SCIENCE

 

 

Course Description

 

            Welcome to 7th grade Science.  The information in this syllabus will be an overview of the class.  If you have any questions, the easiest way to contact me is via email.  You may also call my office phone and if I receive the message before the end of the school day, I will call you back that day.  If not, I will call you the following day.  Parents/Guardians, the student agenda is also and excellent method of contacting me.  I will be viewing it daily, therefore if you have any concerns feel free to use that method to communicate with me also. 

            This content covered in this course directly relates to the Arizona State Standards.  If you are interested in viewing these standards you can access them via the internet at: www.ade.state.az.us/standards/contentstandards.asp .  From this link you can access the standards several different ways.  If you are interested in having a hard copy of these, please let me know and I will provide a copy to you.  With these standards we have constructed a curriculum map which I will follow throughout the year.  A brief summary of the content is as follows:

·       1st Quarter: Scientific Method, Lab Reports, & Solar System

·       2nd Quarter: Populations & Ecosystems

·       3rd Quarter: Structure of the Earth’s Processes

·       4th Quarter: Environments & Technology

The curriculum will be discussed in more detail at curriculum night at the end of August.   Should you have any questions regarding the curriculum please feel free to contact me at any time. 

 

Materials

            The materials that are suggested for this class are as follows:

·       A positive attitude and a willingness to learn

·       A Pencil & Eraser

·       Loose notebook paper

·       1 subject spiral notebook for vocabulary definitions and laboratory notes.

·       A 1” binder (this can be a binder that is combined with another class as long as there is a section for Science)

 

Text

            The text is provided by the school and can remain at home throughout the school year.  Please keep all textbooks in excellent condition and in a safe place.  These are new and expensive and if anything were to happen to them, the students are required to replace them. 

 

Student Achievement

            A variety of methods will be used to evaluate student achievement.  Points will be given for tests, quizzes, class work, projects, article reviews, lab reports, and participation.  Course grades will be based on the total amount of points earned each quarter.  REMEMBER NO NAME = NO CREDIT so please place your name on all of your work

           

All assignments must have the following information in the upper RIGHT HAND CORNER:

                                                      

 


First & Last Name                       

Date

Subject

Period

 

 

 

Extra Credit

            Don’t expect extra credit to save your grade- there is no guaranteed it will be offered!  If opportunities to earn extra credit arise, points earned will only be applied to a student’s grade if all required work is completed.  Extra credit is viewed as a chance to enhance your learning experience.

 

Tests & Quizes

            There will be a quiz every Friday unless a test is scheduled in its place.  Students need to be prepared to take the test and quizzes on the day scheduled unless absent more than one day before the test.  Students missing only the test day should be prepared to make up the test during the next test make-up period.  It is also the student’s responsibility to be available for test make-up or make other arrangements with Mrs. Koski.  Students failing to make-up a test during the time scheduled will be penalized 25%.  All test dates will be announced a minimum of one week before the test. 

 

Viewing Grades Online

            Your specific grades can be viewed at anytime via the internet.  To access the grades go to http://www.musd20.org/Schools/MWMS/Classrooms.htm .   You will then scroll to the Science section and look for my name.  The link beside it will lead you to the grade section. 

           

Tardiness

            If you arrive to class after the bell has rung you will be considered tardy.  You will only be considered excused if you have a note from the office or another teacher.  Consequences will be given as described in the in the MWMS Student Handbook.

            If you are late to class, you will sign in on the tardy log and if you have a pass you are to put it in the pass basket that is located next to the log.  If your pass is written in your agenda, then you are to quietly show Mrs. Koski.  You are to enter quietly and without disturbing your fellow classmates.  You will place your homework on your desk for Mrs. Koski to check and begin the brain work.  If you cannot complete the brain work before instruction begins, you will be required to copy it down in your journal and complete it for homework.  If you enter the classroom after the brain work has been completed, you will join the class activity. 

Storing personal items

            Students’ backpacks should be stored neatly beside their desk.  There is to be no obstruction of the isles between the desks or work benches.  Jackets or sweaters are to be stored in the backpacks or on the back of the desk seats. 

 

Lab Safety & Procedure:

            A critical part of student learning will occur while accomplishing laboratory assignments.  Students will sign a lab safety contract and adhere to all safety rules.  If you choose to violate rules you will be dismissed from the lab and loose all points relating to that lab.  If there are consistent issues that arise during laboratory assignments, you will be removed from the remainder of the labs for your safety as well as your fellow students.  

On the day of a laboratory, you are to enter the room and to sit in your assigned desk without handling any of the laboratory supplies that have been set out.  You will be given detailed instruction and information regarding the activity, and all safety information that concerns them. 

