7th Grade Science
Mr. Stephen Sutphin
Room #A105
E-mail:
ssutphin@sd27j.org
Website:
sutphinscience.weebly.com
2013-2014
Stuart Middle School Grading Scale:
A = 90 – 100, B = 80 – 89, C = 70 – 79, D = 60 – 69, F = 0 – 59
All assignments will be graded on a 5pt. scale:
Phone: 720-685-5525
CLASS OVERVIEW
This lab-oriented class will emphasize the use of observation,
exploration, experimentation, and data analysis skills as we
cover the following content areas: Scientific Investigations,
Major Geologic Events, Geologic Time and History,
Separations and Mixtures, Cells, Human body, Cellular
Respiration and Photosynthesis. Each scientific concept builds
on the next, so it is essential to the student’s success to be in
class and participate fully every day. Assessments of learning
will include class participation, written assignments, lab
reports, written tests and quizzes, lab exams, and special
projects.
Just what is science anyway?
In a nutshell, science is
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Supplies you will need:
 One 1” or 1.5” 3-ring binder
 Two packs of binder dividers
 Pencils and/or Pens (blue or black ink only –
assignments written in other colors will be
returned to be re-done)
Grades:
 60% of grades will come from assessment (test,
project, quiz, lab, etc.)
 40% of grades will come from practice (class
work, homework)
 For make-up work policy see Planner page 6
under “Excused Absences”
Grades are based solely on demonstrated student progress and
achievement of reasonable and Essential Learning Targets.
5 = Advanced = A
4.5 = Approaching Advanced = A
4 = Proficient = B
3.5 = Partially Proficient =C
3 = Unsatisfactory = D
2.5 = Unsatisfactory = F
2 = Unsatisfactory = F
0 = Missing = F
Beginning August 13th, 2013, weekly progress can be tracked
on Infinite Campus. If you are not able to access the grades
on the database, please contact the office as soon as possible
to double-check that all of your information is on file and
correct.
Homework/Practice:
Students will have homework on average 2-3 nights per week
depending on the unit of study and the level of student concept
attainment. Homework will be collected, graded, and returned
to students. Feedback will be provided either by in-class
review or written comments on graded papers. Students will
be expected to make corrections for some assignments. These
corrections may be graded as a separate assignment.
There will be times when I ask you to watch a video or read
about the topics before I discuss them in class. This may
require you to find access to a computer. If you do not have
a computer at home, you are welcome to use the computers in
the school library or the extra computer in the back of my
classroom after school or during lunch. It is imperative that
you be on top of your homework. If you do not complete
these assignments by the time they are due, you will be
missing out on valuable learning. Also, completing these
assignments will make science class much more meaningful
and interesting.
Missing work:
Unless you are sick for a long period of time, any missed
assessment must be made up within three days of your return.
Missing the day before a test does not exempt you from taking
it. The time to learn the material is while it is being presented:
not right before the test.
You may use two 24 hour late passes over the course of
the trimester in case of emergencies.
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7th Grade Science
Classroom Expectations/Non-negotiables:
1. Respect everyone and everything in the classroom –
Every student has the right to a safe and secure classroom;
you do not have the right to impede or jeopardize that in
any way. Be respectful of yourself, your environment,
your fellow classmates, and your teacher. Treat others the
way you want to be treated.
2. Try your best, and try everything - Do your job!
Challenge yourself to be productive. I do not ask that you
get everything right, but that you try your hardest at
everything you do.
3. Show responsibility - Bring your supplies to class every
day. Recognize your own role in building a fun and
productive community of learners. Understand there will
be consequences, both good and bad, for your actions.
All students are required to adhere to the school
expectations found in their student planner (pages 4-17), as
well as model the Stuart Standards always.
Tardy Policy:
Tardies will be taken care of by the office. A total of 4 tardies
in any combination of classes will result in a consequence.
Planner Policy:
In order for us to be successful in helping your child succeed
we need to have daily communication with you at home,
therefore it is required that each child purchase a planner at the
beginning of the school year. The planner is used as a
communication tool between school and home, please make
sure that you set up at home a requirement that they bring
home their planner every night. This routine can ensure
success for your child, as well as keeping you up to date on
your child’s assignments at school and ensure that failure does
not occur.
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Planner is to be brought to every class every day.
Hall passes will only be given if planner is present
(hall passes are in the planner)
Each student will write the class work and homework
assignment for that day or write no homework if
there is no homework.
If student loses the planner the student must purchase
another one ASAP from the front office.
Communication:
Planner- I will have students write the class work and
homework for that day in their planner; if there is no
homework the student will write “no homework.” Please
check this planner nightly at home
2013-2014
Science Web page – You can find an calendar of events
and assignments, as well as pdf versions of all activities
done in class on my webpage. sutphinscience.weebly.com
Email and phone- I love hearing from parents! I try to
contact parents as much as possible to let you know what
is going on with your student in my class. This may come
in a letter I send home with your student, a quick email, or
a phone call. Don’t be alarmed if I try to contact you!
My goal is to make the year successful for your student,
and sometimes I might just be calling to tell you how well
they are doing.
Office Hours - I am available for extra help Monday –
Friday 6th period as well as Monday’s and Wednesday’s
from 7 – 7:30 in the morning. If you would like to meet at
other times, please feel free to contact me and we can
make an appointment.
Content Standards Covered This Year:
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SC09-GR.7-S.1-GLE.1 Mixtures of substances can be
separated based on their properties such as solubility,
boiling points, magnetic properties, and densities
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SC09-GR.7-S.2-GLE.1 Individual organisms with certain
traits are more likely than others to survive and have
offspring in a specific environment
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SC09-GR.7-S.2-GLE.2 The human body is composed of
atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
that have specific functions and interactions
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SC09-GR.7-S.2-GLE.3 Cells are the smallest unit of life
that can function independently and perform all the
necessary functions of life
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SC09-GR.7-S.2-GLE.4 Photosynthesis and cellular
respiration are important processes by which energy is
acquired and utilized by organisms
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SC09-GR.7-S.2-GLE.5 Multiple lines of evidence show the
evolution of organisms over geologic time
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SC09-GR.7-S.3-GLE.1 Major geologic events such as
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mid-ocean ridges, and
mountain formation are associated with plate boundaries
and attributed to plate motions
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SC09-GR.7-S.3-GLE.2 Geologic time, history, and
changing life forms are indicated by fossils and successive
sedimentation, folding, faulting, and uplifting of layers of
sedimentary rock.
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