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Dive into a hands-on, minds-on science exploration journey with Ms. Cochrane in Sixth Grade Science class. Discover the wonders of earth, matter, energy, ecosystems, and the universe through interactive notebooks and engaging activities.
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Teacher Background Laura Cochrane lcochrane@wcpss.net • Bachelor of Science – Meredith College • National Board Certification/Mentor Coordinator • Kenan Fellow 2014-2015 • 29 years teaching Wake County Public Schools • Teacher of the Year – 3 schools
Love to Travel • Favorite places so far: Africa, Galapagos Islands, Paris, Curacao, Aruba, Yellowstone National Park, and Belize. • This past summer I took a trip to Australia and New Zealand. My favorite part was getting to hold a Koala Bear and swimming on the Great Barrier Reef. Here’s a few pictures from my trip …
Units of Study • Safety and Lab Procedures • The Land Beneath our Feet • Structure of earth and how interactions of constructive and destructive forces have resulted in changes in the surface of the Earth • What’s the Matter • Structure, classifications, and physical properties of matter • Catch a Wave • Wavelike property of energy in earthquakes, light and sound waves • Growing and Flowing • Understanding the flow of energy through ecosystems and the structures, processes and behaviors of plants • Space Invaders • Study of the earth/moon/sun system and celestial bodies in the Universe
HOW WE LEARN • HANDS-ON, MINDS-ON EXPLORATION It is my goal to provide a learning environment rich with hands on activities. In science many of our activities require consumable supplies. Throughout the year I’ll send a notice requesting supplies for upcoming activities. Any help with this request would be greatly appreciated • SCIENCE IS INQUIRY-BASED! I want to teach your child HOW to think, not WHAT to think! Asking questions, finding answers, making mistakes, testing ideas, asking more questions, finding more answers. It’s all a part of the learning process.
Interactive Science Notebooks (ISN) What are they? • An Interactive Notebook is a tool that will help students succeed in this class. • They can be used to 1) review for quizzes and tests, 2) keep track of assignments and class progress on a daily basis, 3) personalize your learning experience in science by having a means to reflect thoughtfully, creatively, and individually. • This style of notebook uses both the right and left-brain hemispheres to help sort, categorize and be creative with the new science information you are learning.
Interactive Science Notebooks (ISN) Why use them? • Improve organizational skills • Improve critical thinking skills • Express understanding creatively • Research shows that student understanding and literacy skills improve when students do hands-on minds-on science and use science notebooks to make sense of their investigations.
Homework & Make-Up Work • Write assignments in agenda • Study notes and vocabulary words for 10-15 minutes each night • When absent, check “While You Were Out” station and get ISN notes from lab partner • It can be difficult to send science assignments home ahead of time due to the nature of most class activities. • Students will receive class notes and information about any labs/experiments/content information that they missed when they arrive back at school.
Grading Categories • Classwork/Labs 1-15 points • Quizzes 1-10 points • Projects 1-20 points • Tests 25-50 points ** PowerSchool will be updated once a week **
Check out the following links: • Tigers website • Mills Park Middle School website • Grading Policy
Communication Email: lcochrane@wcpss.net please note - email checked daily at end of school day Phone: 919-466-1500 Website http://cochrane2018.weebly.com I