Mr. Fox's Web Page
by Kevin Fox
August 15, 2008
Welcome To Mr. Fox's Web Page
This is my eleventh year teaching at Andover Middle School. I have taught five years of social studies and am currently in my sixth year of teaching science. I am the 7th grade football and boys tennis coach. My alma mater is Fort Hays State University where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. I also have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State University. My hobbies are playing sports, hunting, fishing, and watching the Chiefs (lose).
Science has always been a passion for me and now I am blessed with the opportunity to help students learn and become more interested in science. I believe in making science fun and applicable to everyday life. Leaning opportunities will include knowledge from the book, labs, projects, hands-on activities, outdoor adventures, and media center technology.
I. What topics will be covered?
1. Animals (chapter 1)
2. Inside the Restless Earth (chapters1,2,4,5)
3. Water on Earth (chapter 1)
4. Astronomy (chapter 3)
5. Sound and Light (chapters 3,4)
6. Plants (chapters 4.5)
II. How will I be graded?
1. Daily Assignments, labs, projects and tests.
2. Daily assignments and labs are 40% of grade and projects and tests are 60% of grade.
3. Students have an opportunity to get extra credit by answering bonus questions on each test. The answers to these questions come from the daily readings in their science book, but are not listed on their study guide. (This provides extra incentive for students to read along in their book and be involved in group discussion.)
III. What is the late work policy?
Homework is due at the beginning of the hour on the day it is due. Students will be given two late work passes for the 1st nine weeks, two late work passes the 2nd nine weeks, 1 late work pass the 3rd nine weeks, and no late passes the 4th nine weeks. Homework must be turned in with late pass within 24 hours of due date to receive credit.
IV. What materials will be needed?
It is very important that each student brings the following materials to class every day:
1. Science book
2. Pens and pencils
3. Paper
4. Lab journal notebook
5. Agenda book
6. Science folder
V. Is the science textbook online?
Yes. You can access your book by going to the website www.gohrw.com the click Online Textbooks and enter your User Name and Password (which will be given to you by the teacher). I will show your child how to access this website within the first few weeks of class.
VI. What are the science standards for sixth grade?
The students will:
1. demonstrate abilities through investigation and analysis to complete the process of scientific inquiry.
2. use process skills to identify properties of matter.
3. identify and explain an organism’s function, the effects of an external environment, and its adaptation to survival or extinction.
4. identify and explain the structure of the earth’s changing system and its relationship within our solar system.
5. demonstrate abilities of technological design and understandings about science and technology.
6. develop a scientific understanding of personal health and the impact of human activity on our environment.
7. demonstrate an understanding of the history and nature of science.
VII. How can I tell what my child is doing in class or if he/she has any homework?
An agenda is written on the board everyday and should be copied by your child in their agenda book. If your child was sick or you are in question of what was written in the agenda book, you can view the agenda for the week on the website www.schoolnotes.com. Click on Mr. Fox and it will bring up the current agenda for 6th grade science. You can also view your child’s current grade in PowerGrade.
VIII. How can I contact my teacher?
Email is the best way to contact me. My email address is foxk@usd385.org or you can go to www.schoolnotes.com and click the words “click here”. If you would like to reach me by phone the best time to call would be from 7:50 am – 8:30 am.