Urbana Middle School 7th Grade Science Course Syllabus - Mrs. Ankrom (Room A108)
Students and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to seventh grade Science at Urbana Middle School. This will be an exciting and rigorous year. The information that follows will help to make your experience in science successful.
Course Description
The modules explored this year are Resource Management, Vulnerability, and Our Dynamic Planet. Each module will integrate life, earth, and physical sciences. The Resource Management module includes the following topics: physical and chemical properties of matter, physical and chemical cycles, natural resources and will last approximately the first18 weeks. Our Dynamic Planet module includes the following topics: internal and external structure of the Earth, Properties of water and seismic waves and will last approximately the next 11 weeks. The Vulnerability module includes the following topics: micro to macro environments, competition in ecosystems, endangered species, Chesapeake Bay and will last approximately the last 8 weeks. Seventh grade science includes many labs; therefore it is imperative that each student be in class, for it might be difficult to make up any labs missed.
Supplies
§ 1 inch loose leaf (3 ring) binder *
§ lined loose leaf notebook paper
§ pencils
*A spiral notebook or pocket folder will not work well due to the number of hole-punched papers that will need to be added to the binder. The binder will serve as the science notebook, because there is no class textbook.
Assessing Student Performance
Science grades will be based on tests/quizzes, classwork, participation, notebook (including lab activity grades, notebooks, and group projects), and homework. The notebook will be used in all aspects of learning science, including warm-ups, class work, notes, vocabulary, and reflections. The notebooks will be used to complete a notebook quiz for each module. This means it is the student’s responsibility to make all work in the notebook complete, organized, and neat.
The above grade categories are weighted according to the following percentages:
Test/Quizzes 40% of grade
Class work 30% of grade (Labs, activities, and projects) (late work from this category -10% per day)
Notebook 20% of grade
Homework 10% of grade (late work from this category 1 day 75% and any day after 50%)
Homework will be graded on completeness and being turned in on time.
School &Classroom Expectations (See reverse side of this sheet for additional details)
Tutoring & Make-Up Work due to absences
If a student is in need of additional assistance either by teacher/student/parent request the student will sign-up for tutoring during ELT. My tutoring days are on the periods 3 and 4 rotation days. This would be a great time to make up labs. It is important for each student to learn to be proactive and take the initiative to arrange to make-up missing assignments.
Communication
I personally feel that communication between the parent and teacher is essential to each student's success. I encourage you to monitor your child’s grades online. I will also keep an updated web-site of the topics being covered in class, and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I would also like to collaborate with parents who have expertise in any of the course topics and would be interested in being a guest speaker/teacher. I can be reached by phone at 240-566-9200 ext. 69270 or email at Amber.Ankrom@fcps,org. My web address to access daily homework and classroom links http://education.fcps.org/ums/AmberAnkrom. Please use this website to get up-to-date homework listings per class and any classroom events/announcements. I will use Edmodo and Remind 101 when I return from maternity leave to remind students/parents of larger projects and extended due date. Directions for use will follow. I am looking forward to a great year! Thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Amber Ankrom
**Please Note** This Syllabus and the Science Safety Rules Agreement will be required items in each student's notebook. Please review them, sign the Science Safety Rules Agreement and the Expectation/Procedure sheet. The Science Safety Rules Agreement must be returned for your student to participate in lab work.
Expectations and Classroom Procedures
A. Warm Ups
1. Enter the room quietly. (Restroom/Drinks should be taken care of during class exchange)
2. Make sure your have all of your materials (notebook, pencil, assignments, etc.)
3. Write the objective and respond to the warm up questions. (You can use the notes in your notebook)
4. Wait quietly while others are finishing. Be ready to share/discuss your responses.
B. Class work
1. Class work is kept in your notebook (1" loose leaf binder). The notebook will contain a table of contents homework log with all other pages in chronological order:
Warm Ups (written daily objectives & warm up responses), Homework (assignments you need to finish and turn
in) Labs & Activities, Class Work (Notes, vocabulary) and Reflections (reflect on your learning).
2. Incomplete class work can usually be taken home to finish providing you have been on task during class.
C. Labs
1. Lab write-ups should be kept in your notebook, but at times will be collected separately.
2. Every student will submit his/her own sets of data sets, graphs, and/or write-ups.
3. Work quietly within your group and focus conversations around the purpose of the activity.
4. Stay seated during a lab unless instructed otherwise.
5. Only use materials assigned to your group and keep your station clean.
6. Follow the FCPS Science Rules Agreement signed by you and your parent/guardian.
D. Grades
1. Method of grading: Computer Program –Pinnacle (This is a way to check your grades online)
Urbana Middle encourages parents to regularly check their students’ grades on Pinnacle. The following list of codes is provided to help parents better understand the Pinnacle grading program.
Ø An “X” is issued to excuse work. (This neither hurts nor helps a student’s grade.)
Ø A “Z” is used by teachers to let parents know that an assignment has never been turned in. (The “Z” counts as a zero in the student’s grade in order to give an accurate reflection of what the grade will be if the assignment is never turned in.)
Ø An actual “0” in a grade book signifies that a student earned a zero on the assignment.
2. Ways to improve your grade:
Pay attention in class, follow study guide for test and quizzes, complete and turn in all assignments, and keep
your notebook organized. (Extra credit is NOT assigned on an individual basis.)
E. Class Dismissal
1. Wait for the teacher’s signal to leave. (I will dismiss you, not the bell.)
F. Classroom Discipline Steps
1. Verbal Warning
2. First classroom reflection
3. Second classroom reflection
4. Lunch detention
5. After school detention
6. Office referral
G. Mrs. Ankrom’s PBIS Expectations
1. Behavior must SOAR.
2. Prepare for class.
3. Engage in warm-up by bell.
4. Model safety procedures at all times.
5. Actively participate in learning objectives.
I am aware of the Expectations and Classroom Procedures and have read and reviewed the syllabus.
______
(Student Signature) (Parent/Guardian Signature)