NCSCOS

NCSCOS: North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 6th grade Science : (Click here for NCSCOS:Science)

This page is to show you the Standards that each 6th grader is structured around when it comes to the academics... A lot of the language is in "Teacher Talk", but I will take the time to explain what we will be learning in "Normal Talk." The basic curriculum for 6th grade science is based on Earth Science (Earth Formation, Solar System, Ecosystems, and more). In addition, to science my Homeroom or Excel classroom will also be included on this webpage. After all they are my homeroom crew and the first group of lucky children to see my face in the morning. If you are not familiar with Excel, it is basically a mandated Harnett County school lesson plans focused toward Literacy and Higher-Order Thinking.

According to the NCSCOS sixth graders will cover 7 competency goals accompanied by objective goals which integrate other content area i.e. Math, SS, & LA! Here are the goals : __**Comp Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.**__ __**Comp Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.**__ __**Comp Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of the geological cycles, forces, processes, and agents which shape the lithosphere.**__ __**Comp Goal 4: The learner will investigate the cycling of matter.**__ __**Comp Goal 5: The learner will build understanding of the Solar System.**__ __**Comp Goal 6: The learner will conduct investigations and examine models and devices to build an understanding of the characteristics of energy transfer and/or transformation.**__ __**Comp Goal 7: The learner will conduct investigations and use technologies and information systems to build an understanding of population dynamics.**__

In "Normal Words" not "Teacher Talk"
 * __Goal 1: Safety procedures (lab) and Scientific method (how to develop and understand elements of experimenting) ( The methods scientist use to prove scientific mystery)__**
 * __Goal 2: Using technology when learning or investigating science.__**
 * __Goal 3: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Rocks, Soil (Earth formation--all the great things that make up Earth)__**
 * __Goal 4: Matter ---how matter travels through organisms on Earth, photosynthesis, etc. (Ecosystems)__**
 * __Goal 5: The Solar System (Our Planets and their function and how our solar system operates)__**
 * __Goal 6: Energy (Light and Sound and using Technology to understand it)__**
 * __Goal 7: Using technology to better understand how things travel from organism to organism and how technology and people impact the Earth.__**

Excel:

Excel was developed to improve literacy and higher-order thinking. The instruction is specifically designed to focus on 2 aspects: 1) Ways of thinking about text as researched by Fontas and Pinnell and 2) Higher-order thinking characterized by upper levels of a revised Bloom's Taxonomy. Excel has many activities to help students master literacy components such as, Phonemic Awareness (ability to hear words), Phonics (how words connect to make words), Word Study (A better way to practice spelling), Fluency (the rate or speed of reading), Vocabulary (understanding meaning of words), Comprehension (taking words and understanding the meanings or understanding what you are reading), and Writing (A huge component of literacy, knowing how to read better improves writing). AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted) students will recieve instruction in critical reading/thinking skills and novel studies.

Excel class will not be "graded;" rather, the work will be reviewed each report period with the teacher rating the student's work---and homework will be minimal! :) This is just a brief synopsis of what Homeroom or the meaning of Excel! Many of you asked me what Excel was and this is the exact answer....all parents will know the extent of Excel when school begins! :)

Click on this link to understand Fontas and Pinnell: []