Course Information
Topics:
The grade 7 life science curriculum is standards-based and involves the study of the following topics:
Textbook: Massachusetts Grade 7 Science: Systems and Cycles, McGraw-Hill, 2017
A class set of the textbook is available for classroom use. The textbook is also available on-line in pdf format on this website.
Grading:
Labs/Projects: point system
Tests/Quizzes: point system
Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Homework: (20%)
Homework helps to reinforce the material that is being introduced in class.
Labs/Projects:
Laboratory exercises are a very important part of life science.
Test/Quizzes
Extra Help
Pollard's policy is that students have one day to make up work for each day of school missed.
Please feel free to e-mail or call if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to having a wonderful year with my new 7-4 students!
The grade 7 life science curriculum is standards-based and involves the study of the following topics:
- Energy
- Earth's Systems
- Ecology
Textbook: Massachusetts Grade 7 Science: Systems and Cycles, McGraw-Hill, 2017
A class set of the textbook is available for classroom use. The textbook is also available on-line in pdf format on this website.
Grading:
Labs/Projects: point system
Tests/Quizzes: point system
Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Homework: (20%)
Homework helps to reinforce the material that is being introduced in class.
- In addition to assigned homework, students should spend 15-20 minutes each night reviewing what happened in class that day. Studies have shown that students who do this remember MUCH more of the material than students who do not.
- It is important for students to hand in their completed homework on time. If students do not have their daily homework (which we go over in class) completed by the beginning of class, they receive a zero.
- Long-term assignments which are handed in late lose 10 points for each day they are late.
- All homework should be completed in blue/black ink or typed.
- Complete sentences must always be used unless otherwise instructed.
- Students will lose points if they forget to write their name on their papers.
Labs/Projects:
Laboratory exercises are a very important part of life science.
- Students will work as partners (two), as groups of three, or as groups of four. It is essential that students learn to work well with their peers during lab exercises. All members of a group are expected to participate in the investigation, record important data, and help clean up.
- Lab write ups are due after the lab is completed. Late labs will be accepted up to 5 days late (10% lost/day).
- If a student misses a lab, he/she needs to make it up within 2 days of his/her return or make special arrangements with me.
Test/Quizzes
- "Mini" quizzes are given approximately 2 days after new material is taught. I expect students to study their notes every night for 10-15 minutes, in order to master new vocabulary and science concepts. Tests are given at the end of a 5-6 week unit. I use a point system; quizzes usually have 5-25 points, while tests have 50-125 points.
- No retakes on either quizzes or tests.
- Before tests, a study guide will be passed out that students are expected to complete.
- The class prior to a test will often be spent as a study session or a game activity to help students in their preparation for their assessment. However, students should spend significant time studying on their own, and not just rely on review in class.
- Please note that as departments move towards common assessments, unit tests will not be allowed to be taken out of the classrooms.
- I strongly encourage students to participate in class by raising their hands, asking questions, etc. I realize this is difficult for some students, but I want them to learn to push themselves outside their comfort zone, and take an active role in class.
- The class participation grade includes being prepared for class: bringing the correct materials to class, getting right to work on the Do-Now, etc.
Extra Help
- Students are always welcome to stay after school for extra help on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It is helpful if they let me know ahead of time that they are planning on staying, and what they need help with. Students are expected to stay after school to make up work that is late or that they missed because of absences or dismissals.
Pollard's policy is that students have one day to make up work for each day of school missed.
Please feel free to e-mail or call if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to having a wonderful year with my new 7-4 students!