Welcome to 6th Grade Earth Science!

Welcome to 6th Grade Earth Science with Ms. Paulson!

👈 CLICK SUBSCRIBE on the left and receive a weekly email about what is happening in science.

Hello! Welcome scholars and their families to a new school year!

My name is Gina Paulson and I am super excited to begin my third year at The ASK Academy teaching 6th grade Earth Science. Although newer to ASK, this school year marks nearly 19 years as a teacher and 3 years as an assistant, in all 22 years in education. My experience includes work at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, The Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Groner K-8 School, and most recently Cielo Azul Elementary with Rio Rancho Public Schools.

It was my time at Groner K-8, in Hillsboro, Oregon, that I strengthen and developed my love of teaching science. This amazing, tiny school became one of the first schools in their district to develop a STEAM program and I had the honor of being a part of the beginning stages working directly with the students and the community creating an agricultural based STEAM program that serves K-8th grade. This incredible school left an indelible mark on my heart and The ASK Academy reminds me a great deal of my dear old school. I look forward to developing new relationships here and I am excited

to be here!

Science is a passion of mine and I am so lucky to witness your joy in observing, exploring, and learning all about the world around us.

Always Question, Always Wonder

Unit 1: The Scientific Method is underway! Check Google Classroom daily, for lessons and access to materials.

Posts

Science the week of September 5-8, 2022

The best laid plains are sometimes saved for the next week. like this coming week! Sorry for my absence (COVID), so for this week, I am ready to roll! This week looks a little like what was planned for last week since we didn't get to our experiment. Progress Reports are also due on Tuesday, got an NC in science, then need to touch base with me.

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY- LABOR DAY

Build that water purification system and purify that water! 🚰 We will start this process on Tuesday and wrap it up on Thursday. We will have teams that will each have a role in the experiment.
Wear your lab coat, glasses, and gloves on Thursday, Lab Day!🧑‍🔬
Science binder check #1 (was supposed to be last Tuesday) is this Wednesday. Have your binder ready and check the details posted in Google Classroom.

*Learning from home? Check in with me and Google Classroom, all the work is posted there. 📝

Science the week of August 29- September 1, 2022

We made it a whole month 6th grade scholars! Congratulations to you! Take a moment to reflect on the progress you have made, the new people you have met, and all the information you have learned. It is incredible and I am so proud of all of you! 🥹

Diving a little deeper with analyzing the data including setting up our data for our labs this week. All throughout the week, we will be reviewing concepts of the scientific method as we are nearing the end of this unit. I encourage you to be checking in to ensure you are understanding this process.
Science Binder Check #1 this Tuesday. Be sure your binder has all the items listed and are complete. Coloring is encouraged, make it look good. Check the link posted in Google Classroom and on this page for the list.
Finalize hypothesis, prepare experiment, data collection, and solving world peace (you know, little things😜), all our to-do's for our Lab Day on Thursday.

*If you are at home learning, check in with me as well. I can schedule a time to meet via Google Meet or phone call to help. Check in daily on Google Classroom for access to your assignments and materials.

Science the week of August 22-25, 2022

The weather is starting to change and hints of fall are in the air. This week, our focus is all about our water purification and conservation experiment, writing that procedure, how to analyze that data, and how to write a solid conclusion using the CER method; claim, evidence. and reasoning. You got this scholars! 👍

Our selected projects need an amazing procedure. It's the step-by-step set of instructions that support your experiment and ensure you collect accurate data.
Time to analyze some data; notes and practice. Plus let's start building our experiment! It's almost go time for our purifying-conserving-solution to current water issues in New Mexico.
Conclusion writing...well, what happened and how do you know? Did the data support or disprove your hypothesis? ASSIGNMENT: Conclusion Writing due 8/24
Lab Day #2 on Thursday🥼 Please be prepared with either a lab coat, apron, or old t shirt. Goggles are available, but I encourage you to bring your own.

***NO FRIDAY TUTORING THIS WEEK 8/26

*If you are at home learning, be sure to check Google Classroom for access to the lesson and any materials each day. Email me or set up some time via Meet if you need more support.

