Seventh Grade Science Syllabus

2009-2010

Ms. Griffis

 

 

Teacher: Ms. Griffis

Team 7B- Wildcats Co-Team Leader

Science

Phone; 859-381-4920 ext. 2311

email: lana.griffis@fayette.kyschools.us

 

         Welcome back to school!  I’m really looking forward to having you in class and can assure you that we are going to have a great year.  To ensure that we are able to accomplish

            our goals and be successful, it is important that we all follow the guidelines and procedures for this class.  Each of you is capable of learning at high levels, so make the

decision today that this is going to be your best year yet!

 

Units that we will be studying:

1.       Change Over Time- which will include the Earth’s Interior, Earth’s History, and Earth’s Surface.

2.      Interactions of Matter & Energy- which will include Earth’s Internal & External Energy Sources, Forms of Energy, and Energy’s Involvement in the Growth, Dying, &

Decay of Living Things.

3.      Forces at Work- which will include the concepts of Gravity, Acceleration, Straight-Line Motion, Unbalanced Forces, and Gravity’s Effect on the Earth & Moon.

4.      Properties of Matter- which will include Classifying & Comparing Elements and Compounds, as well as Understanding Physical & Chemical Properties of Substances.

5.      Reproduction & Heredity- which will include Unity & Diversity of Organisms, Mitosis & Meiosis, and Genetics.

6.      Ecosystems- lastly this unit will include studying Relationships among Populations & Ecosystems, such as Predation, Symbiosis, Food Webs, and Limiting Factors.

 

*A new syllabus will be distributed each grading period.

Change over time

Learner Outcomes: Students will be able to

  1. Name and describe the main types of landforms.

  2. Compare and contrast the four spheres that make up Earth’s Surface.

G 2-1 (denotes specific textbook that will be used)

  1. Identify what causes mechanical weathering.

  2. Identify what causes chemical weathering.

  3. Describe the factors that determine how fast weathering occurs.

G 3-1

  1. Describe the processes that wear down and build up (constructive/destructive) Earth’s surface.

  2. Identify the force that pulls rock & soil down slopes.

  3. Cite specific evidence of constructive and destructive forces in the state of Kentucky.

G 4-1

  1. Explain what fossils are and how most form.

  2. Describe what fossils tell about how organisms have changed over time.

  3. Identify and describe different types of fossils.

G 4-2

  1. Explain several ways that scientists determine the relative age of rocks.

  2. Summarize how geologists use index fossils to date rocks.

G 4-4

  1. Define the geologic time scale and be able to describe the major time spans in this scale and summarize its usefulness.

G 4-5

  1. Identify and summarize the major events in Earth’s geologic history.

  2. Identify and describe the major developments of life on Earth.

F 1-1

  1. Differentiate the characteristics of Earth’s crust, mantle, and core.

F 1-2

  1. Compare and contrast the various ways heat is transferred. (convection, conduction, & radiation)

  2. Summarize the causes of convection currents.

F 1-3

  1. Describe the theory of continental drift.

  2. Cite the evidence used by Alfred Wegener to form his theory and why other scientists rejected it.

F 1-4

  1. Summarize the theory of sea- floor spreading.

  2. Cite the evidence for sea-floor spreading.

  3. Explain and illustrate the process of subduction.

** Explain the theory of plate tectonics.

 

 

Required Materials:

Pencils, loose leaf paper, a three ring binder (1 1/2- 2 “), and an agenda

 

Grading:

                               Work is due at the beginning of class on the due date.  Taking a zero or choosing NOT to do an assignment IS NOT an option.  Missing assignments will be

completed  either during lunchtime or in after school detention.  If there are special circumstances, please talk to me and we will work out something.

                                                - Grades are based on the percentage of possible points earned by each student throughout the grading period.  Points are obtained from tests,

quizzes, labs, homework, class work, writing pieces, presentations, and web quests.

         Grading Scale                                         Weight of Grades

                         A= 92%-100%                                                                           Tests & Major Projects               50%

                         B= 83%-91%                                                                             Labs, Quizzes, & Writing Pieces  20%

C= 74%-82%                                                                                      Homework      15%            

                             D= 65%-73%                                                                              In Class Work                              10%

                          F= 64% and below                                                                    Daily Starters/Exit Slips              5%