Ms.

Phillips
7th Grade Life Science Syllabus
Lathrop Intermediate School
Course Description: The 7th grade science program is a process oriented, performance based,
approach to life science which encourages the ability to think critically, to solve problems and to
demonstrate an understanding of basic life science concepts. The middle school life science
course is designed to give all students an overview of common strands in life science including
but not limited to the function of living things, cell theory, genetics, evolution by means of
natural selection, structure and function of plants and the human body systems including
reproduction and embryonic developments.
Content will follow the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core Standards.
The textbook is Life Science, California Edition, Holt, Reinhart and Winston, 2007.
The workbook is Interactive Reader and Study Guide, Holt, Reinhart and Winston, 2007.
Students participate in hands on science inquiry labs. Supplementary materials including science
videos, newspaper and science articles, and internet resources will be used in all units of study.
Materials Needed for Class
Chromebook
Agenda
Spiral Notebook to become Daily Science Journal (DSJ)
Pencils, red and blue pens, erasers,
Colored pencils and highlighter
Glue stick(s)
Scotch tape
Assessments will be announced one week in advance. Quizzes will be given to assess student
understanding throughout the unit. Classwork and homework are to be kept in the Daily Science
Journal. Student must bring their Chromebooks to class every day. Daily Science Journal will
constitute part of the 45% class work component of student grade.

Classroom expectations
It is the responsibility of everyone in the classroom to help create and maintain a positive
learning environment. Students are expected to be respectful to classmates, teachers, and staff
personnel, be present, on time for class, and have the needed materials.
Compensatory Assignments
Students are expected to be in class every day that school is in session. When a student is not in
class, he/she will have an equal number days to make up the work as the number of days missed.
Expectation is that students will turn in work on time. Late work will not be accepted five school
days past the end of the appropriate unit.

Grading Policy
Students earn grades based on the following percent scale:
A = 100-90%
B = 89- 80%
C = 79- 70%
D = 69- 60%
F = 59 and lower
Assessments (Formative and Summative) 30%
Student Work (Class work, homework and labs) 50%
Participation 20%

7th Grade Curriculum

Unit Number
Unit 1
(6 weeks)
Unit 2
(9 weeks)
Unit 3
(3 weeks)
Unit 4
(3 weeks)
Unit 5
(4 weeks)

Unit 6
(8 weeks)

Title

Big Idea

Structure, function, and information

processing

The structures of organisms

contribute to lifes functions.

Growth, development, and reproduction

of organisms

Organisms grow, develop, and

reproduce.

Engineering: design process (robotic

hand)

A system, such as bionic hand, has

parts that work together to
complete a task.

Matter and energy in organisms and

ecosystems

Organisms obtain and use matter

and energy, which move through
an ecosystem.

Interdependent relationships in
ecosystems

Organisms interact with other

organisms in an ecosystem.

Biological Evolution: Natural selection

and adaptations

Genetic variation among

organisms in a species combined
with changes in the environment
effect survival and reproduction.

Human Reproduction

Organisms grow, develop, and

reproduce.

Unit 7
(2 weeks)

Contact information

I am available to meet with students and/or parents before and after school and during second or
fifth period. Email contact: Nicole.Phillips@sausd.us if you would like to set up an appointment
to discuss any questions or concerns. You can also check your childs grades through the Aries
Grading program on the districts web site: http://www.sausd.k12.ca.us/sausd/site/default.asp