7th Grade Science 2013-2014

Instructor: Mr. King Room: E-mail: david.king@ideapublicschools.org

IDEA Cell Phone Number: 956-975-1391 Personal Cell Phone Number: 901-606-2560

TEXTBOOK: CLASS GOALS: 100 % Performing Higher than IDEA 7th Grade District Average on all IAs EXPLORE Tests: 98% Student Attendance 100% Respect

LAB REPORTS: Be ready for rigorous lab reports! RESEARCH PAPER: Everyone will complete one science research paper by the end of the year. There is more information to come. EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT: Shadow/Observe a professional in the science field, whether it be a medical professional like a doctor, or a professor at UTPA even. CLASS DESIGN and NORMS:

Class Rules/ Expectations: In addition to IDEA rules o Only water is allowed (no food/ gum/ drinks) o Only ask to use the teacher phone between classes, during homeroom, or lunch o Only ask to leave the room (nurse, restroom, etc.) or sharpen your pencil during independent practice (when the teacher is not talking) o Remain seated at all times, unless told to do otherwise Rewards: o Individual rewards: To be raffled off using GANAS (and SWAG Bucks) on exam/ review/ or grading days--student may pick prize. SWAG stands for Students Will Achieve Greatness. o Examples of good individual behavior rewarded by GANAS: Collaboration Exemplifying core values/ IB Learner Profiles Attendance on lab/exam/review days Excellent HW o Class Rewards: To be given for class with highest percentage of students passing an exam; NOTE: absent students are counted in this! so dont be absent! Pizza/ movie party during intervention or after school Behavior Expectations o INM (Notes): No off-topic questions/ comments (i.e. no asking to go to the nurse, restroom, sharpen pencil, throw trash, use phone) No side conversations Students should be mentally present, not just physically present o Independent Practice: This is the appropriate time to ask to go to the nurse, restroom, sharpen pencils Only one person may be out of the room at a time

Only ask to leave the room if pass is there Students should not be gone for more than 6 minutes--If the nurse takes longer than 6 minutes, as long as the returning time is on the pass, its ok.

Procedures o Entering Room/ Do Now Time: Sharpen pencils if necessary at this time (max of 2 people at sharpener at a time) Take out necessary materials for the day (notebook, pen/ pencil) Complete Do Now assignment Students may stand in order to get materials/ sharpen pencils at this time, but should refrain from walking around having long conversations--this should not look like chaos o Attention Getting Signal: Give me 5 It is helpful/ appreciated but not required to put your hand up (Youre seniors, I get it) Mouths should be closed with ZERO noise coming out Eyes should be on teacher o Writing Instrument: Notes/ HW: Students preference of pencil or black/blue ink pen Labs: ink (either written neatly in black/ blue pen or typed) o Heading: Name, last name Period Date o Getting Teachers Attention: Raise your hand If Mr. King doesnt see you, call his name ONCE o Finish Work Early: Make/ study SCIENCE flashcards Read SCIENCE magazines Work on SCIENCE homework Read a book Ask Mr. King if he needs help with anything :) o Dismissal: Pick up trash around desk, even if it isnt yours Empty group trashcans Neatly turn in work if necessary Mr. King will dismiss by table

7th Grade District-Wide Grading Policy

Summative Assessments (55%) These include but are not limited to: Exams Internal Assessments Lab Reports Historical Investigations World Lit. Papers Essays Commentaries Any other big projects/ important homework Students may retake these to earn back half the points missed. Students have ONE week from when the assessment is returned to do this. Teacher may require remediation plan (tutoring, demonstration that student worked to be ready for retake, etc.) as a ticket to be allowed to retake summative assessment. Summative Out-of-Class Assessments: Students choosing not to turn I summative work on time, have up to ONE week after the initial due date to turn in late summative work. However, the max grade they can receive is a 70 and there are no retakes as there would be for work turned in on time. Note: If you are absent on the day of a summative assessment or its due date, you MUST communicate with your teacher immediately. The teacher will then decide if the student remains eligible for 100%. If there is no communication or late communication, this will count as a LATE summative assessment and no retakes will be allowed. See section on extensions.

Formative Assignments (30%) These include but are not limited to: Exit Slips Quizzes Lab Reports Response Journals Vocabulary HW Essays Practice Commentaries Homework No retakes on these

Weekly Assessments (15%) These include but are not limited to: Weekly Quizzes Homework Anything that the teacher feels is representative of what students learned throughout a week

Examples

Students may retake these for up to 100% within ONE week from return date. Teacher may require remediation plan (tutoring, demonstration that student worked to be ready for retake, etc.) as a ticket to be allowed to retake weekly assessment. No late weekly assessments. If you are absent or have an extenuating circumstance, see section on extensions.

Retake Policy

No late formative assignments. If you are absent or have an extenuating circumstance, see section on extensions.

Late Work

Science Fair
Students are strongly encouraged to enter projects for the science fair.

Disclaimer: The teacher has the right to change/edit anything from the syllabus at any time throughout the year.

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