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7th Grade Science
Syllabus for 2009-2010
Instructor:
Class location:
Class time:
Availability:
Phone:
E-mail:
Elise Sheehan
W301
Periods 1,2, or 5 Mon-Fri. all year
3:15-3:45 PM each day in W301 or by appt.
763-258-2523
[email protected]
Course Overview:
 The Core Knowledge program is the basis for the MS Science curriculum. Seventh grader
students will explore the components of life from the atom to single cells and living
organisms. The first semester includes the basics of chemistry, including the periodic
table, writing and balancing chemical equations, chemical reactions, and the pH scale.
During the second semester cell biology, genetics, and evolution are studied. The human
digestive, respiratory, and excretory systems will be integrated into appropriate units
throughout the year.
Current events in science will be presented throughout the year using “Science World”
magazine and other science educational websites..
Laboratory skills, including how to use a compound microscope, make, stain, and
diagram slides will be highlighted this year. Science essay writing and presentation skills
will be practiced through various individual and group projects, activities, and labs.
Additional Course Information:
 This is a required science course for all seventh grade students
 A signed lab safety contract is required for all students.
Text, Readings, Materials:
 Textbook(s):
o
Prentice Hall “Science Explorer”: Human Biology and Health, Pearson
Education, 2000. Chapters 3 and 5
o
Prentice Hall “Science Explorer”: Chemical Interactions, Pearson Education,
2005.
o
Prentice Hall “Science Explorer”: Chemical Building Blocks, Pearson
Education, 2005. Chapters 1, 3
o
Prentice Hall “Science Explorer”: Cells and Heredity, Pearson Education, 2000.
o Each title in this series costs $14.97.
 Materials: Lab and safety equipment are supplied by the school. Students must supply
the following:
o
a one or two inch 3-ring binder for science class ONLY is required.
o
each textbook must be covered with a homemade or purchased bookcover.
o
an erasable pen or pencil.
Course Policies
 Grades will be calculated each quarter using this formula:
40% from homework, labs, and extra credit
50% from tests, quizzes and projects
10% from participation (merit) points
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Merit/participation points will be awarded daily (1 pt. each day) for coming to class
ON TIME, with ALL materials and exhibiting good behavior during the class or lab.
Merit points may be earned back at the teacher’s discretion.
Readings and section review worksheets will be assigned several times a week as
homework. Complete sentences and correct spelling are always required.
Homework should be turned in during the class period that it is due. Late homework
will be accepted up until the test day for each unit with a 30% - 50% grade penalty.
Attendance is very important since we move quickly and it is hard to make up lectures,
labs, and activities. Participation points are not earned if a student is absent but may be
earned back by checking with the teacher and arranging to make up all missing
work.
If the absence is due to illness, students will be given an appropriate amount of time to
make up assignments. If class is missed because of an appointment, students are
required to get the assignments that day and turn them in when they are due.
Labs need to be made up after school or during a study hall. Dangerous or disruptive
behavior during a lab will result in the student being removed from the room and
receiving a zero for the lab. A signed safety contract is required for each student.
Extra credit may be earned for keeping an organized/neat binder, bringing back signed
tests and/or grade reports, and submitting personally prepared study guides. Additional
extra credit may be available each quarter at the teacher’s discretion.
Course Calendar/Schedule:
 Quarter 1
o
The scientific method, laboratory skills and safety – permeability lab (9/15-18)
o
Describing and measuring matter – density lab (9/28-29)
o
Test 1 on Describing Matter and the Scientific Method – October 1
o
The atom and the periodic table – metals vs. non-metals lab (10/21)
o
Element poster project (individual) presentations - October 27- 29
o
Test 2 on Atoms and the Periodic Table – November 2
 Quarter 2
o
Chemical bonds, reactions, and equations - chemical reactions lab (12/1-2)
o
Test 3 on Chemical Reactions – December 4
o
Acids, bases, and pH – pH lab (12/15-16)
o
The human digestive system – pig stomach and intestine dissection (1/6)
o
Carbon chemistry and the organic polymers of life – nutrients in food lab
(1/12-13)
o
Test 4 on Acids, Bases, and digestive system – January 15
 Quarter 3
o
Types of cells, history of cell theory, how to view cells – microscope lab and
making slides lab (2/4-6)
o
Build a cell project ( individual) presentations – February 9-11
o
Human respiratory and excretory systems – pig lung (2/20) and kidney
dissection labs (2/27)
o
Test 5 on the Cell – March 4
o
Cell structures and processes – mitosis microscope lab (3/18-19)
 Quarter 4
o DNA extraction lab (4/19)
o Test 6 on Cell processes – April 23 and “Eating DNA” party on April 26
o
Cell division and genetics – Meiosis, punnett squares and pedigrees
o
Human genetics disorder group power point project – May 18-20
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Charles Darwin and the Theory of evolution – Natural Selection lab (5/26-28)
Fossils, geologic time
Test 7 on Human genetics and evolution – June 7
Additional labs, hands-on activities, and demonstrations will also be presented throughout the
year.
This syllabus may be subject to revision as the course progresses.
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