Last modified: August 1, 2022
7th Grade Science Support
Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement
This course is a support class for 7th grade Science students. Students will receive additional instruction in Science to help students succeed in science class and on state testing.
The 7th grade science class theme is Changes Over Time. We will be focusing on the following standards:
- 1. Structure and Function of Life Structures include: Cells, Cell Parts and Functions, and Human Body Organization
2. Reproduction and Inheritance This includes: Reproduction Types, Reproduction Adaptations, Mutations, and Human Caused Genetic Changes
3. Changes in Species Over Time Changes include: Developing Traits for Survival, Life Changes Over Time, Connecting Modern to Ancient Organisms, and Comparative Embryology
4. Forces are Interactions Between Matter Interactions include: Forces and Motion, Action and Reaction, Electric and Magnetic Forces, and Gravity
5. Earth’s Processes/Changes to Earth Over Time Processes include: Rock Cycle, Earth’s Surface Changes, Engineering and Geologic Hazards, Earth’s Interior, Plate Tectonics, and Earth’s Age
Learning Expectations
#1 – I Can Statement: I can predict and explain the motion of an object using Newton’s Laws.
#2 – I Can Statement: I can predict the strength of electric, magnetic, and gravitational forces and explain how the forces act on an object.
#3 – I Can Statement: I can explain how chemical composition, density, and temperature affect the arrangement of the interior layers of the Earth and the movement of the tectonic plates.
#4 – I Can Statement: I can identify and explain the rapid and gradual processes that change the surface of the Earth.
#5 – I Can Statement: I can explain and diagram the processes of the rock cycle.
#6 – I Can Statement: I can identify the assumptions scientists make to determine relative ages of rock layers and fossils.
#7 – I Can Statement: I can identify the structure of organelles in various types of cells and explain their respective functions.
#8 – I Can Statement: I can explain the five levels of organization from simple to complex by citing examples and showing how the levels are interconnected.
#9 – I Can Statement: I can explain the effects that different types of reproduction have on genetic variation and how traits affect the probability of successful reproduction.
#10 – I Can Statement: I can explain how genes can change naturally and artificially.
#11 – I Can Statement: I can explain how natural selection impacts genetic variation in a population.
#12 – I Can Statement: I can cite evidence for evolution through natural selection.
Assessment of Progress
Grading: In addition to science work required, attendance, participation, & staying on task determines grades.
The student’s job is to come to class prepared to learn with the proper materials (a pen or pencil-not red), and to complete assignments legibly, accurately, & in a timely fashion. All assignments for each unit are due on the test day for that completed strand. Points for class include finished bellwork, assignments, tests, lab work, and projects done in class as well as at home. Assessments comprise 30% of grades 10% bellwork, 60% daily assignments, labs and other daily work. Grading scale is as follows: 100-93% = A, 92-90% = A-,89-86% = B+, 85-83% = B, 82-80% = B-, 79-76% = C+, 75-73% = C, 72-70 = C-, 69 – 67% = D+, 66 – 63% = D, 62 – 60% = D-, Below 60% = Incomplete.
Course Materials
The student’s job is to come to class prepared to learn with the proper materials (a pen or pencil-not red). Science materials include textbooks, lab experiments, handouts, videos, and packets for each strand studied. 7th grade textbook free at (https://tinyurl.com/y4tqscca)
Classroom Procedures
Class and Lab Policies:
Lab Information: In class, there will be labs to help strengthen understanding and deepen curiosity. Labs are an important part of this class, so please let me know as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend class on lab day. Some labs will be difficult or impossible to make up so attendance is highly encouraged.
Students must follow safety procedures when participating in labs. Students will be instructed on safety procedures during class. If students do not follow safety and appropriate behavior standards during a lab, including lab equipment cleanup, the student will be removed immediately from the lab and/or lose points and/or earn a ‘zero’ for the lab. If this occurs 3 times, the student will no longer participate in labs.
Makeup Work : Assignments may be made up but it is up to the student to contact another classmate or the teacher to find out what was missed and make it up promptly.
Hall/Bathroom Passes: Students may not use the bathroom during class discussion or during teacher instruction. Students must use the hall pass. Students may not leave the room 10 minutes before or after the bell rings.
Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments
Assessments (quizzes, tests, etc.) in support will be held approximately every two weeks.
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Report cards and information in Powerschool will reflect student performance in class. Report card grades are determined by teacher review of daily work. Work is reviewed for completeness, accuracy and depth of understanding. Assessments will measure students’ understanding of the Utah State Seventh Grade Science curriculum.
Connecting Home to School
Contact: The best way to contact me is via my email at janaeh@provo.edu. I check my email frequently and will respond promptly to messages. If you wish to meet with me before or after school, please schedule an appointment through email.