Welcome to 7 th Grade Science! Jennifer Rivera (425)

How can you help?  Students fill out planners each Monday. Please check it weekly for information.  Check your student’s grade online (contact counseling office if you have no internet access).  Keep them supplied with papers, pencils, etc.  Remind your child to make up work after he or she has been absent. planning/products- students/planners/product- line/classic?category=33

Website  Mrs. Rivera's 7th Grade Science Mrs. Rivera's 7th Grade Science  Be sure to check my website for events, documents, and helpful links!

Textbook  Several different texts used throughout the year  Classroom copies only, can be checked out on an as- needed basis (if available)  Can be accessed online Online TextbookOnline Textbook  Use the Username/Password combinations from Rivera’s Documents page

How can you help?  Encourage your student to:  share with you what they have learned  develop good work habits  actively participate in class  set achievable goals like turning in all of their work  focus on what they are learning, not on what grade they have  ask for help if they need it

What Will We Study?  PROCESS:  Science Inquiry  Communication  Cooperation  Technical reading and writing  Measurement

Common Core  Common Core standards are a set of cross-disciplinary expectations designed to prepare kids to enter college and/or the workforce.  Science has a shared responsibility to provide literacy instruction, including  Analysis of informational text  Using evidence from text to support claims  Integration of information presented in different formats (e.g. audio, visual, charts, etc.)  Common Core assessments begin next year, grades 3-8.  Class of 2019 graduation requirements

What Will We Study?  CONTENT:  Diversity of Life (FOSS)  What is life and what do all living organisms have in common?  How can we observe microscopic organisms?  What do plants and animals have in common with each other and with microorganisms?  How are all living organisms organized into six kingdoms?

What Will We Study?  CONTENT:  Human Body (STC)  How does our digestive system use chemicals and muscles to break down foods?  How do our respiratory and circulatory systems provide oxygen for our bodies?  How do our muscles and bones work together to move our bodies?

What Will We Study?  Genetics  How is genetic information stored in organisms?  How are genetic traits passed from generation to generation?  What is biotechnology and how does impact our lives?  What are the ethics involved in genetic research?

What Will We Study?  Biological Evolution  How do some genetic adaptations help organisms to survive in their environments?  What is extinction, and why does it occur?  What evidence exists that organisms change over time?  How can we account for the diversity of life?

What Will We Study?  Environmental Science  What are the components of an ecosystem?  How does energy flow through an ecosystem?  How are living (especially human) and nonliving factors changing our ecosystems?

What Will We Study?  CONTENT:  Weather and Water (FOSS)  What is the atmosphere made of?  How is heat transferred in the atmosphere, and how does this make air move?  What is the water cycle, and how does it influence weather and climate?

How Will We Study?  METHODS:  Investigating  Reading  Writing  Moving  Singing  Drawing  Discussing  Presenting

Class and School Rules  Prompt (in seat when class begins)  Polite (no profanity, good listening skills)  Productive (use class time well)  Prepared (have all supplies every day)  Proud (do your best work)

Other Class Policies  3 rd tardy is a detention, 7 th is a referral  Late homework is accepted for 60% credit  Students have two days for each day absent to make up work after an excused absence, with the exception of a long- term project

Interested in Volunteering?  Chaperone  One-on-one helper  Writing  Publishing documents  Assist in classroom experiments