Welcome to Mr. McMaster’s 7th Grade Science Class

About Mr. McMasterThis is technically my second year teaching

Taught 7th grade science the last half of the year at Centennial.

Student taught 7th grade science at Akimel the first half of last year.

ASU and BYU-Hawaii Alum Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sport

Science with a minor in Health and Wellness.

Masters degree is in Elementary Education.

About Mr. McMasterMy wife, Caitlin, and I have been married

for three years.We have a baby girl, Margaret, whom we

call Maggie. She is now 11 months old. I love being outside, either playing sports or

camping with my fishing pole. My dad and myself have been camping

every summer for 22 years. I have played in leagues and made money

for ultimate frisbee and dodgeball.I had a full ride scholarship to run cross

country at BYU-Hawaii.

7th Grade CurriculumMicrobiology

•Scientific Method/ lab safety review•How to convert within the metric system•Germ Theory•Virus vs. Bacteria

•Characteristics, structure and function of micro-organismsEcology

•Food chains, food webs, predator/prey relationships•Limiting factors and carrying capacity•Human interaction in the environment: Invasive

SpeciesAstronomy

•Moon phases, moon tides•Lunar and solar eclipses•Seasons, major constellations•Structure of the sun and universeGeology (Rocks and Minerals)

• Properties of rocks and minerals and rock cycle• Layers of the Earth• Rock and Fossil Record

• Lithospheric movement due to convection• Earth landforms: mountains, volcanoes, valleys• Earthquake detection and measurement

How We Learn the 7th Grade Curriculum

Hands-on Activities and Labs Group Work, Partner Work, Individual Work,

Class Collaboration Science Notebook Interdisciplinary Work (math, social studies,

language arts, etc) Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum

Reading Skills from researching throughout the year.

Writing Skills from lab write ups and essays.

Materials Needed

2 composition books/notebooks (2 should cover entire year) And/or 1” binder with plenty of loose leaf notebook paper Writing instruments (many pencils; colorful pens) Colored highlighters (yellow, pink, blue, green) Coloring utensils (colored pencils, crayons, markers) Scissors (optional) glue sticks (optional)

My goal is to have all students increase their appreciation and knowledge of science through hands-on learning, the way science is supposed to be learned.

Expectations of students: Students are expected to be on time Students are expected to be prepared for class. Students are expected to master all objectives. Students are expected to turn in assignments on

time and are expected to be prepared for tests. Students are expected to follow all class and school

policies outlined in the student handbook.

My Goal and Expectations

Grades

A = 90%-100%B = 80%-89%C = 70%-79%D = 60%-69%F = 50%-59%

LA = LateAB = AbsentMI = Missing

Assessment (tests, quizzes, projects, labs) =80%

Classwork/practice work =20%

Grade Weight

Practice Work (Homework) Practice work includes reviewing concepts, notes, and

objectives Practice work load will vary from week to week, which

could mean it is on one night or multiple nights.

Students may turn in assignments late for full credit, but it will be through the school policy of the lunch homework club.

Practice work that is not turned in by the test, will be counted as 50% and missing.

Late Work

Absences

Participation is essential in science.Students cannot take lab materials home

with them, therefore missed labs may require alternative assessment or complete on their own time.

Students are given an equal number of days to their absences to complete make-up work.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up work from the website, a classmate, or the calendar and folder in class.

Classroom Wish List

StrawsClorox WipesPlastic baggies (quart or gallon)Glue sticksColored pencils or markersComposition notebooksColored sticky notesScissorsGraphing paper

Contact Information

bmcmaster@kyrene.org

(480) 541-6509

Thank you!