7th Grade Integrated Science 2014-2015

(Honors & Regular)

Ms. Holly Henderson, MS
Room 309
Olympus Junior High
Contact Inform ation : hbhenderson@graniteschools.org

Please email me directly, preferably not through Canvas

W ebsite: www.sciencewithmissh.com

**Please bookmark this website! This will have ALL class info!**
Canvas will mostly be used for announcements and grades can be found in Gradebook
Parent/Student Meetings:
If parents/guardians and students need to meet with me, we can schedule a time before or after school

W elcome to 7 th Grade Science! This course will integrate the Life, Physical, and Earth Sciences through a variety of
methods including (but not limited to): direct instruction, hands-on activities, laboratory experiments, reading and writing, group
discussion, arts/craft projects, and research projects. Students are expected to come to class each day and begin working on
starters written on the front board. I believe science is best learned through experience, so expect to play with science while we
learn all our interesting concepts throughout the year.
Both students and parents/guardians: please stay up-to-date through my class website and Gradebook. I will use Canvas primarily
for announcements only, however any other items that students may need to utilize in Canvas will be discussed if needed.
My expectation is that students and/or parents/guardians check Gradebook and the class website at least once a week. It is
important that parents/guardians stay informed and involved with their students progress. Parents, please feel free to contact me
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with concerns, however, I expect my 7 grade students to learn to assume the responsibility to speak to me directly concerning
grades or other issues.
In my class respect for me, each other, the classroom, the school, and especially yourself are expected.
Class rules will be discussed and posted in class. My classroom adheres to school policies. The main items are as follows:
Behavior
o Disciplinary action will follow classroom and school policies
o Citizenship grades will be awarded based on attendance, participation, respectfulness, and responsibility

Attendance
o You must be SEATED when the bell rings to avoid a tardy
o 5 or more tardies will result in a 0 for citizenship; 3 or more tardies will result in no more than a 3
o Students need to be in school as much as possible! This material is difficult to learn if you arent here!

Class conduct
o Students will not disturb the education of their peers
o Cell phones and other electronics are NOT allowed in class unless otherwise specified
o Any cheating, plagiarism, or copying of assignments will be addressed and parents/guardians will be
notified; this behavior may result in a ZERO on the test, assignment, or project

Disciplinary Actions:
o 1. Student will be notified in class of misbehavior by teacher, possibly receive a hall break
o 2. Student will be asked to stay after class/school to discuss with teacher
o 3. Student and teacher form a contract to address behavior (may or may not include parents/guardians)
o 4. Student, parent/guardians, and teacher have a meeting to discuss how to best address behavior
o 5. School administration will be included in discussions about the ongoing behavior issue
o *Please note that students behavior is dealt with on an individual basis and may require school
administration involvement due to severity or school policy.

General Attendance:
Students cannot fully learn and experience the material if they are not in class! Attendance is essential for a student to be successful.
However, a handful (1-3) of excused absences in a quarter due illness, family or personal concerns, etc. will not dramatically impact
a students learning. (To ensure students and parents/guardians have read this disclosure thoroughly, if you (the student) put a slip
of paper (keep it small!) with your first and last name and period number in the red basket on my desk, you will automatically
receive 5 bonus points!) Please know any material or assignments missed due to excused absences will be given time to be made up.
If students and parents/guardians know a student will be absent for any number of days, notification would be greatly appreciated!
Most importantly, please be at school in order so I can help you to be as successful as possible!

Grading:
Grades will be determined by the percentage of points earned through starters, homework assignments (expect almost daily),
reading and writing assignments, quizzes, lab activities, in-class participation, and tests. A list of homework assignments will be
regularly updated and available through my class website. Grades will be maintained through Gradebook, and I will do my best to
update grades weekly.

Grade Scale:


A = 93-100%
B+ = 87-89%
C+ = 77-79%
D+ = 67-69%
F = 59% and below


A- = 90-95%
B = 83-86%
C = 73-76%
D = 63-66%




B- = 80-82%
C- = 70-72%
D- = 60-62%

Citizenship:
Students citizenship grades will be awarded according to teacher and school policies. A students grade is based on behavior,
attendance, punctuality, preparedness, and participation. All students will be defaulted to a 2 Satisfactory at midterms unless a
students citizenship is less than 2. The following requirements for each citizenship grade are as follows:

2 = Satisfactory:
4 = Honors:
Minimal tardies (1-3); minimal unexcused absences (1-2)
Zero tardies and zero unexcused absences
Minimal excused absences (1-5), unless severe medical or
Minimal excused absences (1-3), unless severe medical or
family issue

family issue
Some late assignments (2-3)
Zero to minimal (1-2) late assignments, no missing work
Works well with others in class and attempts to stay on
Works to include all students and does not just work with
task


friends
Mostly responsible for him/herself and work area in the

Shows positive leadership in class
classroom

Works to assist in the community of the classroom (i.e.


