Welcome to 7th Grade Science

Pamela J. Carley

•Wilson High School – Class of 1976•Duke University – BS Zoology – 1980•Tulpehocken HS - Biology - 1980-1981•Wilson Southern 1981 - Present

7th Grade Science

1st Semester Energy, Machines, and Motion

2nd SemesterEarth in Space

Please look in your child’s science notebook (page 2) or on my website for

the course of study.

Textbooks

Classroom set of textbooks for classroom work.

You may access the eBook from home. Please find the student access code on my website.

All worksheets may be accessed from my website.

Homework

Students are required to write their homework in their handbook.

All worksheets handed out in class may be accessed from my website.

Homework is also posted on Homework Hotline and on my website.

Classroom Expectations

Please see your child’s science notebook (page 3).

Be prepared, respectful, and responsible.

Be organized. Review notebook nightly. Ask questions!

Grading

Summative Assessments 55% Other 35% Inquiries Reading/Writing Prompts Notebook Homework 10%

Summative Assessment Re-Take Policy is on my Classroom Expectations WS (page 3).

What can you do as a parent?

Provide a quiet place for doing homework.

Encourage your child to do his/her best.

Look in the backpack/handbook. Help your child study for summative

assessments. Please contact me if you have

questions or concerns.

Inquiry Based Science Learning Cycle

FOCUS: What do students already know about this

topic? New goals are developed for learning through brainstorming and discussion.

EXPLORE: Students engage in hands-on exploration

that builds upon their previous knowledge.

REFLECT: Students analyze the data collected, review

original ideas and provide evidence for their observations.

APPLY: Apply the recently developed understanding of

science concepts to new situations.

Writing a Scientific Explanation

CLAIM: The answer to the original question.

EVIDENCE: The scientific data from the investigation that supports the claim.

REASONING: An explanation that links the claim and evidence

An Example

Question: What is the shape of the Earth?

Claim: The Earth is round.

Evidence: During a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes between the Sun and the moon. The Earth casts a shadow over the moon. The shadow is curved.

Reasoning: The Earth must be round or it would not cast a curved shadow during a lunar eclipse.

Contact Information

Please do not hesitate to contact me:

carpam@wilsonsd.orgor

610-670-0180 ext. 4417

I hope your child has a successful 7th grade year!