Chandler Preparatory Academy
7th Grade Life Science 2017-2018
Mrs. Goodwin:
Mr. Swanstrom:
website (both):
Text: Prentice Hall Science Explorer Life Science
Course Materials Needed:
3-ring binder (or one section of larger binder)
GREEN spiral notebook for ALL class/textbook notes and homework(used ONLY for Life Science)
composition notebook for field journal observations and lab activities
colored pencils (24 or more)
at least two expo markers (either black or colored)
several packages of 3 x 5 index cards for vocabulary study and research project
Course Description:
The Life Science curriculum intends to develop a sense of wonder, respect, and appreciation for all life by introducing you to the awesome diversity, amazing complexity, and incredible interdependence of organisms! We begin with the needs and characteristics all living things share. Cell structures and processes are then covered, including a basic introduction to osmosis, diffusion, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and cell reproduction. Taxonomy is a focus throughout the course, as you learn the importance of classification based on anatomical structures and functions. The scientific method is also discussed and interspersed through the year. The seven major groups of classification (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species) and how to use a dichotomous key are also taught.
The six kingdoms are then covered in sequence, beginning with archaebacteria and eubacteria, protists and fungi, and ending with the most complex, plants and animals. Non-vascular and vascular plants are explored. As each class of animals is studied, a comparative analysis of external and internal anatomy is discussed, highlighting the adaptations specific to the animal’s survival in its particular environment. The primary classes of vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, are explored. A partial study of human biology concludes the year, including the skin and digestive, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. There is a brief health unit on nutrition, sleep, and stress integrated into this study and also a fascinating look at the teenage brain and genetics. Throughout the year students will be able to observe firsthand what they are learning through several dissections, including a mushroom, flower, squid, and bony fish.
Course Schedule:
This schedule may be subject to change, but it gives you a good overview of the exciting year ahead!
First Semester:
Introduction to Life Science: lab safety, scientific method, objective vs. subjective observations, characteristics and needs of all living things
Cells: function and structure of organelles, plant vs. animal cells, special types of cells, early cell scientists, cell processes such as diffusion and osmosis, and a basic introduction to cell respiration, reproduction, and photosynthesis
Taxonomy: influence of Aristotle, John Ray, and Carolus Linnaeus in the modern classification system, seven major groups of classification, use of a dichotomous key
Introduction of the six Kingdoms: archaebacteria, eubacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animals
Ecology: Earth’s biomes, populations and communities, interactions and interdependence among living things, energy flow in ecosystems
Bacteria: different shapes and types of bacteria, comparison of viruses, the role of bacteria in the living world
Protists: animal-like, plant-like, and fungus-like protists, examination of common examples of each
Fungi: classification of fungi, reproduction, how fungi obtain food, symbiotic relationship with plants
Plants: non-vascular vs. vascular, angiosperm vs. gymnosperm, investigation of local plants
Porifera (sponges) and cnidarians (jellyfish, coral, sea anemones): sexual and asexual reproduction, regeneration, exploration of coral reef ecosystem
Worms: Platyhelminthes (flatworms), nematoda (roundworms), annelida (segmented worms), observations of live earthworms
* 7th Grade Animal Research Paper – research first quarter with paper due second quarter
Second Semester:
Arthropods: crustaceans, insects, and arachnids (spiders); life cycles and types of metamorphosis
Mollusks and Echinoderms: snails, bivalves, squid, sand dollars, sea urchins. sea stars
Introduction to chordates: animals with a dorsal cord from the subphylum vertebrata: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals; ectoderm vs. endoderm
Fish: agnatha (jawless fish), chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish), osteichthyes (bony fish)
Amphibians: frogs, toads, salamanders, newts
Reptiles: snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, alligators, local reptiles
Birds: mechanics of flight, adaptations and diversity, local birds, bird observations, quail hatching
Mammals: investigation of several orders, behaviors, adaptations, anatomy, and systems
Humans: skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, digestive systems, nutrition, genetics, neuroscience and learning
Expectations for class:
1. Enter class on time. Promptly go to your assigned seat, take out your materials, and begin “Let’s Get Learning!” or "LGL" work (usually written on the small white board).
2. Treat all school staff, students, classroom pets, and guests with respect, consideration, and courtesy. Specific examples include a helpful attitude, not talking when the instructor or other students are speaking, and displaying KINDNESS to others in your words and actions.
3. Follow directions, especially safety rules and lab procedures, carefully and diligently.
4.Learning is an ACTIVE process, not a passive activity, so invest EFFORT in your education and aim for EXCELLENCE!
