1. 7 th grade science course information Carr Mayfield Selden 2014-2015 Welcome to 7 th grade science! We are excited to start a new year with such wonderful students. In this class, you will not only be learning scientific material, but how to think like a scientist as well. You will use your power of observation and prediction to make sense of the world around you. There will be hands-on work, labs, and group work throughout the year. Read each section below to learn more! Science topics this year:  Layers of the Earth  Plate Tectonics  Law of Superposition  Environmental Issues  Ecosystems  Population Dynamics  Natural Selection  Genetics  Anatomy  Scientific Method  Family Life Science topics this year:  Layers of the Earth  Plate Tectonics  Law of Superposition  Environmental Issues  Ecosystems  Population Dynamics  Natural Selection  Genetics  Anatomy  Scientific Method  Family Life Classroom Materials:  1 Science section in binder  1 school daily planner  1 pkg. of 4” x 6” note cards  Pencils or dark pens  Loose leaf paper  Tri-fold poster board Classroom Materials:  1 Science section in binder  1 school daily planner  1 pkg. of 4” x 6” note cards  Pencils or dark pens  Loose leaf paper  Tri-fold poster board Rules To Live By (In life and our Classrooms) Knowledge comes from experience. If you do not try, you do not learn! You must work hard for the good things in life…if they were easy to come by, then everyone would have them! No man is an island; what you do effects the people around you, both positively and negatively. Contacting Us: mallie.mayfield@rentonschools.us brett.carr@rentonschools.us crystle.selden@rentonschools.us

2. What happens if I turn in work late? You can turn in any late/missing work until the second to last week of the quarter. The overall grade of that assignment will be docked -50%. What happens if I turn in work late? You can turn in any late/missing work until the second to last week of the quarter. The overall grade of that assignment will be docked -50%. What if I was absent from class? 1.Check our teacher websites for what you missed. 2.Make it up! We don’t accept “but I was absent!” We have the technology to keep you on track! Call friends, check my website, we warn you about upcoming tests, etc… 3.Also check the absent work area. 4.Ask your shoulder partner or peer in class!! 5.YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING UP WORK!!! What if I was absent from class? 1.Check our teacher websites for what you missed. 2.Make it up! We don’t accept “but I was absent!” We have the technology to keep you on track! Call friends, check my website, we warn you about upcoming tests, etc… 3.Also check the absent work area. 4.Ask your shoulder partner or peer in class!! 5.YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING UP WORK!!! What happens if I get in trouble? Well, that depends on what kind of trouble…Classroom rules and norms will be set by you students during the beginning of the year. If you cannot follow your own rules, then serious consequences will follow. Consequences may include a verbal warning, a time- out, lunch duty, classroom clean-up duty, a phone call home, an after-school detention, or an office referral. What happens if I get in trouble? Well, that depends on what kind of trouble…Classroom rules and norms will be set by you students during the beginning of the year. If you cannot follow your own rules, then serious consequences will follow. Consequences may include a verbal warning, a time- out, lunch duty, classroom clean-up duty, a phone call home, an after-school detention, or an office referral. Where can I check my grades? Online! Use your Skyward account to check grades, missing work, etc. Don’t forget to check the message center on Skyward for information on homework and assessments! Where can I check my grades? Online! Use your Skyward account to check grades, missing work, etc. Don’t forget to check the message center on Skyward for information on homework and assessments! Can I do extra credit? Nope! Sorry! Your academic grade will only reflect what you know, not what extra credit you turned in to bump your grade up. We suggest you work hard on the assignments and tests, not rely on extra work to get you a good academic grade. Can I do extra credit? Nope! Sorry! Your academic grade will only reflect what you know, not what extra credit you turned in to bump your grade up. We suggest you work hard on the assignments and tests, not rely on extra work to get you a good academic grade. What if I have to go potty? Raise your hand, ask, and we will write you a pass. Sometimes we will not let you go if: Class is almost over, you have not been working, or if you have been abusing the bathroom privilege. What if I have to go potty? Raise your hand, ask, and we will write you a pass. Sometimes we will not let you go if: Class is almost over, you have not been working, or if you have been abusing the bathroom privilege. How will I be graded? We will be using the district’s standard based grading policy. You have an academic grade, effort grade, and community skills grade. Every grade will be given on a 4 point scale: 4 – Exceeding 7 th grade science standards 3 – Meeting 7 th grade science standards 2 – Approaching 7 th grade science standards 1 – Attempting 7 th grade science standards IE – Insufficient evidence Every assessment will count towards your academic grade, but final tests are weighted more. More information on this grading style will be handed out at the beginning of this year. How can I retake an assessment? Our assessments are “spiraled” assessments. You do not need to retake an assessment, because you will be re- assessed on those standards on the next quiz. Example: Quiz 1: Standard 1 and Standard 2 Quiz 2: Standards 1,2, and 3 Quiz 3: Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Final test: All standards After the final, you may retake certain standards if still needed. How can I retake an assessment? Our assessments are “spiraled” assessments. You do not need to retake an assessment, because you will be re- assessed on those standards on the next quiz. Example: Quiz 1: Standard 1 and Standard 2 Quiz 2: Standards 1,2, and 3 Quiz 3: Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Final test: All standards After the final, you may retake certain standards if still needed.