7th Grade Science Syllabus (2014-2015)

Instructor

Christina Prindle,

(859-341-0216) ext. 264

Text:

Integrated Science Level Red (in class only)

Materials Needed for Class:

1.Notebook (dedicated to Science only)

2.Folder or 1” three ring binder(dedicated to science ONLY)

3.Pencils, color pencils, dry erase marker, glue (will be used throughout the year), ruler, calculator, scissors

Optional: Any of these items would be greatly used and appreciated for our class.

Paper Towels, Hand Sanitizer, Kleenex

Expectations:

Students will give their best effort while in my classroom. This includes coming to class prepared (having all materials), paying attention, participating in class, attempting every task they are assigned, and working through frustration. Regardless of their skill level, ability, intelligence, or feelings about science, every student is capable of doing these things. Especially when a student is learning or applying new skills for the first time, giving their best effort will ensure that students do as much as possible to set themselves up for success. Students will respect each other, and everyone’s right to the best education possible. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn without distractions, interruptions, teasing, harassment, intimidation, or any other negative interference. Any actions that may have an adverse effect on other students’ education are completely unacceptable, and will be addressed immediately. My classroom will remain safe, comfortable, and fearless environment. Students will help maintain a supportive, mature learning environment that encourages exploration and discovery. They will challenge themselves and take risks, without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. Students will understand mistakes and incorrect answers are essential opportunities for learning to occur.

Homework and Assignments

I will always provide ample amounts of time to complete most of the larger assignments throughout the year. If class time is used wisely, students should have minimal homework in these areas. There will be plenty of advance notice for large assignments.

If you should be absent, you are responsible for coming to see me at the beginning of class to get your make-up work. There are absent folders in the room for each class to pick up their absent papers (with their name on it). There are also bins in the room with extra copies of class work, homework, or lab sheets. I only keep the papers till the end of the unit, and get rid of them after the unit. This is something that really hurts those students who do not accept this responsibility. You will have the same number of days to make up any work as the number of days that you missed. For example, if you missed two days of school, you have two days to make up the work. I will not ask you for the make-up work. Again, you are responsible for turning it in to me.

Homework/Assignment Policy

1.) All work is expected to be turned in on the due date given by the teacher.

2.) Assignments may be turned in one week after the due date for 80% of the grade.

3.) Students will be assigned after school detention for excessive missing assignments or a grade of 70% in class.

* Please note that the late work policy is designed to aide students in becoming self –sufficient, responsible students who will learn to meet deadlines. It is our strong belief that these skills will aide your child in developing a strong work ethic, which will benefit them both in the present and future.

Rules

1.) RESPECT: yourself, your peers, school property, and your teachers/administration.

2.) Come to class on time and prepared, with all materials needed.

3.) No gum or candy.

4.) Follow all school rules and procedures as stated in handbook.

Binder/Folder

Students will be required to keep all papers from each unit in their binder. The binder is a tool that can help the students study for the common assessment (unit test).

Notebook

Students are required to bring their notebook to class every day. We will be using the notebooks many times during the week. The notebook will be the place that we put a lot of our content and information. Be sure that you are keeping your notebook up to date. Students are required to have a table of contents in the front of their notebook. I will have a master table of contents in my room if they ever need to see if they are missing any pages.

Cheating and Plagiarism

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Anyone caught cheating will be given an automatic zero for that test or assignment, and I will inform your parents of your dishonesty. Forms of cheating include: copying answers, passing someone else’s work off as your own, etc. Plagiarism is the act of using someone else’s ideas as your own, not properly citing a source, copying a source word for word (even if for only one sentence), cutting and pasting from the internet, etc. Just don’t do it! Anything plagiarized will be given an automatic zero.

Agenda: Students will be expected to bring their Turkey Foot agendas to class every day. Each Monday students will be given the schedule for the week to copy in to their agenda and stamped by me upon completion. I request that parents check this agenda periodically.

August 13, 2014

Parents and/or guardians,

Please sign and return this page by Wednesday, August 20, to ensure that you read my class syllabus. This is to verify that you and your child understand my rules and procedures regarding materials, student behavior expectations, consequences, homework, late work and make-up work, and cheating/plagiarism. Also, this lets me know that you know how to contact me, by phone or e-mail. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

I hope to make this year great. The more we work together, the more successful your child will become. I look forward to getting to know your child and working with them every day.

Thank you,

Miss Christina Prindle

Please fill in the necessary information below:

Child’s name: ______

Parent signature: ______

Child’s signature: ______

**E-mail address: ______

(If you have an available e-mail address, I’d like to have this on file in case I need to send you an e-mail for some reason. If it is not okay to contact you through e-mail, I will use the phone numbers provided by the school. Sometimes e-mail just seems to be the easiest form of communication.)