7th GRADE SCIENCE – COURSE SYLLABUS

ODYSSEY CHARTER SCHOOL

 

Instructor:        Mr. John Giacobbe, MA, BS, RPA

Contacts:          voice: 321.345.4117                                                       webpage: http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg

school email: giacobbej@odysseycharterschool.com      home email: jgiacobbe@nakedscience.org

 

Success in Class is Based on the Following:

Grading Scale:

Ø  Science Journals/Bell-Work/Notebook (5%)

o    A = 90 – 100%

Ø  Lab Work (30%)

o    B = 80 – 89%         

Ø  Daily & Homework Assignments (25%)

o    C = 70 – 79%

Ø  Unit Tests & Semester Exams (25%)

o    D = 60 – 69%                  (Failing – No Credit)

Ø  Term Research Proposal (5%)

o    F = 59% and below         (Failing – No Credit)

Ø  Scientific Inquiry Skills (10%)

 

 

Course Goals and Objectives: By the end of the course each student will understand:

 

Note Taking: To pass this course you will need to learn how to take notes. This should include a 3-ring binder to record your science journals, Latin vocabulary, lab illustrations, handouts, lab notes, daily lecture notes, and anything else you think might be important. I suggest that you KEEP EVERYTHING! All assessments are based on notes taken during class.

            Assessments may come at any time, so you must always come to class prepared.

 

Late Work: Unacceptable at this stage. One day means a “B”, two days a “C,” three days an “F”

 

Progress Reports: Progress reports are given out every week. Every second week they must be returned signed. If you do not receive a progress report, you can always email or ask me for a copy, or print them from PowerSchool.

 

Labs: We will complete many labs over the course of this class. Labs are a vital part of learning science and developing thinking skills. Participation in labs is required by all students, and is a huge part of your grade.

***Labs cannot be redone or made-up, and the only make-up option is to write a four page essay, on a topic I assign,

WHICH YOU WILL HATE.

 

 

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Procedures, Rules, and How to Stay a Shiny, Happy Student with a Shiny, Happy Teacher!

 

 

Classroom Procedures: You know this stuff.

            Honesty: Don’t cheat and don’t plagiarize. Truly dreadful things will happen to you if you do.

            Cell Phones, IPods, etc.: Not unless you are given permission. NEVER let me see one during my lectures

and note taking. Seriously, don’t.

            Respect: Everything else comes under the heading of respect, so show it to both your teacher and fellow

                        students.

 

Classroom Consequences:

            1st Offense – Verbal Warning – Stop Doing That!

            2nd Offense – Loss of Participation Points for the Day and a Phone Call Home –I’m sorry to inform you that

                         your lovely child isn’t so lovely

            3rd Offense – Visit with the Dean, Loss of Privileges, Suspension, and/or Dismemberment

7th Grade Science - Course Outline

 

1:  The Practice of Science

 

2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

 

3. The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models

 

4. Forms of Energy

 

5. Energy Transfer and Transformations

 

6. Earth Structures

 

7. Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms

 

8. Heredity and Reproduction

 

9. The Interdependence of all Organisms

 

 

 

 

 

Science Prefix Vocabulary List – You Should Totally Memorize These Now:

 

A-                           not or without                                                   Hetero-                                different

Ante-                    in front; before                                                                 Homo-                  alike; same

Anti-                      against; opposed to                                       Hydro-                  water

Aqua-                    water                                                                    Hyper-                  more than; above

Auto-                    self                                                                         Hypo-                    under; less than

Bi-                           two                                                                        Inter-                    between; together

Bio-                        life; living                                                             Iso-                        equal

Di-                          two                                                                        Macro-                                 large

Co-                         together; with                                                   Micro-                   small

Cyto-                     relating to a cell                                                Mono-                  one

Eco-                       relating to the environment                        Multi-                    many

Ecto-                      outer; external                                                  Photo-                  light

Endo-                    inside; inner                                                        Poly-                      many

Ex-                          outside; away from                                        Pseudo-               false

Exo-                       outside; Out of                                                  Un-                        opposite of; contrary to

 

Lab Report Template -Keep For Your Reference:

 

Title and Cover Page:

            * a brief, concise, yet descriptive Title, Your Name(s), Instructor, Date, Institution

Statement of the Problem:

            * What question(s) are you trying to answer?
            * Include any preliminary observations or background information about the subject

Hypothesis:

            * Write a possible solution for the problem.
            * Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.
            * Make sure the statement is testable.

