Syllabus
Course Description
This year’s seventh grade science classes will incorporate the South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Science Standards.
Yearly Overview
Students in 7th Grade will develop their knowledge of the physical, life, and earth sciences through complex investigations and explanations. The concepts they study become increasingly abstract in a developmentally appropriate manner to allow for the slow, incremental development of these cognitively complex ideas. Seventh graders will also cultivate their investigative skills by generating their own questions, recognizing and explaining the relationships among variables, and critiquing the conclusions that are drawn from scientific investigations.
Materials
1 composition notebook and your own personal set of:
Wired headphones or earbuds
Pencils & handheld sharpener
Coloring materials of your preference (colored pencils or markers)
Glue sticks
Scissors
Assessment
Grades will be weighted as follows:
Major Assignments - count 50% of final grades
Tests
Projects
Minor Assignments - count as 50% of final grade
Quizzes
Labs
Classwork/Homework
Corrections will only be allowed for Major assignments (e.g. Unit Tests & Projects). Students will have the opportunity to take an alternate test that covers the same material and the higher of the two grades will be recorded.
Grading Scale
The district grading scale will be used for each nine weeks:
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
0-59 F
Important Grading Codes
INC = Incomplete work
ABS = Absent (50%) and has 5 days to turn in for full credit
GFA = Grading Floor Applied (50%)- the student scored 49 or less
NHI = Not Handed In (50%)
EX/Omit = not factored (usually a lab that was missed due to an absence)
Homework Policy
To reinforce science concepts learned in class, homework is sometimes given. Homework generally consists of a class work assignments that were not finished during class time. Students will often have time during Advisory to complete assignments if they are unable to do so at home.
Missed Work/Makeup Policy
Students have five (5) school days to make up work missed during an excused absence. If a test is announced before the absence, students should be prepared to take it the day they return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the teacher to make up assignments or request an extension of time. After five days, any assignment not made up will be recorded as late. Students are responsible for getting their own missed work from Google Classroom or get handouts from teacher!
Parent Communication
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Parents will be notified by phone, written notes, requested conferences and/or e-mail at appropriate times during the year.
Student Records
Student records, progress and achievement are as follows:
Grade Book: All grades will be recorded in the teacher's grade book with assignment title and due date. I also try to include a note about where students completed the assignment and the parameters (how much time given, open-note, etc.) so that making up work is easy! The Parent Portal is available for parents to monitor their child's grades.
Report Cards: Grades are sent home at completion of each nine weeks.
Textbook
Our textbook is found in a digital format via Pearson Savaas which can be accessed through Classlink