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:
· Chromebook (CHARGED)
· Assignment notebook
· A Folder
· Science Notebook
· 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):
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”, “missing”, or "NHI" indicates that the student either did not complete the assignment or it was never turned in.
Summative labs/projects/test/quizzes
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. NOT ALL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO BE REVISED!!
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 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 SSP time. If you need help before or after school, please arrange something with Mr. Siemek ahead of time to make sure there are no schedule conflicts. You can also email Mr. Siemek at [email protected] if you have questions when you are working on an assignment at home.
Do not be afraid to ask questions!!
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:
· Chromebook (CHARGED)
· Assignment notebook
· A Folder
· Science Notebook
· 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
- Life Science: Metabolic Reactions - How do things inside our body work together?
- Chemical Reactions: How can we make something new that was not there before?
- Earth Science: Human Impact - How do changes in the Earth's system impact our communities?
- Ecosystems: How does changing an ecosystem affect what lives there?
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”, “missing”, or "NHI" indicates that the student either did not complete the assignment or it was never turned in.
Summative labs/projects/test/quizzes
- 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 trimester.
- 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. NOT ALL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS ARE ALLOWED TO BE REVISED!!
If you have decided to revise work and retake the assessment...you MUST complete the following:
- You must complete the Revision Reflection form that is posted in Google Classroom.
- You must complete all activities/assignments related to the assessment/project before turning in your revisions.
- You have two weeks from the date you receive your grade to complete the revision process.
- All revision must be done outside of class time.
- The grade you receive on your revision will replace your original grade.
- A comment will be posted on the assignment in PowerSchool indicating the original score and that the assignment has been revised.
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 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 SSP time. If you need help before or after school, please arrange something with Mr. Siemek ahead of time to make sure there are no schedule conflicts. You can also email Mr. Siemek at [email protected] if you have questions when you are working on an assignment at home.
Do not be afraid to ask questions!!