1 = Poor:
helps to clean up the whole classroom after a lab, not just

4 tardies and/or more than 2 unexcused absences
his/her lab groups m aterials)

Excessive excused absences (more than 5), unless severe


medical or family issue
3 = Good:
Several missing or late assignments (more than 3)
No m ore than 1 tardy and zero unexcused absences
Disruptive influence that requires teacher intervention
Minimal excused absences (1-5), unless severe medical or
Irresponsible for him/herself and work area in the
family issue

classroom
Zero to minimal (1-2) late assignments, no missing work
Works well with others in class and stays on task
0 = Failure
Minimal excused absences (1-5), unless sever medical or
More than 5 tardies and/or more than 3 unexcused

family issue
absences

Responsible for him/herself and work area in the
Excessive excused absences (more than 5), unless severe

classroom
medical or family issue

Several missing or late assignments (more than 5)

Disruptive influence that does not improve with teacher

intervention

Irresponsible for him/herself and work area in classroom

Defiant of teacher and school policies

M ake-Up Work:
Students with excused absences or tardies will have the opportunity to make up work or tests missed from class. Students will have
two days to make up work upon returning to school. After two days, any work will be considered late. It is the students
responsibility to approach Ms. Henderson to discuss any makeup work.

Late Work:
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Regular 7 Grade Integrated Science:

All late work will be deducted by 50%. All late work must be turned in the Friday before the last week of the quarter; late work will
not be accepted after this date in each quarter. I will remind students before these dates arrive.
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Honors 7 Grade Integrated Science:
All late work will be deducted by 50%. All late work must be turned within one week of the original due date; late work will not be
accepted after this time for each assignment. Students need to be sure they stay up-to-date with their work on a weekly basis.

**Please note that if a student is absent, he/she has two days upon returning to makeup work, after this time it is considered late.
Please check the While You Were Out basket for your missing work. If you have further questions please speak with me
immediately!

Extra Credit:
If a student feels he/she need extra points and has ZERO MISSING WORK, he/she may do extra credit. ONE assignment of extra
credit will be at my discretion at the end of each quarter.

Technology in the Classroom :

Our class has a digital student-response system, also known as clickers. During your class period, you will be responsible for your
clicker. These are sturdy pieces of technology, however they are expensive! If a student uses a clicker inappropriately, he/she may
be disallowed from using it. If a student purposefully breaks or damages the clicker, the student and parents/guardians will be asked
to replace the clicker for $40. This system is a valuable tool to engage students and assess student learning. On the disclosure
response form, you will be asked to agree to replace a purposefully broken or damaged clicker. If you do not agree, please finish
filling out the disclosure response form and email directly concerning the issue.

M aterials Required for 7 th Grade Science:

nd

Please have the following by Monday of the second week (September 2 )

A bound composition (NOT SPIRAL PLEASE!) for in class laboratory observations, writing exercises, etc.
(This will be handed in for grading)
0.5 three ring binder (This will be checked for grading) (This will be for science only!)
Lined loose-leaf paper
You may have a folder in your binder for loose handouts
Writing implements (pencils, pens with blue or black ink ONLY, I cant read hot pink or highlighter yellow!)
Other materials may be requested for in class activities as the year progresses
*Please stay organized! Whatever or however you need to do to stay organized, do it!*
If you wish to make a small contribution to our classroom it would be greatly appreciated! Here are some items that we
always are in need of:
Boxes of tissues
Bottles of Elmers glue
Glue sticks
Small golf pencils (given to students who forget a pencil!)
Extra composition notebooks
White copy paper (8.5x11)
Extra loose leaf paper
Manila folders
Expo markers (assorted colors) and dry erasers

Any or all of these items are very much appreciated! But your lovely presence in class is most important!

Textbook:
This years textbook will be a workbook that students will take home. I may assign homework from this workbook intermittently,
but the workbook can stay at home. I will also assign readings and other reference material from class and online as we go through
the school year.

Laboratory Safety:
Science is a hands-on learning experience, and we will be performing laboratory activities throughout the year. However, students
and my safety is of the utmost importance during these activities. Safety rules will be discussed and listed in class. By signing this
disclosure and participating in class, students agree to follow all safety rules in order to participate in all labs and activities.

To sign this form, please go to my website:

www.sciencewithmissh.com

Locate the Class Info & Disclosure tab

Fill out the online form with the correct information (You can find this form on the class Canvas page as well)
If, for whatever reason, you cannot access internet to fill out the form for this disclosure, both sign below in the blank area
and provide contact info (phone and/or email); have student return the information to me directly

By electronically signing my disclosure agreement both student and parent(s)/guardian(s) agree to the following:

We have read, understand, and agree to follow the rules and guidelines described in the disclosure statement
Student has understands and agrees to adhere to all lab safety rules at all times.
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Students who have completed the Disclosure Form response by Friday August 29 will receive 10 points in their grade

Any late responses will not receive 10 points, however even after the above date, please fill out the information!
I look forward to a wonderful year with you all!

Sincerely, Ms. H