Welcome to 7 th Grade Science



Welcome to Mrs. Hillyer’s 7th Grade Science!

We have an exciting year ahead of us! As a 6th grader, your child explored the world of science from the insides of the Earth as well as studying the layers and the plants and some of the Kingdoms that cover the Earth. As a 7th grader, your child will explore cells and genetics and the physical world of science. We will begin by learning about Cells, Genes and Heredity, Forces and Motion, Light, Electricity and Circuits and Energy Conservation. By the end of the year, your child will be more than ready for the challenges of 8th grade science.

What supplies do I need for science class each day?

✓ 1 – 2 pocket folder (for Science only)

✓ Interactive Student Notebook- Marble composition 100 pages

✓ Pens (all different colors ) or Colored Pencils and/or crayons

✓ # 2 Pencils

✓ Highlighters

✓ Tape (to adhere papers into your notebook)

✓ Covered Science Textbook

✓ Agenda (provided by the school)

Classroom Wish List: paper towels, baby wipes, antibacterial wipes, facial tissues, baggies (sandwich, quart & gallon), & liquid soap. UPCYCLED materials needed: empty water bottles, empty 2L bottles of soda (rinsed), empty paper towel rolls.

Contact Information:

Email: phillyer@marsd.k12.nj.us ****(this is the best way to contact me)***

Text alerts: text @hillyer14 to 732-923-3208

Twitter: @iHillyer Facebook: Mrs. Hillyer's Science Class

Instagram: mrshillyer #hillyerscience

Please read this packet over with your child and sign at the end. Return only the last page signed.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Patricia J. Hillyer

2013 PPPL Invention Disclosure M-861 Provisional Patent 14-2956

Federal Laboratory Consortium Grant 2013

NASA Summer of Innovation Mini Grant 2012

NASA Lunar Rock Specialist

NASA Microgravity University 2011

US DOE ACTS 2010 Intern Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Room 104 Expectations, Procedures, and Policies

INTERACTIVE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK (ISN)

What is the purpose of Interactive Student/Science Notebooks?

To transform students' notebooks into portfolios of individual learning

To make note taking an engaging, creative, & active process

To provide the opportunity to process what is learned in creative & individual ways

The Students' Perspective

Claim ownership & responsibility for their notebooks

Choose the way to learn based on their learning style and multiple intelligence strengths

Organize as they learn Do not lose work Are allowed to be creative without "messing up" their notes

The Teachers' Perspective

Motivates participation

Enables critical self-evaluation of curriculum

Monitor student progress easily

Parent-teacher communication tool

Reduce time spent evaluating work

ISN Guidelines

• Interactive Science Notebooks allows the student to interact with the teacher directed information in individual ways.

• The Interactive student notebook is an effective teaching strategy because it turns student notebooks into meaningful and personalized records of learning.

RATIONALE:

1. Development of organizational skills

2. Development of critical thinking skills

3. Opportunity for students to express their understanding of the material creatively

What your notebook should look like

I. Sample Cover

II. First page on right: Table of Contents

Should have date of entry, title of entry, and page number

III. The right side:The right side of the notebook is teacher directed.

On the right side of your Interactive Notebook:

1. Always start the page with the date and subject title at the top of the page

2. Identify information given in class (vocabulary, notes, etc.)

3. Include notes on a lecture

a. notes on a lab

b. notes on an assigned reading

c. notes on a video

d. notes on a read aloud

e. notes from a small group or large group discussion

f. Worksheet or Textbook assignment copied or glued into the notebook

IV. The left side: This is shows the teacher your understanding of the lesson.

1. Always use color!

2. You will have a choice of the following prompts

a. What’s the best way to remember this topic

b. Write the lyrics for a song or rap on this topic

c. Make vocabulary cartoons from this topic

d. Paraphrase (rewrite in your own words) this information

e. Create an analogy and visual for this topic

f. Write and solve problems using this information (will be used mostly with force and motion unit)

g. Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the topics

h. What do I already know about this topic

i. Make a visual illustration (drawing) explaining this topic

j. Write a poem on this topic

k. Write a mnemonic device to help you remember this information

l. Use graphic organizers to reorganize this information

m. Create a mind map from notes.

n. Create charts and graphs from notes.

o. Write a newspaper article about the topic.

p. Write a letter or post card from a famous scientist that is connected with the topic, for example, Isaac Newton might write about Newton’s Laws.

q. Any other ideas you might have to help you remember information, must be approved my teacher before entering it into notebook.

You will be able to use your notebook on assessments! Keep it complete.

An important part of your notebook is its visual appearance. Your notebook should be neat! Your artistic touch should be visible throughout the notebook. You may also use a classroom copy (maintained by the teacher) to update your notebook.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the assignments from a study buddy or me. Find a buddy from this class and exchange phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses so that you can help each other stay current!

Homework

← HW assignments are used to reinforce concepts taught in class. Homework, however, will not be busy work.

