Mr. Taff
7th Science
Room 210
Mr. Taff
dwtaff@cps.edu
Weekly Plans
General Information:
Email: We aim for a 48-hour business day response time for emails sent to school personnel. Our main priority is quality instruction for students and we do our best to respond as quickly as possible. My email is dwtaff@cps.edu Please reach out with questions or concerns as needed.
Grading: Follows CPS guidelines: A-90-100; B-80-89; C- 70-79; D-60-69; F- below 60%. ( Aspen will round to the next higher percentage. Example 79.5% rounds to an 80%
Summative ( examples: quizzes, tests, projects) 40% of grade; Formative (examples: classwork, labs, textbook) 50% of grade; Homework (examples: review exercises, practice worksheets) 10% of grade. Example: Student scores: 90 out of 100 on a test, a 72 out of 100 on classwork and 30 out of 100 on homework. Calculate the 90 X 40%; 72 by 50%; and the 30 by 10%. The overall grade would be 75%.
Aspen will be updated when assignments are graded. Students should review scores in Aspen on a regular basis.
Parent Portal link: https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-and-student-portal/parent-portal/
Assignments: All assignments are due by due date. If a student has an excused absence I will do my best to send homework electronically so if they are able they can complete it. These assignments will be attached to their google classroom and can be completed and submitted directly through there. The assignments will not need to be printed. If they are not able, then students will be allowed to make-up the work upon their return and time will be extended. If an assessment is missed during the student absence, the assessment will be made up upon their return. If extenuating circumstances arise please reach out to me to discuss.
Unit Letters: At the beginning of each unit students will recieve a unit letter. This letter will outline the location of information in textbook, the unit objectives, the vocabulary terms involved; due dates of textbook sections and projects; as well as the dates of all assessments. Students should use this letter to help plan in their agenda books how and when they will be completing the assignments both long-term and homework, project management, as well as regular study and review for assessments.
For example: Letter(given on Sept 19th) states the section 1 of textbook is due Sept 29th. Student should look over the section 1 to see what is involved, count the number of pages (12 pages), count the number of days between assignment given and due date (10 days), divide to see how many pages to complete each night so as not to be overwhelmed the night before. (1.2 pages). Student then should look at other subjects that need to be completed, family obligations, friend obligations, extra-curricular activities and adjust as needed.
Study Hall: Study Hall will be held at least twice a week during the lunch/recess period for students voluntarily to attend to work on assignments or study.
Mandatory Study Hall: After progress reports, students with grades below a C in math/algebra, reading, civics/social studies, science students will be required to attend mandatory after school study hall at least 2 days a week for the remainder of the quarter. This study hall will last approximately 1 hour each day.
Weekly Agenda (lessons): This chart will be posted to the classroom website as well as to the student google classroom each Sunday night so students will be able to plan. However, please be aware that this is a plan and sometimes requires changes and updates. Students should regularly review the posted agenda for these changes. (I will also remind students of changes as needed). To access, click on link above (Weekly Plans) to see chart of all 7th grade subject plans.
Extra credit: There is no extra credit assignments given at anytime. However, there is, what I call "Going Beyond" opportunities. These can include adding extra to a project. For example, if I ask for 2 diagrams and student provides 3 pertinent or I ask for 5 facts and student provides 7, points can be added to the completed project. Another example would be the website exploration. Listed on this classroom website are the directions on how to access and what websites students can explore. These websites are related to the topics and concepts being studied. A student would explore the website and write a brief summary that includes the website visited and what was learned. This brief summary is then turned in on a day of an assessment for points to be added to that assessment. The website explored must be current to the topics and concepts of the assessment. Over time (the quarter) these "Going Beyond" can help to maintain or raise an average. However, students cannot rely on "Going Beyond" to replace completed work and regular practice and study for assessments.
Study Skills and Habits:
Click on the links below to review study habits, skills and methods for Junior High, high school and college.
http://www.csc.edu/learningcenter/study/studymethods.csc
https://www.educationcorner.com/study-skills.
Top Ten Tips for Self-Testing
Develop a positive attitude when you are studying. If you believe a subject is boring or unimportant, you will have more difficulty recalling the information. Develop a curiosity about the material.
The order of study should be: read, recite aloud, write notes in your own words, ask yourself questions about the material, review. Memorization comes last after you have a solid understanding of the material.
Organize the material into meaningful clusters as this will help with recall.
Review notes soon after lectures to make sure they make sense. Frequent review will decrease the amount of material you will need to relearn for exams.
Expose as many senses as possible to the study material: write it, speak it, hear it, visualize it. This will help commit the material to memory.
Use imagery to remember material: Close your eyes and get a picture of the explanation and summary answer on the page. See the underlined key words.
Create associations with the material. It is easier to recall new information if it is attached to old, easily retrieved information.
Predict exam questions and actually write answers and work out problems. Over learning the materials helps to make sure you know it.
