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I have high expectations for all 7th grade students in my science class. I expect students to put forth their best effort as I challenge them to perform at their highest potential. Some of the topics we will discuss this year were formally taught in high school, so there will definitely be more difficult lessons and concepts from time to time. I expect all students to participate in class discussions in a positive way. Talking through material is one of the best ways to grasp new content. I am always willing to help students during their lunch period or immediately after school, if they are struggling and need extra help. Students will follow the seventh grade behavior policy, as well as the EMS Student Handbook.
Communication
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about your child, please don’t hesitate to contact me! The sooner, the better! Email is the easiest for me to respond to: smitk@elmwoodschools.org as I typically have time to check this throughout the day. However, if you would like to speak to me directly, call 419-655-2583 ext. 122. You may leave a message for me and I will call you back as soon as possible. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @1katelinsmith or Instagram @elmwoodscience for photos and updates of our classroom activities.
Course Content/Curriculum Map *tentative
1st Quarter:
SCIENCE INQUIRY AND APPLICATION: Thinking Like a 21st Century Scientist/Engineer Intro to Science, Technology and Engineering: Lab Safety Procedures/Equipment; Team Building; Computer Technology; Engineering Design *These skills/topics should continue throughout the year (3 weeks)
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Properties of Matter (7.PS.1): Elements, Mixtures, Compounds Periodic Table of Elements, pH Scale, Chemical and Physical Changes (6 weeks)
2nd Quarter:
PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Energy (7.PS.2, 7.PS.3): Energy Transfer and Transformations, Energy Conservation, Transfer Methods, Forces, Waves Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Electrical Circuits (6 weeks)
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE: Hydrologic Cycle (7.ESS.1) Water changes state, Water flow rate (3 weeks)
3rd Quarter:
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE: Hydrologic Cycle (7.ESS.1b): Water Flow Patterns, Contamination, Water Quality (3 weeks), Earth’s Atmosphere (7.ESS.3): Cycles, Layers, Properties, Gases, Contemporary Issues (3 weeks), Current and Climate Patterns (7.ESS.2); Causes of Moving Currents, Current and Climate Patterns (3 weeks)
4th Quarter:
EARTH & SPACE SCIENCE: Cycles and Patterns of Earth, moon, and sun (7.ESS.4) Moon Phases Eclipses Tides (3 weeks)
LIFE SCIENCE: Matter & Energy Flow (7.LS.1): Photosynthesis, Respiration, Energy Transformation, Conservation of Matter and Energy (3 weeks), Biomes (7.LS.2) Biotic and Abiotic Factors Types Environmental Factors Population (3 weeks)