Dear Families and Students

Dear Families and Students,

My name is Kristy Love and I am the new Life Science teacher. This is my sixth year teaching. My husband is in the Air Force making this our eighth move, most recently from Oklahoma. We have two children that are six and eight years old. I am originally from Florida and am a Florida State University alum. Go Seminoles! I am very excited to be part of Green Valley MS. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year, please email me as this is my preferred method of contact. My door is always open, I welcome students and parents before or after school. I plan to use lunchtime as a catch up, make up, or get help; please take advantage of these opportunities as needed (If I am unavailable during lunch due to meetings, there will be a sign posted on the door). Our new syllabus is below. Please make sure to sign the last page, initial the Remind note, and return it to class.

Mrs. Love

Seventh Grade

Life Science

2015-2016

Course Description: Our curriculum studies the fundamental principles of life science that are very important for the high school science of biology. Independent and collaborative efforts will be used while developing critical thinking skills and applying the scientific method. We will be investigating cells and heredity, evolution, earth and life history, structure and function of living systems, and the human body systems. These areas of science are best understood when they can be experienced in a “hands-on” environment.

Methodology

§  Lecture/discussion

§  Labs/Activities

§  Slides/Presentations

§  Group Work

§  Research/Investigations

§  Projects

§  Videos/DVDs

Materials

3-ring notebook (1 inch) with loose leaf paper

Pencils with erasers (pen is only used for grading purposes)

Agenda

Color pencils- upon request

Assessment: A student’s grade is determined on a point basis by taking the total number of points that a student earns and dividing it by the number of points possible for each grading period. The points for various assignments are distributed as follows:

Grading Scale

100-97 A+

96-93 A

92-90 A-

89-87 B+

86-83 B

82-80 B-

79-77 C+

76-73 C

72-70 C-

69-67 D+

66-63 D

62-60 D-

59-0 F

Expectations: I expect students to stay organized and come to class prepared, just as we do in our professional worlds. I set high expectations that are attainable by students through hard work, dedication, and timeliness. Most importantly, I want students to take responsibility for their learning. I love to learn and I hope they will as well. I care about each student that walks into our classroom. Through relationships built on trust, success in learning can be achieved. Help support our classroom by working with me as a team, I know we all want the best for each student. Thank you for sharing your student and being part of our class this year.

Classroom Procedures/Policies

Students will…

ü  Be in assigned seat when bell rings

ü  Have all materials ready to use at the start of class

ü  Listen and follow directions the first time given

ü  Be courteous and respectful to fellow students and adults

ü  Keep themselves safe when using laboratory equipment

ü  Follow all lab safety rules and school rules

ü  No eating, gum, or drinking (except water) in the lab. Water is encouraged.

ü  Keep cell phones on silent and not used during class unless given direct instruction that they are permitted.

ü  Keep cell phones from disrupting the learning process. They will be confiscated and turned into the office or asked to be picked up by a parent if used at inappropriate times.

Discipline Procedure

1. Verbal Warning/Redirect

2. Loss of Class Dojo point

3. Lunch Detention with Mrs. Love

4. 2nd Lunch Detention / Student Behavior Reflection with Parent Signature

5. Behavior Referral

(At teacher’s discretion and based upon student’s behavior)

Assignments:

1.  Homework is to be done at home and is due upon arrival to class.

2.  Students missing school with an excused absence will be allowed the number of days missed to make up work.

3.  Test/Quizzes announced prior to an absence are expected to be completed upon arrival back to school.

4.  All assignments are expected to have complete name, date, and period. Neatness, spelling, and grammar are important and may cause the student to lose points if not done correctly. Any assignments without a name will not be given credit.

5.  Late work one day late will be given half credit.

6.  Computer or printing problems will not be accepted for turning in late work. The media center is open before and after school for students to plan ahead to complete assignments.

Bonuses/Extra Credit:

Bonuses will be given on some tests, quizzes, and/or assignments. It gives students who truly pay attention or need enrichment the opportunity to show curriculum was learned above and beyond the course requirements. Bonuses never count against the student and should be attempted when offered.

Extra Credit is not given in this course. By keeping up with daily work, each student’s grade will reflect progress through the many grades given each quarter.

Thank you again for your help in creating a team: the student, parents, and teachers. When we work together, we are all successful. Please sign and date the following page.

I have read and understand the Life Science syllabus. If I have any questions, at any time, I will email Mrs. Love at .

Student Name Printed Student’s Signature

Parent Name Printed Parent’s Signature

Date:

I have signed up for Remind so I may be notified of reminders, changes, and messages from Mrs. Love. ______

(parent initials)

REMIND

Students and parents sign up for our Life Science Class on Remind.

Period 1: Text 81010 this message @9a810

Period 2: Text 81010 this message @f348d

Period 3: Text 81010 this message @f348de

Period 4: Text 81010 this message @f348de4

Period 5: Text 81010 this message @f348de4d