Download Assessments in 7th Grade Science

Welcome
We are so glad you are here to learn about the new grading
system for 7th grade science! Please take a seat and we will
begin shortly.
Rationale
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Improve test grades
Students take responsibility for their grades
Students have a growth mindset
Provide more opportunities for students to demonstrate content mastery
Rationale Continued
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The student has mastery if they earn a 70 or higher for a concept.
Students will record each score in their composition notebook.
Give students more opportunities to be successful
Help students see the concepts they need to work on
• will be helpful during semester finals
Our Goal for Every Student
• We want all students to earn a 5 on at least one attempt at each concept
• Earning a 5 means that the student has a deep understanding of the concept
• Our questions are modeled after what students will see on the 8th grade
Science STAAR test and 9th grade Biology End of Course Exam
• Students are given the opportunity to show their mastery of a concept
through a blend of multiple choice and written responses
Unit
Think Like a Scientist
Introduction to Organisms
Human Body Systems
Homeostasis and Response to Stimuli
Heredity
Adaptations
Matter and Energy
Healthy Environment
Environmental Changes
Space
Concept
1A
1B
2A
2B
2C
3A
3B
3C
Topic
Safety and Scientific Method
Work
Organic Compounds
Cell Structures
Cell Functions
Circulatory, Respiratory, Skeletal, Muscular
Digestion
Excretory, Respiratory, Integumentary, Nervous, Endocrine
4A
Homeostasis and Response to Stimuli
5A
5B
6A
6B
7A
7B
8A
8B
9A
Heredity
Traits and Genetic Material
Natural Selection and Selective Breeding
Structures and Dichotomous Keys
Photosynthesis
Flow of Energy in Ecosystems
Biodiversity and Sustainability
Ecological Succession
Weathering, Erosion and Deposition of Ecoregions
9B
9C
10A
Topographic Maps
Watersheds
Space
Highest Score
Additional Score
Grade Earned
5
5
100
5
4
95
5
3
90
5
2 or 1
85
4
4
80
4
3, 2, or 1
75
3
3
70
3
1 or 2
65
2
2
60
2
1
55
1
1
50
Example
• Our assessment tomorrow is over concept 2B and 2C
• Lets say: on the previous assessment Steve made a 3 on concept 2B (Cell Structures)
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Steve understood the basics of the concept (minimum)
Steve attends tutorials after receiving his assessment because he wants to get the higher score
Steve studies his notes and is prepared to take the assessment tomorrow
He scores a 5 for concept 2B (cell structures)
Since Steve scored a 5…the higher score wins and Steve receives a 90 in the gradebook for concept 2B
• This is the first time Steve takes an assessment over 2C. Let’s say Steve really studied hard and
reviewed his notes and makes a 5 for concept 2C (cell functions). This means his goal for the
next assessment is to get a 5 which would give him a 100!
How you can help at home
• Ask to see your student’s notebook
• Look on the page titled content mastery (this is where they keep track)
• What is your student’s goal for their next assessment? How are they going to
reach that goal?
• Encourage your student to attend tutorials