7th Grade Science Classroom Rules and Syllabus
Welcome to your 7th grade year at Edwards Middle School! I’m looking forward to
getting to know each and every one of you and your parents/guardians.
Please take a few minutes to read over the Syllabus and Rules to ensure we all
have a successful and enjoyable school year!
The following are some simple rules we will all follow while in science class:
Miss Smith’s Classroom Rules
1. Respect EVERYONE at all times.
2. Be ON TIME and PREPARED for class.
3. Have an open mind, ready to learn.
4. Be responsible at all times – especially during labs!
5. HAVE FUN!!!
Next we have some procedures in science class that you will become familiar with
as the school year progresses. These procedures will make for an orderly classroom
which makes learning easier and even more fun!
Classroom Procedures
1. Students are required to bring the following to class EVERYDAY!!: Science
Binder (1” 3-Ring Binder, 5 dividers), writing utensil, agenda and textbook.
No exceptions! We will periodically clean out the binders to stay organized.
2. Always keep your hands, feet and personal belongings to yourself. We can
be pretty tight fit and we need to keep walk ways clear. We don’t want
anyone to trip during a lab and injure himself/herself!
3. Students are expected to follow all school rules as stated in the student
handbook.
4. Always sit in your assigned seat, unless otherwise directed.
5. Students MUST DO THEIR OWN WORK! This applies to all homework,
classwork, tests and projects. If caught cheating, the student handbook
states a zero-tolerance policy. This means – you cheat; you get a zero.
6. Please use a dark colored writing utensil to do work, and please write neatly.
If I cannot read it, I cannot give it a good grade.
7. At the beginning of class the FIRST THING we do is check our homework and
bellwork. This means once the bell rings your homework should be out ready
for me to check. While I check, you complete your bellwork.
8. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISSING WORK!!!!! There are
many easy ways to do this. #1 Check Progressbook for your science grade
OFTEN. This will make you aware of your missing assignments. #2 Check
the Extras bin for handouts you may have missed if you were absent. #3 Use
your agenda to record your assignments!
9. Homework, late assignments and make up work: Homework may either be a
completion or accuracy grade of 10 pts. Homework is due during your class
period. If homework is completed and turned in on time students will
receive a stamp for later rewards! If you are absent, check the Extras bin for
your assignments AND talk to Miss Smith. Turn in your ABSENT work to the
Absent Bin on Miss Smith’s desk! YOUR RESPONSIBILTY! If homework is
not complete on the due date, you will have up to 2 days to turn in your work
for less credit. 1 day late = 8/10 points, 2 days late = 6/10 points. After 2
days the assignment is given 0/10 points. Turn into the Late Side of the Blue
Box. No exceptions.
10. Stamps and Reward Tickets: For each complete and on time homework
assignment students will receive a stamp. Stamps can also be earned on A’s
on paper tests and other assignments deemed appropriate by Miss Smith.
Students need to keep their stamped papers in the identified section of their
Science Binder. At the end of units students will redeem their stamps for
tickets! Tickets will be put in a raffle drawing (number of tickets drawn
varies) for some classroom rewards!!!
11. Don’t forget; HAVE FUN and BE RESPECTFUL. This will make for a happy and
wonderful place to be during the day!! 
Syllabus – Course of Study
COURSE OVERVIEW:
Throughout the school year, the students will learn about the following information,
as determined by the Ohio Department of Education.
Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to: 1) describe
interactions of matter and energy throughout the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and
atmosphere, and how this affects global climate patterns and atmospheric
properties 2) identify patterns of motion and positions of Earth that cause eclipses,
tides and moon phases 3) explain how matter is transferred continuously between
organisms and their environment, and identifying properties of biomes and their
populations 4) understand how matter is determined based on properties and
arrangement of atoms 5) describe how energy can be transformed or transferred in
a variety of ways, but never lost 6) use scientific inquiry skills to help understanding
SCIENCE BINDER, WEBSITE, REMIND, and TWITTER:
The science binder, textbook, agenda and writing utensil should be brought to class
EVERY DAY. *This binder will contain handouts and other papers from science class
as well as blank notebook paper. Refer to this binder for papers to help you study
or if you are missing any work – it may have been lost in the shuffle. *Remind is a
cell phone text message alert system I will be using for assignment dates and
announcements for students and parents. Directions to set up your phone to the
proper class period will be given later. We will use Remind often. *My school
website will be updated with homework assignments, projects, and
announcements. I am trying to be “green” and print the least amount of copies as
possible. Please indicate if you have internet access at home to complete
assignments found online. Lastly, student and parents are encouraged to follow me
on Twitter. This is a quick way for students to get ahold of me if necessary (forgot
the homework? I’ll take a picture of it), see quick reminders, and enjoy interesting
science facts or inspirational ideas. Students/parents are not able to communicate
with me via Remind, so Twitter is a way to ask a quick question.
Follow me on Twitter: @tsmithscience
Science Binder Sections
1. Bellwork & Stamps
2. Notes & Handouts
3. Classwork & Homework
4. Assessments
5. Filler Paper
BELLWORK:
Bellwork is an activity the students work on as soon as they walk into the classroom
each day. Our Bellwork will contain two items the students will need to focus on
and write in the first portion of their Science Binder. I-CAN Statements will be
posted (and copied down) for the day’s objective. And, a Thought of the Day will be
posted for the students to write their response/answer!
TESTS/PROJECTS:
There will be periodic tests/assessments over each unit/concept to ensure the
students are learning and understanding the required material. Projects will also be
used over the course of the year to assess student learning.
GRADING:
Tests, projects, labs, class activities, homework, and other assessments will be
combined to calculate student grades. Students are welcomed to ask the teacher
for their updated science grade any time during 4th/5th period. ProgressBook is the
easiest way for students AND parents to track their current grades and ask
questions if needed. It is imperative students and parents have access to
Progressbook. Paper report cards will no longer be sent home later this year. The
following is the breakdown of assignment categories used in Science Class:
Science Assignments and Weighted Categories:
Type
Weight
Assessments: labs, test, etc. 9
Homework/Work Habits
1
Percentage of Grade
90%
10%
Seventh grade is a transition year. It is our job as teachers to help you become
more responsible students and human beings. It is your job to do your best at this
as well! Good luck this school year!!!
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me by email:
Tsmith@bcsoh.org or by calling Edwards Middle School (330) 273-0488.
I look forward to a great year!
Miss Smith