Science the week of August 15-18, 2022

Hey scholars, two weeks down and a lot of learning is heading our way. We have a busy week ahead! Welcome to Experiment Week! 🔬

Question and Hypothesis are reviewed. Show what you know; Hypothesis Writing 101.
Design time, what parts go into an experiment? What should we test and why? From start to finish, we will design components to test our hypothesis including recording our results.
Analyze results: What to do with all this data? 🤔
Conclusion, the CER of the SM here at ASK. Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. Did your data support your hypothesis and how do you know?

📓 Assignments this week are:

Write a hypothesis due 8/16
Conclusion Writing due 8/18 moved to 8/24

**If you are at home learning, be sure to check the Google Classroom posting daily, all the work, files, and additional resources are provided. Email or check in with me too, ensure you are understanding the concepts and the work expectation.

Science the week of August 8-11, 2022

Celebrate! 🎉 You made it through your first week of middle school! Let's get rolling with our first unit; The Scientific Method. Here is what's happening this week:

What exactly is the Scientific Method and how am I going to use this in real life? New unit details and notes on Monday. Be sure to bring your binder.
Tuesday, YOUR FIRST LAB DAY, how exciting!!! Be sure you are prepared with goggles (I have some backups just in case 😉), a lab coat/apron/t-shirt.
Research in Action or RIA- let's brainstorm! What is this all about and how does this connect to my future science fair project. 🔬
Hypothesis time scholars....the If and Then of science. Special game day with prizes to wrap up our learning week. 👀

*If you are at home learning, be sure to check Google Classroom for access to your work and any files I have shared that support the content.

Science the week of August 1-4, 2022

Welcome back and welcome to your first post of the year. Be sure to subscribe to this page for a weekly email to help you plan your week. Let's roll! 👍

Let's get to know each other. Start with the basics. We will refer to our guiding posters; Logistics, Scope & Sequence, Safety, Expectations, and Routines
All About Me Science Flask (first assignment due this Thursday).
Syllabus time! Let's bring it all together.
Lab Rules and Safety Intro #1 *no goggles or lab coat this week
Goggle Classroom, this site, and access to your textbook

This year will be amazing, I just know it! I am excited to share my love of science with you and explore this incredible world we live in. Looking forward to meeting you all and thank you for joining our class. 🧑‍🔬

Science the week of May 23-26, 2022 LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

👏 The last week has arrived and although I am super excited for the summer break, the change in weather, and my birthday...I am sad the school year is coming to a close. Let's end this week strong my friends!

Monday: Normal day, regular schedule. We will be reviewing your final and releasing scores. Reflect on the Geology unit and game time! 🌋

Tuesday: Finals schedule is from 8 AM-12 PM for periods 1-3.

Wednesday: Finals schedule is from 8 AM-12 PM for periods 5-7

We will have a special activity and goodbye session planned during this time.

Thursday is by appointment only. This would be for those that have not completed their final.

***Any late work must be turned in by Monday.

Scholars are allowed to wear jeans this week with their ASK polo shirt. 👖

Science the week of May 16-19,2022

Getting closer to the end scholars, the end of our unit and the end of our year.🥲 This week we will focus on reviewing our Geology unit, preparing for the final on Thursday, and of course we fit in a zoo field trip!

Review Day Schedule Mon &Wed: Review lessons with me followed by a review game for practice and additional independent study time. Bring your science binder everyday.
Tuesday- Zoo Day! Continue to study...
SCIENCE FINAL is Thursday, May 19th.

Reminder, if you have any work that is late, this is the week to get it in. There is no more time left to grade. Check in with me, again, as always, I can help. 🤗

The time has arrived scholars...our zoo field trip! As we are exploring this amazing variety of incredible creatures, be on the lookout for rocks. No, really! Most of these animals are not native and their habitats at the zoo can only replicate their environment to a extent. Look for clues from the information provided at each exhibit and observe animal behaviors.

* Details arriving soon via email.

Science the week of May 9-12, 2022

This week's message must begin with a huge, heartfelt, and humbled thank you to all the scholars, their families, and our Parent Committee for an amazing week during Teacher Appreciation Week. This teacher feels loved and recognized, thank you. 🫶 🤟

Science this week, is the wrapping up of our Geology unit and time is approaching for our final test. Stay on top of due dates this week as the year is nearly completed, focused on the quality and concept. Study time folks!

