Welcome Parents and Students to a great 4th quarter! This website will have information that will be useful to you and your child.

First thing on website will be assignments, notes and what is coming up- last thing will be procedures, class expectations and that type of information.


Your child will need a NEW SPIRAL NOTEBOOK for 2nd semester starting Tuesday, January 19th.  I will be checking notebooks weekly this semester.  Having one and having the proper things in it will result in a good notebook grade and an excellent source to study o r3rd  Quarter focuses on water.  Water  in and out of the Earth's surface.  We will study Hydrology most of the quarter.  We will also study Atmosphere, weather and climate. and how these things affect our lives and economy.

April 5th - We will be starting Astronomy for the 4th Quarter.  Your child will need to choose a project based on something they are interested in for the 4th quarter project.  All projects must be approved by me.

We will study seasons and tilt of the Earth, planets, moons, asteroids, etc.  this first week.


Classroom Procedures 2009- 2010

Must be in room when tardy bell rings - go directly to seat
Must have pencil and spiral note book in class every day unless requested not to
Get out all items needed for class before class begins
Sharpen pencils only when direct teaching is not being done
Turn work into correct period bin - do not hand to teacher - must have correct heading (first name, last name (full), period number and date) pg. # if needed
Work must have first and last name or it will go into the trash
Spell on work the best you can - cursive or manuscript is allowed unless specified in the directions - If I can’t read it, it will be returned - If the work is excessively sloppy, it will be returned - use a straight edge to draw straight lines (graphs, etc.)

Answers to questions must be in proper form and in complete sentences unless specifically requested otherwise. Turn the question into a statement and then answer (proper form)

Notebooks must be maintained in the correct order. Do not throw any work away - it all goes in your binder. The binder will be checked and graded periodically.

You need to check Parent Link at least once per week to make sure your grades are correct and to get any missing work. Completion of missed work is your responsibility, I will not chase you down, you must meet with me at an appropriate time to get your work

You may not do any other class work except science in this class unless I specifically tell you
No nuisance items in class
No food, candy, drink or gum in class
Follow classroom rules - 1st verbal warning
2nd written warning/phone call that goes home
3rd counselor or dean referral
Leaving room - wait to be dismissed and walk toward the exit door
textbook check out - at 6th period, must be back b4 class next day
You must ask and receive permission before using any materials in the room except lined paper
You must ask and receive permission to go into any drawer, cabinet, or file before doing so
Please put all materials back where you got them unless directed otherwise
Don’t touch any materials until told to do so - tools not toys
All assignments are important
You have 3 days per absence to make up missed work
Fire drill - proceed out door, turn left, go to fence, cross street and meet in park. You must stay together in a line, I will be taking attendance.
Restroom - use in-between classes - ask when an emergency only
Please do not write on tables, books, walls, boards, etc.
Floors will be clean before dismissal
You may never borrow, use, or take any materials from the teacher’s desk or computer area

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COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This one-year course for seventh-grade students focuses on understanding Earth and Space science systems. Students will use scientific processes, protocols, and tools, including inquiry, to build understanding of Earth’s structure and place in the Solar System, atmospheric processes, and composition of matter. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be practiced as students extend their scientific literacy. This course is required for seventh-grade students. Instructional practices will incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to our society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course will fulfill one credit of Nevada high school graduation requirement for science and qualifies as a laboratory science for college entrance.



COURSE GOALS:

1. To increase scientific literacy and content knowledge of Earth and space systems.

2. To develop abilities and understanding needed to safely engage in structured and original scientific inquiry.

3. To experience the nature of scientific endeavors.

4. To understand the properties of matter.

5. To.describe how things, Earth, solar system and universe are composed of matter.

6. To describe electric and magnetic properties of matter in Earth systems.

7. To use scientific evidence to explore the nature of change over time.

8. To.explain the observed and predictable patterns which occur in the Universe.

9. To describe the nature and characteristics of waves in Earth and space systems.

10. To understand how catastrophic events on Earth are representative of energy transformations.

11. To develop a view of Earth as a dynamic system involving the flow of matter and energy in cyclical processes.

12. To describe the composition, properties and processes of the atmosphere.

13. To describe the characteristics of the Solar System and its influences on Earth.

14. To develop awareness of careeer opportunities in science and related educational requirements.



TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS:

Holt Science and Technology: series will be the textbooks used. These textbooks are available in the science room 901 and may be checked-out through Ms. Fish for a day. Supplemental materials such as magazines, newspapers, and internet activities will also be used. In addition, students are expected to keep and maintain a properly prepared science binder. Supplies needed for class are as follows:

1. 3 ring binder ( 1”)(this may not be shared with another subject as it will stay in the classroom).

2. Loose leaf paper in binder.

3. Pencils.

4. Eraser.

5. Pocket folder(for work to come home).


HIGH PRIORITY OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will reinforce effective cooperative learning group skills.
2. Students will develop organization skills.
3. Students will acquire a functional understanding of the basic concepts related to Earth science.
4. Students will be able to connect science to other school subjects while recognizing science as part of their daily lives.
5. Students will become successful at test taking strategies.

HOURS OF AVAILABILITY:

Hours of availability vary each day. Please call the front office if you wish to schedule a parent conference at 799-4260. My web site can be accessed through the Hyde Park Middle School home page by selecting the Teacher Web sites section. Information about the class is shown on the web site.

EVALUATION AND GRADING SYSTEM:

Science is a performance based class where students will be evaluated through a variety of techniques; teacher observations, self evaluations, laboratory practices, verbal and written assessments. Full participation and interaction with teacher and fellow students is required for success in science. Components of the student's’ quarter grade are:

65%= assessment,

35%= class work, major assignments and performance.

Students will be expected to maintain a science notebook . Parents are encouraged to review their son/daughter’s notebook .

Semester grades will be calculated in the following method:,

45%= first quarter of the semester,

45%= second quarter of the semester,

10%= semester exam.

All assignments, assessments and performance grades will follow the standard 10% grading scale breakdown. Spelling, grammar, neatness and following directions on assignments will be used in determining a student’s grade.

100%- 90%= A

89%- 80%= B

79%- 70%= C

69%- 60%= D

59%- 50%= F

If a student is absent, the student is expected to ask the teacher for any handouts he/she needs copies of. Class notes can also be downloaded through the web site. The student is allowed three days from the date of return to school to make-up any homework or class work assignments.

Hyde Park Middle School has no tolerance for plagiarism. Plagiarism is claiming another person’s work as your own. This includes copying another student’s work, allowing another student to copy your work, handing in another student’s assignment as your own or copying a person’s published work from a book, magazine, newspaper or internet web site. Students who plagiarize will receive a counselor referral, a required parent conference and a failing grade on the assignment.










































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