Science 7  

Subject: Scientific Exploration

Dear 7th Grade Students and Parents,

Welcome to the School Year 2023-2024. This class will focus on the Physical World:  Topics will include Work and Energy, Machines, Force, Motion, Density, Heat, Waves, Electricity, Magnetism, Elements, and Atoms, 

• Weekly Schedule for Science Class : Throughout the semester students will have projects and activities, and depending on the complexity of each assignment, may take days or weeks.  During a typical week the class period will be split between lecture/discussion and lab or class work.

• Quizzes: Quizzes will be given throughout the semester and will be open notebook. These quizzes reflect how well a student is following the material in class, how organized they are, and their note taking abilities.

• Tests: Several tests will be given during each marking period and are worth 100 points. These tests are closed notebook, open mind. The tests reflect a student’s study skills, and an understanding of the material presented in class.

• Laboratories: Labs are the main focus of the course and are worth 50 points each. The labs vary between individual and group assignments, and the grade is based on research, quality of data gathered, and presentations of results, both orally and in writing. 

• Homework: Homework is up to the student.  If a student is not using their time wisely in class, then they must complete their work on their own time.

• School Tool: Grades will be updated weekly. Any zeros, or low grades (other than tests), can be made up until the end of the marking period. If you do not have access to School Tool, or have any questions please contact me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Ms. Stringer [ Stringerl@eldred.k12.ny.us
  Science/ Technology Education                        

Behavior Expectations:  All Classes   [SY 2022-2023]                                          

• Students are expected to follow all policies and procedures stated in the Student Handbook.
  
  

•  Students expected to be in their seats, ready for class when the second bell rings.
  
  

• Once class starts, students will be in their seat, and remain in there, unless directed otherwise by the teacher. 
  
          Plan to have all the materials you need for class BEFORE the start of the period. 
          Laptops charged and ready to use.  Notebooks open and dated.  Working pens and
          pencils at hand.
  
                      

Follow the  Class Code of Conduct:

• Be respectful to yourself and others.
  
  

• Put yourself in charge of your own actions.
  
  

• Choose wisely how you spend your time.
  
  

• Commit random acts of kindness.
  
  

• Set out to have a good day.
  
  

This follows the SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT:

• Be Safe

• Be Responsible

• Be Respectable
  
  

Cell Phone Use:

This classroom is a RED zone.  If at any time a student is asked to relinquish their phone for inappropriate use- they must DO SO IMMEDIATELY.  The phone will be returned at the end of class.  Failure to hand over phone will result in automatic referral.

Any student causing a disruption that destroys the learning environment for the class will be removed from class. 

• Repeated disruptions will require a conference with the parent/guardian before student can return to class.

Students will be responsible for missed work.

Grading Policies                        Scientific Exploration              SY 2022– 2023

Google Classroom Sign-In: TBA

1. Class Credit:  Each student starts out with 25 points per week. That is five points a day.

               Points are earned by:

•  Having all the materials needed for that day’s class. 

• Following the Behavioral Expectations.

• Participating in class activities. 

2. Laboratory Grades:   Labs are the core of the course and involve good observation skills, a questioning mind, rigorous research, attention to procedure and detail, and quality of results.  Each lab is worth 50 points.
   Each student will maintain a folder of all lab write-ups.

• Following the appropriate Rubric will result in good grades. 

• Class credit will be lost for late assignments.
  
  

    3.  Quiz Grade: The vocabulary and concepts of science are important and

                            quizzes will be given throughout the year.  Quizzes are open

                            notebook, which includes the labs completed in class, any

                            notes taken in class and any past quizzes. 

                            The quiz grade reflects the effort to establish good laboratory

                            practices as well as the able to locate information along with

                            the organizational skills needed to hang onto all relevant

                            material given in class.

                             Each quiz is worth approximately from 40 – 60 points.    

       Final Exam:  The final exam grade will be based on a FINAL LAB EXERCISE. 
                              This final lab is worth 100 points.   

                  NOTE: There is a Pre-Test.  The Pre-Test is posted in School Tool but does not count toward

                                  the final average.

  5.  Homework : Occurs only if a student falls behind on work that should be done in

                            class.

    Your Final Grade is the number of the points that you earn compared to the total number of points that could be achieved.