Day 2 of Seafloor Spreading & Continental Drift- complete notes and Pangaea Puzzle 🧩
Divergent, Convergent, and Transform... What did one tectonic plate say when it bumped into another? 😆
Binder check this Thursday friends, be ready. The completed list will post in Google Classroom.
W.E.D. Checkpoint and retake of Rock Cycle Checkpoint opportunities, be ready. 👍

*** Reminder, as the year winds down, it is a priority that you get your work in and ensure you are understanding the concepts. Check in with me please especially if you are absent or overwhelmed, I can help. 🤗

Science the week of May 2-5, 2022

Bit of a wacky schedule again this week folks, but no worries, we will continue to rock this unit. We will rock you! 😆 Last round of state testing for Tuesday and Wednesday. Another checkpoint again this week, be sure to study.

Wrapping up W.E.D. this week with some more E and the rest of D. We will erode the details on Monday and deposit the notes as well.
There a quite a few volcanoes in New Mexico and some are in our very own backyard. Time to explode, I mean explore some more detail on this for sure! 🌋
Plus, the Continental Drift and Seafloor Spreading, oh my! So much going on with our little planet.

**Are you referring back to your notes to study? Checking in with me to ensure you are understanding the work? The year is winding down and there will only be so many opportunities to submit your work to show what you learned. This includes the work you miss when absent. It is important to follow up on what you missed.

Testing (iMSSA) Schedule May 3-4, 2022 💻

State Testing...last round.

Check the schedule, all scholars begin their day in FC then follow your regular schedule the reminder of the day in 45 minute periods.

Please come to school prepared to take this assessment. Get plenty of sleep, eat a good breakfast, and bring your glasses (if you wear them). Have either a book or something you can work on that is not on the computer should you finish early.

Last time for the year y'all, you got this! 😎

Science the week of April 25-28, 2022

Well, we are rocking and roiling through our Geology unit this week.😎 Some notes and 2 mini labs this week plus another checkpoint to see what you know.

The Rock Cycle...no, it is not a setting on your washing machine but instead this amazing convection of gloriousness that make up our gorgeous planet.🪨
Weathering and rocks, they go together likes birds of a feather. Le'ts explore all the incredible effects weathering has on our crust.
Mini rock labs this week too! Plan for this on Wednesday and Thursday, bring your rocks you wish to share.

If you are at home learning, be sure to check Google Classroom daily for your work and check in with me via email. Stay on top of your work if at all possible.

Science the week of April 18-21, 2022 🐰🌏

Wacky schedule week, Part 2 continues...Monday, come to school 6th graders. Tuesday, stay home and work online (asynchronous). Then, Wednesday and Thursday are back to normal including support on Friday. Let's get rolling!

Let's go deeper into the layers of the Earth Day 2. There is a ton of activity below our feet, let's not take it for granite. 🪨
PSA (Public Service Announcement) time! Don't quarry...I'll rock you through it.
3 Rocks types!!!🤘Let's sort and examine some rocks. My rock collection isn't the best but it has sedimental value.
Earth Day celebrations! We are celebrating a day early with a special scavenger hunt! Bring some sunblock and sunglasses, we are heading outside.🌏😎

* If you are at home learning, be sure to stay on top of your work and communicate via email on what you can accomplish or need support. Access your daily posting in Google Classroom.

Science the week of April 11-14, 2022

Geology unit begins this week and we have an asynchronous day this Thursday. Plus, Earth Day is coming so we have little opportunities to celebrate starting this week. Let's roll!

Earth Day quilt activity and more!
Geology, let's study rocks and minerals. Beginning with the layers of the earth.
Types of rocks...who knew there were so many? Bring your rocks to share!
Async Thursday - assignment will be available in Google Classroom.

**If you are at home learning, be sure to check Google Classroom everyday, as all work is there, email any questions.

Name: Ms. Gina Paulson
Position: Project Manager- 6th grade science
Email

Address: 4550 Sundt Rd NE
Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124

More info