7th Grade Science
2020-2021
Van Meter Community Schools
Jean Birks
jean.birks@vmbulldogs.com
Course Description
The purpose of this class is to learn some of the basic concepts common to the disciplines of Earth, Life, and Physical Sciences as well as to understand and apply the skills of scientific inquiry. In this method of inquiry, students will gather and analyze scientific data and conduct scientific investigations. Students will develop an understanding of scientific concepts pertaining to the Earth and its history, life and its interactions with Earth, and the basics of atomic theory and its relationship to mass, motion and energy.
This will be a “blended” class. There will be times we will use a textbook. You MAY take one home if you need one but a book will not be assigned to you. Much of the content will be found online. We will make extensive use of the Moodle to learn new material, turn in assignments, share and discuss projects that you complete, review materials, and assess our learning. We will also use the Google Calendar, Infinite Campus and other internet based applications to communicate and extend your learning.
Click Here for more information on standards that will be assessed in this class
Materials:
Charged computer
Notebook
Headphones
pen or pencil
Expectations
Students should…
1) Be on time to learn!
2) Raise your hand before speaking.
3) Respect the teacher and others.
4) Listen
5) Follow directions.
Assignments and description of daily activities will be posted on the class calendar. If you are absent, you are responsible for checking the calendar to get the necessary information. Time missed for unexcused tardiness will be made up daily.
Assignment/Late Work Responsibility
All assignments and projects are due the date assigned. However, all assignments and projects will be completed whether they are on time or not. Points will not be deducted for late assignments, but all assignments will be tracked to identify whether or not they were turned in on time.
Proficiency Indicators
The student proficiency indicators you can earn are:
Meets (M)
Approaching (Ap)
or Below (Be)
Our goal for each student is for them to Meet (M) each of the standards. If your student receives a Below (Be) indicator, he or she must reassess that standard. There will be additional practice problems required, one-on-one time with the teacher and possibly other work that the student will be required to complete before reassessing. This ensures that the student learns the material before assessing again. An Approaching (Ap) indicator means that a student is approaching proficiency and can continue to strengthen that understanding over the rest of the year.
REASSESSMENT POLICY
Students who earn a "Be" on an assessment for a standard MUST reassess in order to meet every standard. He/she will be required to meet with me at an assigned time during seminar time or before or after school to get help with whatever is needed. Extra practice/review assignments will likely be required before the student will be allowed to reassess. When the student is ready, he/she will reassess and the proficiency indicator earned on the reassessment will replace the original one.
ALL REASSESSMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED WITH ME. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REASSESS AT HOME, WITH SUBSTITUTES, OR WITH OTHER TEACHERS.
WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT AN ASSIGNMENT???
If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is by email (jean.birks@vmbulldogs.com). I check this quite often throughout the day as well as at night and and on weekends. I will get back to you as soon as possible.