WELCOME TO SCIENCE

Dear Students and Parents,

I would like to be the first to welcome you to 7th grade Secondary Science. In this course we will cover
several different aspects of Science and several standards including:
Unit 1: Ecology
Unit 2: Genetics and Heredity
Unit 3: Evolution
Unit 4: Earths Structures
Unit 5: Earths Change Over Time
Unit 6: Human Impact on the Earth
Unit 7: Energy and Heat
Unit 8: Waves
Unit 9: The Nature of Science
Unit 10: Biotechnology
*Science books are consumables and will cost
$65 for you to replace for your student if lost.
Parent and Student Resources
DCPS Website Focus Grade Portal: Please use this site to check your students grades on a
regular basis.
Website: http://norrisscienceclass.weebly.com
Student Planner: Students will copy their class work and homework. Make sure to check!!!
Contact Information: E-mail mceldownea@duvalschools.org Phone 220-1350 ext 132
Conference Request 220-1350 ext 122
To make this course as interesting as possible, we will be exploring many different learning
techniques and activities. Points will be given based on the difficulty of each assignment. Types of
assignments that we will be doing in class include:
o Pre/Post Tests (100 points) Pre-Tests will be given at the beginning of each unit to establish
each students prior knowledge. Post Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will cover
questions that are similar to the Unit Pretest, Lesson Quizzes, and Benchmark Review.
o Projects (100 points) Projects will be assigned per unit, some projects will need to be completed
at home. The format for these assignments will be given when they are assigned to the students.
o Quizzes (50 points) Quizzes will be given at the end of each lesson and will cover information
from recent class work, homework and lessons.
o Labs (50 points, cannot make up assignment) Labs will occur throughout the year according to
the topic being discussed and the availability of significant labs and supplies. On these days,

students will be asked to bring (but not required) old shoes, shirts, and lab aprons to make sure
their regular clothing is not damaged by any of the chemicals and other materials being used in
the laboratory. Students must complete the lab write up in order to get credit for the lab. Lab is a
privilege! Inappropriate behavior during labs will cause for a one month suspension from lab.
An alternate assignment of equal value will be given in this circumstance.
o Homework (5 - 30 points) At the end of each lesson there is a lesson review that students must
complete for homework. Homework will be checked and graded in class or randomly collected
and graded. Additional homework may include additional homework questions or tasks,
studying, or finishing incomplete class work assignments.
o

Enrichment (5 30 points) These are various assignments will be given throughout the year to
enhance students knowledge on the topic at hand. The amount of points the assignments are
worth, grading criteria and other information will be given when the assignment is given.

o Folders (10 points) Students are required to have a three prong pocket folder or a 1 binder to
organize their work. They will also be required to have a composition notebook that must be
kept in the front pocket of their folder/binder to be used as a County suggested Interactive
Notebook. Workbook pages may be torn out of the consumable textbook as necessary and
placed in the prongs of the folder. All assignments including exit slips will be numbered and
organized behind this information to track student understanding of content. Dividers can be
used to separate lessons but not required. The folders will be a tool students will use to organize
their work and study for quizzes and tests. Folders will be randomly checked for completed
workbook pages and organization. Interactive Notebooks will be regularly checked.
o Exit Slips (5 points, cannot be made up if absent) Students will be required to answer a
question at the end of class. Their answer must be written down with their name on it and turned
in before leaving to go to the next class period.
o Note cards (extra credit) If 10 note cards that have been created by the student to help him or
her study for a quiz or 20 for a test, 5 points will be added onto the students assessment.
o Review (extra credit) Before each test, the class will be divided into groups in order to compete
for extra credit exam points by playing a Group Review game. The winning team will receive
5 points extra credit on the exam. Throughout the school year, Popsicle sticks with students
name can be randomly drawn for Individual Review. If the question is answered correctly, the
student could earn candy or extra credit. If the question is answered incorrectly, the student
could lose points from his or her grade.
o Extra Credit Extra credit assignments will be given throughout the year. One opportunity for
extra credit is a wish list that will be placed in the classroom for materials needed for labs and
activities. Each item is worth 5pts. Students can bring in no more than 4 items for extra credit
each nine weeks grading period. This is not a required assignment.
.
I want to warn my students that this will not be an easy course. Each student will be responsible for
their own work and their own grade. I want my students to come away knowing the main concepts and
not just memorizing enough to get a passing grade. I look forward to a great year working together.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Norris

Student Name:

Parent Signature: