SYLLABUS

Middle School Science
Butler Lab School
(Mrs.) Mary Jo Wright
2017-2018
Curriculum:
The Butler Lab School Middle School curriculum is a rich and diverse science curriculum based on the frameworks of Science for All Americans, Benchmarks for Science Literacy Project 2061, and Indiana Content Standards. Instruction will provide experience-based opportunities, integrate technology, differentiate instruction, and present lessons in a variety of formats to suit all learning styles.  

1ST QUARTER
EARTH SCIENCE
2NDQUARTER PHYSIACAL SCIENCE
3RD QUARTER
ENGINEERING/ STEAM
4TH QUARTER
LIFE SCIENCE
SIXTH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE Shadow Lab and Projects
3 Weeks
Eclipse-Webquest-Cereal Box Viewer
Famous Scientist
2 weeks
Scientific Process
2 weeks
Gravity and Inertia
Earth’s rotation, revolution and tilt
Season and tides
2 weeks
Toilet paper solar system
Adopt a planet
Comets and asteroids webquest

SEVENTH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE
3 weeks
Eclipse-Webquest-
Cereal Box Viewer
Famous Scientist
2 weeks
Scientific Process
1 week
Properties of Minerals
Mohs Hardness Lab
Rocks and Minerals
Fossils
Cycles in Nature
1 week
Scale-Geological Timeline
2 weeks
Continental Drift Theory
Layers of the Earth
Topography and Glaciation of Indiana
SEVENTH GRADE EARTH SCIENCE CON’T.
1 week
Renewable and Nonrenewable resources
Synthetic Materials



SIXTH GRADE PHYSICAL SCIENCE

4 weeks
Potential and Kinetic Energy-Roller Coaster Science
2 weeks
Properties of waves-wave labs
3 weeks
Distinguish between position, distance, displacement, speed and velocity

SEVENTH GRADE PHYSICAL SCIENCE
2 weeks
Atoms, elements, molecules and compounds
2 weeks
Properties of Matter
Oobleck
1 week
Law of Conservation
4 weeks
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Three types of heat transfer


SIXTH GRADE ENGINEERING/STEAM

11 weeks
RUBE GOLDBERG Machine Design
    Mousetrap Lab
    Design process
Genies Hour-Fridays

SEVENTH GRADE ENGINEERING
STEAM
11 weeks
RUBE for one week
Motion and Design
Genius Hour-Friday





SIXTH GRADE LIFE SCIENCE
1 week
Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Homeostasis
1 week
Photosynthesis
Flow of energy through a food chain, energy pyramid, and food webs.
4 weeks
Biome Ball:
    Feeding   
    relationships:             predator/prey,   
    consumer/producer,    
    parasite/host.
    Symbiotic relationships
    Patterns of organisms in an   
    ecosystem
3 weeks
Invasive species and their impact on ecosystem:
   UNWANTED POSTER

SEVENTH GRADE LIFE SCIENCE
3 weeks
MICROSCOPES:
   Anatomy of a microscope
   Parts and functions
   Care of the Scope-Mini        
   Project
   How to focus
Microscope Festival-Parent Volunteers
6 weeks
Cells:
    Cell Theory
    All living organisms are  
    made of cells
    Prokaryotic and eukaryotic  
    cells
    Characteristics of living  
    Things
Function of cells
Organelles
     3D Cell Model
     Cell City
     Cell Classroom
Differentiation:
    Mitosis and Meiosis
    Relate to cancer-guest  
    Speaker-oncologist
Cells to Systems-Comparative Anatomy
    Dissections:
    Cow eye
    Cow heart
    Shark


Course Needs:
Students are required to bring the following supplies to class every day:
  • Butler Binder
  • Pencils, pens, highlighter, etc.
  • Student planner
Absentee Policy:
When a student is absent, an “Absent Buddy” will complete a “While You Were Out” form that details the missed work.  The Buddy will also staple any worksheets or handouts to the back.  The packet will then be placed in a designated area.  It is the student’s responsibility, not the teacher’s, to collect this work and see that it is handed in.  It is also recommended that the student check in with Mrs. Wright to ask any questions about the missed work and make sure that there are no other missing assignments. Students have one day for every day that they were out plus one extra day to make up the work. Missed tests and quizzes must be made up within five school days.

Homework Policy:
There will be no formally assigned homework this year. Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance. Rather, I ask that you spend your evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success. Eating dinner as a family, read together, play outside, and get your child to bed early. (Copied from Mrs. Brenda Young)

Extra Help:
Students may get extra help during daily SRT time.  If additional help is needed, students may stay after school by appointment only and with a signed note or e-mail from a parent indicating their permission. Students will need to arrange for their own transportation home.

Grading Policy:
This year the grading scale is as follows:
Exemplary (E): The student is working significantly above the target standard, the students could teach the standard to someone else.
Strong (S): The student is working above the target standard.
Proficient (P): The student has achieved the target standard.
Developing (D): The students is still working on the target standard.
Not Evident (NT): The student is either not ready for the target standard or not showing any evidence of the target standard meaning they are significantly below grade level in target standard area.
Not Applicable (NA): This standard has not been taught during this quarter.

Retake Policy:
If a student has concerns about their grade, they should discuss with Mrs. Wright the reason(s) behind their current average and the necessary steps to take. I encourage my students to retake tests or quizzes to indicate improved mastery of the subject matter.  Only the higher grade will be recorded. So, if you fail a test or quiz you can retake it for a better grade!!!  Note:  It’s much easier to do well on a test or quiz the first time around because in addition to preparing for a retake, you still need to keep up and do the current work in all of your other classes!

Classroom Agreements:
We will be prompt to class

We will be peaceful when teacher starts class
We will be prepared for class
We will respect our fellow students
We will respect teacher in science class
We will respect all materials in class
We will follow first time directions


Respect Self---Respect Others---Respect Property 
Lab Activities:
A good portion of the science curriculum involves experienced-based lab activities.  Students and parents are required to read, sign, and return the attached Laboratory Safety Contract. ANY inappropriate behavior will NOT be tolerated for the safety of everyone in the room. Students who cannot conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner during lab activities will be asked to leave and conference with Mrs. Wright to help the student come up with a plan for successful completion of lab activities. It is my goal for all students to be in class. J


Class Web Site:
Students and parents are encouraged to visit this site regularly for helpful websites other cool science information.  Bookmark (or add to Favorites) the page below the first time you go to it:


Contact Information:
Mary Jo Wright
Butler Lab School

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