7th grade Life science syllabus

Instructor         Mrs. Huseth

Phone              507-263-6800  ext 3320

E-mail             huseth.melissa@cannonfallsschools.com 

Web Page       
http://www.teacherweb.com/MN/CannonFallsAreaSchools/Grade7LifeScience/

Course Description: 

The first semester of life science is designed to develop the scientific 
process of investigation while exploring the study of life. Concepts that 
will be covered include, lab safety, scientific measurement, cell structure 
and function, the transfer of energy between biologic organisms, and 
cellular growth & division. The second semester continues with plant 
biology, genetics, heredity, biotechnology, evolutionary theory, and 
concludes by examining and dissecting organisms from some of the different 
kingdoms and their comparative anatomy.  The curriculum will focus on 
inquiry based investigations via modeling, graphic organizers, experiments & 
projects. 

 

Course Materials:

Textbook  -      Holt Science and Technology: Life Science

                        Holt, Rinehart, and Winston – Copyright 2005

Notebooks, Folders, Agenda Book

Writing Utensils

Most lab equipment is furnished.        
You are financially responsible for equipment broken or damaged due to 
misuse or carelessness.

Assignment Policies
Assignments:  All assignments are posted daily at 
http://teacherweb.com/MN/CannonFallsAreaSchools/Grade7/h1.stm.  
Students are expected to keep track of due dates and turn their work in on 
time. 

The due date (DD) is the date the assignment must be turned in to receive 
full credit.  Worked turned in after the requested time will be considered 
late.   

The last day (LD) that late work will be accepted will be 5 school days 
after the original due date. 

All late work will be penalized 50 %. 

Students with excused absences are able to make up and turn in missed 
assignments in a time frame proportional to the number of days missed 
without penalty. 

Students with unexcused absences must make up missed work, but the 
assignment grades will be penalized 50% 

Extra Credit Work: Extra credit work is periodically offered to the entire 
class on certain assignments in one of the following forms.

Reteach/Retest 

Bonus points on class work. 

Reviews of selected scientific articles (science in the news). 

Additional EC can be requested if a student if they have completed and 
turned in all of their class work.    

Students missing assignments will not be eligible to take on additional 
extra credit work. 


Grading Scale
            A =   100-90

            B =   89-80

            C =   79-70

            D =   69-60

 

Classroom Webpage

Parents/Guardians – if you want to use a tool to be better informed use the 
classroom webpage.

Use the webpage address at the top of this sheet to keep current on 
classroom activities and assignments.  It will also contain some links to 
various suggested sites for additional help.  Click on the 7th grade 
homework page for what is happening that day.

 

Passes

Students may leave the classroom three times during the quarter to go to the 
bathroom, locker, etc.  This may be done at the student’s discretion with 
the instructor’s approval.  If there are extenuating circumstances please 
see me before it becomes a problem.  After hall passes are used up leaving 
the classroom will be treated as an unexcused tardy.
 

Behavior Expectations

            Respect Yourself: Always give your best effort!

            Respect Others:  Everyone deserves their own rights and opinions.

            Respect Property: Your own as well as others.

            Keeping materials and assignments organized throughout the unit.

            Be seated and ready to go when the bell rings, beginning with 
the assignment.

            Stay in your assigned seats until dismissed.  Do not line up at 
the door.

            No roughhousing and loud talking, raise your hand to contribute 
or ask a question.

            Follow lab safety guidelines.

            You are responsible for lab equipment, cleanup, etc.  Do not 
leave class until cleanup is complete!
 

Absences

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain information and assignments 
when absent.  The class web page, fellow classmates and instructor are all 
sources where assignments and information can be obtained.  Assignment due 
dates when unexpectedly absent is generally the following day.  See me for 
due dates with extended absences.  When a student has a known, prescheduled 
absence they need to have assignments completed prior to absence, or ready 
to hand in the day of their return. 
 

Tardies 

            Three unexcused tardies will equal an unexcused absence.  Twenty 
minutes of before or after school detention in the classroom will be 
assigned after the third tardy and each subsequent tardy thereafter.

 

Complete and return lower portion

 

 

I, ___________________________, have read and understand the information 
that is included in this handout.

 

Student Signature                   _______________________________

 

Parent/Guardian Names         _______________________________

 

Parent/Guardian Signature     _______________________________

 

Address           ______________________________________

 

                        ______________________________________

 

Phone numbers (Home/work) ______________________________

 

Parent’s Email address          ______________________________________

 

Do you plan on attending Parent/Student/Teacher conferences on October 
16/17?   YES   NO

 

Did you sign up for Biology Newsflash on discussed on the previous 
page?                YES    NO