Homework

The reason for homework is to practice the skills you are learning in class so that you master them.  Students will be given homework daily. It is expected that students will spend 15-20 minutes on assignments, more if they assignment is to study.  All students will be expected to obtain and complete any assignments missed due to absences. All homework should be handed in on time or will lose points for lateness.  It should also be complete, neat, and legible. Work will not be accepted after the unit assessment. Homework is graded on a scale of 0-10 points.

Late Work

It is important to learn to be responsible and to turn things in on time. Nightly worksheets will be marked as a zero if not completed at the beginning on the due date’s class.   If you return it completed the next day, you will receive half-credit. After that, late work will not be accepted. Longer assignments turned in late (labs, projects) will lose 10 points per day. Work will not be accepted after the last day of the quarter!

Class participation and group work

Students are all expected to participate in class.  This means that they should be alert and attentive and that they contribute frequently to class discussions. In addition, students will frequently work in small groups. They are graded on their participation, group work, based on the completion of their assigned tasks, their further contribution to the group, and their ability to work productively and cooperatively with others.

Absences

If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. All in-class work must be made up by the beginning of the next class. If you miss a lab, you may have to do an alternate make-up assignment or come after school to complete the lab.  If you are absent, you will be allowed one day per absence to make up work. Anything due on the first day you were absent is due on your return to class (Please meet with me when needing to make up tests and major projects).

Academic Dishonesty

Student work that is not their own may result in a 0/F for the assignment (ex. word for word lab reports, copying homework, copying quizzes/tests, etc).  

Grading

All coursework will be graded on a point system. For example, an on-time homework assignment may be worth 10-20 points, in-class work 25-50 points, quiz or lab report 100 points, common assessments 200 points, independent project 200-300 points. Points are deducted for incomplete and late work. At the end of each term, earned points are added up and divided by the maximum points the students could have earned. This number correlates to a letter grade for your report card.  Lab Report corrections can be re-done within a week of the lab’s return.

Common Assessments and Final Exam

Each quarter we will administer the Science Common Assessment.  The entire grade will take this assessment, covering the previous material. The final exam covers material from the entire year. All printed note sheets handed out during the year should be saved to review for the final.  Maintaining an effective Interactive Science Notebook will be invaluable come test time.

Lab Safety

Students will sign a science lab safety contract as a part of our safety unit during the first few weeks of school.  Students who do not follow directions and obey safety guidelines during lab activities may not be allowed to continue the activity for the day.  A lowered grade should also be anticipated for the activity. During outdoor learning experiences, students are also required to obey all classroom safety rules and guidelines.

Grade 7 Concepts

Science and Engineering Practice