Syllabus

__ 2013-2014 School Year __
 * Welcome to 7th Grade Science **

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

 Welcome back to school! I hope that everyone had a relaxing summer, and is ready to start a fun and productive year in Science. My name is Ms. Wong, and while I am new to the West Frederick MS team, I have worked in several middle and high schools in Prince George’s County. I hold two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park in Biology and Secondary Education.

 I believe that students start to develop their long term interests in their middle school years. For me personally, it was in 7th grade science that I decided that I wanted to study biology. Because of this, middle school is one of my favorite groups to work with. I am excited to begin the school year with you, and in order to have a great class, there are certain expectations that have been put in place. My goal is to provide a productive, **safe**, and engaging environment for students to learn.


 * School-wide Expectations and Classroom Rules**


 * P ** - Positive words and positive actions
 * R ** - Respect yourself, others, and property
 *  I ** - Involvement in learning (stay on task, follow directions the first time)
 * D ** - Demonstrate “hands off” policy (keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself)
 * E ** - Everyone is welcome


 * Consequences **
 * 1) Verbal warning
 * 2) Classroom reflection (signed by parent/guardian)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Phone call / Detention
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">After-School Detention
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Office Referral

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">7th Grade: Dynamic Planet, Resource Management, and Vulnerability
 * Units of Study**


 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Supply Expectations **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Loose leaf paper
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Spiral notebook (full size, not a mini-notebook)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">3-ring binder with at least 2 dividers (to organize classwork and homework)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">At least 2 pencils or pens

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Students will be keeping an Interactive Notebook throughout the year, where they will complete warm-up assignments and classwork. They will be gluing in materials from time to time. It is important to __bring this notebook to class every day__ because we will be using it a lot.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Notebook **

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Points earned on labs, classwork, tests, quizzes, projects, and homework, will be totaled to determine the grade. Each category of assignment will be weighted to the below percentages and then added together for the total grade. Grades can be accessed online on Pinnacle at **__http://www.fcps.org/grades__.**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Grades **

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;"> Homework: 10% <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Classwork: 15% <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Lab Activities: 40% <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Tests/Quizzes: 35%

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Students will only be given full credit for completed homework that is turned in **__on time!__** For every //school// day that homework (or any graded assignment) is late, the grade will decrease by 10%. For //excused// absences or other extenuating circumstances, homework may be turned in late with no penalty (with teacher permission).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Homework **

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Students who are absent from school or class are reminded to check my website at **__http://kathrynwong.wikispaces.com__** to find out what work was missed. Students have the number of days they were absent to make up any missed work. Copies of missed work are available in the Absences/Missed Work binder in the front of the classroom. It is the //student’s// responsibility to pick it up and complete it, but please feel free to come to me with any questions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Absences **

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">I strongly encourage students to ask for help when they need it. It is better to get help early than to try to catch up at the last minute! There are two ways to ask: <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">1) See me for a pass to ELT tutoring or lunch <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">2) Email me
 * <span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Extra Help **

<span style="font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif;">Please contact me with any questions or concerns. My school phone number is **(240) 236-4110** and my email is **__kathryn.wong@fcps.org__**. Feel free to call me during my planning periods (3rd & 4th) from 9:43am - 11:21am.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif; text-align: right;">Thank you and I look forward to a great year! <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Lao UI',sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; text-align: right;">~Ms. Wong