Seventh Grade Life Science is a course on the science of Living Things. This class is a preparation for High School Biology. Students will focus on the classification and characteristics of living things; cell structure, processes, and reproduction; genetics, variation, and adaptation. We use textbooks, artwork, study guides, a variety of graphic organizers, video, hands on projects, and websites to aid our discovery of life science.

Goals

 Students will be able to recognize and classify living things based on their structures, the environments in which they live, how they survive, and how they relate to each other.

Basic understanding of cellular systems and how and why living things are classified are the basic expectations of all students.

Grading

 Students are scored on all class work (vocabulary, daily sponge questions, projects, etc.), quizzes, and test.  Most class assignments are completion assignments that can easily be done if the student is on task.  Quizzes and test are scored on both completion and accuracy. Students are responsible for turning in or showing the teacher their completed assignments. Work that is turned in without names or incomplete cannot be scored. Only excused absences will be the only acceptable reason to turn in late work without teacher consent. Scores will be determined by dividing points earned into points possible and converting it into a percentage. The Grading Scale is as follows: 100-93=A; 92-85=B; 84-75=C; 75-70=D; 69-0=U.

Students may earn extra credit with teacher approval. All other work must be completed to earn extra credit.

Absences

 It is the student’s responsibility to make up their missing work when they are absent. Students should check with me for missing assignments and will be responsible for the material covered on their tests. Missing work must be completed in a timely manner (within one calendar week).

Classroom Guidelines

 Students help establish a classroom constitution that they sign at the beginning of the year. The school also has three basic guidelines or expectations of our students.

Classroom: 1) Honor everyone’s first request, 2) Keep your hands and feet to yourself, 3) be respectful, and 4) Give your best effort.

Vine Middle: Be respectful, be responsible, and always do the right thing.These guidelines, when followed give the student a safe and enjoyable learning environment.

Consequences: When students do not follow classroom procedures and guidelines a verbal warning will be given, alternate seating, calls home or to work will be made, removal from the classroom, or an office referral will occur.

Contact Information

 You may call the school with any concerns, questions or comments you might have at (865) 594-4461. Currently there is no direct line into or out of my classroom. You may also e-mail me at Kulkaj@k12tn.net. I will always be willing to meet with you whenever possible to discuss any issues you may have.