Middle School Science

My name is Stacy Flanagan. I have a BS in Elementary Education with a Minor in Biology from Northern Arizona University. I have been teaching Middle School Science at Pine Strawberry School for the past 18 years. I love how science is a way of learning and not just a list of facts. There is always more to learn and discover! I grew up in Payson and love this area of Arizona. I have a wonderful husband and two precious boys that keep me busy when I am not teaching.

 

In my class most of your grade comes from the work you do daily in class, so attendance is very important! More important however, is being on task while you are here. Here is my grading scale:

• Journal Entries = 40%

• Tests and quizzes = 40%

• Homework = 20%

 

Journal Entries: Almost every day you be asked to write something in your science journal. Neat and accurate notes are worth five points and labs are worth ten or more points depending on how many days they were worked on. However, you can also earn extra credit every day, by “going beyond the call of duty” (putting extra detail and thoughtfulness into your entries). These journal entries are kept in your science journal and you may take them home to study every day. 

Homework: Every week you are to create five note cards from the notes you take in class. These are like flashcards with a term/question on one side and a definition on the other. You will also have additional science reading assignments sent home (to review past concepts) that you will have 2-4 days to complete.  Make sure to check your weekly newsletter and the whiteboard for any due dates.  

Tests and Quizzes: Tests are given at the end of a unit of study and the last week of each quarter. Quizzes will be given most Fridays to ensure that students are studying and understanding the material weekly.

If you are absent…

If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to come see me and get your make-up work. Missing notes can be obtained from me before/after school, during recess or from a fellow classmate. Please catch up on missing notes as soon as possible so you do not fall behind. If you missed a lab you may need to complete an alternate assignment as most labs cannot be made up.  

Extra Credit

Here are some options for extra credit, please discuss these with me prior to doing the extra credit otherwise they will not be accepted:

·     Science song or rap

·     Report on an endangered species

·     Create a science model

·     Write a children’s science book

·     Any other suggestions? Let me know! Be creative!

Students have a set of five note cards due each Wednesday.  These are like flashcards with a term/question on one side and a definition on the other. Students will also have additional science reading assignments (Flashbacks) sent home to review past concepts.  Make sure to check your weekly newsletter and the whiteboard for any due dates.  Late work will have a 10% decrease in score for each day the assignment is late. 

Each year the 6th grade homeroom teacher I take the class to Camp Colton for four days. Camp Colton is an environmental education camp run by the Flagstaff Unified School District that is located in the beautiful Hart Prairie. Students get to explore the great outdoors and actually do science rather than read about it!

 

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