Science and technology enable students to learn and master skills that are relevant to their everyday world, including the opportunity to experience, study, appreciate and understand the natural and human-designed worlds. There is a close link between science and technology, especially through the skills of scientific inquiry, technological problem solving and communication. Science and technology refer to certain processes used by humans for obtaining knowledge and solving problems through exploration, research and experimentation.

The science and technology curriculum expectations are organized in four strands, which are the major areas of knowledge and skills in the science and technology curriculum.
The four strands are as follows:
• Understanding Life Systems
• Understanding Matter and Energy
• Understanding Earth and Space Systems
• Understanding Structures and Mechanisms


Resources: Textbooks, Current texts, Videos, Newspapers, and other current and acceptable resources which we have found, or that have been shared with us.

Grade 7 Course Outline:
Term 1: Interactions in the Environment; Pure Substances and Mixtures
Term 2: Heat in the Environment; Form and Function of Structures; 

Grade 8 Course Outline:
Term 1: Cells; Fluids
Term 2: Water Systems; Systems in Action


Assessment:
We often use rubrics to evaluate student work. Rubrics and/or checklists very clearly state the success criteria for student work. They may lead to a grade or be part of the grading process. They provide specific and detailed criteria and expectations for the assignment and why the student received the mark he/she did. They can show strengths and weaknesses in student work, and they clearly show and provide the student with what we want him/her to include and accomplish on the particular assignment. Quizzes, tests and an end of term major assignment are also used for assessment.

Lateness Policy (of labs, assignments, projects, etc.):
1. Assignments must be handed in on the due date. If the student knows he/she will not be attending that day, please inform the teacher or hand the assignment in a day early, if at all possible.
2. All assignments start in class, and the students are given time to work on an assignment in class, however, they may have to finish it at home.
3. Please, if you do not understand the assignment, do not leave it to the day it is due to ask for help. The teacher is always available for extra help.
4. One day late – the student loses 10% of his/her final mark on that assignment.
5. Two days late – the student loses 15% of his/her final mark on the assignment.
6. Three days or more the student lose 25% of his/her final mark. Students must hand in all assignments for course completion.
7. Extensions may be given upon teacher discretion.

Class Rules and Expectations:
 RESPECT: Yourself, classmates, and teacher.
 BE PREPARED: Come to class with binders, texts, and any supplies you will need for that day.
 HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENTS: Must be completed to the best of your ability and on time.

How teachers will communicate with you:
Phone calls, parent/teacher conference, scheduled meetings, e-mail, letters home, and through the intermediate division web site.

Thanks,

Ms. Peart