← Remember you are on A day/B day schedule. It is strongly suggested you do your Science Challenge on the night it is given- not the night before it is due.

Late Class Work/Projects

← Students are required to do their work, homework and class work, in their ISN. Therefore, if they miss a homework or class work assignment it will still count in their ISN.

← Long Term Projects will lose 10 points for each day late. No Homework Passes are used for credit on a Project or for credit on a Class work assignment. Minimum grade if handed in late (within 1 week) but fully completed = 50%, Not turned in at all = 0%.

Absences/Make-Up Work

Whenever you are absent, a classmate will be asked to fill out a “While You Were Out” form, and place it in the class folder. If a classmate does not fill out a form, it is your responsibility to find out what was missed including class notes.

All missed handouts and “While You Were Out” forms will be kept in the front of the room in a file.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU HAVE MISSED AND TURN IN ANY MISSED ASSIGNMENTS ON THE DAY THEY ARE DUE (OR THE DAY YOU RETURN, IF NOT PREVIOUSLY TURNED IN). IF THE ASSIGNMENT WAS GIVEN IN YOUR ABSENCE, YOU WILL HAVE TWO DAYS TO TURN IT IN.

Test, benchmarks, and projects are announced. Quizzes are not announced. If you know that you will be absent, please see me, so we can arrange for you to keep up with your studies while you are out.

You may come to me during study hall, before or after school in room 104 for your missing work when you are absent. Or you can email me when you are absent!

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Name of Absent Student: _______Name of Student here___ Date Absent _______9/1/08_

Daily Objective: _________To understand the rules of the class__________

Tonight’s Homework: ________p. 14 Questions__________________________________

What we did in class today:

___________Took notes, read hand out_______________________________________

Returned Papers Attached _____(__ No returned papers attached ________

General Rules

1. Bring your own composition notebook, pencils, pens, agenda and textbook to every class.

2. Start your Do Now as soon as you get in the room. Copy down the OLGT in your notebook and copy down the day’s HW if there is one or write none in your and keep out the agenda for me to sign.

3. Eating or drinking in the science lab is not permitted unless your teacher gives you permission.

4. Raise hand in order to get teacher’s attention.

5. If I raise my hand, you raise your hand to quiet the class.

6. Use soft voices when having group discussions.

7. Other rules that are listed in your agenda apply as well as the discipline policy of the school. Read your agenda.

8. Do NOT enter the classroom until YOUR teacher gives you permission to enter.

Labs/Class Participation

Labs are a component of our science class, as they allow you to apply what you have learned to real-life situations and simulations. We will have many opportunities for hands-on exploration throughout the course of the year.

You will be expected to follow all Class and Lab Safety Rules. We will be discussing Class

Rules and Lab Safety Rules over the course of the next few weeks, as well as leading into each lab.

Class Participation means taking an active role in your learning, and the learning of your fellow classmates. You must pay attention and be involved in class at all times. I determine your class participation grade by looking for some key indicators:

•Is your body language positive?

•Are you involved in the discussion or activity?

•Do you stay on task?

•Are you making positive contributions to our learning environment?

SCIENCE LAB SAFETY RULES

To prepare yourself to work safely in the laboratory, read over the following safety rules. Then read them a second time. Make sure you understand and follow each rule. Ask your teacher to explain any rules you do not understand.

Dress Code

1. To protect yourself from injuring your eyes, wear safety goggles whenever you work with chemicals, flames, glassware, or any substance that might get into your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, notify your teacher.

2. Tie back long hair to keep it away from any chemicals, flames, or equipment.

3. Remove or tie back any article of clothing or jewelry that can hang down and touch chemicals, flames, or equipment. Roll up or secure long sleeves.

4. Never wear open shoes or sandals.

5. See dress code in the agenda.

General Precautions

6. Read all directions for an experiment several times before beginning the activity. Carefully follow all written and oral instructions. If you are in doubt about any part of the experiment, ask your teacher for assistance.

7. Never perform activities that are not assigned or authorized by your teacher.

8. Obtain permission before “experimenting” on your own. Never handle any equipment unless you have specific permission.

9. Never perform lab activities without direct supervision.

10. Keep work areas clean and tidy at all times. Bring only notebooks and lab manuals or written lab procedures to the work area. All other items, such as purses and backpacks, should be left in a designated area.

11. Do not engage in horseplay.

First Aid

12. Always report all accidents or injuries to your teacher, no matter how minor. Notify your teacher immediately about any fires.

13. Learn what to do in case of specific accidents, such as getting acid in your eyes or on your skin. (Rinse acids from your body with plenty of water.)

14. In case of injury our teacher will send you to the school nurse or call a physician.

15. Know the location of the emergency equipment such as fire extinguisher.

Using Chemicals Safely

16. Never mix chemicals “for the fun of it.” You might produce a dangerous, possibly explosive substance.

17. Never put your face near the mouth of a container that holds chemicals. Never touch, taste, or smell a chemical unless you are instructed by your teacher to do so. Many chemicals are poisonous.

