Name____________________________
Investigations in Science Seven – Course Syllabus
Redland Middle School 6505 Muncaster Mill Rd
Rockville, MD 20855 301-840-4680
OVERVIEW
Welcome to 7th Grade Science. This curriculum is a unique problem/project based curriculum. Instruction is woven around a relevant
problem/project to allow a focus for student learning. Students engage in minds-on inquiry and hands on explorations, productive
discourse, purposeful reading and meaningful writing. Students engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in
order to propose solutions to real world problems.
Unit
1
Title
Cellular
Structure and
Processes
2
Structure and
Function of
living things
3
Genetics
4
Earth’s History
and Biological
Evolution
Content Focus
Students will research a process for growing plants without the use of soil called hydroponics. Students
will investigate a variety of different systems and growing mediums for raising plants and will analyze
such variables as growth rate and food production. Students will learn that plants grown using this method
take in oxygen and nutrients at a quicker pace and use less energy to absorb them. Plants will be used to
introduce the structure and function of living organisms, and students will learn about the characteristics
of living things, parts of the cell, and cellular processes. Students will also learn what materials are
required by living things, how the materials are delivered, and how these materials sustain life.
Students will study the body systems of organisms and explore how the interactions of those systems
affect overall functions. Students will learn about the levels of organization within an organism and the
contribution cells provide a system as the basic building blocks of life. Students will explore how matter
and energy are processed by organisms to build, maintain, and repair themselves. Students will relate
structure and function of body systems to nutritional requirements and disease prevention.
Students will study the principles of genetics. They will learn how organisms reproduce and transfer their
genetic information to their offspring. Students will study how characteristics get passed on from
generation to generation and research several genetic disorders that affect human offspring. Students will
use biotechnical processes to explore the genetic characteristics of organisms. Students will conduct a
DNA extraction and a microarray will be performed as a way of checking the genotypes of the offspring.
Students will study Earth’s history, geological time, and explore how organisms have evolved. Students
will examine the fossil record and construct explanations from mass extinctions. Students will explore
the concepts of natural selection and adaption and will learn that traits of an organism can change as a
result of environmental conditions or a need for survival. Student will explore the similarities between
organisms and use biotechnical processes, such as DNA fingerprinting, as means of identification.
General information, including indicators for each unit, is available online
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/science/classroom/instruction/
GRADING POLICY
Students’ academic grades are based on individual academic achievement. Quarter grades will be determined using a scale of:
A: 90% - 100%, B: 80% - 89%, C: 70% - 79%, D: 60% - 69%, E: 59% or lower. We will use an array of tools to assess student
learning.
Category
Weight
All Tasks and
Assessments
90%
Practice/ Prep
Homework
10%
Description
Teacher determines which assessments can be retaken* and will notify students before the
assessments. The assessment can be retaken only once. Students must complete required
activities as determined by the Science Department. Examples of Formal Assessments
include labs, quizzes, reading and writing assignments, journal entries, warm-ups, exit
cards, quizzes, class work, homework evaluated for learning, etc. There will be 15
assessments totaling 200 points.
Any assignment (textbook assignments and/or worksheets) assigned for practice or
preparation for instruction.
No extra credit will be assigned.
Reassessment of Student Work: *Reassessment grade replaces the original grade.*
 Assessed tasks may be revised to receive a higher grade until the end of a lesson sequence.
 The reassessment grade replaces the original grade even if the reassessed grade is lower.
 Reteaching / relearning activities are determined by the teacher and must be scheduled within the instructional time.
 Assessments may be reassessed partially, entirely, or in a different format.
 Summative assignments (end of unit tests, semester exams, final reports and culminating projects) cannot be reassessed.
Late Assignments: (Due dates / Deadlines - this will be determined in advance by the classroom teacher)
 Each assignment will have a due date. This is the date by which you are expected to submit the assignment. Your grade
may drop one letter grade if it is not turned in by the due date.
 The deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for a grade. Work not turned in by the deadline will be
considered missing and receive a 0%. Assignments that are completed and meet minimum standard (as indicated by the
Science Department), will earn a minimum grade of 50%.
Learning Skills Grades:
In addition to the academic grade, students will receive Learning Skills Grades each quarter as well. Learning skills grades will assess
students’ Participation and Assignment Completion throughout the course. Students may earn the following grades for each of the
aforementioned categories:
C: Consistently
O: Often
S: Sometimes
R: Rarely
NI: Not Enough Information
HOMEWORK and EDLINE
A set time to complete homework is a good way to help in establishing a priority at home.
**Additionally, students and parents should visit Edline daily for posted assignments and daily grade updates
(www.edline.net). Students are expected to know their grades, and what, if any, work is missing at all times.
There should be no surprises about grades to students or parents; if so, please make sure you contact the
teacher.**
CLASS EXPECTATIONS


All science students will be required to follow safety procedures as designated by the MCPS, parents and students are required to
sign the MCPS safety contract and take the MCPS safety quiz. Failure to follow the safety guidelines may result in dismissal
from the science laboratory for the remainder of that class period.
There are three overarching expectations for this class: 1. Be Curious, 2. Be Responsible, and 3. Be Respectful. All school-wide
conduct and expectations fall under these expectations.
COMMUNICATION
Teachers can be reached via email on Edline, accessing their email address on the main Redland webpage under staff directory or by
calling the school (301-840-4680). In addition, please check Edline regularly to know if you are missing work (other communication:
progress reports / interims, report cards, scheduled conferencing).