            Failure to follow the posted safety guidelines, my instructions, and inappropriate use of laboratory materials could result in a failing grade for that assignment and dismissal from that class. 

 

Student Assistance/Talking

            You will raise your hand to signal if you need assistance, my attention, or if you need to talk to another student.  During individual study/work time there is to be no talking and only one person out of their seat at a time.  If I am at my desk or working at the laboratory bench, only one student will be allowed in that area at one time.   If a student continues to be disruptive after a verbal warning, the student will be assigned a student discipline essay that will be due the following day.

            During group work, the students will maintain low voice levels and consult each other requiring questions that might arise.  If the group still needs assistance, they will raise their hands for my attention.  If noise levels become too high, group work will be stopped and an individual assignment will be assigned. 

 

Hallway Pass

            Students are expected to take care of all personal needs prior to coming to class.   If an unforeseen situation arises, only one person will be allowed with a pass out of the classroom at a time.  The student that is requesting a pass must fill out their agenda with their name, destination, time they left, and the time that they returned.  If any student is consistently requesting to leave class, parent/guardian may be contacted. 

 

Interruptions

            Interruption such as unexpected visitor, announcements over the intercom, or telephone calls may happen on occasion within the classroom.  During these events, you are expected to remain on task and focused on the assignment. 

 

Early Release

            On the occasion of an early dismissal from class,  you will be required to obtain the homework assignment that is due the next day, and complete any unfinished work for homework.  The missed work will be due the following day unless otherwise arranged with Mrs. Koski.  If you leave during a group assignment or a laboratory, it will be your responsibility to check with me for the make-up requirements, which will have to be completed within a week of the missed class. 

 

 Homework/Late Assignment

            Every two weeks you will be required to present a short essay describing a scientific article from either a newspaper, magazine, or the internet.   Other homework items will include class work that was not finished in class or research for specific assignments.

            All late work received after the due date will be marked down 50%.  Any assignment turned in more than two days late will not receive credit unless prior arrangements were made with Mrs. Koski.    

 

Student Resources

            There is an after school homework program that is free for any student that is in need of extra study time or help with class or home work.  Also, Mrs. Koski is available to help you by appointment whenever the need arises.

 

 

Class Expectations

ü  Students are expected to adhere to the school-wide expectations outlined in the MWMS Student Handbook.

 

When the bell rings : “Get Started”

1.     Be quietly seated in you assigned seat with all materials on desk.

2.     If homework was assigned the previous day, place it on the corner of your desks with you agenda for Mrs. Koski to check.

3.     Copy down objective and assignment in agenda.

4.     Begin “Brain Work” without talking.

 

At all times: “RESPECT”

1.     Treat others the way you want to be treated- this applies verbally and to personal property.                

2.     When Mrs. Koski (or a guest teacher) is speaking, stop what you are doing and give your full attention.

3.     Be polite and do not speak out of turn.

4.     DO NOT LET YOUR ACTIONS INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING OF THOSE AROUND YOU.

5.     If for some reason you do not agree with something that you are asked to do, do not create a disruption.  Please wait until after class and I will privately listen to your concerns without involving the entire class.

6.     OWN AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS!

 

At the end of class: “Clean Up”

1.     Clean up area around you, including the floor.

2.     Remember Mrs. Koski dismisses you not the bell.

 

Positive Rewards

            During the course of the school year I will recognize the positive effort that is portrayed by all students.  When this effort is observed, the student will be rewarded and recognized in different ways.  One of the ways that good behavior will be recognized is by putting your name into a drawing that will be held at the end of each quarter.  The prize will be a gift card to Best Buy. 

 

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior 

            For first offenses of inappropriate behavior or breaking of the rules, students will receive a verbal reminder.  Second offenses will be noted, and the student will have to complete a Student Discipline Essay.  This essay must be completed the by the following day and must include the student signature as well as a parent/guardian signature.  If the essay is not completed and turned in the student will have to attend one lunch time detention, in which they will finish the essay.  Discipline for continued infractions will start at a phone call to the parents/guardians, and then would move to a parent/teacher conference, and could eventually involves school administration. 

 

Lunch & After School Detention

Lunch detention will be on Wednesday  in Mrs. Koski’s room.  The student would report to the cafeteria, get their lunch, and then join Mrs. Koski in her room to complete work quietly or talk about issues that may be developing.  If the student does not attend lunch detention, the student will be required to stay for after school detention.

After School Detention will be held from 3:45 – 5:00 with Mrs. Koski on every Thursday.  If the student is un-able to attend this, a parent-teacher conference will be scheduled.