Materials:

            * Make a list of ALL items used in the lab.

Procedure:

            * Write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab.
            * Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could repeat the experiment.

Results (Data):

            * This section should include any data tables, observations, or additional notes you make during the lab.
            * You may attach a separate sheet(s) if necessary.
            * All tables, graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately

Conclusions:

            * Accept or reject your hypothesis.
            * EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using data from the lab.
            * Include a summary of the data - averages, highest, lowest.. etc. to help the reader understand your results
            * List one thing you learned and describe how it applies to a real-life situation.
            *Discuss possible errors that could have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental errors)

 

 

Mr. G’s Science Department Web World

 

Web Page:                http://www.nakedscience.org/mrg/index.html

Science Blog:          http://nakedscience.blogspot.com/

Email:                        School Email: giacobbej@odysseycharterschool.com

            Home Email: jgiacobbe@nakedscience.org

 

We have a significant web presence that you should take advantage of. This includes: a web page with class notes, assignments, and old exams; a Science Blog, with extra credit assignments and interesting links posted every week; and an email newsletter, outlining what we are doing in each class each week and detailing upcoming labs, activities, and field trips.

 

Please send me an email address so I can add you to the list!

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

John Giacobbe

 

 

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7th GRADE SCIENCE – Review & Understanding of the Syllabus

(must be signed by parent/guardian and student)

 

 

Student Signature: __________________________  Date: ________________________

 

 

Student Name (print): __________________________         

 

 

Student email (optional): __________________________    

 

 

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________Date: _______________________

 

 

Parent/Guardian Name (print): __________________________     

 

 

Parent/Guardian email (optional): __________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Science Safety Agreement

 

Scientists know they must work safely when doing experiments. As a student scientist, you need to be careful when doing science activities, too. Please review the following safety rules with your parents/guardians and have both sign the safety agreement. Return the form by the end of the first week of class so that you can start experiencing the exciting hands-on activities we have planned this year.

 

v  Safety apparel (goggles and aprons) will be worn for as long as you are in the lab when specified by the instructor.

v  When alcohol or other burners are being used by anyone in the lab, long hair will be tied back. Long hanging necklaces, heavy jewelry, and bulky jackets and sweaters should be removed. Keep burners toward the middle of the lab tables. Use tongs and/or protective gloves to handle hot objects. Never reach across an open flame or burner. Hot glass looks just like cold glass!

v  There will be no gum, no eating or drinking of any kind in the lab. Yucky stuff goes on in there!

v  Never taste chemicals/specimens or smell them directly. Avoid touching chemicals as much as possible.

v  Activities will be done only as instructed with the specified amounts of materials.

v  Proper procedures for handling all equipment and any additional safety precautions, which are discussed for specific labs, will be followed.

v  Never leave an activity unattended unless instructed to do so.

v  Horseplay or other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. One incident and you’re out!

v  Report all accidents to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.

v  Do not remove any materials or equipment from the lab without the teacher’s permission.

v  After completing an activity, all equipment should be put away and materials should be disposed of as directed. Remember, the sinks are not trashcans. Before leaving the room, each work area will be cleaned.

 

I agree to follow the Science safety rules.

 

________________________________________

Student Signature

 

I have read and discussed this safety agreement with my child. I am aware that failure to follow these guidelines may result in a failing grade for the activity and/or disciplinary action.

 

________________________________________

Acknowledgment by Parents/Guardians of Safety Rules

 

My child has the following needs that should be considered during some Science activities:

 

My child wears glasses:                  □Yes                         □No

My child is colorblind:                     □Yes                         □No

My child has allergies:                    □Yes                         □No

 

My child is allergic to:

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

My child has (other):

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