7th Grade Life Science 2012-2013

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians: Welcome to seventh-grade science, come and discover the wonders of life! Students will become biologists as they begin their journey in the cell. From the simplicity of a single celled organism to the complexity of the human body, your student will learn how miraculous life is. Your student will study the different classifications of living things, their similarities, and differences. Through a variety of hands on activities and labs, your student will learn to think and work like a scientist. The curriculum is based on the 7th grade performance standards. I love teaching 7th grade and anticipate a successful adventure ahead. Please feel free to contact me via email or my voicemail whenever necessary. My contact information is below. Thank you for your time, cooperation, and contribution to your students education. Heres to a successful seventh-grade learning experience! Please read the information below and then sign and return the bottom portion to me. Sincerely,

Mrs. Crawford Textbook: Focus on Life Science, Prentice Hall Expectations: Our classroom is a learning community in which every single person is an important
asset. Thus, I have the same expectations for my students as I do for myself: Be prepared for class (have all materials and be willing to learn) Be hardworking/ make an effort Follow directions Be respectful- Every student has the right to learn, and we will not take away a learning opportunity from another student. Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Homework: The 7th grade team expects students to receive daily homework. In general, a seventh
grade student should spend approximately 5-6 hours per week, or 70 minutes per night on homework. This may vary according to the ability level of the student. Homework provides daily practice of skills learned in the classroom through remedial, grade level, or enrichment activities as needed. All assignments are due on time. Late assignments will receive no credit, unless they are due to an absence. Make up work is the students responsibility. Work missed during an absence will be made up in the same number of days that the student was absent.

Interactive Science Notebook: All graded homework, class work, quizzes and labs will be kept in
the students Interactive Science Notebook (ISN). It is essential that your child keep their papers organized in their notebooks according to the table of contents that we keep in class. It is the responsibility of the student to get their Interactive Science notebooks up to date. If the notebook is lost, your child is responsible for obtaining all the work that was lost.

Projects: Projects will be given throughout the year. Students will be given plenty of time and
guidance to complete them. Projects will lose 10% everyday they are late.

Labs: Labs are a privilege and lab rules must always be followed for the safety of others in the class. Failure to abide by the lab rules will result in a zero, loss of lab privileges and detention. Exams: Students will take quizzes based on unit standards. Vocabulary quizzes will be given before
chapter exams. Chapter exams will be given every 2-6 weeks. Students will receive a study guide prior to the chapter exam.

Academic Grades: Based on chapter tests, class work, homework, and projects. Tests 30% 100%-90%= A Quizzes 20% 89%-80%= B Class work/Labs /Homework/ Notebook: 50% 79%-70%= C 69%-60%= D Below= F Suggested Materials: College ruled spiral notebook Highlighter 100 pages, 8 by 11 (1 Blue/black pens notebook for each semester) Pencils Colored pencils Pencil sharpener Tape Ruler Scissors Work Quality: All work must be done neatly. If a test is below 70%, a parent signature is required. The signed test needs to be brought back to me the following day. Questions/Concerns: As we embark on this learning adventure to explore exciting concepts and master the state standards, it is important to maintain the triangle of success that includes the student, parents/guardians, and teacher. As your childs parent or guardian, you play a vital role in his or her success by taking part in the learning process. This includes being aware of your childs progress, struggles, and homework assignments. Communication among all of us is key to every childs ability to progress into a successful and scholarly student. Please contact me with any questions throughout the year! I want your child to benefit from the best learning environment possible. Please keep in mind that I will encourage your student to be responsible for his or her learning experience as well. That includes communicating to me while at school when he or she needs help or has questions, and communicating with you at home. Lets keep the lines of communication open, so we can fully support your child. My phone number and email address are: Phone number: (760) 331-6109 Email address: www.aoms.schoolloop.com Please turn in the bottom portion of this paper complete with you and your students signature. Thanks! We have read and understand the polices for Mrs. Crawfords 7th grade Life Science class. Students name (print) _______________________ Students signature__________________ Parents name (print) _________________________ Parents signature___________________