Life Science Syllabus

Murray Jr. High

Texts: Prentice Hall Earth Science  and Science Explorer series

Course Description:

            The magnet science curriculum is a six-trimester sequence of physical, earth and life sciences. The following topics are covered:

            First Year:

      Timeline

September-October       Unit I: Introduction to the nature of science; lab responsibility and safety; controlled experiments; begin Science Fair project preparation, selection

                                    Standards:  7 I A (Scientific Understanding), 7-I B (Controlled Experiments)

November-January        Unit II: Physics of Motion, Forces, Energy, and Energy Issues, Science Fair project processing

Standards: 9-II C (Energy Transformations), 9-II D (Motion), 9-II E (Forces of Nature)

January-March              Unit III: Dynamic Forces in Earth’s Atmosphere and Hydrosphere, including human impact on the environment

                                    Standards: 7-I C (Impact of Culture on Science), 8-III A (Human Impact on Environment), 8-III B (Water Cycle, Weather, Climate)

April-May                  Unit IV: Dynamic Forces in Earth’s Lithosphere

                                    Standards: 8-III A (Earth Structure and Processes)

May-June                Unit V: Physics of waves, light and sound.

                                        Standard 9-II C (Energy Transformations)                                 

“Standards” refers to the Minnesota Academic Standards.  These can be found on line at http://education.state.mn.us/mde/static/078664.doc.  Copies are available on request.

Second Year:

1.      Astronomy

2.      Chemistry

3.      Biology

Students must earn a "C" average or better to continue with the Magnet Science program

Science Fair:

            All students who are in the Magnet Science Program are required to develop and research a science fair paper and/or project. The project must be presented in mid January at Murray’s Science Fair.  Students not meeting the science fair time line as of the first week of Trimester II will be moved to Life Science.

Materials:

            Notebook for notes and assignments

            Folder to hold handouts and past tests

            Pen or pencil

            Textbook

            Calculator (inexpensive)

Grading:

            Generally, the following grading scale applies, based on the following percentages:

A+ = 98 – 100                                                           C+ = 78 - 79.9

A = 92 - 97.9                                                              C = 72 - 77.9

A- = 90 - 91.9                                                            C- = 70 - 71.9

B+ = 88 - 89.9                                                           D+ = 68 - 69.9

B = 82 - 87.9                                                              D = 62 - 67.9

B- = 80 - 81.9                                                            D- = 60 - 61.9

Grade reports with a list of the completed assignments will be shown to the students about every two-three weeks.

Sonja Dunlap     293-8740 ext 2110  

    e-mail:Sonja.dunlap@spps.org

Kristi Andrews   293-8740 ext 2109                         

    email Kristi.Andrews@spps.org

     Erin Dooley        293-8740 ext 2104     

         e-mail: erin.Dooley@spps.org