1. 7 Epsilon Science with Mrs. Sarah Morrison slmorrison@mpsomaha.org “Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.” - Edwin Powell Hubble, The Nature of Science, 1954 Life Science:  Parts of Cells  Cellular Processes  Human Body Systems Physical Science:  Motion  Forces  Energy & Conduction  Thermal Energy/Heat Weather:  Water & the Atmosphere  Oceans & Weather  Climate What Will We Learn This Year? Supply List Science Notebook Folder Notecards Pen & pencil Colored pencils, other supplies as needed Classroom Expectations Respectful Safe Responsible Classroom Procedures Assume that you need ALL Materials DAILY! (Science notebook, folder, notecards, writing utensil, and textbook). Be seated with notebook and homework out when class begins. Complete assignments on time. Listen while others are speaking. Respect the opinions and property of your classmates and of Beadle. Clean up before leaving. Pearson Worktexts Students will receive four different textbooks throughout the school year, one for each of our four main units. The worktexts are interactive; they are designed to be written and highlighted in, and students are encouraged to do so. Each textbook will also be available online at pearsonsuccessnet.com. Students will use their school login to access the online textbook. Welcome to Seventh Grade Science! Dear Students and Parents, I am so very excited about the upcoming school year and the progress we will make working together as a team and a classroom community! We have an exciting curriculum planned. I know as students you will enjoy the different lab activities and projects we will be completing throughout the year. And parents, as you will see, the resources available to your child will provide a foundation for further learning in Science and other content areas. Thank you for taking the time to sit down together, read, and discuss the contents of our class syllabus. If you have any questions now or later in the year, please do not hesitate to ask. The best way to communicate your concerns to me is through email. I will respond to your emails within 24 hours, typically after school. I am not able to use class time to check or respond to emails. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives this year, Sarah Morrison

2. Homework You may expect various kinds of homework on a regular basis. In our classroom, homework is to be completed on time. It is due at the beginning of class, unless otherwise stated. Each day I will write what is due on the board. The assignments will also be posted online on the BMS homework site. When you are absent, you should check the BMS site, and upon your return you should see me for any materials or make-up tests/quizzes to complete. You may need to arrange a time before or after school to work with me, as it is difficult to learn everything taught during a class period on your own. It is your responsibility to set up a time to complete missed assignments, quizzes, or tests. As stated in the student school handbook, you will get one day for everyday you are absent in order to complete your work. If there is a larger problem, please come and see me, and we can discuss further options. All assignments must be legible. If I can’t read it, then it will have to be redone. Work may be completed in your handwriting or on a word processor. Remember all your schoolwork must be appropriate. Work that is inappropriate in word or idea, work that involves plagiarism (putting your name on someone else’s exact words), or is hurtful to others will be returned to you with no credit earned, and must be redone for credit. Last minute extra credit assignments (especially right before report cards) will not be given to make up prior missing work or change a grade. Students will be given one textbook for each unit. Each student is responsible for keeping track of his or her own textbook. If no homework is given on a particular day, students should be studying their vocabulary flashcards at home. “What is a scientist after all? It is a curious [person] looking through a keyhole, the keyhold of nature, trying to know what’s going on.” -Jacques Yves Cousteau Need help? I am available during your GSP time, before school, and after school until 3:30, except on Friday afternoons. Please come talk to me when you need help or further clarification! I can give you a pass ahead of time, if needed. “Bad times have a scientific value. These are occasions a good learner would not miss.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Grading Procedures We will have a variety of opportunities to earn grades, including daily assignments, weekly vocabulary quizzes, unit tests, labs, and projects. Some assignments are provided for students to practice new learning and may not be worth points in the grade book. Other assignments, including tests, projects, and quizzes, are considered opportunities for students to apply their knowledge for a grade. If students discuss retaking a test or redoing an assignment with Mrs. Morrison and demonstrate additional learning, then their grade will be changed to reflect their new learning. All grades are posted on the parent accessible online grade book, Infinite Campus. Students are encouraged to check their grades regularly to ensure they are in good standing. Every effort is made to keep IC up-to-date; however, if we have a particularly busy week, the grade book will for certain be complete before Friday. Grading Scale We use the district- wide grading scale: 1 = 93-100% 2 = 85-92% 3 = 77-84% 4 = 69-76% 5 = 68% and below Check IC and the homework hotline!