Science at AMS consists of many different topics. In 7th grade we focus on Earth Systems - Ecology, Weather & the Atmosphere, and Earth's layers and processes. In 8th grade we focus on Astronomy, Chemistry & Matter, and Body Systems. Many of the topics were introduced in 5th or 6th grade and assessed for proficiency at AMS, some are introduced and assessed at AMS, while others are introduced at AMS and assessed in high school. The purpose of this class is to provide you with an opportunity to develop and investigate an interest in science. This class is designed to assist you as you learn to think through a scientific problem and to investigate a variety of scientific issues that affect your life everyday.

Throughout both 7th and 8th grade, Tumbledown students will also be contributing to the AMS Gardens and Orchards The planting, maintenance, and harvesting of the produce occur through class. The produce may be used in class as taste tests, in Family Consumer Science Class, sent home with students, or donated.

CLASS RESOURCES:

• Glencoe Textbooks –7th Ecology & The Air Around You & 8th Astronomy & The Nature of Matter
• A variety of articles and essays to be selected and assigned
• Educational websites to be selected and assigned throughout the year

CLASSROOM RULES:

Students are expected to follow the AMS Core Values in my class, and they are as followed:

Respect Responsibility Safety

EXPECTATIONS:

*Class materials:

* 1” 3-ring binder with paper and divider tabs OR an accordion folder with notebook OR a composition notebook with a folder for science

* Loose lined paper

* Writing implement (Pen or pencil)

* Laptop

*Students should …

1. Be prepared to participate in each class.

2. Complete homework assignments and work on projects between classes.

3. Share their ideas and take challenges.

4. Respect others and keep conversations open.

*Students should not interrupt during class; raise your hand if you wish to speak.

*If you are not comfortable speaking out in class talk with me and we will find another way of sharing your ideas.

*As a member of a community of learners, you should seek help from, and offer help to other students.

*All written work must be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Once you have your laptop we will show you how to use the spell check, grammar check, and the thesaurus in your word processor.

CONSEQUENCES:

When a child misbehaves, the following consequences may be taken based on our PBIS system:

*Warning

*Break/Time out time

*Sent to a Buddy Teacher

*Contacting administration and home

*If behaviors continue, an office referral may be next.

**Students will also be recognized for positive or appropriate behavior.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

Ø Large and small cooperative group activities designed to help integrate course content, student-generated content, and students’ prior knowledge of subject

Ø Mini-lessons taught by students and the instructor which distill important concepts from assignments

Reading, writing, presenting, observing, researching, and discussing activities designed to organize opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

If you miss a class it is yourresponsibilityto see me to obtain the materials you missed and make arrangements to redo any labs that were missed.

GRADING:

Assignments will be assessed based on how well the project guidelines were followed and the quality of work. Each student will be completing homework, classwork, quizzes, journals, labs, projects, tests, and extra credit. Please check Empower often to keep updated on your academic progress. Empower will be updated weekly and should be accurate after each weekend. A habits of work grade will also be given based on participation in class, work completion, and behavior. See our new grading process on our school website for more information. This is a new system for the staff as well, please be patient with us as we adjust to this new method.

Contact me at anytime at 333-6655 or nmelcher@auburnschl.edu