7th grade science syllabus
Schuyler County Middle School
Ms. Clougherty
email: mclougherty@schuyler.k12.mo.us
Description: This course is an introduction to the life sciences and Earth science.
Course Topics:
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Cells, life, and classification
Body systems and plant systems
Disease and disease prevention
Genetics and adaptation
Weather and Climate
Objects and their motion
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Inquiry
Science, Technology, and Human Activity
Text and Supplies:
Pearson’s Science Explorer: Physical Science.
I am asking that students bring a 1” three ring binder, # 2 pencils, and a notebook/loose leaf paper.
Grading: Grades are determined by the total points for homework, class work, quizzes, projects, labs
and tests.
Grading scale:
A 95-100
A- 90-94
B+ 86-89
B 83 -85
B-
80-82
C+ 76-79
C 73-75
C-
70-72
D+ 66-69
D 63-65
D-
60-62
F 59 and lower
Schedule:
Test week: Tests will be given on Thursday. Will fill out the study guide in class Monday, correct on
Tuesday, and review on Wednesday.
Student Evaluation:
Evaluation Criteria
Method of Evaluation
Class participation
Attendance, Class Behavior, preparation
Homework/Class work
Assignments and Activities
Labs
Written reports and journals
Tests
Unit tests and comprehensive tests
Quizzes
Friday quizzes (usually vocab)
Projects
Written and Oral Presentations
Monthly Binder Checks
Science notebook: I use these to help students with organizational skills,
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Syllabus up front
Daily question/activity/problem. These will be completed at the beginning of class.
Quiz/tests
Labs
Homework
Study guides
Misc
Classroom Rules
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Follow the school rules posted in the student handbook.
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Cell phones will not be allowed in the classroom.
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No food or drink allowed in the classroom.
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The classroom rule RESPECT:
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R- Respond in appropriate manner (to everyone)
E- Excellence only! (no sloppy work or excuses, be on task)
S- Stay in your own personal space (and out of others)
P- Pay Attention and Participate!
E- Encourage, not discourage, others
C- Come Prepared to learn! (materials, attitude, on time)
T- Take responsibility for your actions
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Be respectful. This includes (but is not limited to) raising your hand to talk,
keeping your hands and feet to yourself, and listening to others.
Be prepared. Have all supplies, books and homework necessary for each class
each day. Be alert and ready to learn.
Be on time. You will miss important instruction and information if you are late to
class.
Consequences
Three strike policy: In my classroom there will be a three strike policy
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Strike one-you will be given a warning and your behavior will be recorded.
Strike two – you will be given a detention.
Strike three- Mr. Windy’s office and a write up to be sent home.
If the behavior continues, a conference will be scheduled.
*If a behavior is particularly offensive, I will skip step 1 and move immediately to a strike
2 and/or 3. *
Procedures and Expectations
Coming in procedure: (it will be posted on the door)
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Say hi
”Bell ringers” will be either on the screen at the front of the room or on a sheet of paper
at the welcoming table, next to the door. Further class instructions will be on the
chalkboard at the front of the classroom. Start on the bell ringer. A timer will be set.
There will be 5 minutes to complete the bell ringer, 1 minute to correct it, and 1 minute
for questions.
During this time I will take attendance and get the beginning of class business
completed.
Start lesson
What you will need EVERY DAY:
 You will need a pencil, notebook/paper, and a binder every day.
Sharpen pencils
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Do this at the beginning of the class or trade in your pencil for a sharpened one.
Pencils
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I prefer pencils because mistakes happen; however, if you don’t have one, then
whatever you have will work.
Handing in papers
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I will come around and collect homework papers. That way I can immediately tell who
has the homework done.
Homework is due at the beginning of class.
Returning papers
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This will be done the beginning of class.
I will hand them directly to you and you are then expected to place them directly into
your binder.
What to do if you know you are going to absent
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Let me know at least one day in advance so that I can get you the materials.
Follow the absent homework policy found in your student handbook for when these
assignments will be due.
What to do if you are unexpectedly absent
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Ask me if you missed any papers at the beginning of class. If you wait until after the
bellringer, you will have to wait until the end of class or the end of the day.
Follow the absent homework policy found in your student handbook for when these
assignments will be due.
Tissues
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You may get up and get a tissue at any time.
If you know that you are going to go through a few tissues, please grab 3-4 when you
walk in, or you are always welcome to bring a SMALL pack with you to class.
I do ask that after you blow your nose you either wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.
Asking questions: ( This may seem juvenile, but this is the procedure for raising your hand).
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Raise your hand
Wait to be called on
Ask your question or make your statement only after being called on.
I want to hear what you say, as does everyone in the class, but if you are talking when
someone else is, I will not be able to focus all of my attention on you.
Restroom or drinks
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Due to problems we have been having with middle schoolers, bathroom breaks and
drinks are to occur before and after the bell; NOT during class.
If you have a medical concern that means you must use the restroom frequently or
immediately, please be sure to make me aware of this as soon as possible. I will require
a doctor notification.
If you need to carry a water bottle, follow the student handbook.
Exiting the room
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Please wait for me to tell you.
Space for disruptive students:
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If you are being disruptive, you will be given a warning.
If the behavior continues, you will receive a detention.
Depending on the distraction level of the behavior you are displaying, you will be
removed from the class setting and placed at “the island”.
Finishing work early
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There are topics that everyone understands more quickly than others. In instances
where you finish early, please get a book to read or work on something quietly. Do NOT
disrupt other students.
Paper headings
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I expect that all papers to include:
your first and last name,
your class period
and the date.
This should all be in the upper right hand corner.
Moving about the room: lab and group work
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I expect that you will move as quickly and efficiently as possible when moving about the
room.
You feel sick or you’re bleeding A LOT
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If you are feeling ill, like you might be sick to your stomach, or you are bleeding
excessively, please interrupt me POLITELY and let me know that you need to leave. I will
send another student with you to make sure that everything is alright.
You need to: go to the office, leave for an appointment, etc.
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If you are called to the office, then you may head down.
If you need to go to the office, but they have not called you, then you will stay in class
until you are called down.
If you need to leave, tell me at the beginning of class so that I can give you any work you
will be missing.
Procedures for emergencies
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These will be posted around the door of the classroom and will be practiced periodically
throughout the school year.
Posting of the assignment/objectives:
No name papers
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Papers that do not have names on them will kept only for the first full week of school.
After the first full week of school, no name papers will be recycled.
If your paper is recycled, you will be asked to complete it again for late credit.
Late assignments
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All Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If the assignment is not in the
classroom and ready to turn in, it is late.
Late work may only be made up during tutoring. Students will be required to sign up for
tutoring.
Tutoring
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Tutoring will be available until 4 and only if the student has signed up ahead of time.
I may have previous meetings that will keep me from helping you and I ride in carpool
which may keep me from being able to stay after. Letting me know ahead of time will
allow me to guarantee that I can help you 