Recency-latency effect: Memorize materials in short intervals of time as you are more likely to remember the material at the start and at the end of your study intervals. Recite what you have memorized at random times.
Use study aides: note cards of key points, key words, definitions, and equations; go into greater depth, do extra problems, immerse yourself; explain the main ideas to friends, join a study group.
Study Techniques:
10 Effective Study Techniques to Try This Year
Is your current study method reading a textbook repeatedly, hoping something will stick? If so, do you find yourself stressed out because you can’t memorize such a vast quantity of information in such a short time?
As a grad student, it’s imperative to develop effective time management and study techniques that help you retain the most information. In grad school, cramming the night before doesn’t cut it anymore. Go into the new year with a new strategy and try some of these effective study tips below.
Set the Stage
First, you need to create the conditions-in your body and external environment-to successfully learn and retain information. Here are some study habits worth trying:
Get a good night’s sleep: A recent study found a positive relationship between students’ grades and how much sleep they’re getting. However, this doesn’t only mean getting a full 8 hours of sleep before a big test. What matters even more is getting enough sleep for several nights before you do the bulk of your studying.
Switch up your study environment: This might not seem like a promising study strategy, but studies show that switching up your study environment can increase recall performance. Instead of studying at home every day, try checking out a new coffee spot each week or heading to your local library. A change in scenery can improve both your memory and concentration levels.
Stick with an environment that works: If you you have a good study space at home or a café that is reliably a productive place for you, it makes sense to stick with this when you are under pressure.
Listen to calming music: You can listen to any music you like, but many agree that classical, instrumental, and lo-fi beats make good background music for studying and can actually help you pay attention to the task at hand. Songs with lyrics can be distracting.
Eliminate distractions: Eliminate distractions by silencing your phone and annoying background noises such as the TV or radio. Make a pact with yourself to avoid checking social media until your study session is over.
Snack on smart food: Coffee and candy will give you a temporary boost, but then you’ll have a blood sugar crash. For energy that is more focused and sustainable, try healthy snacks such as edamame, apples, or nuts.
10 Study Methods & Tips That Actually Work
1. The SQ3R Method
The SQ3R method is a reading comprehension technique that helps students identify important facts and retain information within their textbook. SQ3R (or SQRRR) is an acronym that stands for the five steps of the reading comprehension process. Try these steps for a more efficient and effective study session:
Survey: Instead of reading the entire book, start by skimming the first chapter and taking notes on any headings, subheadings, images, or other standout features like charts.
Question: Formulate questions around the chapter’s content, such as, What is this chapter about? What do I already know about this subject?
Read: Begin reading the full chapter and look for answers to the questions you formulated.
Recite: After reading a section, summarize in your own words what you just read. Try recalling and identifying major points and answering any questions from the second step.
Review: Once you have finished the chapter, it’s important to review the material to fully understand it. Quiz yourself on the questions you created and re-read any portions you need to.
You can try this study technique before taking your final exam.
2. Retrieval Practice
Retrieval practice is based on the concept of remembering at a later time. Recalling an answer to a question improves learning more than looking for the answer in your textbook. And, remembering and writing down the answer to a flashcard is a lot more effective than thinking you know the answer and flipping the card over early.
If you practice retrieval, you are more likely to remember the information later on. Below are some ways you can implement the retrieval process into your study routine.
Utilize practice tests: Use practice tests or questions to quiz yourself, without looking at your book or notes.
Make your own questions: Be your own teacher and create questions you think would be on a test. If you’re in a study group, encourage others to do the same, and trade questions.
Use flashcards: Create flashcards, but make sure to practice your retrieval technique. Instead of flipping a card over prematurely, write the answer down and then check.
3. Spaced Practice
Spaced practice (also known as “distributed practice”) encourages students to study over a longer period of time instead of cramming the night before. When our brains almost forget something, they work harder to recall that information. Spacing out your studying allows your mind to make connections between ideas and build upon the knowledge that can be easily recalled later.
To try this technique, review your material in spaced intervals similar to the schedule below:
Day 1: Learn the material in class.
Day 2: Revisit and review.
Day 3: Revisit and review.
After one week: Revisit and review.
After two weeks: Revisit and review.
It’s important to start planning early. At the beginning of each semester, schedule some time each day just for studying and reviewing the material. Even if your exams are months away, this will help you hold yourself accountable.
4. The PQ4R Method
This method takes an active approach to learning that improves memorization and understanding of the topic. Similar to the SQ3R method above, PQ4R is an acronym that stands for the six steps in the process.
Preview: Preview the information before you start reading to get an idea of the subject. Skim the material and read only the headers, subheadings, and highlighted text.
Question: Ask yourself questions related to the topic, such as, What do I expect to learn? What do I already know about this topic?
Read: Read the information one section at a time and try to identify answers to your questions.
Reflect: Did you answer all of your questions? If not, go back and see if you can find the answer.
