Mister McIntosh Says

“In all science, error precedes the truth, and it is better it should go first than last.”  ~Hugh Walpole

Learner-in-Chief: Philip McIntosh

Email: philip.mcintosh@asd20.org

Blog: Mister McIntosh Says

Curriculum: Glencoe Science

Introduction: Welcome to 7th Grade Science! In the 7th grade we focus on life sciences. This year will be full of scientific investigation covering many topics: scientific processes/scientific inquiry, cellular biology, genetics and heredity, populations and ecosystems, and the kingdoms of living things including human anatomy and physiology. Please contact me by email with any questions or concerns you may have. If email doesn’t get it done, I will call you. I welcome visitors in the classroom so parents are encouraged to come see what we are doing at any time. My door is almost always open.

This class implements a mastery philosophy but is not in the flipped format, as are my math classes. Some day, it will be flipped, but I just can’t take on too much course reorganization in one year.

Curriculum: We have been using Glencoe Science for a couple for years now and it aligns well with the Common Core State Standards. We will not get into everything in the book; just the parts required by the standards. The Glencoe website has a lot of useful resources including an on-line text book. It is password protected though and an access code will be provided when school starts. Learners will also be issued a textbook CD that contains all the interactive features—it can even read the text out loud! The CD is useful because it doesn’t require internet or an online access code. The text book is a PDF file and not html-based. Replacement cost for CDs is $69. There are a limited number of textbooks available for check-out also.

Class Expectations:

• Be polite (respectful of others, others’ belongings and the supplies in our classroom)
• Be prepared (have supplies, a pencil and grading pen)
• Be punctual (be in class working on warm up when class starts)
• Ask questions (be focused and ready to contribute to our class)
• Know when to listen (and when to talk)

Required Supplies:

• 1 subject spiral notebook (replace as it is used up) FOR SCIENCE NOTES ONLY
• 3-ring binder (to keep a supply of loose leaf paper and class papers)
• Planner
• Pencil, Pen and Colored pencils (a different set than those kept in the art room)

These items must be brought to class every day.

Personal Electronic Devices: There are nine netbook computers available in the classroom. They work reasonably well but are rather small and have poor video processing power. It can also take a long time for a learner to log into them (3-10 minutes). They do get used a lot though. You are welcome to use your own computing devices in class and that will actually be much more efficient for you. Personal devices can connect to the Internet through our personal devices network which is subject to the same filtering as our internal network.

Laptops, tablets (such as iPad and similar), and even smart phones can be used in class for taking quizzes, looking up information and doing other academic tasks. Placing and receiving phone calls or texting is prohibited and will result in confiscation of the device.

Homework and Grades: Assignments will be posted on ALEC. Grades will be posted in Infinite Campus. Downloadable handouts will be posted on ALEC for you to print another copy of something handed out in class. Students are expected to write homework in their planners and turn in work on time. Please talk to me BEFORE an assignment is due if you may need more time.  You should ALWAYS start assignments the day assigned. If you encounter problems, you have time to seek help. Please talk to me if there is a situation that hinders your ability to complete work on time.

Grading Policy: Grades are calculated on an average of scores earned for Bellwork (warm-ups), class work, homework, class participation, notebook organization, tests, quizzes, labs, and projects. A minimum score of 70% is required on all assessments and work of sloppy or otherwise substandard quality is not accepted and will need to be redone.

Absent Work: If you are going to be absent, please check with me for upcoming assignments. For any absence, check ALEC agendas and assignments for missed work. Ask me for clarification on assignments immediately upon return to class. You are responsible for notes and you can get them from another learner, or in some cases (but not all) on ALEC. I’ll try to keep a bin with copies of the handouts or they can be printed off of ALEC handouts will also be in the assignment bin and posted on ALEC.

Lab Expectations: This course is investigation and the experiential portion is important. In order to provide the best learning experience in a safe environment, you must comply with the following:

1. Students must stay in assigned lab area with assigned partner. There will be no visiting other lab areas or groups FOR SAFETY REASONS!
2. Students will handle ALL organic specimens respectfully.
3. For safety reasons, students will handle ALL LAB EQUIPMENT carefully, including microscopes, glassware, probes, scissors, dissection kits, laptops, etc.
   1. Any student deliberately or carelessly mishandling equipment will be consequenced.
   2. Any student deliberately mishandling or carelessly handling equipment in a manner that results in damage or destruction of the equipment will pay ($) for the replacement.
4. Students will wear proper attire and any required safety equipment as instructed.
5. Students will not bring food or drink into the classroom. Water in a closable water bottle is ok.
6. In the event of glassware breakage, the student will immediately notify the teacher and will not touch the broken glass without proper instructions.
7. Students will CLEAN lab areas and lab equipment as instructed.
8. Students will WORK COOPERATIVELY AND RESPECTFULLY with their lab partner(s).

I’m looking forward to great year of science. See you in class!