Astronomical Units
  • Time- Day/Month/Year
  • "Big Bang" Theory
  • Solar System/Galaxy/Universe
  • The Sun/Stars/Star Life Cycle
  •  Constellations/Nebulas/Black Holes

 
  • Distinguish between Heliocentrism and Geocentrism.
  • Identify historical figures in Astronomy.
  • Differentiate between rotation and revolution.
  • Explain why there are seasons on Earth.
  • Identify moon phases and their causes.
  • Explain why solar and lunar eclipses occur.
  • Sequence the planets according to their position in the solar system.
  • Identify planets by their characteristics.
  • Compare/Contrast the planets.
  • Describe the components of the universe.
  • Explain the life cycle of a star.
  • Calculate time, distance and temperature using a variety of units and conversion formulas.
  • Summarize the "Big Bang" theory.

 

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Chemistry

(Week 9, 5 Weeks) 

  • What is matter?
  • How do the parts of an atom determine how it will combine with other atoms?
  • What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?
  • Why is the periodic table organized correctly?

 
  • Atomic Structure
  • (Nucleus, Protons, Neutrons, Electrons, Shells)
  • Elements/Compounds/Mixtures
  • Periodic Table
  • Physical Properties/Chemical Properties
  • States Of Matter/Changes Of State
  • Physical Change Vs. Chemical Change

 
  • Identify the states of matter.
  • Draw, label and explain the parts of an atom.
  • Explain the difference between elements, molecules, compounds and mixtures.
  • Distinguish between chemical and physical properties.
  • Distinguish between physical change and chemical change.
  • Justify the elements' arrangement on the periodic table.

 

Chemistry Vocabulary
Formative: Other written assessments

Periodic Table
Summative: Individual Project

Changes of State
Formative: Lab Assignment

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Earth Structure

(Week 14, 2 Weeks) 

  • How did the Earth form?
  • How does heat move within the Earth?
  • What are the characteristics of each layer of the Earth?

 
  • Earth Structure (Crust/Mantle/Core)
  • Conduction/Convection/Radiation
  • Earth Formation

 
  • Describe the Earth's interior.
  • Distinguish among the types of heat movement.
  • Explain the geologic history.

 

Earth's Layers
Formative: Quiz

Earth Science Vocabulary
Formative: Other written assessments

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Minerals

(Week 15, 2 Weeks) 

  • What are the characteristics necessary to be identified as a mineral?
  • What are some uses of minerals?
  • Why are minerals important to society?

 
  • Physical Properties vs. Chemical Properties
  • Mineral Formation
  • Mineral Uses

 
  • Describe the physical and chemical properties used to identify minerals.
  • Categorize minerals according to their physical characteristics.
  • Identify elements that are found in minerals.
  • Generate a list of minerals according to their uses.

 

Mineral note-taking
Formative: Other written assessments

Mineral lab
Formative: Lab Assignment

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis
  • Synthesis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Rocks

(Week 16, 2 Weeks) 

  • How are rocks created?
  • What characteristics of rocks determine if they are sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic rocks?

 
  • Rock Formation
  • Igneous/Sedimentary/Metamorphic Rocks

 
  • Write a summary of the process by which rocks are created.
  • Identify rocks by their properties.
  • Sort rock samples by their properties.

 


Formative: Lab Assignment

Dichotorock
Summative: Demonstration

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Soil, Weathering and Erosional Forces

(Week 16, 5 Weeks) 

  • What is the difference between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering?
  • How does weathering affect land?
  • How does erosion occur?
  • What are the causes of erosion and deposition?
  • How does the erosion/deposition process destroy and create landforms?
  • How have glaciers changed the surface of the Earth?

 
  • Mechanical Weathering vs. Chemical Weathering
  • Glaciers/Glaciation

 
  • Read for knowledge.
  • Distinguish between mechanical weathering and chemical weathering.
  • Name some contributing factors of erosion.
  • Explain the erosion/deposition cycle.
  • Describe the effects of weathering on the landforms.
  • Identify landforms by the processes that created them.
  • Explain the effects of glaciers on the surrounding landscape.

 

 

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis
  • Synthesis
  • Evaluation

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

The Rock Cycle

(Week 20, 3 Weeks) 

  • What is the relationship between the formation of rocks, the erosion/deposition process, and the rock cycle?
  • How does the rock cycle illustrate the principle of the conservation of matter?

 
  • The Rock Cycle

 
  • Describe the rock cycle.
  • Construct and illustrate a diagram of the rock cycle.
  • Explain the rock cycle.
  • Explain the principle of the conservation of mass.

 

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Fossils and Geologic Time

(Week 22, 3 Weeks) 

  • What is a fossil and what does it reveal about earth’s past?
  • What does the rock layer a fossil is found in tell about it's age?
  • How do scientist organize the major events of earth’s past?
  • How have major events in Earth's history changed life?

