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7th Grade Science Information Packet

2013-2014

 

Dear Parents/Guardian, please read and review all parts of this packet with your child.

 

After reviewing and sharing the information in this packet, please sign (along with your student) and date the slip that was distributed to the students in class.

 

This packet will remain posted on the website for the entire year for you to use as a reference.  The information contained in this packet will be relevant all year.

 

Feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns.

 

Email: jmartinez2@socsd.org

 

Thank you and I look forward to a wonderful and successful year with your child.  My door is always open.

 

Cordially,

J. Martinez

 

Office Hours:

Office hours are held weekly after school by appointment only.

 

Student Supplies:

The following supplies should be brought to class EVERYDAY

 Spiral notebook 9x12

 blue and/or black ink pens and a pencil

 calculator

 homework planner

 highlighter

 1 folder for handouts and labs

 glue sticks (large)

 colored pencils

 

There will be a series of textbooks given out periodically throughout the year.  You are to cover your books and they are to be left at home for reading and homework assignments.  If textbooks are required for class use, you will be notified ahead of time.

 

Parent Portal and Class Website:

PowerSchool is the online gradebook used by South Orangetown Central School District, which allows for parents to have immediate feedback on their child’s performance.  We will be utilizing this resource and as a major form of communication that will be updated regularly. If you have any questions about what is recorded, please send an e-mail.  Access to the parent portal can be made through a link on the school’s Website.

 

The class website is another great communication device that will be used.  The website contains much useful information such as homework assignments, projects, test notification and useful websites.  The website will constantly be updated and changed, so it should be checked frequently.

 

Grading:

 Homework, Class work and Participation 20%

 Quizzes    25%

 Tests     30%

 Projects and Lab Activities 25%

 

All assignments will be recorded on the parent portal, and will be updated regularly.

 

Students cannot retake tests or make up any review homework.  

 

Homework will only be accepted one day late for half credit.  After that, no credit will be granted.

 

Homework, Class Work and Participation:

Periodically class work will be collected and graded.

 

Assignments will be given on a daily basis.  This will allow students the opportunity to review, reinforce and prepare for the classroom lesson on an independent basis. 

 

 

 

Laboratory Reports:

A satisfactory lab report must be completed and turned in on the assigned date.

Students will develop and integrate the scientific process, including observation, measurement, hypothesizing, data collection and analysis.  Students will also integrate pattern identification, description, inference, and applications of mathematical skills.

 

Tests and Quizzes:

Quizzes will be given on a weekly basis.  They may or may not be announced

 

Unit tests will be given approximately once per month.  Unit tests will consist of multiple choice, short answer and essays.  Students will be tested on information from class work, homework and laboratory work.

 

Tests are written based on the NYS Science Assessment.  The tests are written at a reading level that the students are expected to achieve as per NYS.

 

Tests and quizzes are reviewed in class so students have the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Projects and Reports Included in lab Reports for Grading:

A minimum of one project or report will be assigned each quarter.

 

Use of the Homework Planner:

The homework planner will be the responsibility of the student to use as they feel necessary. All assignments should be recorded in the planner. 

 

 

Some Helpful Resources:

On the website, there will be a list of websites that are useful for both science parents and students.  Some of these have been totally or partially created by New York State teachers.  These websites include pictures, diagrams, videos, and worksheets.  There are a multitude of resources that should meet the needs of several learning styles.

Students are welcome to ask questions about any resource they have accessed online.

 

 

7th Grade Science Curriculum:

The 7th grade science curriculum is based on the core-curriculum of Intermediate Level Science as outlined by the NYS Department of Education. You can view this site at

http://www.nysed.gov.

  Topics covered this year will be:

 Cells and Heredity

 Monerans and Protists

 Fungi

 Plants

 Animals

 Ecology

 Water Cycle

 

7th Grade Science Student Expectations:

  In class on time and prepared

 Hand in assignments on time to receive full credit.  Late assignments will receive a lower grade

 Cooperate with others during group activities

 Attendance- Students are expected to have excellent attendance.  If absent, a student will be required to make up work including class notes, homework and labs in a timely fashion.  It is suggested that you exchange phone numbers with a classmate to obtain assignments when absent.