NAME:
April Elmore
School:
HHMS
Subject:
7th Grade Science
Phone:
542-8501 ext:3145
Course Description: This year, 7th grade general science will be focusing on
physical, earth, and biological sciences. We will concentrate on topics in
science inquiry, tools of science, basic chemistry (elements vs. compounds
and the periodic table), physics (motion, forces, work, energy, light),
energy sources, geology (forces under the Earth, plate tectonics, seismic
activity, minerals, the rock cycle, fossils), and biology (characteristics
that all living things share, cellular parts and their functions, cellular
division-mitosis/meiosis). Science is really two classes in one in that
there are many lab/activities in addition to class discussions. It is also
about finding answers to questions and solutions to problems. Laboratory
skills, organizational skills, math skills, observational skills, creativity,
independent learning, and communication skills will be emphasized using
science concepts.
Grades: Grades are made up of homework, projects, labs, class participation,
quizzes, and tests. Quizzes and tests will be about 50% of the student’s
grade. At the end of the semester, there will be an exam worth 20% of the
semester grade. The spring exam is comprehensive (covers the entire year).
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 60
Lab Books: Students should have purchased a composition notebook. All
laboratory reports will be written in this book. Students should bring it
to class daily. Students may use black or blue pens only to write in the lab
book. Students should also only write on the front of each page. Student
should not erase or use white-out to cover mistakes.
Homework: Homework is not an option and must be completed. In the honors
class, I will only check homework at the end of each unit unless otherwise
stated. Since we will be discussing homework in class, students should
correct their answers. I will be looking for correct answers. If a
student’s homework for the unit is not completed, the student will be
assigned safety net. Students will then receive 50% of the points for the
incomplete portions. Students will continue to be assigned safety net until
the assignments are completed. Students will also be assigned safety net
when projects are not completed but each day late will be a 10% reduction in
the grade.
Absence/make-up work: When a student is absent, it is that student’s
responsibility to get the work missed. Make-up work will be placed in daily
folders (marked Monday thru Friday). Students simply need to go to the
appropriate folder to get the missed work. Students are responsible for
getting missed notes on class discussions from a friend. The student has the
same number of days absent to turn in make-up work. For example, if a
student was absent for two days, he/she would have two days to make-up the
work.
Planner checks: Please encourage your child to use the planner (to fill it
in and carry it to all classes). These help the students with organization
and hopefully will communicate with you about what is going on in the
classroom. I will periodically check them for a 5 point grade. To receive
full credit, students must have their planners and it must be up to date for
that week (filled out).
Binders: Students should have two green binders (1 per semester) and
dividers. There will be three sections which include:
notes/handouts/quizzes/tests, lab handouts, and creek information. There
will be a table of contents for the first two sections only. The TOC’s will
be listed in the classroom and placed on my website. The binders will be
checked periodically (usually by a binder quiz). The binders will also be
collected once during the semester for a more extensive check. This will be
worth 75 points.
Classroom management: It is very important in the education setting for
everyone to listen and respect others. Misbehavior not only prevents that
student from learning, but it also distracts the teacher and other students.
This stops the learning process for all and will not be tolerated. The
following are both negative and positive incentives to enhance the learning
environment.
Danger Zone: This zone is clearly posted in the class. If the student is
not following class rules, his/her name will go into the zone and remain
there for the rest of the week. This is a warning. If the behavior persists
and a student receives a check, he/she will receive a Lunch Time Detention.
Each check that occurs after the first one will result in another LTD. The
danger zone list remains posted until Friday.
Lunch Time Detention: Students will serve these during lunch. Students are
expected to bring material to work on while serving this detention. LTD’s
can be given for behavior that disrupts class, three or more tardies, and
three or more missing or incomplete assignments.
Teacher Temporary Dismissal: If a student’s behavior warrants it, he or she
may receive a TTD. These would be used when a student’s behavior is more
serious and thus causing the need for that student to be removed from the
classroom immediately.
Bottles of water/candy from home/gum: These are not allowed in class (water
can be brought to class for medical reasons and a note is required).
Cell phones and other electronic devices: Students should not have cell
phones, ipods, electronic games, etc. in the classroom or hallway. If seen,
they will be confiscated and given to an administrator.
Coupons: Two coupons will be given to the students to begin each 9 weeks.
Students can earn additional coupons for being prepared for class, good
behavior, earning A’s or B’s on tests, earning A’s on quizzes, answering
questions correctly while going over homework or reviewing. Students can
also lose them when not prepared for class and when they need to borrow or
purchase something from me (ex: pencils, a book, paper, etc). Coupons can
be used to increase test, quiz, and/or semester exam scores. 8 Coupons are
needed to change a quiz grade to a 90%, 16 coupons are needed to change a
test score to a 90%, and up to 10 coupons may be used on the final exam (each
coupon is a 1% increase). 5 coupons may be used to purchase homework pass,
but cannot be purchased the day an assignment is missing. Students with
homework passes may receive an extra day to turn in an assignment without
penalty.
Class party: There will be a class competition among the periods. The class
that reaches 20 stickers/checks first will receive a class celebration.