 
  • Fossil Formation
  • Superposition
  • Uniformitarianism

 
  • List the conditions necessary for fossil formation.
  • Differentiate between relative age and absolute age.
  • Describe how superposition helps determine rock age.
  • Identify examples where scientists correlated rock layers with historical events.
  • Explain carbon dating.
  • Organize Earth's history into units of time.
  • Correlate the appearance of groups of organisms (fish,reptiles,mammals,etc.) and major extinctions with units of time.
  • Describe the events that led to major extinctions.

 

 

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of science

Plate Tectonics

(Week 20, 9 Weeks) 

  • What is the difference between the theory of Continental Drift and the theory of Plate Tectonics?
  • What geologic processes occur at the different types of plate boundaries?
  • What geologic features are created at the different types of plate boundaries?
  • What are some of the hypotheses scientists have about the causes of plate movements?
  • How have plate movements caused changes in the positions and shapes of Earth’s landmasses and what changes can be predicted about the future?

 
  • Wegener’s Theory of Continental Drift
  • Pangaea
  • The Theory of Plate Tectonics
  • Sea Floor Spreading/Mountain Building/Subduction Zones
  • Continental Crust/Oceanic Crust
  • Mid-Ocean Ridges/Rift Valleys/Trenches/Other Landforms
  • Divergent/Convergent/Transform Boundaries

 
  • Explain the theory of continental drift.
  • Explain the theory of plate tectonics.
  • Compare and contrast the types of plate boundaries.
  • Identify plate boundaries on a map.
  • Describe the geologic processes that occur at the different plate boundaries.
  • Provide examples of the different forms of heat transfer.
  • Illustrate and label the geologic processes that occur at plate boundaries.
  • Predict how the Earth will appear in the future based on past plate movements.

 

Lab
Formative: Lab Assignment

Unit Test
Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis
  • Synthesis
  • Evaluation

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Conservation & Ecology

(Week 29, 3 Weeks) 

  • How do humans impact the environment?
  • What types of resources are part of Earth’s environment, and how are they important to humans? What are nonrenewable and renewable energy resources?
  • How does the use of Earth’s resources affect Earth’s environment?
  • What evidence do scientists have to support or debuke global warming?
  • What are the benefits of a recycling program?

 
  • Biogeography/Environment/Ecosystem/Habitat
  • Pollution/Mining/Natural Resources
  • Global Warming/The Greenhouse Effect/ Pollution
  • Water Conservation
  • Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

 
  • Describe the human population explosion.
  • List ways the population increase has impacted the environment.
  • Explain how land and resource consumption creates problems.
  • Identify ways to conserve resources.
  • Explain the advantages of reduce/reuse/recycle.
  • Debate the existence of global warming.

 


Formative: Lab Assignment


Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis
  • Synthesis
  • Evaluation

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Earth's Air and Water

(Week 30, 4 Weeks) 

  • What is the composition of the atmosphere?
  • How does the sun affect the atmosphere?
  • Why does air move?
  • What role does water play in the atmosphere?
  • What portion of the Earth's water is available for humans?
  • How does water move?
  • What is the relationship between heat transfer and water and air?
  • How does the moon influence water?

 
  • The atmosphere
  • Freshwater/Saltwater/Ice
  • World Geography
  • Currents
  • Waves
  • Tides
  • Ocean Zones/Layers

 
  • Describe the composition of the atmosphere.
  • Explain why different latitudes receive different amounts of solar energy.
  • Provide reasons for air movement.
  • Define the types and forms of water found on Earth.
  • Identify bodies of water on a map.
  • Illustrate and label the water cycle.
  • List some challenges to provide fresh water for human populations.
  • Describe wave formation.
  • Explain how tides form.

 

Clean Water Celebration Field Trip
Summative: Other written assessments


Summative: Written Test


Formative: Persuasive Writing Assignment

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

Weather & Climate

(Week 33, 4 Weeks) 

  • What is the hydrological cycle?
  • How does severe weather occur?
  • What precautions should be made in the event of severe weather?
  • How has severe weather impacted human populations throughout history?
  • How does El Nino affect weather patterns?
  • Historically, how has climate change affected life on Earth?

 
  • The Hydrological Cycle: (Evaporation/Condensation/Precipitation)
  • Weather vs. Climate
  • Tornadoes/Hurricanes/Droughts/Blizzards
  • Tropical/Temperate/Polar/Terrestrial/Maritime
  • High Pressure/Low Pressure/Wind

 
  • Illustrate and explain the hydrological cycle.
  • Identify the characteristics for severe weather.
  • Discuss safety precautions for severe weather.
  • Research and report historical accounts of severe weather.
  • Define climate.
  • Differentiate between weather and climate.
  • Describe El Nino.
  • Explore causes of climate change.

 


Formative: Lab Assignment


Summative: Written Test

 
  • Knowledge
  • Comprehension
  • Application
  • Analysis
  • Synthesis
  • Evaluation

 

 

 

 
  • Textbook
  • Internet
  • Other Resources
  • Teacher Created Resources


Mr. Noonen's House of Science

 

The above table represents a general syllabus for 6th grade science at Dunlap Middle School. Some topics may be covered in a different order than what they appear on the syllabus. Please refer to my website for more date specific inquiries. My Website can be accessed at

http://www.dunlapcusd.net/dms/Noonen/tnoonen/index.html