7th Grade Course Description

This should be an exciting year for all of us. I welcome you to both middle school and Explorer. Middle school is a large step up from Elementary school. We put an emphasis on preparing our student for high school. We strive to create and foster independent learners. Our policies are team, school and district wide to help prepare them for the expectations of high school. We have many wonderful programs that we integrate into our school and the science curriculum. We will integrate S.T.E.M. science as well as place an overall emphasis on Sustainability. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. If you do not have Internet access at home, or access to a computer please let me know. I can always be reached by the phone number listed above. I look forward to an incredible year filled with fun and knowledge.

Science

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are collectively considered the core of Explorer’s science curriculum. Students use scientific processes: questioning, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, thinking critically and logically, and communicating results. The 7th grade science curriculum consists of:

  • Scientific Method: metric measurement, metric system, graphing, and lab safety
  • Body System- L2- Organisms require a supply of energy and materials for which they often depend on, or compete with, other organisms.
  • Cell and Life- L1-organisms are organized on a cellular basis and have a finite life span. (What cells are)
  • Water Cycle- E1-The composition of the Earth and its atmosphere and the processes occurring within them shape the Earth’s surface
  • Dynamic Earth-E1-The composition of the Earth and its atmosphere and the processes occurring within them shape the Earth’s surface. Understanding the patterns of energy flow along with matter cycling within and among Earth's systems.
  • Weathering and Climate-E1-The composition of the Earth and its atmosphere and the processes occurring within them shape the Earth’s surface.
  • Forces and Motion-P3-Changing the movement of an object requires a net force to be acting on it.
  • Electromagnetic Forces -P2-Objects can affect other objects at a distance.

New Standards website: https://cms.azed.gov/home/GetDocumentFile?id=5bd338b81dcb250184c8cefc

Ms. Litto’s 7th Grade Science Class

Welcome to another exciting year at Explorer Middle School.

Contact Information:

Email: mlitto@pvlearners.net *Student must use their PVLearners email account to contact teachers*

-Website: http://sites.google.com/a/pvlearners.net/

-School phone: 602-449-4200

-Room #: 304

Important Sites;

PVLearners: www.pvlearners.net

Infinite Campus: https://ic.pvschools.net/campus/paradisevalley.jsp

Text Books;

No textbook, but will have a workbook with online access to the videos and labs.


Homework:

We have a team policy regarding late homework. The homework is to be turned in at the beginning of class, the day it is due. Late work will be accepted with a 30% deduction until the end of the unit or end of the quarter, whichever comes first..

Absent Work;

Students have as many days as they were absent to complete any work they have missed. This is also stated in the student handbook.

Grading Policy;

90-100% = A

80-89% = B

70-79% = C

60-69% = D

0-59% = F