7

th
Gr. Life Science Syllabus
Mrs. Washington

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Alice Deal Middle School
3815 Fort Drive NW ! Washington, DC 20016


Phone: (202) 939-2010 FAX: (202) 282-1116






"Home of the Vikings

Mrs. Washington
7
th
grade Life Science
Room: W 200



Dear Parents and Students:
7
th
grade Life Science at Alice Deal Middle School is a year-long course, which focuses on both content as well as
developing scientific learners through the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP). I strongly believe that
learning should be hands-on with peer interaction and teacher/student led discussions, while using the textbook, lectures and
other supplementary materials to guide us through a year full of fun and rigorous science. My primary goal is to help your child
understand and meet the District of Columbia content standards, thus preparing him/her for future successes in the school years
to come.

Throughout this school year your child will be given the opportunity to navigate through new interesting scientific topics
while using inquiry and investigative skills to find their own understanding of todays scientific developments. Your child will also
have access to several types of science reading materials (i.e. textbooks, Science-based magazines) where they will begin to
develop a strong scientific vocabulary. These are all considered high priority activities during this year of science. Attached is
classroom information that is important for you childs success in Life Science. Please take time to read the following pages with
your child, so that you and your child understand what is expected of them this year.


Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments and/or concerns. I look forward to working with both
you and your child, in order to make this a great year of learning in Life Science.









Respectfully,











Mrs. Washington
Team Sparta E-Mail: dealspartans@gmail.com
**Note: If your e-mail relates to Life Science please put Mrs. Washington or Life Science in the subject line. Thank you!





7
th
Gr. Life Science Syllabus
Mrs. Washington

LIFE SCIENCE: 7
th
Grade Topics Covered
Science in grade 7 focuses on biology, the branch of science that studies living things. Major topics covered by grade 7 standards include, but
not limited to:

Scientific Thinking and Inquiry A way that scientists ask questions, form theories about the natural world, and collect accurate
information to find the answers.


Science and Technology Using what we know of the natural world to solve problems or meet our needs. For example, we use natural
laws to build tools that help us do work.


Biological Classification How scientists group living things according to shared physical characteristics.


Cell Biology The structures, functions, processes, and cycles of the activities of cells.


Genetics The study of traits and variations, such as hair or eye color, and how these are passed from one generation to another.


Biological Evolution How living things develop from earlier forms of life and how different organisms develop from changes in
genetic material.



The Human Body The study of the body and its parts, how they develop, and how they work together.



Ecology The relationships between living things and between living things and their environment.

All 7
th
grade students will complete a Science Project during the 1
st
and 2
nd
advisories.
More information regarding the Science Project will be sent home at a later date.




























7
th
Gr. Life Science Syllabus
Mrs. Washington

CLASSROOM INFORMATION
I. DAILY CLASSROOM PROCEDURE
A. Bring required materials with you every day.
B. You must be in the classroom and in your assigned seat BEFORE the bell rings. Upon entering the classroom each
day, copy the homework assignment on the board in your Agenda Book. Once the bell has rung you should be quietly
working on the Warm-Up in your warm-up journal. You should have on your desk your science Interactive Notebook, a
pencil/pen and the assignment we are working on. Returned papers should be put into the appointed section in your 3-
ring binder.
C. Listen to and follow the instructions for the day.
D. Students who were absent must check the Absent Folder for his/her missed assignment. One make-up day will be
allowed for each day of excused absence, unless other arrangements have been made. NO LATE work will be accepted
(from students who were present on day of assigned work).


II. CLASSROOM RULES
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Raise your hand and not your voice, and wait for permission to speak.
3. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to do otherwise.
4. Be prepared for each class meeting.
5. Respect yourself and others.
6. FOOD & DRINK POLICY There is absolutely NO eating during class time. Bottled water is acceptable.


III. GRADING POLICY (located on the back of this sheet)


Science Notebook (Interactive Notebook) Each student will need a Spiral notebook/composition notebook for class notes,
homework, labs and other in/out of class assignments. These notebooks are to be brought to class everyday and they will be
graded throughout the year.


Homework and Classwork - In order to make sure many of the newly learned skills are mastered, homework will be assigned at
least two-three times a week. Your support in making sure that your childs assignments are completed is greatly appreciated.
Laboratory experiences will be at least 2-4 times each month and at least 1 project will be assigned each term.


Tests and Quizzes Students will be given quizzes and tests on each unit we cover. If a student is absent the day of the quiz or
test, he/she must make up that quiz/test before the end of the school day upon his/her return.

Discipline Student self-discipline and respect for the class and fellow classmates is key to a successful school year. Every
student is expected to follow the classroom rules and to use them as a guide for their behavior. A classroom behavior plan will be
sent home for you and your child to read, sign and return. Parents, teachers and students working together, encouraging,
supporting and respecting each other will help all students learn and achieve to the very best of their abilities.

IV. REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR LIFE SCIENCE
1. Spiral or composition notebook to be used solely for Life Science (70 or more pages)
2. Two or more pencils
3. Black or Blue ink pens
4. Loose lined paper to be kept in your binder







7
th
Gr. Life Science Syllabus
Mrs. Washington

STANDARD-BASED GRADING POLICY
The following proportions will be used to grade students:

GRADE WEIGHT
1. Classroom-based 80%
These are assignments that specifically address DCPS standards/MYP objectives in the subject.
The 80% is broken down further into additional categories specific to this course:
! Tests and Quizzes 30%
! Classwork 20%
! Labs 20%
! Class projects 10%


2. Independent Projects 10%
These are assignments that are considered long-term and that include a substantial amount of independent student work,
most of it completed at home.


3. Reflection 5%
These are assignments or portions of assignments that require students to reflect on their process, product, or learning.


4. Homework 5%
This is work that is assigned for completion at home, typically of a shorter timeframe than independent projects.


























DCPS Grading Scale





A 93% to 100%
A- 90% to 92%
B+ 87% to 89%
B 83% to 86%
B- 80% to 82%
C+ 77% to 79%
C 73% to 76%
C- 70% to 72%
D+ 67% to 69%
D 64% to 66%
F 00% to 63%