7^th Grade Life Science: Course Syllabus

Mr. Altenberg, Science Teacher
796-7152
taltenberg(at)salinas(dot)k12(dot)ca(dot)us

The text below is the same syllabus that students are handed on the first day of class. The links jump down the page to the various parts of the syllabus.

You can also view, download and print a  (40 KB)  .pdf version of the syllabus, identical to the one given to students.

   The Adobe Reader icon indicates that a file is .pdf format.      You need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view .pdf files.  
You can download the free software from Adobe at
   www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2_allversions.html  

Course Objectives: 

1. To learn about living organisms, as described in the California Science Content Standards.
2. To learn about what science is, and how scientists investigate the natural world.
3. To practice safe and accurate scientific method and practices.
4. To learn together with respect, responsibility, communication and cooperation.

Examples of Class Activities:

• Reading, writing, lecture, discussions, drawings, and other "paper-based" activities.
• Labs and other hands-on activities.
• Occasional computer-based activities.
• Guest speakers, field trips, other activities, as time permits...

 Back to top

Required Materials:

• A 3-ring binder with section dividers for each class. Put all papers in the appropriate class section. (Don't just stuff them in your binder or backpack!) Save all class work for this class until the end of each grading period, or as told to by Mr. A!
• Lined paper, 2 or more pencils and 2 or more pens (dark blue or black only).
• Agenda — use it every day!

Optional Recommended Materials:

• With you at school: A 12"/30 cm ruler, that has clear cm and mm markings; a calculator; scissors, tape, glue stick; colored pencils or markers.
• At home: A computer: If your family has a computer at home that you can use, with word processing and perhaps spreadsheet software, it can be very helpful for your school work. If you have Internet access, then we can use email as an effective means of communication. Also, there will be a lot of information for this science class (including assignments and due dates, and your grades) posted at my website, www.MrAltenberg.net.

 Back to top

Homework:

• Reading, writing, research, other activities, from 0 - 5 assignments per week.
• Parent/guardian signatures will be required on progress reports and other papers sent home.
• Each quarter will include at least 1 somewhat larger longer-term project, which will challenge students to plan carefully and work on a daily basis toward completing the project.

Late Work:

• If you are absent, you should make up work you missed. Only work completed promptly will be given full credit. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO FIND OUT WHAT WORK HAS BEEN MISSED!
• Late work can be accepted on some assignments, for partial credit. Some assignments must be handed in or otherwise completed on the due date in order to receive any credit at all.

 Back to top

If You Want Extra Help Understanding or Completing Any Work in this Class:

• ASK FOR HELP! Please ask for help during class. ("The squeaky wheel gets the grease!")
• If you want extra help outside of class, ask me. I am happy to meet with students before or after school, or during lunchtime.

Assessment & Grading:

• Formal assessments will include:
  • Applying the knowledge and skills learned to complete a variety of assignments, including paper-based, computer-based and hands-on activities.
  • Quizzes and tests, including paper-and-pencil and hands-on.
• The grading scale is the usual:
  1. A:     90% and above
  2. B:     80 – 89%
  3. C:     70 – 79%
  4. D:     60 – 69%
  5. F:     below 60 %
• Extra Credit opportunities are always available, but students must already have completed the regular assignments before they are eligible for extra credit.

 Back to top

Course Expectations and Rules

Guiding Principles:

• Show RESPECT to yourself, other people, and property.
• Accept RESPONSIBILITY for your work, your decisions, and your actions.
• COMMUNICATE what you think, feel, want and need. Ask for help!
• Work COOPERATIVELY with your classmates and school staff.
• Be PREPARED and FOCUSED. School is for learning first, socializing later.
• DO YOUR BEST to do your best: work hard, play fair, be nice.

Rules:

• Follow all school rules.
• Be in your seat, with all materials ready, when the bell rings.
• Stay focused on the lesson; do not distract others from their learning.
• Listen attentively to whoever is speaking. "Stop, look, listen!"
• Work cooperatively in whatever groups you are assigned.
• You may bring water to drink during class. No other drink, food, candy or gum.

Severe infractions such as fighting will be immediately referred to the school administration. Repeated infractions will result in an Unsatisfactory citizen grade on the quarterly or semester report card.

 Back to top

Rewards

Students will be encouraged and rewarded for being Peace Builders, good students and good citizens! The class as a whole can also earn class-wide rewards. Rewards may include:

• Bronco Bucks, positive notes and phone calls home
• Free computer time
• Class Party

Consequences:

Students who do not follow the rules and procedures of Mr. A.'s classroom will face some or all of the following consequences. Severe infractions such as fighting will be immediately referred to the school administration.

1. Verbal warning
2. Time out, and/or lunch clean-up duty
3. Lunch clean-up duty, and/or detention before or after school
4. 1- or 2-day suspension from class, note or phone call home
5. Administrative referral, detention, phone call home, possible parent conference, possible behavior contract...

 Back to top

Student - Parent - Teacher Contract

It is the Teacher's Job to Teach and to Help Students!
It is the Student's Job to Be Ready to Learn and to Help Themselves and Others!

Dear Students and Parents,

Please read carefully and discuss the Course Description, Expectations and Rules. Please come talk to me if you have any questions or concerns. Please complete and sign the form below, then return it to me.

Thank you for your support.

Mr. Altenberg