[ABC123]

I just accepted a transfer to 6th grade Science. Woo Hoo! I will be the only one teaching Science and will have 6 sections. We will be implementing Common Core Standards this year and I am looking for any and all help in regards to pacing charts, I Can statements, quarterly assessments, etc. Also, I would be greatly appreciative of any recommendations as to classroom set-up, how you use science journals, what a typical 50 minute period would include. Coming from teaching self contained 3rd grade, there was TONS of things floating around, but I'm having a more difficult time finding information for 6th grade Science. Thanks in advance for any help or wisdom. I know I will come up with my own way of doing things, but I have never been disappointed with the great ideas that proteacher members are willing to share. I am super excited and can't wait to get started!

[dearduckyduck]

This will be my first year in sixth grade science too!

I'll be watching this thread for any ideas, and I'll post back when I find some.

I know the Common Core are spread over the 6-8 grades. The first thing I did was meet with the 7-8 grade science teacher to see what she would be covering. That way we can make sure the students get all that they need over that three year period.

[aggie'swife]

I too am teaching 6th grade science; however, we don't have the common core. Other than that we can collaborate and share ideas!

Coming from 3rd grade, you will notice quite a difference in the students abilities to work more independently. We had a teacher last year that had taught 1st grade so it was a big change for her though she found that she preferred elementary and went back.

Is your 6th grade at the elementary school, intermediate type or middle school? Do you have your own lab?

You mentioned pacing charts (and your question may be related to common core -- so I don't understand it), but don't you have specific state science standards that you have to cover in a specific grade? Or will you be going by the NGSS (new generation science standards)?

Just to suggest a couple sites that offer good resources just to get you started:

www.science-class.net
www.middleschoolscience.com
www.sciencespot.net

Keep your eyes open for the composition books that go on sale each summer so that you can use those for your science journals. I usually find these for 25-50 cents. We go through at least two journals each year.

[kaceyyork]

I just accepted a position teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade science at a catholic school. The only grades I have taught are kindergarten and 1st grade besides doing middle school during my student teaching (reading) and also did long term subbing in a middle school math class. I am very, very excited about teaching science because this is the grade and subject area that I have always wanted to teach. I would love any and every idea, tip, comment, suggestion on all aspects of teaching science AND teaching middle school (classroom management, first days of school, bell ringers, etc.).

[sandymac]

@kaceyork, are you by any chance in NY? I just accepted a 6, 7, 8th grade Math and Science position in a Catholic School after teaching 2nd grade (my school closed). However I have taught middle school math and science in the past and I am currently working towards my Math certification. I am excited as well, but nervous too...it's a big change. Will follow this thread...looking forward to seeing some tips and ideas.

[kaceyyork]

No I am in Louisiana. I just accepted my position yesterday. The teacher who formally had this position left a binder full of lesson plans, labs, procedures, everything, and was extremely organized. I got to look briefly at the binder during my interview and it looks like everything is done for me but I would like to make it my own also. I have seen a lot about interactive science notebooks and am still contemplating whether I want to do it or not. I am looking for some bell ringer activities to use for the year along with any 1st day/week ideas.

[aggie'swife]

www.sciencespot.net and http://www.middleschoolscience.com/teachers.htm

Click science starters on the left.

Let's see.....
http://www.thesciencepenguin.com/201...-warm-ups.html

Even though this one says 3-5th grade it would be good for a warm-up. It is through TpT and $7. Which generally this will give you digital warm-ups so you can save money by not having to make copies. (No I am not the seller).

I also have a book that I bought at a teacher store years ago and used it for the overhead. I can still use it with my document camera -- it is called QuizWiz. Here is a link so you can see what it is:
http://www.hand2mind.com/catalog/pro...55204&cs=55413

[aggie'swife]

Do you have a Mardel's? You may find some items that you like here.

Note: I taught 4 years at a Catholic school -- middle school and high school science. Then we moved, but I still meet up with a number of teachers I taught with a couple times a year. Mardel's is one of the places we shop.

But at this school, we were fortunate to still have several Benedictine nuns to teach the religion classes at middle school. (Very German Catholic community.) We even had a priest (also was the Assistant Principal) that taught the high school religion classes. He was great -- Irish Catholic Priest -- loved by all, even though he was hard-headed and spared no soul with telling things the way they were. He was an Augustinian from Chicago -- they love education and have a sense of humor. That he did! We miss him...May God rest his soul.

[kaceyyork]

Wow thank you for all of those sites. I will definitely be checking them out. I don't have a Mardel's around. Wish I did.