Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year.  I am so excited to be a part of your educational journey.  We will have so much fun learning about several sciences this year.  Before we do this, I would like to introduce myself.  I am Corey Burton.  My email is [email protected]   I have taught science since 2006 in Houston, Texas.  This is my third year teaching science in CCSD.  We will explore science activities in many ways.   While we might not know how the school year will be structured, we do know that we will need to conduct the classroom differently.  We must learn to work at home to supplement what we have learned and explored in class.  We will still learn together despite the school year looking so different.   

Hyde Park Middle School 21-22

Science 7 -- Course Description and Expectancies 

Mr. Burton- Room 809

Email: [email protected]

Science 7 and 6 Overview

Seventh grade follows Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Within the (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. Crosscutting Concepts, Science and Engineering Practices, and Disciplinary Core Ideas are the three dimensions. This one-year required course for seventh-grade students focuses on understanding Chemistry, Ecosystems, Earth Resources, and Geosciences. The National Research Council's (NRC) Framework describes a vision of what it means to be proficient in science; it rests on a view of science as a body of knowledge and an evidence-based, model and theory-building enterprise that continually extends, refines, and revises knowledge. Critical thinking, collaboration, accuracy, and communication skills will be practiced as students extend their scientific literacy. Instructional practices will incorporate the integration of diversity awareness, including appreciation of all cultures and their essential contributions to our society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course.

Course Goals:

• To conduct investigations showing how matter interacts at the atomic and molecular scales emphasizing the evidence of chemical reactions and the law of conservation of mass. [MS-PS1-1, MS-PS1-2, MS-PS1-3, MS-PS1-5]
• To implement the design process to investigate the release or absorption of thermal energy during chemical reactions. [MS-PS1-6, MS-ETS1-3, MS-ETS1-4]
• To develop and use models that show how matter and energy are cycled within an ecosystem through photosynthesis and cellular respiration. [MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, MS-LS2-3]
• To explain how resource availability, changes in an environment, and interactions among organisms affect populations in predictable patterns. [MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4]
• To evaluate solutions that consider scientific, economic, and social factors associated with preserving the environment. [MS-LS2-5, MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2]
• To explain how an uneven distribution of natural resources and human consumption patterns impact society and Earth’s systems. [MS-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-4]
• To model the cyclical flow of energy and matter involved in the formation of rocks and minerals. [MS-ESS2-1]
• To examine geological evidence explaining how the Earth has changed throughout its history using varying time and spatial scales. [MS-ESS1-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3]
• To use existing data of natural hazards to forecast catastrophic events and understand how the development of new technologies can mitigate their effects. [MS-ESS3-2]

Course Syllabus. The following syllabus provides an umbrella idea that we will be following throughout the year: 

• 1st Semester 
• Geology
• Types of Rocks
• Rock Formations
• The Rock Cycle
• Continental Drift and Plate Motion
• Chemistry
• Phase Changes

• 2nd Semester 
• Chemistry
• Phase Changes
• Chemical Reactions
• Ecology
• Populations and Resources
• Matter and Energy in Ecosystems

TEXTBOOK: Holt Science and Technology

Required Materials: 2-inch binder, pencils, colored pencils, composition notebook, loose leaf paper, erasers, Optional materials (I could use these) include sketchbook (to draw out our ideas), colors of all kinds we will use them, ruler (metric please) and whatever art supplies or old magazine you would like to donate to our classroom.  

Wish list/Donations: Materials much needed for the classroom (not required but much appreciated) 

Ream of copy paper, Expo Markers, Pencils, Hand sanitizer  

Kleenex Tissue, Paper towel, Clorox/Lysol wipes, Donations for lab supplies

STUDENT EVALUATION

Semester Grade Calculation: 

TEACHER AVAILABILITY/ OFFICE HOURS

It is important for the student, parent, and teacher to stay in close contact to ensure student success.  Parents with questions or concerns can contact me via email [email protected] through Canvas or calling the main office to reach my voicemail at 799-4260. 

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES/POLICIES

1. Students must keep a daily journal. Quizzes will be given the last day of each week on the work completed in the journal.  It is imperative that students keep their journal up-to-date.

1. Students will work extensively in pairs and larger groups for labs, projects, etc.  Lab scores are assessed for the entire group, not per individual student.  Therefore, positive, productive participation is essential to both individual and group success in this course.  

1. Basic rules of the English language, including spelling and grammar will be taken into account on all written work. 

1. Any infractions of classroom or school rules (gum, tardiness, etc.) may negatively impact the student’s citizenship grade.  

BEHAVIOR EXPECTANCIES:

1. Students must come to class prepared.
2. Students will respect each other and the teacher.
3. Students will listen and follow all directions.
4. Students must follow all laboratory safety requirements.

Students are required to follow behavior guidelines.  Any infractions of the rules will result in a warning, phone call home, counselor’s referral, and/or dean’s referral.  Behavior infractions will result in a reduced citizenship grade:

• 0-1 infractions = Outstanding

• 2-4 infractions = Satisfactory

• 5-7 infractions = Needs Improvement

• 8+ = Unsatisfactory

In addition, major infractions may result in an automatic lower citizenship grade.  Students who do not demonstrate proper lab safety will not be allowed to participate in the labs and will be given alternate assignments.

TARDY POLICY/ Progressive Discipline:

1. Verbal warning
2. Phone call to parents
3. Counselor referral
4. Dean referral (and subsequent progressive discipline by Deans for any future tardiness)

Attendance enforcement is a shared responsibility between the Clark County School District and the student’s parent or legal guardian. The parent, legal guardian, or other person in the State of Nevada having control or charge of any student is required to send the student to school during all times that the public school is in session (NRS 392.040). A student enrolled in grades six through twelve in a secondary school setting who misses more than thirty (30) minutes of the instructional period has missed an essential part of the learning experience. Therefore, for purposes of this regulation, a secondary student who is more than thirty minutes (30) late to any class period shall be counted absent from that class, and the teacher shall mark the roll book accordingly.

Academic Dishonesty Policy:  

• Major infractions such as cheating on an exam or plagiarism of a paper or project will result in the reduction of your citizenship grade to “u” (unsatisfactory). Exams may be retaken later at my convenience. Papers and projects will receive a grade of ‘F’.  
• Minor infractions such as copying homework or classroom assignments will result in a ‘warning’, a call will be made to your parents and you will receive an ‘F’ for the assignment. A reduction of your citizenship grade to “n” (needs improvement) will occur. 

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP:

Parents should check their child’s agenda often to see what we are learning in class, and if any homework has been assigned.  Parents can help students with homework, and quiz them to help ensure they are retaining information.  Parents can follow how their student is performing by checking Infinite Campus regularly.   Infinite Campus has real time grading, so if a student has late assignments or low grades, parents can help the student correct their deficiencies.

Citizenship Rubric

The contract portion of this form should be returned as soon as possible.

Please sign and return this last page only

STUDENT NAME: ___________________,  ____________________   _______

LAST FIRST   PER.

Students read and sign below: 

I have read and understand the above course document.  I agree to comply with 

all of the behavioral and academic standards.

______________________________________ _________________

Student Signature Date

Parents/Guardians read and sign below: 

I have read and understand the above course document.  I understand those 

sections dealing with makeup work and extra credit.  I have discussed the 

document with my child.

___________________________________________ _________________

Parent Signature Date

____________________________________________________________

Parent Email(s)

Please remove and return this page to Mr. Webb. Place the rest of the document in the front of your science binder.