7th
Millbrook Middle School
Grade Life Science Syllabus
Ms. Thomas- Room 104
Course Description:
Life Science is a course that introduces students to living things and there functions.
This course will have lab activities associated with it. The course is aligned with the
Alabama College and Career Readiness Standards. Students will be working on four
areas correlated with the standards. They are as follows: science content, scientific
inquiry, lab skills readings, and writing skills. Students are developing the foundation
for high school biology and anatomy and physiology. It is expected that each student
demonstrate competency on each standard correlated with the Alabama Course of
Study.
Course Content:
First 9 Weeks: – Biodiversity and Interdependence
Second 9 Weeks: – Development and Reproduction
Third 9 Weeks: – Respiration and Circulation
Fourth 9 Weeks: – Exploring Digestion and Motion
Grades:
50% daily grades (8 – 12 grades 50% Major grades (3-5 grades)
Grading Scale
Cumulative homework grade
Chapter tests
100-90: A
-at least 9 assignments
End of Unit tests
89-80: B
Science notebook grade
Projects
79-70 : C
Lab participation/assessment
Labs
69-60:D
Bell ringer Grades
59-0: F
Daily Assignments
Parents may access their child’s grades at any time through the INOW parent portal.
Expectations of Teacher:
 I will respect all of my students and their property.
 I will come to class ready to teach engaging lessons that promote critical thinking.
 I will present lessons in a differentiated manner that engages all learning styles.
 I will challenge my students to do their best work.
 I will communicate with my parent’s involving their child’s education.
Expectations for Students:
Be Respectful
Be responsible and
resourceful
 Follow all adult
 Arrive on time
directions the first
 Be prepared by
time they are first
bringing all supplies
 Raise your hand and
 Sit appropriately in
wait to be recognized
assigned seat
before speaking
 Complete and turn in
 Use appropriate
all assignments and
language and
homework on time.
conversational tone
 Use kind words and
actions
 Respect the property
of others
Be safe



No body contact
Stay in assigned seat
unless permission is
granted
Use books,
classroom materials,
and equipment
appropriately
Consequences
 First offense: redirection, documented in behavior log
 Second offense: redirection, documentation, and call home if for the same behavior
 Third offense: redirection, documentation, and office referral if for the same behavior
 Please note that there can be other consequences such as timeout, silent lunch, break
detention, loss of privileges.
Rewards
 Verbal praise
 Positive contact with parents
Science Notebooks
 Your science notebook should be used for science class ONLY.
 Each activity in your science notebook should be numbered.
 Never tear pages out of your SNB! This will cause pages to fall out of the other
side of it.
 Always write notes or assignments in the next available page. All entries should
be added in chronological order. Do not skip pages.
 Always label your work with the TITLE and Activity Number.
 Notebooks will be checked often and collected periodically. You will use these
notebooks to help you study for tests. You must keep up with them.
Homework:
 All homework must be turned in before or on the established due date in order to
be eligible to earn full credit.
 Homework assignments will be posted on my calendar on the Millbrook Middle
School webpage.
 One of your daily grades each grading period will be a cumulative homework
grade for 9 assignments.
Attendance and Make-Up Work
 Attendance is significant so that students do not fall behind on assignments and
lab activities.
 If you miss class for any reason — excused or unexcused — it is your
responsibility to make up the work you missed. That includes bell ringers, labs,
notes, homework, quizzes/tests, and exit slips. You can find out what you missed
by asking a friend, or checking the makeup work folder. Please schedule time
with me to make-up tests, or if you need help finding or understanding missed
work.
Semester Exam Exemption Policy
 Students in grades seven (7) through eight (8) may exempt semester and end of
course examinations if they meet the following criteria:
 An “ A” average with no more than 2 excused absences
 A “B” average with no more than 1 excused absence
 A “C” average with no absences
Policies and Procedures:
Classroom Procedures:
 Enter Room before the tardy bell rings. I will close the door then, and you will be
tardy if you are still on the other side of it. If you come to class late for any
reason, you will need to sign the tardy log and circle the reason you are tardy.
 Get your notebook out and begin bell work.
 After taking your assigned seat, begin working on your bell ringer assignment.
 Copy any homework or test/due dates into your planner.
 Follow activity instructions and complete any assignments as directed.
 Clean up your area at the end of class, and wait to be dismissed.
Lab Procedures:
 Ms. Thomas is always the first one in and the last one out of the lab.
 We will meet in the hall outside lab. I will check for appropriate wardrobe and
shoes, address any last minute concerns, next the class may move quickly and
quietly in the science lab. Place backpacks in the proper area and go directly to
your assigned lab station.
 You are to follow all of the regular behavior expectations, and are to adhere to the
safety rules in the lab safety contract.
 Failure to abide by rules and expectations will result in you being removed from
the lab and barred from returning until a parent conference has taken place.
Parents or Guardians:
I believe in working with you to ensure that your child is successful. I am on your team. I
believe all children can learn, and that they deserve a great education. If your child
needs extra help or has any concerns please feel free to discuss anything with me.
Sincerely,
Ms. Alesha Thomas
7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher
Millbrook Middle School
School phone: (334) 285-2100
E-mail: alesha.thomas@elmore.k12.al.us
Mission Statement
Our mission is to prepare lifelong learners in a relevant, engaging, safe, and positive
learning environment.