Course Syllabus – – < Grade 7 Life Science Syllabus> - Mr. Thays
Course Description/Overview:
The intent of this course is to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in science and develop a foundation of knowledge about the natural world around us. A wide variety of topics appropriate to life science will be presented. Students will have the opportunity to make real world connections to topics discussed. This knowledge will help ensure that students make sound decisions about the proper care, appreciation, and use of the natural world in which we live.
Prerequisites: Completion of 6th grade science materials.
Course Content and Goals:
- Life Science Fusion Themes and Scientific Method—Learning major processes of science research.
- Introduction to Science and Technology—Exploring The Nature of Science; Measurement and Data; Engineering, Technology, and Society.
- Cells and Heredity--Exploring Cells; Reproduction and Heredity.
- The Diversity of Living Things--Exploring Life Over Time; Earth's Organisms.
- The Human Body--Exploring the Human body Systems; Human Health.
- Ecology and the Environment--Examining the Interactions of Living Things; Earth's Biomes and Ecosystems; Earth's Resources; Human Impact on the Environment.
- Classification/Dissection – Covers similarities and differences of various life forms, through the use of standard dissection techniques.
- Real-world applications: Integrating real world ideas into regular discussions.
Course Materials
- Unit Workbooks: (Science Fusion- by Houghton, Mifflin, and Harcourt) – These unit workbooks must be taken care of. It is your responsibility to keep track of your own workbooks and bring them daily to class. Daily activities and readings will be conducted directly out of the workbooks.
- Blue Notebook for Life Science only: This notebook will be used to take daily notes and provide a good source from which to study.
- Writing Utensils – You will need a pen or pencil for taking daily notes, completing worksheets and labs, and completing tests.
- Blue Folder or 3-ring binder –You should have a place to store handouts for future use.
- Composition Book for conducting Lab Writeups.
- Daily Planner--Used for daily passes to the restroom or locker and for writing the daily agenda.
Course Policies
Absences/Make-up Work: In the event of an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to find out what assignments were missed and to pick up any handouts missed or notes that were missed. All make-up work must be completed within 3 days of an absence; the only exception to this will be an extended illness documented by a doctor’s excuse. Students absent on a test date will be expected to report to the teacher on the first day back to make arrangements for testing/quizzing.
Classroom Rules/Expectations:
- Students will be in their seats with materials ready to go by the time the bell rings.
- Students will show respect to the teacher, the room, and each other.
- Students will bring their unit workbook, folder and binder with notebook paper, writing utensils and daily planner every day.
- Students will follow all school rules, both written and unwritten.
- When I speak, you do not.
- I dismiss you, not the bell.
Homework Policy:
- Students are required to do their homework. Doing your homework consistently is essential in order to achieve success in science. Homework is given for the purpose of learning new concepts and building onto old concepts.
- Be open to working with different groups of students throughout the year, which will be determined by me. In most cases, you will be assigned one lab partner.
- Working within a group means assigning roles and involving each student in the work and the discussions.
- If you lab partner is absent, collect the necessary handouts and materials for your lab partner. This saves me the hassle of compiling individual worksheets for each absent person.
- If you are absent, you must contact your lab partner to see what you missed. You must take this initiative on your own. Don’t expect me to remind you!!
- Get your materials to your lab partner whenever you know you will be absent ahead of time. This helps me process your grades in a timely fashion.
- When returning from missed days, you will need the office to stamp your daily planner for the days missed. This tells me that your absence was excused, and has been approved by the main office. When I see the stamp, I will initial the late assignment. This means the late work is approved and will be graded as usual. Without the excused stamp and my initials, late assignments will only be given half credit.
- Get your missed assignments from your lab partner. You have one day to make up an assignment for each day that you are absent. If you still have questions, come and see me.
- Most labs need to be run on the days announced. Labs take time to set up and some chemicals and procedures need to be run within a tight schedule. Please be aware of announced lab days and plan accordingly.
- Only assignments turned in between Chapter tests will be accepted for full credit.
- Homework that is not turned in on time and does not have my initials on top will only receive only 50% of the credit.
Grading Policy/Assessment
Your Life Science Grade will be based on total points. Points are added together in each of the following separate categories: Chapter Tests, quizzes, labs, and daily assignments. Each category point total is then divided by the sum of all of the points to give you a point value and grade for that category. An overall quarter grade average is produced in Skyward from this data.
· Semester grades will be calculated by averaging quarter grades together in Skyward.
· After multiplying by 100, your letter grade is assigned according to the table below: These grade ranges below match with district policy.
A+ 100 B+ 89 - 87 C+ 79 - 77 D+ 69 - 67
A 99 - 94 B 86 - 84 C 76 - 74 D 66 - 64
A- 93 - 90 B- 83 - 80 C- 73 - 70 D- 63 - 60
Types of Assessments: Tests will be given at the end of each chapter and will be based on the concepts, notes, and assignments that were worked on throughout the unit.
Quizzes will be given periodically. Quizzes are administered for the purpose of showing the student what areas need to be reviewed and also to indicate what objectives have been mastered.
Course Procedures
- Work Requirements: Each class lesson will consist of taking notes (in your designated notebook), practicing new skills, participating in class activities, and correcting homework. A typical week will include three to five homework assignments. Most assignments will be graded during the following day’s class period, unless indicated by your instructor. A new section will be introduced with the opportunity to ask questions over that section the next day. A test will be given when the end of the chapter is completed. It will take approximately two to three weeks to complete each chapter.
Personal Statement
- Come to my class prepared to work and with a positive attitude.
- I am here to help you succeed and understand Life Science.
- If you ever have a question, or simply do not understand something, take the time to ask me for help. I will be happy to help you do well.
Key Ways to Use a Life Science Workbook
- Use your workbook as a guide for find out more about the concepts being discussed in class. The workbook can be used to reading, answering questions, asking questions, creating graphs, making notes, and highlighting main concepts.
- Digital resources may be given during class to serve as a guide for key concepts that you will be required to understand.
- When starting a chapter, begin by reading the Big Idea at the beginning of each chapter section.
- Read the Vocabulary and the Essential Question at the top of the section assigned to understand how the key concepts relate to you. The Active Reading section has important tool ideas for helping break down vocabulary.
- Read the bold printed words and definitions within the assigned section.
- Think about relating key concepts to your life as you read.
- If you don’t understand key vocabulary and key concepts, reread paragraphs in those sections for the missing detail.
- Try to answer the Visualize It questions built within the section. Answering these questions will show whether you understand key concepts. Many times these questions will be assigned.
- Look at the diagrams and pictures for key visual ideas.
- Use the Reference pages in the back of your workbook for more diagrams, definitions, and key concepts.
Additional Information
Extra Help: Get extra help when you need it. I am available before school from 7:50-8:04 and after school from 3:32-3:50 every day. I am also available during my prep period which is 3rd hour, Monday through Friday. Additionally, I will be happy to help you during my 2nd hour study hall in my classroom.
Academic Honesty: Refer to the Westfield Area School District Academic Policy Sheet posted on the classroom wall.
Contact Information
School Telephone: 608-296-2141 ext.1045
School E-mail: brian.thays@westfieldpioneers.org
Please detach this page and return it to the instructor.
Student/Parent Acknowledgement:
We have received and read the course syllabus.
Student Signature:_____________________________________________ Date: _____________________
Parent Signature: _____________________________________________ Date: _____________________
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