Stickers/checks are earned by a class when everyone is prepared, everyone has
their homework, and the class has no behavior issues.
Course Description: This year, 7th grade general science will be focusing on
physical, earth, and biological sciences. We will concentrate on topics in
science inquiry, tools of science, basic chemistry (elements vs. compounds
and the periodic table), physics (motion, forces, work, energy, light),
energy sources, geology (forces under the Earth, plate tectonics, seismic
activity, minerals, the rock cycle, fossils) and biology (characteristics
that all living things share, cellular parts and their functions, cellular
division-mitosis/meiosis). Science is really two classes in one in that
there are many lab/activities in addition to class discussions. It is also
about finding answers to questions and solutions to problems. Laboratory
skills, organizational skills, math skills, observational skills, creativity,
independent learning, and communication skills will be emphasized using
science concepts.
Grades: Grades are made up of homework, projects, labs, class participation,
quizzes, and tests. Quizzes and tests will be about 50% of the student’s
grade. At the end of the semester, there will be an exam worth 20% of the
semester grade. The spring exam is comprehensive (covers the entire year).
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 60
Homework: Homework is not an option and must be completed. When homework is
not completed, students will be given safety net which occurs during lunch.
While the student is at lunch, he/she will be expected to complete the
homework. The safety net teacher will collect the assignment. Students will
then receive 50% of the total points for the assignment. Students will
continued to be assigned safety net until the assignment is completed. If
the student misses an assignment during 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th periods, he/she
will receive safety net that day. If the assignment is missed in periods 5,
6, or 7, safety net will be assigned the next school day. Students will also
be assigned safety net when projects are not completed, but each day late
will be a 10% reduction in the grade.
Absence/make-up work: When a student is absent, it is that student’s
responsibility to get the work missed. Make-up work will be placed in daily
folders (marked Monday thru Friday). Students simply need to go to the
appropriate folder to get the missed work. Students are responsible for
getting missed notes on class discussions from a friend. The student has the
same number of days absent to turn in make-up work. For example, if a
student was absent for two days, he/she would have two days to make-up the
work.
Planner checks: Please encourage your child to use the planner (to fill it
in and carry it to all classes). These help the students with organization
and hopefully will communicate with you about what is going on in the
classroom. I will periodically check them for a 5 point grade. To receive
full credit, students must have their planners and it must be up to date for
that week (filled out).
Binders: Students should have two green binders (1 per semester) and
dividers. There will be three sections which include:
notes/handouts/quizzes/tests, lab handouts, and creek information. There
will be a table of contents for the first two sections only. The TOC’s will
be listed in the classroom and placed on my website. The binders will be
checked periodically (usually by a binder quiz). The binders will also be
collected once during the semester for a more extensive check. This will be
worth 75 points.
Classroom management: It is very important in the education setting for
everyone to listen and respect others. Misbehavior not only prevents that
student from learning, but it also distracts the teacher and other students.
This stops the learning process for all and will not be tolerated. The
following are both negative and positive incentives to enhance the learning
environment.
Danger Zone: This zone is clearly posted in the class. If the student is
not following class rules, his/her name will go into the zone and remain
there for the rest of the week. This is a warning. If the behavior persists
and a student receives a check, he/she will receive a Lunch Time Detention.
Each check that occurs after the first one will result in another LTD. The
danger zone list remains posted until Friday.
Lunch Time Detention: Students will serve these during lunch. Students are
expected to bring material to work on while serving this detention. LTD’s
can be given for behavior that disrupts class, three or more tardies, and
three or more missing or incomplete assignments.
Teacher Temporary Dismissal: If a student’s behavior warrants it, he or she
may receive a TTD. These would be used when a student’s behavior is more
serious and thus causing the need for that student to be removed from the
classroom immediately.
Bottles of water/candy from home/gum: These are not allowed in class (water
can be brought to class for medical reasons and a note is required).
Cell phones and other electronic devices: Students should not have cell
phones, ipods, electronic games, etc. in the classroom or hallway. If seen,
they will be confiscated and given to an administrator.
Coupons: Two coupons will be given to the students to begin each 9 weeks.
Students can earn additional coupons for being prepared for class, good
behavior, earning A’s or B’s on tests, earning A’s on quizzes, answering
questions correctly while going over homework or reviewing. Students can
also lose them when not prepared for class and when they need to borrow or
purchase something from me (ex: pencils, a book, paper, etc). Coupons can
be used to increase test, quiz, and/or semester exam scores. 8 Coupons are
needed to change a quiz grade to a 90%, 16 coupons are needed to change a
test score to a 90%, and up to 10 coupons may be used on the final exam (each
coupon is a 1% increase). 5 coupons may be used to purchase homework pass,
but cannot be purchased the day an assignment is missing. Students with
homework passes may receive an extra day to turn in an assignment without
penalty.
Class party: There will be a class competition among the periods. The class
that reaches 20 stickers/checks first will receive a class celebration.
Stickers/checks are earned by a class when everyone is prepared, everyone has
their homework, and the class has no behavior issues.