General Course Overview

7^th Grade Science 2020-21

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am your student’s science teacher at James Monroe Middle School this year. I would like to welcome your student and explain how I run my class. I am looking forward to a wonderful year! It is our goal at JMMS to develop activities which promote problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and to deliver skills and knowledge they will utilize throughout the course of their lives. Your child will have the opportunity to experiment with diverse materials and equipment, including mock forensic labs and medical scenarios later in the year.

This blog site is designed for students and parents to access throughout the year. The most commonly asked questions and concerns you may have such as how I teach, class expectations, schedules, how emergencies are addressed, and more are addressed in posts throughout this blog, and I've posted them in English and Spanish. You'll also find links to other websites that hold a gold mine of information regarding what we're currently studying, as well as sites designed to help parents and students with topics related to Social and Emotional Learning. Please always feel free to contact me at my email (david.williams@aps.com) if you don't see the answer you need in the following posts. 

Course Description: This course will include Life, Earth, and Physical Science. The course is designed to provide the background students need to understand science, and to build a foundation to help guide them toward the concepts they will encounter in high school and throughout their lives. The major topics covered will include:

• ·         Scientific Method
• ·         Metric System
• ·         Chemical Reactions
• ·         Metabolic Reactions in Organisms
• ·         Evolution
• ·         Ecosystem Reactions
• ·         Matter and Energy
• ·         Earth Resources
• ·         Climate Change

Note: We will begin the school year on the topics of Scientific Method, Metric System, and Ecology, as all three of these topics will be recurring themes throughout the year.

Supplies:

·         3 ring binder or spiral notebook labeled with your student’s name and SCIENCE on the front. Fun student-created art on science journals is encouraged and appreciated.

·         At least one dry-erase marker

·         Pens, Pencils

Grading:

Your child will be expected to copy assignments into his/her Science Notebook each day. Homework will generally only be required when an assignment cannot be completed during the class period.

Science textbooks will not be checked out this year. We will use texts periodically in the classroom, or when a student needs to make up work after an absence. 

Late work is accepted until one week before the end of a term. I’d rather a student do the work eventually than never do it at all. That said, I will hold a class discussion on the topic of waiting until the last minute (and the stress this causes).  We’re teaching responsibility and effective learning strategies right alongside science.

In the event of an excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with me and arrange to complete missed assignments and/or make up missed quizzes and tests. I want your student to learn the concepts and make stellar grades, and I’ll work with anyone who is trying.

I will offer extensive in-class reviews for each quiz or test (no pop quizzes), and I will post a rubric online and at the front of the classroom for every class project. Every student who makes below an A on any given assignment or exam will be afforded the opportunity to resubmit the assignment or take a makeup test. Your student can literally come in every day (with an appointment) to take makeup tests if needed. I will happily tutor anyone struggling with the concepts we’re learning in class. Sometimes just a few extra minutes one-on-one can make all the difference.

Class participation carries the same weight as an exam in a student’s overall grade. Class participation will be based on performing classroom assignments, working as a team member on group projects, and not disrupting the class.

I don’t offer extra credit assignments because there are so many opportunities to re-submit projects and retake exams.

Communication: Parents and Guardians are the most important people in a child’s life, and I look forward to working with each of you for the benefit of your child. I ask for your support in the academic, homework, and discipline efforts here at school You may call and leave a message at my school number ((505) 897-0101, ext. ????), although I only check voice mail once per day. I check e-mail 2-3 times each school day, and I can often respond more quickly to this form of communication. My e-mail is david.williams@aps.edu.

I absolutely value your input, especially as it applies to making my classroom more welcoming, productive, and/or safe. Please always feel empowered to reach out to me with any comments, concerns, compliments, or ideas for volunteering. Parent involvement equates to higher attendance and grades, better morale, and safer campuses.

My prep period is during second period (see below the survey for the James Monroe Bell Schedule). Second period is generally when I return phone calls and e-mails. I can also meet with you and/or your student by appointment during this time. Also, I am routinely at school by 7:15 am. I am always happy to meet with you and/or your student by appointment in person or by phone during that time. I am generally busy with athletics after school, and thus I am rarely free to meet at the end of the day.

I’m always happy to tutor or give a makeup test. Prep time (second period) and the hour before school is generally when I am available to tutor your student or give a makeup test. Again, it’s best if you or your student make an appointment, as I often schedule meetings in other parts of the building during those times.