Grading Policy:
Participation20%
Class participation comes in two forms: listening and responding. Listening involves more than just hearing. ACTIVE LISTENING means understanding what the teacher or another student has said and being able to repeat it in your own words. If you do not understand, please ask questions to clarify your understanding. Asking questions is a very important part of learning! The second form is response, which may be written, verbal, or non-verbal. This form of participation is demonstrated through good note taking during class (written), asking and answering questions (verbal), and attentive body language, eye contact, and posture (non-verbal). Coming to class with your materials and prepared to learn is also an important part of participation and counts toward your grade.
Homework20%
You will normally have 20-25 minutes of homework when it is assigned, however, homework is not given every night. You are always encouraged to look over your notes from class or the textbook each night for at least 5 minutes while it is “fresh” in your mind. Additional homework may consist of reading the textbook and either taking notes or answering section review questions, a worksheet pertaining to a particular topic or lab, or a study guide. Homework will be assigned orally and also written clearly on the white board each day. You are responsible to write the assignment in your planners every day.Homework will be accepted one day after it is due for up to 70% credit, but late homework after one day will typically receive a “0.” It is YOUR responsibility to approach the teacher when you are absent. You are also responsible to approach us to find out any work you missed if you are absent and to make it up promptly. Normally, homework after an excused absence will be due within two days of when you return to school, but you will have longer if you are out for several days. COMPLETING HOMEWORK DAILY IS A VERY IMPORTANT SKILL FOR LEARNING AND ALSO IMPORTANT IN DEVELOPING RESPONSIBILITY. Almost all of your homework will be done in your spiral notebook. Do not tear pages out of your spiral notebook. Loose papers will not be accepted.
Labs/Reports/Projects20%
You will complete several labs, including dissections, as well as activities. During the first quarter, you will also begin working on an animal research paper. Other projects include field observations, notably bird observations in the spring. Field observations and some of your labs will normally be written (and sometimes sketched with your colored pencils) in your composition book.
Tests40%
Tests will normally be given every two-three weeks on Wednesdays and typically cover one chapter. Occasionally, there may be quizzes on smaller sections of material. Tests and quizzes will cover the material discussed in lecture and class discussions, which is based largely from the textbook and homework assignments. There may be additional material from handouts, class activities, or labs (such as dissections). You are expected to save all of your tests and quizzes together in your binder to study for the semester final exam. Quizzes and tests will be hole-punched to allow you to save them easily in your binder. We may announce periodic binder checks to help you stay organized, which will include checking that you have all previous tests grouped in your binder. Parents, please do not throw away any tests or quizzes until the end of the semester.
TUTORING is strongly encouraged for ALL students and is available in LYCEUM in Room 211 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On the day before a test or quiz (refer to the CPA test calendar), tutoring will also be provided before school from 7:30 until 8:10 in the forum and after school from 3:30 until 4:30 or 5:00 in Room 211. Students who attend at least 25 minutes of tutoring before a quiz or test will earn an extra point on that exam.
You are expected to have one or two “homework buddies” in your section that you have contact information for in case you need to clarify what a particular assignment is or when something is due. Please do not phone us using the school voice mailboxes, as we do not use it or check it. Email is the way to contact us.
YOUR NOTES OR QUESTIONS:
LIFE SCIENCE SAFETY CONTRACT
1.Students may be in the Life Science classroom only when a teacher is present.
2.Students will always walk in the classroom, as well as in hallways.
3.Students may pet or hold classroom animals only with permission and will wash hands before and after handling animals. Students will not hold or handle animals if they (students) are sick.
4.Students will follow teacher instructions in when and how to handle and interact with classroom pets or visiting animals.
5.Students will carefully follow all directions and procedures during labs and dissections, including washing hands following the lab.
6.Students will wear goggles and gloves during all dissections and other labs when needed.
7.Students will not bring food into the classroom unless there is a special reason that is cleared by the teacher.
8.Students will handle sharp instruments, such as scissors, probes, and scalpels, carefully with the sharp end pointing down, away from themselves and other students.
9.Students understand that failure to follow any of the safety guidelines or teacher instructions during dissections and labs will result in the student leaving the classroom and missing the lab or dissection. Students will then be given extra work to complete in the forum or at home. A student is never forced to participate in a dissection. A substitute assignment would be provided for that student.
I have read the Life Science syllabus with my student and understand the requirements
of the class. If I have any questions, I know to contact you using your Chandler Prep
email address and not to leave a message on the voice mail. If a matter is urgent, I
understand I may get a message to you through the front desk. I also understand that
there will be important information for both parents and students detailed on the
website, which will be used for both Mrs. Goodwin and Mr.
Swanstrom.
______
Parent/Guardian Name PRINTED
______
Parent/Guardian SIGNATURE
______
Date
Parent preferred email (please print clearly): ______
______
Student Name PRINTED
______
Student SIGNATURE
Date: ______Student Section: ______
I have read the safety guidelines and agree to follow them:
Student signature: ______Date: ______
I have read and am aware of the safety guidelines in place for my child:
Parent signature: ______Date: ______