Let’s go back in time for a minute. Imagine you are in 6th grade. It’s your first day of school and you are full of emotions: fear, excitement, happiness, nervousness. You’re just a mess, right? Now, imagine you are walking into your 5th period science class and the teacher is verbally going over her rules and procedures with you for her class. This is after you’ve spent the previous 5 periods of the day hearing the same thing from all your other teachers. Are you really going to remember which teacher said you only had 2 bathroom passes per quarter vs unlimited? What classes are you allowed to eat in? Which required a notebook? It’s a lot to remember. This is why you need a middle school science syllabus.
Many teachers are doing the same thing on the first day of school. You don’t want your rules and expectations to get lost. Yeah, you want your students to get that information because it’s important. But, you also want to make sure they remember it. This is why I provide a syllabus in middle school science. Here are a few reasons why you should provide students with a middle school science syllabus too.
1. Clarity
You want your students to have clarity on what your class is all about, the expectations, what they will learn, the rules, the necessary supplies and objectives. It’s important to talk about it all but it’s also important to have it on paper (or digital if you choose)! If it’s all laid out for them, it removes a lot of confusion.
2. Organization
You can tell them what they need to be prepared for class each day and how to enter the classroom everyday during that first week, but sometimes they are going to forget. If they need to reference something, your syllabus will answer all those questions. It also helps your students understand how the course is organized and what they can expect to learn and when.
3. Accountability
Providing a syllabus for students will hold them more accountable. Your expectations are all laid out for them right there. It states what they need to do, what they can’t do, how they are graded and more. It removes the “you never told us that” or any other unknown because it’s all documented and easily accessible for them.
4. Parent Involvement
It’s hard to keep in touch with parents at the middle school level. You have so many students! By providing a syllabus for students to take home or access online, you are making it easy for parents to understand what to expect from you and the class. This makes you part of a team and removes a lot of confusion. Your syllabus is a communication tool for you, parents and students. Think of this as one of your very first introductions. Make it count!
Incorporating a syllabus into your class is more than just a formality. It’s a functional tool that enhances the learning experience for both students and parents. By setting clear expectations, objectives and fostering accountability in a document, you are paving the way for an excellent school year from the start. Your syllabus is a blueprint for success. Try creating one for your class this year!
If you want to create your own but don’t have the time or energy to create your own, you can grab these Secondary Science Syllabus Templates from my website shop or you can find them on TPT!
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