Mrs. Mauthe's Seventh Grade Science Page

General Information

 

Important Dates: 

* June 10th - Science Exam


Supplies Needed: Flexible Notebook binder  (NO TRAPPER KEEPER), theme paper, 3"x5" index cards, dividers for notebook binder,calculator, sharpened colored pencils. 2 pocket folder, black ink pens. 

       


 

 


 

Course Overview

   

Students will study life science while developing and honing both study investigative skills. Throughout the course, the wonder of God's living designs will be emphasized.  The relationship between God's designs in nature and how engineers have used these basic  designs will be stressed.

    During the first quarter students will learn the names and uses of various pieces of laboratory equipment, review laboratory safety rules, discuss how to design an experiment, practice data collection and proper data presentation (drawing, charting, and graphing), and be guided in the thought processes used for data analysis.  Other topics in this course of study are:  

       * frequently used biotechnology techniques (chromatography,

          electrophoresis, and sterile techniques used in microbiology)

       * qualities of living things

       * cycles involving living things

       * the energy pyramid

       * food chains

       * the Linnaean classification system

       * review of the Periodic Table of Elements

       * basic types of chemical bonding

       * balancing equations

       * the plant kingdom

       * review of the animal kingdom

       * cell parts and function of cell parts

       * cell processes

       * DNA 

       * overview of the systems of the human body


    To make students aware of the advances in the field of life science (biology), students are required to read and summarize a life science article of their choice on a biweekly basis. This assignment is due every other Thursday beginning on September 11th. Criteria for this ongoing assignment can be accessed by clicking on the link provided on this page.

 

 

Course Grading System

The science grade is an average of scores received on:

 

    * news reviews

    * lab reports

    * research assignments

    * worksheets

    * projects

    * quizzes

    * tests 

    * homework assignments

 

    All work turned in by each student is graded on a point basis.  The value of each assignment/lab/test varies.  The more time required to do the assignment or the more time spent on a certain unit topic the higher the value of the assignment or test.  Each assignment/lab/test will have a fraction grade on the top of the first pages shown. To calculate the final average, the student should add all of the numerators of the fractional grades received and divide that total by the sum of all the denominators of the fractions.  The resultant quotient should then be multiplied by 100 to get the average in percent. 

 

Example:  18/20, 27/32, 129/158  =  174/210 * 100 = 82.9%  rounded to 83%

 

    Homework involving text reading and answering of questions or answering of questions from student experience affords each student the opportunity to earn bonus points.  If a homework assignment is 100% complete with all answers written in complete sentences, the student earns a perfect score for doing the homework and one bonus point even if all the answers are incorrect.  I am, in essence, paying students for being diligent workers.  I strongly believe the doing of assigned tasks and submitting them by their due dates fosters the development of responsibility and a good work habit.

 

    Test grades make up between one third and forty percent of the final science grade.  Tests are challenging. They are designed to encourage good listening, note taking, and study skills.  There are bonus questions given on each test.  Bonus questions are found within the body of the test. They are NOT labeled as bonus questions.  I do not want students to spend a large amount of time on answering the bonus questions and perhaps not complete the general test questions.  When tests are reviewed, I will be explaining different study techniques students might employ for improved comprehension of the material presented.