7/8 Science Project

Problem Solving Team Self-Direction Team

Teacher: Erin Jones Mike Edwards

Extra Help: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 Room 207 Mondays 3:00-4:00 Room 208

Physics Curriculum Overview

During this unit, students will learn to identify and measure forces acting upon objects and to describe and measure the energy required for those objects to interact. During this process, students begin by learning how to measure and convert common scientific units using the metric system. The curriculum has a strong hands-on approach and requires students to collect data by making numerous measurements of variables along the way. Visual observations and numerical data will be constantly used to enhance student understanding of the concepts discussed. During this learning process students will continuously revisit the main concepts of density, forces, energy, and motion during all aspects of the curriculum. The major rubric projects have been designed to be challenging, hands-on, and fun. Throughout each small activity and major project, students are taught to make precise measurements, apply their math skills, and to think critically. By the end of the unit, the hope is that students will be able to appreciate the complex interactions of matter that allow even the simplest of tasks to occur.

We will focus on answering the following Physics essential questions:

What is a force?
How are potential and kinetic energy different?
How do physical characteristics affect density?
How do we measure the movement of an object?
How does friction affect an object’s movement?
What creates flight, and what are the forces that affect it?

Biology Curriculum Overview

During this project class, students will learn an appreciation for the diversity of organisms that exist on earth and how scientists differentiate and classify them based on similarities and differences. The approach to the curriculum is that students look at whole organisms, then learn about the body systems and their corresponding organs. They will learn about the different types of cells and their organelles that make up complex multicellular organisms and will understand that single-celled organisms perform the same living functions. The origin of the differences of form and function are researched as the concepts of genetics is introduced. The biology curriculum concludes by understanding how environmental pressures influence the genes of each species over time and looking at evidence to support common lineages between organisms.

We will focus on answering the following Biology Essential Questions:

* What characteristics are common to all living things?

* How do scientists organize all living things?

* How do the different parts of the human body work together?

* What makes me look like me?

* What are the types and functions of cells in living things?

Current Rubrics & Other Documents

7/8 SCIENCE DOCUMENTS

Grading Policy

All students will receive a quarterly assessment every nine weeks. Additionally, any student who is struggling in class, or whose parent requests one, will receive an interim report at the mid-point of the quarter. If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s progress in the meantime, please contact the teacher directly. Email is the preferred and most efficient method of communication.

Interactive Notebook: Each student will keep an interactive notebook, which is a record of their learning in Science for the semester. This notebook will have all of the student’s work. This notebook will be kept in class at all times, and can be taken home at the end of the semester.

Homework: Students will receive homework periodically throughout the quarter to reinforce content. Due to the nature of this class, homework is less frequent than other courses. During projects, homework can be more frequent depending on what was accomplished during class and can come in a variety of forms to help students either prepare for a project or finish one on time. Homework will be calculated as part of the student’s Comprehension grade.

Written Assessments: Due to the nature of science class, tests are infrequent. Written assessments are done as part of projects and classwork, and include lab/activity summaries, data interpretation. These assessments represent part of the student’s Comprehension and Application grades. Students complete short written assessments each day (#quickthinks) which are open-ended questions on a variety of Science topics, and are part of their Self-Direction grade. End of Class assessments (Ticket to Leave) are completed are an objective review of the day’s concepts. For all written assessments, students are allowed and encouraged to use their notes and other resources provided to them.

Projects (rubrics): Projects are graded based on the grading criteria handed out in class. All projects will also be made available on our website. Grades will be posted on X2 within two weeks. Projects are part of their interactive notebooks. They may be sent home for parents to review upon request and must be returned. Students will complete approximately three rubrics per quarter. Projects comprise the student’s Application grade. Distinguished work opportunities are available during each project with the following criteria: (1) student must get approval from teacher prior to starting distinguished work, and (2) the required components of the rubric must be at a proficient level before distinguished work will be assessed.

Outcome Grades: Students will be assessed using observations of the following criteria:.

Self-Direction: Student will (1) come into class prepared with his or her needed materials daily, (2) uses class time wisely by following class routines and directions, (3) stay focused by not allowing socializing to interfere with lesson objectives, (4) seek help from peers and/or teacher when confused, (5) meets deadlines by passing in work on time. (6) #quickthink
Community Membership: Student will work effectively with peers by (1) respecting other students’ ideas and opinions, (2) participate equally in group activities, (3) respectfully disagreeing when appropriate and compromising a solution, (4) offer constructive feedback instead of negative comments.
Problem-Solving: Due to the complexity of projects done in class a good problem solver will (1) not give up, (2) seek help and ideas from peers and teacher, (3) offer solutions and/or be receptive to trying a different approach to a problem.
Effective Communication: Students effectively communicate by (1) participating regularly during class discussions, (2) sharing and discussing ideas and questions with peers, (3) engaging the teacher with problems, concerns, and questions, (4) expressing themselves clearly in writing.

Classwork: Classwork will be graded upon completion, and will contribute to the student’s Comprehension grade.

Revisions & Portfolios

Students will have one week from the time a project is handed back to perform revisions in order to increase their grade and satisfy requirements for their portfolio. Missing requirements will not be allowed to be revised for a grade, but will be considered for portfolio.

Late Work

It is the responsibility of the student to hand in the assignment to the teacher with a properly completed cover sheet form. Late work will be accepted up to 1 week from the assigned date. Late project work (i.e. application grades) will be deducted ½ grade for each day the assignment is late. All late work affects the student’s self-direction grade.

Please utilize X2 to follow your child’s progress. If you have difficulty accessing this information or need your password reset, please contact Mrs. Kapeckas. If you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact me.

When checking grades on X2, you may encounter a code in place of a grade. Listed below is a brief explanation of what they mean:

Code	Explanation
Mi	The assignment is missing. This calculates as a zero until the assignment is completed.
Ab	The child was absent and needs to make up the assignment. This calculates as zero until the assignment is completed. The child has extended time to make up the assignment.
Ex	Excused: The child was excused from the assignment.
R	The assignment has been received, but it has not been graded yet. This assignment has not been included in the overall average.

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