Recite: In your own words, either speak or write down a summary of the information you just read.
Review: Look over the material one more time and answer any questions that have not yet been answered.
5. The Feynman Technique
The Feynman Technique is an efficient method of learning a concept quickly by explaining it in plain and simple terms. It’s based on the idea, “If you want to understand something well, try to explain it simply.” What that means is, by attempting to explain a concept in our own words, we are likely to understand it a lot faster.
How it works:
Write the subject/concept you are studying at the top of a sheet of paper.
Then, explain it in your own words as if you were teaching someone else.
Review what you wrote and identify any areas where you were wrong. Once you have identified them, go back to your notes or reading material and figure out the correct answer.
Lastly, if there are any areas in your writing where you used technical terms or complex language, go back and rewrite these sections in simpler terms for someone who doesn’t have the educational background you have.
6. Leitner System
The Leitner System is a learning technique based on flashcards. Ideally, you keep your cards in several different boxes to track when you need to study each set. Every card starts in Box 1. If you get a card right, you move it to the next box. If you get a card wrong, you either move it down a box or keep it in Box 1 (if it’s already there).
Each box determines how much you will study each set of cards, similar to the following schedule:
Every day — Box 1
Every two days — Box 2
Every four days — Box 3
Every nine days — Box 4
Every 14 days — Box 5
7. Color-Coded Notes
Messy notes can make it hard to recall the important points of a lecture. Writing in color is a dynamic way to organize the information you’re learning. It also helps you review and prioritize the most important ideas.
A recent study found that color can improve a person’s memory performance. That same study found that warm colors (red and yellow) “can create a learning environment that is positive and motivating that can help learners not only to have a positive perception toward the content but also to engage and interact more with the learning materials.” It also reported that warmer colors “increase attention and elicit excitement and information.”
Writing in color may seem like a no-brainer, but keep these tips in mind:
Write down key points in red.
Highlight important information in yellow.
Organize topics by color.
Don’t color everything—just the most important information.
8. Mind Mapping
If you’re a visual learner, try mind mapping, a technique that allows you to visually organize information in a diagram. First, you write a word in the center of a blank page. From there, you write major ideas and keywords and connect them directly to the central concept. Other related ideas will continue to branch out.
The structure of a mind map is related to how our brains store and retrieve information. Mind mapping your notes instead of just writing them down can improve your reading comprehension. It also enables you to see the big picture by communicating the hierarchy and relationships between concepts and ideas.
So, how do you do it?
Grab a blank sheet of paper (or use a tool online) and write your study topic in the center, such as “child development.”
Connect one of your main ideas (i.e., a chapter of your book or notes) to the main topic, such as “developmental stages.”
Connect sub-branches of supporting ideas to your main branch. This is the association of ideas. For example, “Sensorimotor,” “Preoperational,” “Concrete operational,” and “Formal operational.”
TIP: Use different colors for each branch and draw pictures if it helps.
9. Exercise Before Studying
Not only does exercise fight fatigue, but it can also increase energy levels. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to study, consider adding an exercise routine to your day. It doesn’t have to be a full hour at the gym. It can be a 20-minute workout at home or a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Anything to get your heart rate pumping. Exercising before you study:
Kickstarts brain function and can help improve memory and cognitive performance.
Releases endorphins, which can improve your mood and reduce stress levels.
10. Study Before Bed
Sleep is crucial for brain function, memory formation, and learning. Studying before you sleep, whether it is reviewing flashcards or notes, can help improve recall. According to Scott Cairney, a researcher from the University of York in the United Kingdom, “When you are awake you learn new things, but when you are asleep you refine them, making it easier to retrieve them and apply them correctly when you need them most. This is important for how we learn but also for how we might help retain healthy brain functions.”
When you’re asleep, the brain organizes your memories. Instead of pulling an all-nighter, study a few hours before bed and then review the information in the morning.
No one wants to spend more time studying than they need to. Learning effective study techniques can ensure you are fully prepared for your exams and will help curve any looming test anxiety. Hopefully, with the techniques above, you can avoid cramming the night before and make your study time more effective.
Going Beyond Directions and Topics:
Type in the keyword Science
Click on the image of The usborne science encyclopedia
Use drop down menu to locate page numbers.
Click on page number to review website
Write a summary of what you explored on the website and information you discovered.
Topics and page numbers: atomic structure pg. 11; molecules pg. 14; solids, liquids ,gases pg. 17; Changes of state pg. 19; How liquiuds behave pg. 21; How gases behave pg. 23; The elements pg. 25; The periodic table pg. 29; Metals pg. 31;groups of metals pg. 33; corrosion pg. 41; Hydrogen pg. 47; The halogens pg. 49; Carbon pg. 51; Mixtures pg. 59; Seperating mixtures pg. 61; The air pg. 63; Compounds pg. 67; Bonding pg. 69; Water pg. 73; Chemical reactions pg. 77; Oxidation and reduction pg. 81