7TH Grade Life Science Syllabus - Mrs. McCloud



7th Grade Life Science Syllabus 2009 – 2010

Ms. Brazil, Ms. Erhunmwunsee, Ms. Salters, Ms. Mays and Ms. Orisa

The 7th grade Life Science curriculum adheres to the required Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). These standards are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for proficiency in science at the seventh grade level. They are listed below.

S7CS1. Students will explore the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to understand how the world works.

S7CS2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.

S7CS3. Students will have the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and following scientific explanations.

S7CS4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating equipment and materials in scientific activities.

S7CS5. Students will use the ideas of system, model, change, and scale in exploring scientific and technological matters.

S7CS6. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.

S7CS7. Students will question scientific claims and arguments effectively.

S7CS8. Students will investigate the characteristics of scientific knowledge and how that knowledge is achieved.

S7CS9. Students will investigate the features of the process of scientific inquiry.

S7L1. Students will investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.

S7L2. Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.

The curriculum for each of the nine weeks will consist of the following units:

1st 9 Weeks:

❑ Scientific Method (integrated throughout the entire school year)

❑ SI Measurement System (integrated throughout entire school year)

❑ Interdependence of Life: Ecology

2nd 9 Weeks:

❑ Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling

❑ Structure and Function of Cells

These units will be taught through various teaching strategies such as, but not limited to, labs, experiments, observations, cooperative groups, reading in the content area, guided practice and independent practice. The above nine weeks schedule is an estimate and can fluctuate depending on student progress and mastery. Teacher discretion will be utilized to ultimately determine the pace of each unit.

Students are expected to contribute to a positive learning environment on a daily basis. This includes coming to class prepared with their 3-ring binder notebook, paper, pen/pencil, and textbook.

Students will be graded according to the following categories:

❑ Homework – 10%

❑ Class work/Labs/Experiments/Notebook 40%

❑ Quizzes – 20%

❑ Tests/Projects -30%

Textbook: Holt Science and Technology: Life Science (cost: $70.75)

Absences

It is the student’s responsibility to acquire missed assignments upon returning from an absence. These assignments are located in the Make-Up Work/Absent notebook found in my classroom. . Upon returning from an absence, the student will have the number of days he/she was absent to turn in the assignment(s).

Late Work

Late work will be accepted up to 5 days after the assignment is given. A 10% penalty will be applied to all late work. Any work turned in after the 5 days will not be graded.

THERE WILL BE NO EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS. If a student completes all required work throughout each nine weeks, there will not be a need for extra credit.

Grading Scale

90-100 ---------- A

80-89 ------------B

74-79 ------------C

70- 73------------D

Below 70 ------- F

Expectations:

Each Day students MUST bring pencil, paper, homework, notebook, and agenda book to class daily.

In addition, each students needs to supply: a box of crayons, a box of markers, glue, scissors and a 3 subject spiral notebook.

Each student must follow classroom, school, and county rules and regulations.

Teacher Planning

The planning time for 7th grade is 12:05 – 1:50pm. We encourage communication between parents and teachers. Communication may be established in the following ways: Agenda books, Email, Telephone calls, and Conferences by appointment only. Please feel free to visit at anytime by checking in with the front office first.[pic]

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