Students will study four major science units during the seventh grade school year. Each of the units provide ample opportunity for students to experience hands-on science in unique and exciting ways. A general overview of the units of study are as follows:
- Quarter One: Weather and Atmosphere
- Quarter Two: Cells and Human Body Systems
- Quarter Three: Genetics
- Quarter Four: Forces, Motion, and Mechanical Energy
Materials for Class:
Requirements for students are:
- 2 1-subject spiral notebooks with pocket
- Black pens
- #2 pencils
- Colored pencils
- Highlighters
- Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Set of Earbuds/headphones
- Wireless mouse (Optional)
Grading: CMS has now converted to a ten-point grading scale as follows:
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: >59
Students will have several assessments over the course of each quarter. Formal assessments (65% of the student’s grade) consist of major quizzes, formal lab activities, projects, writing tasks, and tests. Science tests and quizzes will typically be given on THURSDAYs. Students will also receive grades from daily classroom activities, informal labs, and homework (35% of the student’s grade). All grades will be up-to-date on PowerSchool. Please feel free to contact me at any time over any academic or grading concerns.
Retests/Mastery Learning:
Retests are strongly encouraged for any student not meeting a minimum score of 79% on each academic objective. Students who receive less than an 79% will have the opportunity to retest to demonstrate mastery of concepts. In order to retest, students must attend at least one tutoring session to review material. Tutoring and retests are typically given before school on Tuesday and Thursdays. Students retesting will only receive a maximum of 79% in the gradebook for retests.
Late Work:
Late work will be accepted. For each day the assignment is late, 10% will be deducted from the student’s grade on the assignment for each day the assignment is missing. After 5 days, late work turned in will receive a maximum of 50%. If the student misses school for any reason, make up assignments should be handed in within 5 days of returning to school. All of these assignments are available under the lesson plan tab on the navigation bar of my website.
Homework:
I try to limit the amount of homework your student brings home each evening. Homework assignments will be assigned, however they often will be in the form of digital media (such as short videos to preview the next concept of the unit). Under the “Homework” tab on the navigation bar of my website, there will be links to assignments under dates they are due. These videos are often helpful tools for test review and can often clear up any lingering questions the student may have about an objective. Students will be provided a Wildcat homework log, and should record the information for each class every day.
Science Notebooks:
A major grade for each semester is the science notebooks. I expect notebooks to be kept neat and up-to-date. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to get the work that you missed from a classmate.
Technology: I encourage students to bring their personal devices to use during scheduled class activities. Students are required to have a signed BYOT form submitted before technology access will be allowed. In addition, students MUST follow all expectations for the APPROPRIATE use of technology. If a student is caught gaming, texting, or using technology other than directed by myself or another teacher, it will be confiscated and turned into administration.
Cellphones: Generally, I DO NOT permit the use of cellphones in my class. A student may only have a cellphone out if I EXPLCITILY give permission for use of a cellphone during a certain science activity. In these cases, students must use the cellphone for the APPROPRIATE assigned purpose. If I see a cellphone during class time, it will go on my desk for the rest of class and a technology violation form will be filled out.
Classroom Volunteers:
I love having parents help out for our labs and hands-on activities. If you are interesting in volunteering in our classroom, please let me know. In order to volunteer, you must first register at: www.cmsvolunteers.com.
Tutoring:
Tuesday morning: 8:00 am – 8:45 am
Please contact me via email regina1.yorkgitis@cms.k12.nc.us if you would like to schedule a special tutoring session.
Class Wish List:
Please contribute what you can for our labs and daily class activities! Thank you!
- Paper Towels
- Tissue
- Clorox wipes
- Band-aids
- Disposable, non-latex gloves to use for labs
- Tennis Balls for labs
- Matchbox cars for labs
- Balloons for labs
- Plastic Cups for labs
- Ziploc Bags (all sizes)
- Markers
- Dry Erase Markers (for students to use)
- Extra Glue Sticks
- Donations to Donor’s Choose for Frog Dissection http://www.donorschoose.org/annaward
Ms. Y’s 4 Rules for a Productive, Safe, and Fun Class:
- Respect yourself, your peers and adults through your actions and words.
- Follow directions the first time they are given.
- Keep only your necessary materials for a given lesson out an accessible.
- Be prepared to learn every day.
A breakdown of these rules:
- Use positive, supportive language.
- Respect others’ personal space and belongings.
- Stay in your assigned seat or area unless otherwise directed.
- Raise your hand if you need to ask a question or get out of your seat.
- Do not speak during instruction or interrupt others
- Keep your area clean and free of debris.
- Listen to the teacher when she is talking.
- Close your mouth and eyes on the teacher at the 4-3-2-1 countdown.
- NO unnecessary materials out during class time. (This includes electronics, work for other classes, and any other outside materials.)
- No food, drink, GUM or personal grooming
- Come to class on time.
- Be in assigned seat and working on Warm up when you arrive.
- Enter the classroom with a ready-to learn attitude.
- Bring science notebook and writing utensil to class every day.
- Bring all other necessary materials and work to class.
- Follow all dress code policies. You will be sent to the office to call home for a change of clothes if you are not dressed appropriately.
Class Consequences:
- Reminder
- Verbal Warning
- Silent Lunch
- Call Home
- After School Detention (Time Out Independent Work in another class)
- Written Referral to Administration
I reserve the right to modify these consequences based on the offense.
Text Messaging: If you have technology and would like to receive text reminders, text the code:
Block 1: @yscie to 81010
Block 2: @yscie2 to 81010
Block 3: @yscie3 to 81010
Block 5: @yscie5 to 81010
Ms. Y Science (2015-2016) 