Welcome to 7th grade science!!! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year with you. Seventh grade science will offer you the opportunity to explore some interesting topics in science. It is my hope that you will leave my class with a greater interest and appreciation for science while preparing for success in High School and beyond!!
Please take some time to review the following class information.
Classroom Policy:
Students’ behavior in class needs to follow the philosophies of Herrick Middle School. We should have respect for each other and our environment, act responsibly and be safe. I expect everyone, including myself, to act and behave in a positive manner. Cooperation and politeness is expected at all times. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in a verbal warning, phone call/email home, detention, or other disciplinary action depending on the severity of the offense.
I will hold all students to these expectations, so please remember that you are responsible for your actions and therefore responsible for any disciplinary actions that may result.
Class Supplies:
You are responsible for having the following materials with you each day:
· Google Chromebook (CHARGED)
· Assignment notebook
· A folder or binder
· Science notebook or binder
· Pen (blue or black ink), grading pen (red), AND a pencil
· Other supplies (colored pencils, flash drives, ect.) will also be needed throughout the year. I will make an announcement if you need to bring any additional materials.
Curriculum:
We will be studying the following topics in class this year. These topics will align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
How You Will Be Assessed:
All science grades will be recorded in PowerSchool.
There will be two main types of assignments in PowerSchool: classwork and summative labs/projects.
Classwork
The classwork assignments are day to day assignments that range in size and difficulty. Examples of these assignments include, but are not limited to, reading summaries, journal entries, reflections, lab analysis questions. These assignments will be marked as “complete” and will not impact the overall class grade for the quarter.
A mark of “incomplete” or “missing” indicates that the student either did not complete the assignment or it was never turned in.
Summative labs/projects
What Happens If I Do Not Meet Standards?
You have the opportunity to revise your work and then retake your assessment. This can potentially help you raise your grade and complete NGSS standards.
If you have decided to revise work and retake the assessment...you MUST complete the following:
Assignments:
Assignments will be written on the board every Monday and posted on the class website. You are expected to record your assignments using your Chromebook and assignment notebook. Any changes will announced and you will need to update your planner.
Absent Work:
It is YOUR responsibility to find out missing work and make arrangements to complete it. When you miss class, check the Absent Folders, the class webpage, and/or ask a classmate or myself. If you know ahead of time that you will be missing class due to a doctor's appointment, sectionals, field trip for another class, or vacation, please notify me in advance.
Late Work:
Late work will not be tolerated!! If you are missing a homework assignment, YOU will be sending a email home to inform your parents that something is missing. Your email will include the missing assignment, the reason for not completing the assignment, and your plan to get caught back up.
Extra Help:
We all need help from time to time so please do not hesitate to ask for it often. I am here to help!! If you do not understand what I am teaching in class, raise your hand and ask me to explain it another way. Help is also available before school, after school, or during Homebase time. If you need help before or after school, please arrange something with Mr. Burgess ahead of time to make sure there are no schedule conflicts.
Do not be afraid to ask questions!!
Contact Information:
The best way to contact me is through email ([email protected]), but you can also reach me by calling the school (630.719.5810). The best times to reach me are: 8:00-8:25 a.m. or 3:20-3:45 p.m.
Please take some time to review the following class information.
Classroom Policy:
Students’ behavior in class needs to follow the philosophies of Herrick Middle School. We should have respect for each other and our environment, act responsibly and be safe. I expect everyone, including myself, to act and behave in a positive manner. Cooperation and politeness is expected at all times. Failure to follow any of these rules will result in a verbal warning, phone call/email home, detention, or other disciplinary action depending on the severity of the offense.
I will hold all students to these expectations, so please remember that you are responsible for your actions and therefore responsible for any disciplinary actions that may result.
Class Supplies:
You are responsible for having the following materials with you each day:
· Google Chromebook (CHARGED)
· Assignment notebook
· A folder or binder
· Science notebook or binder
· Pen (blue or black ink), grading pen (red), AND a pencil
· Other supplies (colored pencils, flash drives, ect.) will also be needed throughout the year. I will make an announcement if you need to bring any additional materials.
Curriculum:
We will be studying the following topics in class this year. These topics will align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- Engineering Standards
- Intro to Chemistry: How Can I Make New Stuff from Old Stuff?
- Physical Science: Why Do Some Things Stop While Others Keep Going?
- Earth Science: What Makes the Weather Change?
- Life Science: What is Going On Inside Me?
How You Will Be Assessed:
All science grades will be recorded in PowerSchool.
There will be two main types of assignments in PowerSchool: classwork and summative labs/projects.
Classwork
The classwork assignments are day to day assignments that range in size and difficulty. Examples of these assignments include, but are not limited to, reading summaries, journal entries, reflections, lab analysis questions. These assignments will be marked as “complete” and will not impact the overall class grade for the quarter.
A mark of “incomplete” or “missing” indicates that the student either did not complete the assignment or it was never turned in.
Summative labs/projects
- Summative labs and projects are multi day assignments that will measure your understanding of the science standards. Examples include building models, constructing arguments, and planning and carrying out investigations.
- These grades will be assessed using rubrics and will count toward your overall class grade for the quarter.
- These assessments will be issued TWO pieces of information.
- The first piece of information will show the students overall grade out of 100 percent.
- The second piece of information will show the students achievement towards completing the NGSS performance expectations. Students will receive an indicator of 3, 2, 1, IE, or X (explanations for each are below).
What Happens If I Do Not Meet Standards?
You have the opportunity to revise your work and then retake your assessment. This can potentially help you raise your grade and complete NGSS standards.
If you have decided to revise work and retake the assessment...you MUST complete the following:
- Review feedback from the original assessment.
- Make the necessary corrections on a clean sheet of paper. You will be making these corrections outside of class and should be using your notes to help.
- Find a time to sit down with Mr. Burgess to go over the corrections. This time must be before school, after school, or during Homebase. You can not use class time to go over test corrections.
- If you make the necessary corrections and show a stronger understanding of the material, you will schedule a retake on one of the two available retake dates.
Assignments:
Assignments will be written on the board every Monday and posted on the class website. You are expected to record your assignments using your Chromebook and assignment notebook. Any changes will announced and you will need to update your planner.
Absent Work:
It is YOUR responsibility to find out missing work and make arrangements to complete it. When you miss class, check the Absent Folders, the class webpage, and/or ask a classmate or myself. If you know ahead of time that you will be missing class due to a doctor's appointment, sectionals, field trip for another class, or vacation, please notify me in advance.
Late Work:
Late work will not be tolerated!! If you are missing a homework assignment, YOU will be sending a email home to inform your parents that something is missing. Your email will include the missing assignment, the reason for not completing the assignment, and your plan to get caught back up.
Extra Help:
We all need help from time to time so please do not hesitate to ask for it often. I am here to help!! If you do not understand what I am teaching in class, raise your hand and ask me to explain it another way. Help is also available before school, after school, or during Homebase time. If you need help before or after school, please arrange something with Mr. Burgess ahead of time to make sure there are no schedule conflicts.
Do not be afraid to ask questions!!
Contact Information:
The best way to contact me is through email ([email protected]), but you can also reach me by calling the school (630.719.5810). The best times to reach me are: 8:00-8:25 a.m. or 3:20-3:45 p.m.