7th Grade

Life Science

 
        

 

Teacher:                     Mr. Corcoran

Room:                         Science Lab

Resource Textbooks:            Prentice Hall Explorer Series

·                     From Bacteria to Plants

·                     Cells and Heredity

·                     Animals

 

 

Course Description:

The 7th Grade Life Science curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to transition from middle school life science standards to high school biology standards.  The course is designed to provide students with an overview of the common concepts and strands in the life sciences including structures and functions of cells, tissues, organs, and organ-systems, heredity, biological evolution, diversity of living organisms, and ecosystems.  These concepts are investigated through observing,  collecting, summarizing, analyzing and presenting results of scientific investigations and possible fieldwork designed for students to develop appreciate knowledge and skills in science as inquiry.

 

Materials:

·                     3-ring notebook and notebook paper

·                     Colored pencils or markers

·                     #2 pencils and pens everyday

 

 

Daily Routine Requirements and Information:

3-Ring Notebook

An organized notebook is a valuable reference source.  It will represent your accomplishments in class and may be evaluated on completeness and organization during the grading periods.  If you work at organizing your notebook daily as your science class progresses, you will find it to be a relatively easy task.  Maintaining a good notebook is an important tool for success in science.

 

 

Your 3-Ring Notebook will include:

·                     Science notes

·                     Reading assignments and Science hand-outs

·                     Graded assignments

Outcome Expectations
            At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1.      Use appropriate scientific tools to observe, record, organize, analyze, interpret, write and present the results of scientific investigations clearly and accurately

2.      Describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems

3.      Explain the role of genes and chromosomes in the process of transfer of traits to successive generations in both asexual and sexual situations.

4.      Explain how the physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations and how species evolve as a result of natural selection.

5.      Trace the development of organisms from bacteria to plants.

6.      Demonstrate the process for the development of a dichotomous key and classify organisms based on six-kingdom system using a dichotomous key.

7.      Demonstrate the interdependence of organisms on one another and their environments in a food web, competitive and mutually beneficial interactions.

8.      Recognize that changes in environment can affect the survival of organisms and how this links to the characteristics of the major terrestrial biomes.

9.      Develop an curriculum based science project.  The three parts of the project will be a report, a display, and an oral defense/presentation.

 

Classroom Expectations:

1.      Make sure all equipment, materials and supplies are safely put away so that we will have them for future use.

2.      Keep your area clean (use disinfectant wipes) and safe.

3.      After you are dismissed, push your chair under the table.  If it is the last class of the day (or the last class instructed by the teacher in that room) put the chair on top of the table so that the floor may be swept.

 

Course Expectations:

1.      Life Science Notebook: Note taking is an integral part of any science course.  Therefore, any science related material put on the board should be copied into your notebook.

2.      Completed Reading Assignment: We will be using the Prentice Hall Explorer Series.  You text book reading will also be supplemented by appropriate handouts It is expected that you take notes of your reading assignments. 

3.      Completed Science Activities, Homework Assignments and Labs: These assignments are due the next day (unless there are extenuating circumstances) or they will be considered late.  If late, points will then be deducted.  Regardless, all assignments must be passed in.

4.      Provisions for Improving Grades:

a.      Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all the requirements of the course including attendance.

b.      The teacher will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.

5.      Grading and evaluations.  The final grade in this course will be the numerical average of the three terms.  Each term grade will include the following components:

a.      Quizzes, lab reports, class assignments, graded homework: (30%)

b.      Tests (50%)

c.       Readings/research assignments, notebook checks, non-graded homework, class participation (20%)

d.      Science Week projects will count as a double test grade during the third term

 

6.      It is your responsibility to be prepared.

a.      Homework:    The students are responsible for daily assignments that may include reading assignments, as well as written work and section wrap-ups (handouts and worksheets)

b.      Class Participation:  Bringing materials to class counts as part of the non-graded homework component, whereas collected class assignments count as a grade.

o   Class discussion and cooperative learning groups are a vital portion of the grade.  The latter requires the student to take responsibility, to be accountable for his/her learning and to acquire the social skills involved in group processing.

c.        Science Week Project:   Individual and/or group project based on curriculum and state standards.  During the third term, you will be required to complete a Science Project, based on a topic studied (or to be studied) in class this year.  A written report, a physical display and an oral defense of the project will be prepared for a grade and for a public presentation.

 

  1. Assignment Notebooks and “Field Trip Day” Assignments:

Notebooks are a great way to keep track of your homework.  Missing science class for field trips or for other non-related science activities does not excuse you from the work covered during that period.  You are responsible for all material explained. 

 

  1. Classroom Procedures: All students are expected to:

1.      Come to class on time.

2.      Be prepared with paper, pen/pencil, assignments, and agenda.

3.      Be respectful of others and their property

4.      Follow all directions.

5.      Stay on task.

6.      Raise hand before speaking.

7.      Have all your due assignements on your desk.

8.      All non-science materials will be kept in a designated part of the classroom.

 

9.    Laboratory  Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

       Please read and sign the safety contract.  You are expected to:

a.       Know the location of the safety equipment

b.      Follow laboratory instructions at all times.  You are not to mix together any chemicals unless instructed to do so by the teacher.

c.       Immediately notify the teacher about any broken glassware or accidents.  Do not try to deal with them on your own.

d.      Never taste any chemical in the lab, even if you believe it is a harmless substance.

e.       Loose hair and clothing should be tied back or otherwise restrained.

f.       Goggles and/or aprons will be worn when instructed.

g.      There is no wandering in the lab.

 

Make-up Policy:  Any student who is absent for a test or quiz must see the teacher  the day of his/her return back to school so as to arrange a date and time for the make-up exam.  All make-up exams usually take place after school.  Make-up work during lunch will not be permitted unless special arrangments have been made. As a matter of courtesy, if you anticipate the absence, please inform the teacher before the absence.

 

It’s the students responsibility to request make-up work.  The student will be given the same amount of time to make-up the work as the student was absent unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.  Make-up work submitted late will not receive full credit.

 

Scheduled Help Sessions:       I am usually available for extra help afternoons (especially by appointment) immediately after students are dismissed from school.  Please notify me a day in advance of yoru plans to visit with me.

 

 

 

 

Life Science Topics

Aong the topics that will be studied this year are:

 

·        ALGAE AND FUNGI

·        ANCIENT LIFE AND FOSSILS

·        ANIMAL  KINGDOM

·        BACTERIA

·        CELLS AND HEREDITY

·        CLASSIFICATION AND TAXONOMY

·        MEASUREMENT IN SCIENCE

·        MICROSCOPE AND MICROSCOPIC ORGANISMS

·        PATTERNS AND PERCEPTIONS

·        PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND LIGHT

·        PLANT KINGDOM

·        SCIENTIFIC METHOD

·        VIRUSES

·        VIRUSES, BACTERIA AND HEALTH

 

 

 

 

7th Grade

Life Science

 
 

 

 

Please sign and return.

We have received and read the 2009 – 2010 syllabus for 7th grade Life Science.  We understand the requirements for a successful school year.

 

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Student Name (print)

 

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Student Signature                                                                                 Date

 

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Parent/Guardian Signature                                                                   Date