7th Grade Science, HPMS
Course Syllabus2015-2016
Mrs. Ritland
Course Description:
Our 7th grade science course is based on South Carolina Science Academic standards, and we cover four basic topics:
1)Cells and Heredity.
2) Human Body Systems and Disease
3) Ecology - The Biotic Environment and Abiotic Environment
4) Chemical Nature of Matter
Throughout the year, we will utilize scientific methods: observing, inferring, predicting, hypothesizing, interpreting and evaluating real scientific experiments. “Science News” reports from students and myself will keep us abreast of “real-life” events occurring locally and globally. Team competitions, role-playing, model- building, hands-on science experiments and investigations, group projects, and field trips are some of the methods that will be utilized to enable and motivate students to learn content, as well as teamwork, and to communicate their learning.
TopicsTentative Time-line
Chemical Nature of Matter1st 9-Weeks
Cells & Heredity 2nd 9 -Weeks
Human Body Systems & Disease3rd 9 - Weeks
Ecology – The Biotic & Abiotic Environment4th 9 – Weeks
PASS Review
Grading Policy:
-HoneaPathMiddle School’s Grading Scale will be used for assigning letter grades.
A = 93 – 100 B = 85 – 92 C = 77 – 84 D = 70 – 76 F = 69 - 61
-Grading rubrics will be used for class projects and presentations.
-MAKE-UP WORK - Students are responsible for obtaining and completing any work missed during an excused absence. (Excused absences are those due to illness or attendance at a school function.) Work for unexcused absence (e.g., haircuts, hunting) may be made up only with teacher permission(a parent note is require before the absence) and the grade may be reduced according to late work policy.
- REDOS & RETAKES: Every student will have the opportunity to retake major assessments (one time per assessment) no matter the grade, aftercompleting all make-up work and someadditional practiceassigned by the teacher. The higher of the two scores will be counted. Retakes should be scheduled with the teacher in a reasonable time frame (2 weeks max). Exceptions: Benchmark test can not be retaken, and no retakes/redos are allowed during the final week of the grading period. It is expected that students will study for their tests so retakes do not become a habit.
-LATE WORK – Chronic late work will be penalized (with a lowered grade).
-Homework –A Homework Packet is given out each at the beginning of the week. Homework is intended to help review frequently, however, it only counts as 10 % of the grade.
-Progress reports – Progress reports are printed approximately every other week for the student to monitor their grade. “Parent Portal” is another excellent way to monitor the grades.
Components of Course Grade:
75 % of the grade:
40 % - Test, Lab reports, Projects
30 % - Quizzes
5% - Benchmark Tests
25% of the grade:
15 % In-class Assignments (periodically checked for a grade)
10 % Homework & Extra Credit (Science News Reports – one max per week turned in on a weekly basis and averaged with homework grade.)