7th Grade Science Prospectus

Community House Middle School

Phone: 980-343-0689

Tracy Dedrick

http://tdedrick.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/

Welcome

Welcome to 7th grade science! We hope your child looks forward to this year with anticipation and excitement. We encourage you to take an active role in making this a successful year for your child.

Philosophy

We believe students learn best by “doing” and our class reflects that philosophy with hands-on-activities and laboratory experience. They should be challenged and taught study skills and critical thinking skills to assist them in meeting the challenge. Students should have a higher level of understanding of science concepts than that of rote memorization. We believe students process material and learn in a variety of ways; therefore, our instruction reflects their many learning styles.

Goals

Our goals for students are…

·  To become independent learners
·  To acquire a variety of study skills
·  To understand the nature of science / ·  To explore a variety of science careers
·  To become current on the events occurring in the field of science / ·  To independently conduct laboratory experiments and analyze their results
·  To make real world connections
·  To master all science concepts

Communication

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us by note, email, or phone at 980-343-0689. We will do our best to return your call within 24 hours. Also please check your child’s agenda regularly for assignments, as well as the teacher wiki pages. We believe we must work as a team to support your child.

Tutoring Times

Tutoring days and times will be established by individual teams and teachers. If your child needs help, please have them schedule a day for tutoring. Review sessions may be held by teachers throughout the year.

Dedrick – Science - by appointment

Math I – Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 PM

Materials

·  Basic supplies requested by CHMS

·  Multi-subject notebook & tape for Interactive Notebook

·  2-Pocket Folder

Web Page

Homework assignments and class information are posted weekly. Please access your science teacher’s web page through CHMS website.

Course Description

In 7th grade science we will study fundamental concepts in the following topics:

Atmosphere & Weather / Human Body Systems
Cells & Genetics / Forces & Motion

Late Work / Absences

All work must be turned in on time to receive full credit. All late & incomplete homework will receive a 50%. Homework not completed will receive a ZERO. If a student is absent, missed work should be made up as soon as they return to school. If major labs are missed the student needs to schedule an appointment within the week. Otherwise, an alternate assignment will be required to take its place.

Grades

Following CMS policy, the grades are divided as indicated: Informal 35% (warm-ups, homework, lab activities, graded assignments), Formal Assessments 65% (tests, quizzes, projects). We try to give students a one week notice before a test so they have time to study and get extra help if needed. Students will be graded on organization and completion of selected assignments. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced, so be sure to study hard. CMS policy states that if a student scores below an 80% on exams that the student may request a retest to increase his/her score. However, the new score may not exceed 79%. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange such retests.

Expectations

We expect professionalism not only in our students’ behavior but in their work as well. Each assignment should reflect an end product that your child is proud of. Papers should be neat and thorough. All students are expected to do their best!

Rules and Procedures

Enter the room and quickly begin the assigned task.
Follow lab safety procedures.
Be sure to label, date and put your name on each assignment. / Actively participate and stay on task.
Follow the teacher’s guidelines in regards to movement and talking during class.
Respect yourself, others and the community. / Follow the guidelines in the Rights and Responsibility hand book, as well as, the Community House handbook.

School-Wide Discipline Plan

·  1st Offense: Warning to Student (verbal, move seat, etc.)
Parent Contact MUST be made for ALL Offenses listed below:
·  2nd Offense: Ten-Minute Time Out to Teammate
·  3rd Offense: Teacher-Designated Consequence (lunch detention with teacher, after-school detention with teacher, immediate parent phone communication with child present, parent conference, other as approved by administrator) / ·  4th Offense: Class Removal – for remainder of class
·  5th Offense: Referral to AP
* * For serious infractions, such as FIGHTS, INSUBORDINATION, etc., referrals will be written immediately