1. Welcome 7 th Grade Life Science

2. Course Map Unit 1 -- Interactions, Energy and Dynamics ( Ecology ) Unit 1 -- Interactions, Energy and Dynamics ( Ecology ) Unit 2 – Molecules to Organisms ( Cells and Human Body Systems ) Unit 2 – Molecules to Organisms ( Cells and Human Body Systems ) Unit 3 – Heredity ( Genetics ) Unit 3 – Heredity ( Genetics ) Unit 4 --Biological Changes: Unity and Diversity Unit 4 --Biological Changes: Unity and Diversity

3. Materials Every day, students are required to bring their planner, science binder (3- ring) with loose-leaf paper, science journal and at least 2 pencils / pens. Other materials, such as colored pencils, rulers, and markers will sometimes be needed.

4. Grades Formative *Formative Assignments – 30% of the final grade Classwork, Class Participation, and Miscellaneous Assignments All of these assignments will be worth one letter grade, unless previously announced. Homework Homework will be checked for completion and some will be graded for accuracy. Lab Reports Labs will be weighted according to the complexity of the lab. (Formative or Summative)

5. Grades Summative *Summative Assignments – 70% of the final grade. Quizzes Quizzes will be worth one or two grades based on content and will be given throughout the semester. Quizzes will vary but may include selected response, matching, fill-in-the-blank, diagrams and brief constructed responses. Unit Tests All unit tests are county tests and follow the HSA format. These will always be announced and worth 3 grades. There will also be a lab-practical during the 2 nd marking period that will count as a test grade. Long-Term Projects Long-term projects will be assigned periodically throughout the year. The weight of these projects will depend on the size of the project and will be announced when the project is assigned. Grading rubrics will be included. Students will also develop several argumentative writing pieces.

6. Help for Students Twilight School runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Bus transportation available to Cecilton Royal Farms Hacks Point General Store Bakers Restaurant Elkton Royal Farms Wiki Space

7. NGSS