18. Use only those chemicals needed in the activity. Read and double-check labels on supply bottles before removing any chemicals. Take only as much as you need. Keep all containers closed when chemicals are not being used.

19. Dispose of all chemicals as instructed by your teacher. To avoid contamination, never return chemicals to their original containers. Never pour untreated chemicals or other substances into the sink or trash containers.

20. If you are instructed to test for odors, use a wafting motion to direct the odors to your nose. Do not inhale the fumes directly from the container.

21. Take extreme care not to spill any material in the laboratory. Wash chemical spills and splashes immediately with plenty of water. Immediately begin rinsing with water any acids that get on your skin or clothing, and notify your teacher of any acid spill at the same time.

Using Glassware Safely

22. Never use broken or chipped glassware. If glassware breaks, notify your teacher and dispose of the glassware in the proper broken-glassware container.

23. Never eat or drink from glassware.

24. Thoroughly clean glassware before putting it away.

Using Sharp instruments

25. Handle scalpels or other sharp instruments with extreme care. Never cut material toward you; cut away from you.

26. Immediately notify your teacher if you cut your skin when working in the laboratory.

Animal and Plant Safety

27. Never perform experiments that cause pain, discomfort, or harm to mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, or amphibians. This rule applies at home as well as in the classroom.

28. Animals should be handled only if absolutely necessary. Your teacher will instruct you as to how to handle each animal species brought into the classroom.

29. If you know that you are allergic to certain plants, molds, or animals, tell your teacher before doing an activity in which these are used. .

End-of-Experiment Rules

30. After an experiment has been completed, clean up your work area and return all equipment to its proper place.

31. Dispose of waste materials as instructed by your teacher.

32. Wash your hands after every experiment.

33. Wash down the table with soap and water. Dry with a paper towel. Wash down sink, dry with a paper towel. Put away all materials then wash your hands.

34. Make sure all lab partners have all the data he/she needs to finish the lab if time is running out.

Grading

1. Long Term Assessments= TESTS and BENCHMARKS (announced), Larger Projects

2. Short Term Assessments (special assignments that may be done at home or in class) QUIZZES (Not announced, you may use your notebook -ISN ) ETC

3. CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK

Long term assessments- 50%

Short term assessments- 35%

HW/class work-15%

100% Science Grade

Each day at the start of class you will be expected to:

• Come in and sit down quickly and quietly.

• Have your interactive science notebook (ISN) out and ready.

• Look at the board for the OLGT (our learning goal for today).

• Copy the daily objective (OLGT) in your ISN, copy your homework in your agenda (it is listed on the board, and start the do now..

• Be ready to begin when I start class.

SUCCESS STARTS WITH YOU

Welcome to Success

“IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME.” Anonymous

Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School

Home of the Huskies

|Cory B. Radisch |469 Matawan Avenue, Cliffwood, NJ 07721 |Richard J. Abrahamsen |

|Principal |(732) 705-5400 FAX (732) 765-0894 |Assistant Principal |

| | |Mark D. Van Horn |

| | |Assistant Principal |

| | | |

Dear Parents/Guardians:

We are excited to be using Edmodo in Science. Edmodo is a free and secure learning network for teachers, students, and schools. It provides a safe way for us to connect, share content, access homework, participate in discussions and receive class information. Once the class is established and locked nobody from the outside can gain access to the class site. Edmodo is accessible online and through any mobile device with Internet capabilities – including free apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android devices. Students can access their account from any mobile device or computer, and set up notifications within Edmodo to receive alerts/reminders via text or e-mail. Also, you can email me for your child’s parent code so you can view what your child is doing on Edmodo.

Edmodo will not be used as a social network like Facebook or MySpace. This tool will be used strictly for educational purposes using the following guidelines:

◆ Students will be required to use appropriate grammar instead of texting language to respond to posts

◆ Edmodo does not allow private student-to-student messaging- the site will be used to discuss school-related content only, but does allow private student-to-teacher messages

◆ Only appropriate science related response will be accepted. All school rules and consequences related to the internet policy and harassment apply

Students who violate the guidelines above may face disciplinary action and/or face losing the privilege of using Edmodo.

I look forward to a great year as we incorporate the use of technology into our classroom curriculum. Feel free to check out at Edmodo at . If you have any questions, please contact me at phillyer@marsd.k12.nj.us .

Thank you,

Patricia J. Hillyer

A/B day Block ___

I have read Mrs. Hillyer’s Welcome to 7th Grade Science Packet (rules, homework, absence, lab/class participation and grading policies, Policy on Edmodo- I have read and understand the expectations for participation with Edmodo) and discussed it with my child:

Parent’s Name (Printed):_________________________________________________

Parent Signature: ____________________________date: __________

Student’s Name (Printed):_________________________________________________

Student Signature: ___________________________date: __________

Parent Email address: ________________________________________

Comments (Things you want me to know about your child):

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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