7th grade Science: 2015-2016 School Year
Mrs. O’Halloran
Email: connie.ohalloran@dvusd.org
Room: 402
Class Website: http://dvusd.org/Domain/3947
Voice mail: 623-445-7858
Welcome to 7th grade science! I am thrilled to be teaching your child this year. Science is my passion and we
are going to have a great time this year learning all the state science standards.
Curriculum
Everything covered in class matches the Arizona State Standards, which can be found at:
http://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/files/2011/09/sciencegrade7.pdf
Here is a brief overview of some of the topics we will be covering:
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The scientific process including: observing, questioning, making hypothesis, testing, analyzing data,
drawing conclusions, and communication results.
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Exploring the history and nature of science including: learning about specific scientists and analyzing
the impact of new discoveries.
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Changes in environments and how those changes affect the ecosystem including human interactions.
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Life science including: ecosystems, predator/prey, and food chains.
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Earth and space science including: the surface of the Earth, rock layers and cycles, minerals, plate
tectonics and our solar system.
We will be using the McDougal Little science books. My website has a handout on how to get the book online.
Students may also check out textbooks from me if needed.
We will also be using the FOSS science system. A link to the FOSS site is on my web site. Students can simply
log in as a guest and get access to materials. Lab pages to the FOSS lessons are also on my web site as PDF
documents. (Don’t print the whole document!)
Expectations
I expect every student to:
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Be prepared each day when you walk into class.
Ask questions if you do not understand something.
Respect yourself and everybody else in the class.
Do not interfere with the learning of any other student.
Be responsible for your own work and grades, especially when you are absent.
Grading Policies
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All work/tests will be given a % grade.
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All late work will be scored a zero until it is turned in. At that point it will have a score of a 50%. Work is
considered late if it is not turned in at the time it is due. Late work will be accepted for one week past
the due date. After that, the score will remain a zero.
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Student work will be weighted as follows: class work/homework: 25%, projects/labs: 25%, tests 50%.
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No extra credit will be given/assigned/offered.
Tests/Quizzes
Tests are given at the end of each unit/chapter/section. Some tests will go over older material from previous
tests. Students will be given information about what is on the test. Notes are the best way for you to study. It
is important for you to take good notes during class! As a general rule, notes will not be allowed on tests.
Dates of tests and quizzes are always announced ahead of time, there is never a surprise or “pop” quiz or test.
Students who score a 69% or lower may retake a similar test or quiz the following 5 school days after the test is
returned. (Example: If a test is returned on a Friday, the students have until the NEXT Friday to retake it.) Students may
do this during homeroom time. Students must come to Mrs. O'Halloran during homeroom and ask to retake the test.
There will be no reminders. Once a week has passed, students will not be allowed to retake the test/quiz. Students
must have no missing assignments in order to retake a test and the first test score will be averaged with the retake
score.
Homework
Due to the nature of science, most work will be done in class. There will be times when I ask students to wrap
up work that we have begun in class and were not able to finish. As a general rule, if we do not finish in class,
it is homework and due the next day.
Cheating
Sunset Ridge has a zero tolerance policy for any type of cheating in any class. Cheating is not only just copying
work from another student or source, but cheating is also giving your work to another student to copy. If a
student is caught cheating, you will lose all credit on the assignment resulting in a zero along with a possible
office referral. You cannot make up the assignment.
Make-Up Work
According to Sunset Ridge policy, students will receive two days for every excused missed day to make up
their in-class work. Make-up work is the responsibility of the student. You can access my website, check with
a classmate or look at the agenda on the board in class to find out what you missed. If students miss a day
when we use a power point, all of them are linked on my web site. Students should also have a “note buddy”
in class. Please contact your note buddy to find out what notes you missed and copy them. Please see me if
you have missed a lab and we will discuss what you can do to make up the lab. Please note that sometimes it
is impossible to recreate the lab experience and I highly encourage you to miss as little of my class as possible.
Absent work not turned in on time will be considered late. Late work is accepted for one week past due
date.
Handouts
All handouts will be in the back of the room in a green hanging file folder with a number that corresponds to
the date it was handed out. It is your responsibility to get handouts you missed. I make extras of all
handouts. They will be in a file folder on the counter. Please do not ask me to give you handouts you missed.
These handouts will only be available for a month, after that, they are thrown out. You are welcome to come
in my room anytime to get materials that you need as long as you do so quietly and do not interrupt my class.
Supplies needed for class
Composition or spiral notebook for notes
Glue sticks
Pencils/pens
Colored pencils
Scissors
**Science is messy! We can always use paper towels, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer and tissue. I may also send
out requests for materials needed for labs. Any help with materials is appreciated!
Arizona Law requires that public schools provide supplies required for academic success. The list above
represents optional, supplementary items, which you may supply at your discretion. Throughout the school
year, teachers may request additional supplies from students.
Staying informed
Parents have several ways to check in on students:
*Check power schools frequently for grades.
*My website is updated weekly and has many useful links.
*Sign up for my text message blasts. Information on how to sign up is on my website. I will not see your cell
phone number.
*Email me with questions. Parents and students too!
Mrs. O’Halloran’s 7th Grade Science
2015-2016 Student/Parent Agreement
In order to save paper, the Science Class Syllabus can be read and/or printed from my page
(http://dvusd.org/Domain/3947). It will be very important that all students AND their parents read this
syllabus as it will detail grading, expectations, and class policies. By signing this form, you are
attesting to the fact that you have read all of the information found online.
If you would prefer a hard copy of the syllabus be provided, DO NOT sign this form. Simply check the box
below along with the student’s name and a copy will be sent home:
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“I would prefer to have a hard copy of the syllabus.”
Print Student Name: ________________________________ Science Period: _____
Student Signature: __________________________________
Date: _______
Print Parent Name: ___________________________________________________
Parent Signature: ___________________________________
Date: _______
Parent Email Address :________________________________________________