School Year

2015-2016

Course Name

LIFE SCIENCE

Course Code

26.2110001

School Name

Henderson Middle School

Teacher Name

Claire Freedman (Formerly Peak)

678-874-2902

Teacher Email

Moylan_S_Peak@dekalbschoolsga.org

www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/Henderson

Teacher
Website

clairefreedman.weebly.com

School Phone
Number
School Website

Course Description
This course is designed to teach the study of living things including the cell, the six kingdoms, and how living things interact with their
environment. This year we will also look at basic genetic principles and the systems of the human body. In addition we will work on the
scientific inquiry process, research skills, and using the standard international (SI) measurement system.
Curriculum Overview
The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
1.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Unit CHARACTERISISTICS OF SCIENCE:
a. Scientific Methods/ process skills
b. Lab Safety

2. Unit CELLS: (9 weeks)

S7L2: Students will describe the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
a. Explain that cells are organized into tissues, tissues, into organs, organs into systems, Chapter 3
and systems into organisms.
b. Relate cell structures (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, and Chapter 3
mitochondria) to basic cell functions.
c. Explain that cells take in nutrients in order to grow and divide and to make needed Chapter 3
materials.
d. Explain that tissues, organs, and organ systems serve
the needs cells have for Chapters 3, 22-26
oxygen, food, and waste removal.

e. Explain the purpose of major organ systems in the human body.

Unit 3. HEREDITY (6 weeks)
S7L3: Students will recognize how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
a. Explain the role of genes and chromosomes in the process of inheriting a specific
trait.
b. Compare and contrast sexual and asexual reproduction in organisms (bacteria,
protists, fungi, plants & animals)
c.. Recognize that selective breeding can produce plants or animals with desired traits.

Chapters 22-26

Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapters 10-14
Chapter 5,6

Unit 4.: EVOLUTION (3 weeks)

S7L5: Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and
survival of successive generations.
a. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive Chapter 7
generations.
b. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
Chapter 7
c. Explain how the fossil record found in sedimentary rock provides evidence for the log Chapter 8
history of changing life forms.
Unit -- CLASSIFICATION (6 weeks) Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, & 14
S7L1: Students will investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.
a. Demonstrate the process for the development of a dichotomous key.
Chapter 9
b. Classify organisms based on a six-kingdom system and a dichotomous key.
Chapter 9
S7L3: Students will recognize how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
b. Compare and contrast sexual & asexual reproduction in organisms (bacteria, protist,
Chapters 10-12, 14
fungi, plants, & animals).

Unit -- RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ORGANISMS (6 weeks) - Chapters 18, 19, & 20

S7L4: Students will examine the dependence of organisms on one another and their environments.
a. Demonstrate in a food web that matter is transferred from one organism to another and can recycle between organisms and
their environments.
b. Explain in a food web that sunlight is the source of energy and that this energy move from organism to organism.
c. Recognize that changes in environmental conditions can affect the survival of both individuals and entire species.
d. Categorize relationships between organisms that are competitive or mutually beneficial
e. Describe the characteristics of Earths major terrestrial biomes (tropical rain forest, savanna, temperate, desert, taiga,
tundra, and mountain) and aquatic communities (i.e. freshwater, estuaries, and marine)
Unit -- TIE IT ALL TOGETHER (6 weeks)
Targeted Instruction and Reemphasis on Standards not met: S7L1, S7L2, S7L3, S7L4, and S7L5
Assign performance tasks to assess understanding of multiple standards and elements.
Note: GPS Testing will occur during this six-week period.
BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Holt Science and Technology: Life Science/ Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Title
ISBN
Replacement Cost
Online book and/or resources
Online student access code (school specific)

ISBN-10: 0-03-092025-6
$68.70
http://my.hrw.com
Username: sstudents11
Password: Henderson1!

GRADING SYSTEM: The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning shall be
conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A variety of approaches,
methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each students opportunity to succeed.
Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the students academic achievement, and communicate official
academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS

STUDENT PROGRESS

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

HOMEWORK

MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES

CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS

Semester progress reports shall be issued four and a half, nine and thirteen and a half weeks into each
semester. The progress of students shall be evaluated frequently and plans shall be generated to
remediate deficiencies as they are discovered. Plans shall include appropriate interventions designed to
meet the needs of the students. See Board Policy IH.
Academic honesty: Receiving or giving information for an assignment is cheating and when caught in
the act students will not receive credit nor receive the opportunity for a chance of make-up. Plagiarism
is not acceptable: If a student takes information from the Internet or any printed resources without a
citation, it is considered plagiarism and will result in a significant reduction of the grade. See the Code
of Student Conduct - Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook.
Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or adaptation of a
classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the teaching/learning experience. It
should be considered the possession of the student and should be collected, evaluated and returned to
the students. See Board Policy IHB.
*Homework is expected to be completed as assigned.
Make-up work: Previously announced work, such as homework, quizzes and major assessments are
due the day the student returns. For each days excused absence, students will have one day to make
up missed work. If a student is absent under extenuating circumstances, special arrangements can be
made to make up work. IT IS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST MISSED
WORK.
. See Board Policy IHEA.
SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
Late work: It is the policy of the DeKalb County School System that students will receive a
denotation of I (Incomplete) for any missing assignments until student work is completed. Student
work must be completed within the prescribed time limit. The maximum point allotment will be 80%.
Make-up work: Previously announced work, such as homework, quizzes and major assessments are
due the day the student returns. For each days excused absence, students will have one day to make
up missed work. If a student is absent under extenuating circumstances, special arrangements can be
made to make up work. IT IS THE STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO REQUEST MISSED
WORK.

MATERIALS AND
SUPPLIES
EXTRA HELP

Students need to bring paper, pencil, notebook, and textbook to class daily and other required
supplies as needed.
www.doe.k12.ga.us
http://www.georgiastandards.org/ (See GPS for Parent's section)

GRADING CATEGORIES

*GRADE PROTOCOL

Formative Assessment (Pre-Assessment) 0%

-Pre-tests

A
B
C
D
F

Assessment During Learning 25%

-Quizzes, Skills Assessments (Ex: Warm-Ups), Labs

90 100
80 89
71 79
70
Below 70

~P (pass)
~F (fail)

Guided, Independent, or Group Practice 45%

-Notebook Checks/Portfolios, Classwork, Homework
Summative Assessment or Assessment of Learning 30%
-Unit Tests, Projects, Final Exams
Notes:
*English Learners (ELs) must not receive numerical or letter grades for the core content areas in elementary and middle school during
their first year of language development. A grade of CS or CU must be assigned. This rule may be extended beyond the first year with
approval from the EL Studies Program. English Learners must receive a grade for ESOL courses.
*The teacher reserves the right to adjust the course work and/or differentiate instruction as needed to meet the needs of students and
ensure academic success.