Mrs. Oz's Science Class!
2023-2024 School Year
Welcome Reynold's Rockets! I look forward to creating a positive and safe learning environment that is built on trust, communication, and routine. Our class focuses on learning through exploration, inquiry and hands-on activities. We will strive to build critical thinking skills that will prepare you for the future. I believe in pushing students to be the best they can be and hold high expectations for each of my students within their learning styles. I expect student's in our classroom to hold me to the same standards and look forward to learning and creating together!
7th Grade Science Plan
During the 22-23 school year, the 7th grade science curriculum will be taught in the following order:
Atmosphere
Weather
Human Body
Genetics
Microbiology
Physics
In 7th grade science, students will develop skills to predict weather patterns based on atmospheric sciences. Students will study the atmosphere in depth, learning the names of each layer, their characteristics and patterns found throughout. By the end of the weather and atmosphere unit, students will be able to identify cloud types and the weather associated with them. They will learn how to read and use various weather instruments as well as predict global wind and solar radiation patterns.
From weather, students will move on to study the human body and how those systems work together. Students will be able to identify how the body produces energy and responds to stimuli. We will also explore how poor health choices can interrupt the bodies balance which can cause serious health issues.
Our biology unit covers animal and plant cells in microorganisms and how cell parts interact and respond to our environment. Students will explore the world of protists and their functions and structures. During this unit, students will learn about how DNA and genetics effect the human body. We will use punnet squares and pedigrees to predict patterns of heredity. Students will also explore genetic and environmental DNA mutations.
Our last unit of the year will focus on physical science in which student's will define energy, how it is conserved and transferred and how magnets, circuits and simple machines exert force to make work possible and easier. Students will enjoy plenty of hands-on experiments during this unit in which they manipulate work, force and energy.
We will be using google classroom as our learning management system.
Grades WILL NOT be posted in Google Classroom the best way to check on student progress is to check POWERSCHOOL WEEKLY.
Classroom Expectations & Procedures
Students should expect from me:
Quality instruction each day
Organized & positive learning environment
Credit & grades for evaluation of learning
Respect for all students and their abilities
Quick and fair feedback for all assignments
Giving my best to students each day
Proper remote learning etiquette (act as if I were in the actual classroom)
I expect from the students:
Be ready, respectful & responsible of others and our school
Come to class each day prepared to learn and participate during remote learning
Always try your best
Read directions, stay focused & ask questions if you need help
Keep a positive attitude towards yourself & others during remote class discussions
Complete assignments neatly & on time
Proper remote learning etiquette (act as if you were in the actual classroom)
Grading Procedure
Seventh grade science will be utilizing standards based grading. The reason for this is because traditional grading does not provide a clear picture of what the student knows in science. Grades are traditionally averaged together based on assignments. The traditional average is fixed (doesn’t show progression) and often includes participation, effort and behavior within the grades. Standards based is targeted to show what the student specifically knows, and provides more diagnostic feedback because it monitors a student’s progress towards the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for 6th grade science. According to the NC Department of Public Instruction “North Carolina's Standard Course of Study defines the appropriate content standards for each grade level and each high school course to provide a uniform set of learning standards for every public school in North Carolina. These standards define what students know and should be able to do.”.
Please look for a 7th Grade Science Handbook coming home during the first week of school! Follow the link for a preview.
Behavior Policy
In the case that students are not meeting expectations, the following steps for correction will be taken:
Warning: behavior documented
Contact home: minor referral
Major office referral to administrators
If you get a call from me that doesn’t mean it is bad news!!! I love calling home for positive behavior and success stories. Let’s make this a great year together!
Materials Needed
Pencils (regular)
Composition notebook
A positive attitude
Optional: colored pencils, markers, glue sticks
Accepted Donations
Tissues
Disinfectant wipes
Cleaning rags/paper towels
Band-aids
Extra Glue sticks
Scotch tape
Expo markers/erasers