Syllabus
Welcome to 7th Grade Science! I am excited to be instructing this class and know you will have the opportunity to be very successful in this class. Contained within this syllabus is the breakdown of material to be covered, the graded weights for different assignments and assessments, my expectations for you as a student, as well as other items. Please read the entire syllabus, review it with your parents, and return the signed section by the date discussed during the first day of class.
Grading Procedures
NECP grades on a 10 point scale, listed below.
A B C D
97-100 = A+ 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+
94-96 = A 84-86 = B 74-76 = C 64-66 = D
90-93 = A- 80-83 = B- 73-70 = C- 60-63 = D-
59 and below = F
NECP has four graded quarters. During these quarters, the following weights will be used for grading.
Tests Quizzes Classwork / Labs Homework
35% 25% 30% 10%
In addition to regular classroom work and assessments, you will be graded each quarter with a “Participation” grade. This grade is calculated based on your ability to follow school and classroom rules, work cooperatively with your peers, participate in the class, and follow directions as provided by the teacher, guests, or other school personnel. Your Participation grade will be calculated as a TEST grade for each quarter.
Grading Procedures
NECP grades on a 10 point scale, listed below.
A B C D
97-100 = A+ 87-89 = B+ 77-79 = C+ 67-69 = D+
94-96 = A 84-86 = B 74-76 = C 64-66 = D
90-93 = A- 80-83 = B- 73-70 = C- 60-63 = D-
59 and below = F
NECP has four graded quarters. During these quarters, the following weights will be used for grading.
Tests Quizzes Classwork / Labs Homework
35% 25% 30% 10%
In addition to regular classroom work and assessments, you will be graded each quarter with a “Participation” grade. This grade is calculated based on your ability to follow school and classroom rules, work cooperatively with your peers, participate in the class, and follow directions as provided by the teacher, guests, or other school personnel. Your Participation grade will be calculated as a TEST grade for each quarter.
Course Concept
Course Lessons will be designed to reach “scientific literacy” by incorporating the “Tenets of Scientific Literacy, Unifying Science Concepts, and Science Strands” as outlined by the North Carolina Essential Science Standards.
1. Tenets of Scientific Literacy
Class Rules & Discipline You will follow all NECP school rules at all times in class as outlined in your student handbook.
In addition, the classroom rules are known as the 4 B’s and are as follows:
First Infraction Verbal warning from teacher recorded on behavior tracker.
Second Infraction Parent phone call from teacher recorded on behavior tracker.
Third Infraction Meeting with student, parents, teacher, and administration, recorded on behavior tracker.
Fourth Infraction Written referral by teacher, discipline to be determined by administration
Teacher Expectations Academically, my expectation is for each student to know the above information to enter 8th grade with all the knowledge needed to be successful. I will provide you all the information you will need to accomplish this task. You will only need to do the following
(2) 100 Page Composition Books or (1) 3 subject notebook
Loose leaf notebook paper
A ready supply of pencils, erasers, and notebook paper throughout the year. (no red ink pens)
Highlighters
index cards
colored pencils
graph paper
glue sticks
Course Lessons will be designed to reach “scientific literacy” by incorporating the “Tenets of Scientific Literacy, Unifying Science Concepts, and Science Strands” as outlined by the North Carolina Essential Science Standards.
1. Tenets of Scientific Literacy
- Find or determine answers to questions derived from every day experiences
- Describe, explain, and predict natural phenomena
- Read and understand articles about science
- Engage in nontechnical conversation about the validity of conclusions
- Identify scientific issues underlying local and national decisions
- Pose explanations based on evidence derived from one’s own work
- Systems, order, and organization
- Evidence, models, and explanation
- Constancy, change, and measurement
- Evolution and equilibrium
- Form and function
- Nature of science
- Science as inquiry
- Science and technology
- Science in social and personal perspectives
Class Rules & Discipline You will follow all NECP school rules at all times in class as outlined in your student handbook.
In addition, the classroom rules are known as the 4 B’s and are as follows:
- Be On Time – In your seat starting your Smart Start when class time starts.
- Be Prepared – Have all your class materials with you and ready. Make sure you have a writing utensil and notebook each class period.
- Be Respectful – Treat others as you want to be treated. As a class we will create an environment where every student can express their thoughts, opinions, and questions free of ridicule. Bullying will NOT be tolerated. You will also respect all of the school provided items throughout the year.
- Be Safe – You will observe all lab safety rules while conducting labs, and conduct yourself in a general safe manner at all times, even when not in a laboratory setting.
First Infraction Verbal warning from teacher recorded on behavior tracker.
Second Infraction Parent phone call from teacher recorded on behavior tracker.
Third Infraction Meeting with student, parents, teacher, and administration, recorded on behavior tracker.
Fourth Infraction Written referral by teacher, discipline to be determined by administration
Teacher Expectations Academically, my expectation is for each student to know the above information to enter 8th grade with all the knowledge needed to be successful. I will provide you all the information you will need to accomplish this task. You will only need to do the following
- Be Here – Try to be here each and every day! Life happens, so when you do have to miss a day, YOU are responsible for getting and completing any missing class information and assignments.
- Pay Attention – Stay active in the class! Take notes, follow directions, and participate.
- Complete All Your Assignments – I hate to grade student work! That means if I give you an assignment to complete, it is important, so do it and turn it in on time. I do not accept late work! The only exception is if you are absent. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, it will be due immediately upon your return to class. If you are absent on the day an assignment is assigned, you will be provided the time to complete it.
- Give Your Best Effort – Do the mirror check! If you can look in the mirror and honestly tell yourself you did the best you could, with no regrets, you have done your best, so be proud.
(2) 100 Page Composition Books or (1) 3 subject notebook
Loose leaf notebook paper
A ready supply of pencils, erasers, and notebook paper throughout the year. (no red ink pens)
Highlighters
index cards
colored pencils
graph paper
glue sticks