Bettye Myers Middle School
Room: B201 2024-2025
To develop a broad base of science content knowledge for future studying in the physical sciences.
To develop the skills to design, carry out, and report laboratory investigations.
To meet the science core curriculum standards for students completing the 7th grade in TX.
To develop the habits of mind of a scientist
To nurture a love of learning and of doing science
Parents/guardians and students can contact me via email at cbridges2@dentonisd.org or call the school and ask for my extension with any questions or concerns about science class or about academic progress.
All students are required to obtain:
Composition notebook
Pencils (Thanks to the generous donation of pencils from parents, I am able to provide pencils until we run out)
Pencil Sharpener (optional, but helpful)
Chromebook
Chromebook charger
Scientific inquiry and experimental design
Distinguishing between elements and compounds
Classifying Changes in Matter
Understanding Properties of Solutions
Describing the cause-and-effect relationship between force and motion
Behavior of thermal energy flowing in and out of a system
Patterns of movement, organization, and characteristics of components of our solar system
Causes and effects of plate tectonics
Human activity on the hydrosphere
Cycling of matter
Flow of Energy through trophic levels
Body Systems
Inheritance
Taxonomic Systems and how they are used to describe relationships between organisms
A weighted points system is used for grading. The approximate breakdown of points is as follows:
Major Grades - 60% (Honors - 70%)
Minor Grades - 40% (Honors - 30%)
Formative Grades - 0%
Tests (Major)
Tests will be announced about five school days prior to testing.
Test material will be taken from lecture notes, homework assignments, quizzes, readings and laboratory work.
Retests are allowed for tests. Students can qualify for the opportunity to retake a test or exam by demonstrating that new learning has occurred and that they have a better understanding of that content.
Examples of this process include but are not limited to:
Attending a tutorial session
Completing new work or previously assigned work
Discussing with the teacher the necessary improvements to achieve content mastery
Having no missing assignments
Are students able to retake any exam or test whenever they want?
No, any tests or exams that students try to retake must be completed during the nine-week grading period. Additionally, retests will only be allowed once the student has worked with the teacher to prove that new learning has taken place and that they have a better understanding of that content.
Quizzes (Minor)
There will be announced (two or three days notice) and unannounced “pop” quizzes throughout each report card quarter.
Quizzes will cover lecture material, homework assignments, readings, and laboratory material.
Retests are not allowed for quizzes or minor grades. When a student shows mastery of a subject on their test, the quiz grade is updated to reflect that mastery, retroactively.
Lab Reports (Minor)
Lab report work will be graded on scientific methods, precision and accuracy of results, accuracy of calculations, laboratory techniques, report format (for formal lab reports), and the ability to reach sound conclusions.
It is the student’s responsibility to schedule any makeup lab work missed due to absence. Labs are especially time-sensitive!
Most labs will be completed in groups; however, conclusions must be written in your own words.
Projects/Presentations (Major)
Projects and presentations will be graded using a rubric, which will be provided to students.
Some projects are completed in groups. All students in the group are expected to participate and contribute to the final product.
If you have a concern about productivity within your group, you must bring it to Mrs. B’s attention ASAP.
There are no points taken off for late assignments. Why? The system’s goal is to measure what a student knows and understands. While meeting deadlines and turning in assignments on time is a desirable behavior, it does not determine whether or not a student knows the content. YOU MUST EMAIL MRS. BRIDGES WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED LATE WORK. Mrs. Bridges grades late/redone/missing assignments on Thursdays only.
Try as hard as you can to be in class every day! Absences do not excuse students from homework assignments or class work.
All students have been issued a chromebook and, as such, are expected to check canvas daily and complete any assignments on the day they are assigned unless extenuating (special) circumstances arise. In the event that an extenuating circumstance arises, your parent or guardian must contact Mrs. Bridges via email at cbridges2@dentonisd.org. Some examples of an extenuating circumstance would be death in the family, moving, etc.
If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you will take the test or quiz during class or after school on the day you return.
If you are absent on the day of a lab, please come see Mrs. Bridges immediately to schedule a time after school to make up the lab OR get an alternative assignment. Please be aware that many lab materials are time-sensitive so you have a limited amount of time to make up a lab before it will go into the gradebook as missing!
If you come to school late and miss class, or if you leave school early for a school-related extracurricular event, you must see Mrs. Bridges before leaving school to hand in any assignments and/or schedule any makeup work.
When you arrive at class, the day’s objectives, agenda and homework assignment will be displayed on the front board/screen. On most days, there will also be a Bellwork question/direction on the screen. Write the date and answer the question neatly in your science notebook. These questions are to review previous concepts or to stimulate discussion for the upcoming lesson. Your answers to the questions are fair game to be graded by a spot-check or a pop quiz!
It is my hope that the use of the 1:1 Laptops will not hinder, but help, the flow of the class. Some Bellwork may be an assignment to complete on Canvas. In this case, you will quickly take out your laptop & get started!
Our class will be conducted under the discipline code published in the BMMS Student Handbook. Consequences regarding misuse of the 1:1 laptops in class will be given as per the team’s policy.
In addition, there will be particular emphasis on the following:
Place phones in your backpack and then place your backpack at the back of the room. It does not matter if you were a) “not even using it” or b) “texting your mom”
Be in your seat when class begins. No detours through the classroom that would cause disruption! Students not in their seats by the bell will be counted tardy.
Be on task during Bellwork, group work and individual work. When you arrive at class, go to your seat, write down the homework and start the Bellwork. If there is no Bellwork, sit quietly and wait for instructions. Work cooperatively during group work. During station activities, stay at your station until you are told to rotate.
When asking a question, raise your hand and get permission to speak. Please do not call out.
Listen carefully to directions in the laboratory. Disruptive behavior in class and especially in the lab can be dangerous and will not be tolerated. Laboratory misconduct will result in termination of the lab assignment.
Dress appropriately for lab activities (in accordance with the lab conduct that we discuss).
Do your part to keep the classroom clean!
Respect yourself, respect your classmates, and respect your teachers.
NO FOOD or DRINKS (except water) are allowed in the classroom.
Consequences for poor decisions:
First Offense: Warning (unless you have been previously warned up to this point about the behavior)
Second Offense: Call Home and Discussion with Coach or Sponsor
Third Offense: Detention with me after school
Fourth Offense: Office Referral
Fifth Offense: Meeting with Parents and Teachers
I expect my students to improve and exercise their good character. Students with good character follow rules, come to class with a positive attitude, say hello and goodbye to their teachers, are pleasant towards their classmates, and do their best work* at all times.
*We discussed on the first day of school that sometimes we have 10% days. A 10% day means that all you have to give right now is 10%, instead of 100%. I just ask that student give me all the effort that they can on any given day, depending on what percent day we are having.