Desert Sky Middle School

Mr. Vadim Kagan  

Voice Mail # 602-467-6541

7th Grade Science

Email Address:

vadim.kagan@dvusd.org

Room # 204

Course Description:

This course is aligned with district and state standards and supports schoolwide efforts to increase student achievement.

Course Objectives:

By the time your student completes this course of study, the student will know or be able to:

• Use non-algebraic mathematics and computational thinking to explain Newton’s laws of motion.

• Collect and analyze data demonstrating how electromagnetic forces can be attractive or repulsive and can vary in strength.

• Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

• Plan and carry out an investigation that can support an evidence-based explanation of how objects on Earth are affected by gravitational force.

• Construct a model that shows the cycling of matter and flow of energy in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.

• Analyze and interpret data to construct an explanation for how advances in technology have improved weather prediction.

• Construct a model to explain how the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures provides evidence of the past plate motions. 

• Develop and use a model to explain how cells, tissues, and organ systems maintain life (animals).

• Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to provide evidence that all living things are made of cells, cells come from existing cells, and cells are the basic structural and functional unit of all living things.

• Construct an explanation to demonstrate the relationship between major cell structures and cell functions (plant and animal).

• Explain how organisms maintain internal stability and evaluate the effect of the external factors on organisms’ internal stability.

• Construct an explanation for how some plant cells convert light energy into food energy.

Classroom Expectations  

Respectful 

Be on time with necessary supplies out

Be kind (teachers, peers, supplies)

Actively listen to speaker (eyes and ears)

Productive

Be on task 

Positive attitude

Phones powered down and in backpacks

Safe

Follow all safety directions (backpacks, labs, ONLY water)

Indoor voices

No horseplay

Grading Policies:

All grades are weighted

• Assessments -70%: Tests and Quizzes: assessment of students’ knowledge of state standards (NO notes or online references unless otherwise stated by teacher)     

• Assignments - 30%: Classwork, Interactive Science Notebooks (ISN’s), Labs  

• Assessment Retakes: Retake opportunities for tests and quizzes are given at the teacher’s discretion. Preparation for the assessment and assignment completion prior to the assessment will all be documented and taken into consideration.  Most retakes will be by appointment during Flash.  

• Absent Work: Students are responsible for missed work. Students should check the weekly lesson plans on the school’s website and fill out their agenda each Monday, in their Student Handbooks. 

• Late Work: Work turned in later than two weeks beyond the due date will be accepted and graded at the teacher’s discretion.   

• Homework: Complete any unfinished or missing classwork/projects and notes. Students should spend 5 to 10 minutes daily reviewing notes and vocabulary terms from their Composition notebook (ISN).

• Extra Help: Before or after school, appointments are required

Parent Power Schools Online Access:

Grades and attendance may be accessed 24 hours a day online with your Power School access code.  If you do not know your access code, please contact the front office, Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  You must provide a picture ID to be issued a code.  If you would like a hard copy of your student’s report card, please contact the front office at 602-467-6500.

Parent Canvas Access:

Assignments and an agenda for the week will be posted both on my website and on Canvas every Monday morning, to the best of my ability.  This will help you to be aware of what your student is working on.  It will also help your student if s/he is absent, as s/he can access the work from home.  If you do not know your access code, please contact the front office, Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  You must provide a picture ID to be issued a code.

Chromebook Use/Expectations:

Follow all prescribed expectations that are recorded in the student handbook and parent handbook.

Recommended Supplies:

• WIRED Headphones/earbuds to use with the assigned chromebook.  Our textbook is computer based, so students will need a means to listen to videos and text to speech without disrupting others.  

• Composition notebooks (2 for the year)

• 1 pack of colored pencils

• Highlighters

• Plenty of  pencils and erasers

• Helpful supplies: 2 rolls of scotch tape in a dispenser, calculator (cell phone calculators are NOT acceptable), dry erase markers, a clean cotton sock for erasing, pens, markers, ruler and highlighters (not mandatory)

School-Wide Cell Phone Policy:

Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed to be used on campus, unless explicitly directed by a teacher during the course of instruction. All cell phones are to remain off and put away at all times when on campus. Student use of cell phones or electronic devices will result in confiscation, and the student may pick up the device during dismissal at the end of the day for the first three violations. Upon the fourth violation, parents/guardians are required to pick up the phone from school. Continuous violations for this expectation may result in discipline in accordance with DVUSD standards. Earbuds or Bluetooth music devices may not be used in class or transition periods for any reason unless directed to by a teacher.