Grade+7+Science

=__//Welcome to Mr. Hunter's Grade 7 Science Wiki Page//__=

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This page is for Fillmore Central School's 7th grade science students to use as a guide and reference throughout the school year. Here you will find our course syllabus which contains all of the information you need to know about this class. Please use the links provided below to take you to the section of this page that you are interested in.======
 * Labs ||
 * Homework ||
 * Exams/Quizzes ||
 * Grading Policy ||
 * Classroom Rules ||
 * Course Schedule ||

__Course Information__
This course is a year long study of a large variety of the different aspects of life science, or biology. We will be covering many different topics in a relatively short period of time, making this a demanding yet interesting curriculum. Each student will be exposed to a wide range of topics and will be given time to explore each, both in class and out. My goal is to make science fun yet informative for all students, and I believe that starts with a hands-on approach. I cannot promise to make every day a lab day, but I will do my best to give you something interesting to do each and every class. I believe that if you learn to love science, you learn it more fully.

__Exams/Quizzes__
You will have exams at the end of each unit. Generally, I try to schedule the exams for 2 days after the last day of teaching to that particular unit. Each Friday is reserved for quizzes. Expect them on Fridays. Do not try to tell me that you didn't expect a quiz, because I am making it very clear that quizzes happen on Fridays.

__//Grading Policy//__
I firmly believe that work not handed in does nothing to benefit the student, so this policy has been carefully designed to provide maximum reward for doing homework, even if it is egregiously late (please try not to take advantage of this..). The policy goes like this:


 * Exams || 25% ||
 * Homework || 20% ||
 * Notebooks || 20% ||
 * Labs || 20% ||
 * Class Participation || 15% ||

Late work will be penalized at a rate of 10% a day, to a maximum of 50%. **You can only receive the 50% for work handed in that is complete and accurate** //(in other words, the maximum you can get is 50% for perfect work)//

__//Classroom Rules//__
In this class, there are only a few real rules. They are carefully chosen and worded to allow maximum learning, but to allow some flexibility.

1. __Talking__: I expect there to be no talking during my class unless you are called upon. To be called upon, you need to raise your hand. Yelling out answers is unacceptable. 2. __Touching__: I expect that no student touches another student. I also expect that you keep your hands to yourself as far as my things are concerned. Teachers give up enough personal space to students. Don't handle everything on my desk. **My desk is my personal space. Don't stand by it, or sit behind it, without my express permission.** 3. __Lateness__: Unacceptable. I will record your attendance every period at the beginning of the period. Be there on time, or the 3rd late appearance earns you a discipline report. Being late is rude. 4. __Respect__: More than anything else, I demand that you respect each other and me. 5. __Hall Passes__: There is one hall pass for this room, and a sign out sheet. If you need to go, sign out and take the pass. If you abuse this privilege it will be taken away from everyone. 6. **__Cell Phones:__** **Cell phones are banned in my room. I have 0 tolerance of them being used to send a text while I am teaching. I consider it rude and a personal insult that you would even try, so expect me to take your phone, __1st offense__.** 7. **__iPods and Other Music Players:__** **iPods and other personal music players are only allowed at certain times. I will allow them during quiet work times, or perhaps to be used as calculators (I use my own iPod that way, so why not?) No, you cannot listen in one ear while I teach. See the rule 6 for how I feel about this.** 

__Unit 1__
1. Introductions/Class Information 2. Safety Lab 3. Observation/Inference 4. Developing a Research Plan 5. Scientific Method 6. Quiz on Lab Safety 7.