Welcome to 7th Grade Science!  I am very excited to have you in my class this year.  Seventh grade will be a fun-filled adventure in learning.

First, we will begin by studying our safety contract.  Next, we will use the text Heredity, which will conclude before the students leave for camp.  Then, using the text Human Biology and Health we will be study the human body systems in depth.  The students will learn about the structure, characteristics and functions of the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, excretory, nervous, and reproductive systems.  We will end our study of Human Biology with a study of the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs on the body systems.

Prentice-Hall, our science series, has earned the reputation as one of the best science publishers.  Prentice-Hall offers a great variety of activities based on interest and learning abilities of our students. 

The seventh graders will keep all notes, labs, and definitions in the science binder.  Safety rules, definitions, and other important science material will be put on index cards.

 Grading for the science program is as follows:  study guides, activities, and labs will count as one grade and tests will count as two grades.

 Cooperative learning is used with two to four students placed in each lab/group.  These students will work together on lab/group and review activities, helping each other to learn and retain definitions, notes, and material presented.

To further assist you in exploring what we are learning in science, I have created a web page called 7th Grade Science Resources.  Check it out!

Science Classroom Procedures:  Students are expected to be respectful of others, their property, and their ideas at all times.  I will be using the calendar, along with the other teachers who come in contact with you during the day.  The following procedures will ensure that we have a strong learning environment and successful year.

General Science Classroom Rules:

1.      Come in quietly and get supplies ready - all books and materials not in use for science must be placed in the desk or chair back (out of the way) as soon as you come into the room.

2.   Begin work on the assignment posted on the board.

3.  Follow all written and/or oral directions.

4.  Science papers are kept in your science binder.

5.  When a mistake is made on science papers, neatly draw a line through the mistake and make the correction - there is no use of White-out or erasing of answers.

Lab/Group Rules:

1.  Stay on task with your assigned lab/group partners until the activity is completed.

2.  Raise hand if help is needed.

3.  Return all science/group materials to assigned storage place.

4.  If lab/group is completed early, move on to the next assignment, review vocabulary and/or notes, read the science magazine, or investigate possible science topics for future activities.

Rewards:
Time for individual work
Time to begin homework with group members
Better grades due to better time on task
More group activities

Consequences:
Note on calendar
Conference with teacher
Points lost for lab activity
Removal from lab/group
Loss of lab work will result in lower grade

Drink/Bathroom Breaks:  Students must use a hall pass when getting a drink or using the restroom.

1.      Take the pass and put it on your desk.

2.      When you return, come in quietly, put the pass back, and check to see if you’ve missed any assignments or instructions.

Walking to and from the classroom:  As you leave the classroom it is important to remember that you need to be considerate to those around us and do the following:

1.        Line up quietly

2.      Walk in a single-file line

3.      Stay on one side of the hallway

4.      Use indoor voices in the downstairs hallway

Written work:   I will be using the St. Clement School Analytical Scoring Guide to grade lab activities, quizzes and tests, along with the other 7^th & 8^th grade teachers.

Homework:  You are responsible for writing down assignments in the various classrooms you visit.  However, each teacher will maintain her own subject-area homework page which will be posted at:  www.schoolnotes.com

1.      Students will receive full credit for on-time homework

2.      Minus 10 points each day homework is late

Absences:  If you are absent for a day, go home early or miss part of a class, it is important that you make up all work that you missed.  To do this you need to follow certain procedures:

1.      If you are absent for the entire day, your homework will be recorded and appropriate books and supplies will be left on the homework table outside the office, unless we are otherwise notified.

2.      If you leave class early, you need to talk to the appropriate teacher and find out what you will miss so that you can take those books home and complete the assignments.

3.      If you miss class for Mass practice, visit to the nurse, etc., you need to check with the teacher whose class you missed.

4.      You may always check the homework pages at:  www.schoolnotes.com.

Seventh grade science should be quite a journey.  There is a lot to do and learn.  If you have any questions, please contact me.  I check my voice-mail daily, and I check my e-mail continuously throughout the day.  I am looking forward to working with you this year.

Sincerely,