Mrs. Been’s 7th Grade Science Syllabus
Course Goals
Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the ‘use of evidence to construct testable
explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this
process’. This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical,
and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science
because they deal with phenomena that are not scientifically testable. Scientific hypotheses are
tentative and testable statements that must be capable of being supported or not supported by
observable evidence. Hypotheses of durable explanatory power that have been tested over a wide
variety of conditions become theories. Scientific theories are based on natural and physical phenomena
and are capable of being tested by multiple, independent researchers. Students should know that
scientific theories, unlike hypotheses, are well established and highly reliable, but they may still be
subject to change as new information and technologies are developed. Students should be able to
distinguish between scientific decision-making methods and ethical/social decisions that involve the
application of scientific information. Grade 7 science is interdisciplinary in nature; however, much of the
content focus is on the life sciences. National Standards in science are organized as multi-grade blocks
such as 5-8 rather than individual grade levels. In order to follow the grade level format used in Texas,
the various national standards are found among grades 6, 7, and 8. Recurring themes are pervasive in
sciences, mathematics, and technology. These ideas transcend disciplinary boundaries and include
change and constancy, patterns, cycles, systems, models and scale.
Course outline
First Semester
Unit 1 Science Safety and Procedure
Unit 2 Flow of Energy
Unit 3 Force of Motion
Unit 4 Factors impacting Earth’s system
Unit 5 Life in our Solar System
Unit 6 Organisms and the Environment
Second Semester
Unit 7 Structure and Functions of Cells
Unit 8 Structure and Function of Living Systems
Unit 9 Physical, Chemical and Energy Changes in
Digestion
Unit 10 Homeostasis
Unit 11 Genetics
Unit 12 Genetic Variations and Adaptations
Class Rules
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Bring all required materials to class, every day.
Listen while others are talking.
Follow directions.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Work quietly (inside voices) and do not disturb others’ learning.
Show respect for school and personal property.
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Work and play in a SAFE manner.
Follow all school and district policies.
Consequences
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First Offense: verbal warning
Second Offense: Lunch detention &
student/teacher conference
Third Offense: Lunch and after school detention &
parent/teacher/student onference
Fourth Offense: referral to principal
Severe Clause: IMMEDIATE action to the principal
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Hurt anyone in the classroom
Refusal to do the work or follow a
direction
Destruction of school property
Commit any act which upsets or paralyzes
the classroom
Classroom Procedures
 All homework is to be turned into your period box. NO work will be accepted by hand or on my
desk; it MUST be turned into the box.
 Please come to class prepared. There will be no quick trips back to the locker.
 You will remain quiet and seated throughout the entire class-time unless instructed otherwise.
 You will receive two (2) hall passes per six weeks. This is the ONLY way you can get out of the
classroom for your locker, a restroom break, to visit another teacher, or to go to the office.
There will be NO leaving the classroom without a pass, so use your time wisely between classes.
 You must sign out when you leave the class and sign in when you return to class.
 If you are ABSENT it will be YOUR responsibility to make up the work you have missed. This also
includes involvement in school related activities. Please take charge and keep up-to-date with
all work.
 All incomplete work will be recorded as missing and calculated as a zero (‘0’) until the work is
complete and turned in. This includes work missed while absent, even if the absence was for an
extra-curricular event.
 If you decide NOT to complete your work, there will be a penalty of 10 points per day, that the
work is not completed and turned in. On the 3rd day, a zero (‘0’) will be recorded into the grade
book. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE WEEK IT WAS ASSIGNED. If you know
you are going to miss, please get work ahead of time.
 If you are ABESNT and miss a quiz or test, you MUST complete the test on the day you return
from your absence, unless otherwise directed by the teacher.
 All work must be completed in pen, unless otherwise specified by the teacher. It is the teacher’s
prerogative to deduct points off of an assignment for not following these directions.
 All work MUST have a complete heading (first and last name, the period, and the date).
 Any projects given are due by the date assigned. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED ON LABS
OR PROJECTS.
 No cell phones will be allowed out in class! If we see the phone, it will be taken away from
the student and will be given to the office, where the parent will be required to pay a fine to
get the phone back.
Grades
40% minor grades (homework, daily classwork)
60% major grades (labs, quizzes, tests, projects)
Extra credit:
 One project will be given per 6 weeks grading period. This project can replace 1 test
grade or 1 missing zero (‘0’) per six weeks.
 Supplies are limited and in constant need of replenishing; therefore, each 6 weeks
grading period, students may elect to bring in any 3 items (from the following list) for
extra credit: disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, Kleenex tissues, pack of glue sticks, color
pencils, index cards, packs of poster board (white and colored).
Supplies
Students are to bring the following supplies to class DAILY:
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I-Pad
Pen and pencil
Map pencils and/or colors
Eraser
Highlighters (of different colors)
Spiral notebook or composition notebook (INB)
Any work due that day
AVID BINDER
Positive Attitude
Library Book
Expectations
Students are expected to participate in class on a daily basis, work collaboratively with other students,
complete all assignments with attention to detail and quality, and be prepared to learn.
I have read and understand the requirements and expectations of this class.
Student Signature _________________________________________________
Parent Signature __________________________________________________ Date ________________