Seventh Grade Science2013 - 2014 Mr. Schmidt

Course Description and Goals

The seventh graders will continue to use Interactive Science at the beginning of the year focusing on chemistry. Introduction to Chemistry will introduce the students to atoms as the building blocks of matter and the fact that mass and energy are conserved during physical and chemical change. They will learn about the organization of the periodic table, how bonding determines the properties of a substance, what determines the properties of a solution, and how matter is conserved during a chemical reaction. Through this unit, the students will develop a deeper understanding about chemistry.

Students will use the textbook as a source to help understand scientific language and how to use that language when expressing themselves in written and oral responses. Skills that were developed in previous years, and particularly in sixth grade, will be enhanced in the seventh grade. General science skills are continually reviewed and developed. Most importantly the textbook and in-class instruction and activities will encourage the standards established by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The National Academy of Sciences, Achieve, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Teachers Association have established these standards in order to help ensure that all students are college and career ready no later than the end of high school. Dimension 1: Practices - describes the major practices that scientists employ as they investigate and build models and theories about the World. Dimension 2: Crosscutting Concepts - have application across all domains of science.Dimension 3: Disciplinary Core Ideas - people live, after all, in an information age—an important role of science education is not to teach “all the facts” but rather to prepare students with sufficient core knowledge so that they can later acquire additional information on their own. We will be writing in science, analyzing new trends and ideas in science, and working on gathering information from written texts and other media. Inquiry, critical thinking skills, and the use of scientific vocabulary will be developed and encouraged.

After understanding the properties of atoms and the elements on the periodic table, the students will begin to explore high school, Regents level Earth Science for the second half of the school year. The students will begin their study of Earth Science by understanding the sciences involved with the Earth and how the Earth was formed 4.56 billion years ago. The students will study minerals and rocks that make up the Earth’s surface. Numerous hands-on experiments and excursions around the campus to collect specimens will complement the textbook. Our fragile planet will be discussed with topics about renewable and nonrenewable resources and how these fragile resources may lead to global warming and our changing environment.

The students will continue exploring our planet and what factors have shaped it over the many millions of years. They will study how the Earth’s surface has evolved and been shaped and reshaped by interior and exterior forces. The students will conclude their study of Earth Science in the 7th grade with a look at the geologic history of New York State. The local geological/glacial history will be incorporated in the discussion.

To develop and enhance the students’ critical and independent thinking skills, Bloom’s Taxonomy will be employed in different areas of the Chemistry and Earth Science classroom. By using different components of Bloom’s Taxonomy the student should develop advanced analytical thinking skills and integrate them into future learning.

In our information age, an abundance of information is available to us in a variety of resources. The students will have the opportunity to research current topics in science and critically read and analyze the material. The students will then report the information they researched in a critical analytical report using scientific language and use conventional writing techniques learned in ELA.

Material and Supplies

Interactive Science Introduction to Chemistry textbook, NYS Earth Science textbook

Guided Reading and Study Workbook, Laboratory Manual

Binder (Blue) organized with the following sections

  • Vocabulary
  • Notes
  • Laboratory
  • Current Events
  • Homework

Pen (blue or black)

Double bottom pocket folder (Blue)

Marble Composition Notebook

Homework

Homework is assigned to complement information covered during class. There is an assignment on most nights. The homework should be written in the homework agenda. In addition, it can be viewed on my website’s “homework page”. The assignments may include a responding to the essential question, a worksheet, a workbook page, vocabulary definitions or study, current events, an essay, a textbook review or reading, etc. ALL written homework MUST be completed in blue or black ink with a proper heading at the top of the page. A proper heading must include the student’s full name, date, teacher’s name, and subject. ALL homework will be graded and returned. The homework grade will include neatness, form, content, and effort. The policy regarding homework described in the LHS Student Handbook will be followed in this class. Missed homework will result in a lowered grade and on the second occasion the student will have to make up the missed homework during recess detention. Continual missed homework will result in a failing grade with additional disciplinary action and parent-teacher conference.

Grading

Students will receive a grade for all assignments, tests, and quizzes. The assignments, tests and quizzes will include, but will not be limited to: homework, current events, experiments, lab reports, essays, quizzes and tests. All grades will be based on a grade of 100. All grades will be posted at . A future communication will detail how to access this website to check grades.

Tests and Quizzes

A chapter test will be given at the end of each chapter. Tests in Science are scheduled for Mondays unless otherwise noted. There will be at least a one-week notice given prior to the examination. Tests will usually include multiple-choice, fill-in the blank, short-answer, and essay.

Quizzes will usually be given at the end of a lesson or chapter and will usually be announced one to two days prior to the quiz.

There will be a midterm examination and final examination as indicated on the LHS calendar. The midterm and final examinations will be counted as two test grades.

Grading Policy

Current Events Critical Analysis – 15%, Essays – 15%, Homework – 8%, Laboratory Performance – 2%, Laboratory Reports – 10%, Quizzes – 10%, Tests – 40%

Contact

I may be contacted at the school phone # 631-751-1154. You may also contact me via email at or .