WELCOME TO SCIENCE

Dear Students and Parents,

I would like to be the first to welcome you to 7th grade Secondary Science. In this course we will cover
several different aspects of Science and several standards including: Energy and Heat, Waves, Earths
Structures, Human Impact on the Earth, Genetics and Heredity, Evolution, Ecology, Nature of Science
and Biotechnology.
*Science books are consumables and will cost $65 for you to replace for your student if lost.
Parent and Student Resources
DCPS Website Focus Grade Portal: Please use this site to check your students grades on a
regular basis. One View is now up and running and available for students and parents.
Website: http://norrisscienceclass.weebly.com Online science book: NORRISSCIENCECLASS
Student Planner: Students will copy their class work and homework. Make sure to check!!!
Contact Information: E-mail mceldownea@duvalschools.org Phone 220-1350 ext 132
Conference Request 220-1350 ext 122
To make this course as interesting as possible, we will be exploring many different learning
techniques and activities. Points will be given based on the difficulty of each assignment. Types of
assignments that we will be doing in class include:
o Pre/Post Tests (100 points) Pre-Tests will be given at the beginning of each unit to establish
each students prior knowledge. Post Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will cover
questions that are similar to the Unit Pretest, Lesson Quizzes, and Benchmark Review.
o Projects (100 points) Projects are not often assigned. In most cases, we will complete the
projects in class but there is a chance that some projects will need to be completed at home. The
format for these assignments will be given when they are assigned to the students.
o Quizzes (50 points) Quizzes will be given at the end of each lesson and will cover information
from recent class work, homework and lessons.
o Labs (50 points, cannot make up assignment) Labs will occur throughout the year according to
the topic being discussed and the availability of significant labs and supplies. On these days,
students will be asked to bring (but not required) old shoes, shirts, and lab aprons to make sure
their regular clothing is not damaged by any of the chemicals and other materials being used in
the laboratory. Students must complete the lab write up in order to get credit for the lab. Lab is a
privilege! Inappropriate behavior during labs will cause for a one month suspension from lab.
An alternate assignment of equal value will be given in this circumstance.
o Centers (30 100+ points) Centers will occur throughout the year according to the topic
discussed. The idea behind the centers is that the students are in control of choosing which of the
possible center assignments they would like to complete. It will be the students responsibility to
complete the minimal required centers during the allotted class time.

o Homework (5 - 30 points) At the end of each lesson there is a lesson review that students must
complete for homework. Homework will be checked and graded in class or randomly collected
and graded. Additional homework may include additional homework questions or tasks,
studying, or finishing incomplete class work assignments.
o

Enrichment (5 30 points) These are various assignments will be given throughout the year to
enhance students knowledge on the topic at hand. The amount of points the assignments are
worth, grading criteria and other information will be given when the assignment is given.

o Folders (10 points) Students are required to have a three prong pocket folder or a 1 binder to
organize their work. Their A/B day binder will be acceptable. They will also be required to have
a composition notebook that must be kept in the front pocket of their folder/binder to be used as
a County suggested Interactive Notebook. Workbook pages may be torn out of the consumable
textbook as necessary and placed in the prongs of the folder. All assignments including exit slips
will be numbered and organized behind this information to track student understanding of
content. Dividers can be used to separate lessons but not required. The folders will be a tool
students will use to organize their work and study for quizzes and tests. Folders and Interactive
Notebooks will be randomly checked for completed work and organization.
o Exit Slips (5 points, cannot be made up if absent) Students will be required to answer questions
at the end of class. Their answer must be written down with their name on it and turned in before
leaving to go to the next class period.
o Note cards (extra credit) If 10 note cards that have been created by the student to help him or
her study for a quiz or 20 for a test, 5 points will be added onto the students assessment.
o Review (extra credit) Before each test, the class will be divided into groups in order to compete
for extra credit exam points by playing a Group Review game. The winning team will receive
5 points extra credit on the exam. Throughout the school year, Popsicle sticks with students
name can be randomly drawn for Individual Review. If the question is answered correctly, the
student could earn candy or extra credit. If the question is answered incorrectly, the student
could lose points from his or her grade.
o Extra Credit Extra credit assignments will be given throughout the year. One opportunity for
extra credit is a wish list that will be placed in the classroom for materials needed for labs and
activities. Each item is worth 5pts. Students can bring in no more than 4 items for extra credit
each nine weeks grading period. This is not a required assignment.
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I want to warn my students that this will not be an easy course. Each student will be responsible for
their own work and their own grade. I want my students to come away knowing the main concepts and
not just memorizing enough to get a passing grade. I look forward to a great year working together.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Norris
Please sign and return this document and the attached Lab Safety contract. This syllabus will be
returned to you for your own personal use. The safety contracts will be on file at the school.

Student Name:

Parent Signature: