MVMS

CURRICULUM:  Much of our learning takes place through exploration.  Basic skills of observing, collecting and recording data, inferring, predicting and hypothesizing, classifying, comparing and contrasting, measuring, analyzing and communicating are emphasized this year.  In addition, integrated technology and online resources take students beyond the classroom walls. 

 

Students are to come to class on time and prepared with two sharpened pencils, assignment notebook and binder.  Organizational skills are modeled and students are to keep their hand-outs and written work in order.  A master list of all work is posted in the classroom as is the location in the binder where each assignment is kept. 

 

TEXT BOOKS:  Students will be issued hard cover text books in term 2, 3 and 4 which should be kept at home for the duration of the unit.  In class copies of the books are shared.  Please be sure the text book is covered.  Any damaged or lost text books will need to be replaced. 

 

GRADING:  Students are assessed both formally and informally through observations, tests, and quizzes, performance tasks, projects, laboratory investigations and write-ups, class work, homework, notebook organization and oral and written communication.  The science curriculum is standards based and has measurable core objectives for each unit.  Students are assessed according to their level of mastery of the skills and concepts needed to meet the objectives.  Formative assessments evaluate the learning process and progress within a unit and allow students the opportunity to show improvement in understanding of material.   Summative assessments measure content understanding at the end of a unit.  Assignments handed in after a summative assessment will not be accepted.

 

HOMEWORK:  The purpose of homework assigned in this class is practice, review or preparation.  Homework is due in class the next time the class meets unless noted otherwise.  Late, short-term assignments are given partial credit for the first three days and then a zero unless the student has an excused absence.  This includes work left at home, in the locker or otherwise not in class.  The assignment is posted each morning and it is the responsibility of the student to copy it into the assignment notebook.  I will check and initial the assignment notebook on a daily basis for the first term.  Homework consists of both written and non-written work and should take no more than 25 minutes to complete.  Students spending more than this time on science assignments should stop at the end of 25 minutes and the parent/guardian should communicate this information to me via email.

 

ABSENCES:  If a student is absent, he/she is to take the responsibility to contact another student in class or the teacher for the assignment.  Making up missed class work is just as important as completing homework.  Work is to be made up as soon as possible.  Students should plan on attending homework club the day they return from an absence in order to check in with teachers and start to make up missed work.

 

HOMEWORK CLUB/EXTRA HELP:  Homework club is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (Friday by appointment only) from 2:30 until 3:00.  Students are encouraged to use this time to clarify understanding of content, improve organizational skills, begin homework, and make-up assignments.

 

Please contact me via email - callaghan.tawny@marbleheadschools.org if you have any concerns or questions. 

 

Tawny Callaghan

7th Grade Black Team Science Teacher