Welcome to Ms. Mary de Sa's Science Page

I have been teaching Middle School Science at EARJ since 1985. I have taught 6th - 9th grade science, and Astronomy.

In my website you will find a spectrum of resources in various fields of science. There are web quests, projects, worksheets, links, and more!

In Middle School students are encouraged to develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to make environmentally sound decisions and to adopt reasonable behaviors, while they work individually and collectively as an integral part of the planet Earth.

Students are actively involved in the process of discovery and its role in the acquisition of scientific knowledge. This knowledge includes the biological, physical, and chemical sciences and their applications.

Through the sequencing of integrated topics of study and hands on materials designed to provide conceptual understanding, the science program at EARJ enables students to become literate in science and empowers them to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8

Other Resources

Philosophy

Students are encouraged to develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable them to make environmentally sound decisions and to adopt reasonable behaviors, while they work individually and collectively as an integral part of the planet Earth.

Essential Agreements

Assist students to develop their thinking skills and empower students to become academically independent.
Promote the use of technology for students to communicate in multiple formats and collaborate on multiple levels, while choosing the correct tools to organize thinking and solve problems.
Design assessments to allow students to demonstrate and apply scientific knowledge.
Integrate mathematics and technology as an investigative tool.
Design units that are relevant to students' lives, inquiry based and exploratory in nature.
Create opportunities for students to regularly organize scientific ideas through various methods such as creating models, concept maps, etc..
Foster the use of background knowledge by the students in order to create their own hypotheses which are then tested using the scientific method.
Promote the proper use of syntax while incorporating the necessary academic terminology.
Engage the students in the practice of using data to evaluate their hypotheses and support their conclusions.

The EARJ Middle School Science Department follows the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) :

Matter and Its Interactions

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

Energy

Waves and Their Applications

From Molecules to Organism: Structures and Processes

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamic

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Earth’s Place in the Universe

Earth’s Systems

Earth and Human Activity

Engineering Design

The Middle School Science Program has a vertically integrated curriculum.

Upon the completion of the program it is expected that all students will have been exposed to the central ideas of science on three occasions.

Students in all levels of middle school are faced with a series of engineering challenges in teams, as part of the ongoing STEM education.

All classes encourage a hands-on approach utilizing problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Grade 6 Science

The sixth grade science curriculum is the first of three middle school science strands, consisting of life science, physical science and earth science. To meet the curriculum standards, students will be engaged in a variety of units that include an introduction to scientific inquiry; the origin of Earth; cells, evolution, and diversity; health and nutrition; human inventiveness.

Grade 7 Science

In seventh grade, students will begin the year exploring the scientific method as the search for answers to simple questions in several areas of science. We will then move into learning about ecosystems and study the environment, including a presentation on a specific environmental issue. Students then learn how volcanologists monitor the movement of the Earth’s crust; use this data to predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and what geologists do to study minerals and rocks. We study the Earth and its changes, the causes and effects of these changes, and how the Earth is affected. Students will then finish the year investigate the principles of color, light, and sound.

Grade 8 Science

Eighth grade science is heavily based on practical, laboratory work. Students are expected to apply the scientific method to solve problems in a sound and safe manner. A discussion of precision and accuracy is included as well as the appropriate choice of graphs to display different types of data. Topics in chemistry include atoms and the periodic table, reading and balancing equations, and an introduction to the properties of acids and bases. Organic chemistry and biochemistry are covered as they lead to a better understanding of DNA and how it is able to both make copies of itself and control the processes within living organisms. In Genetics students examine the work of Mendel and learn to solve simple problems. Modern Genetics will be limited to the study of one issue of ethical consideration such as genetic engineering, congenital diseases, or stem-cell research and applications. An introduction to Motion and Energy close the year in our introduction to Physics unit. Practical, laboratory work is at the core of our curriculum as it prepares our students for upcoming high-school courses and future professions in science.

Grading System

All three grades adopt a raw point system for calculating grades. Points for individual assignments are determined by the degree of difficulty and time required for completion.

NOTE: Students are expected to put forth their best efforts in all the tasks and activities prepared for their completion. No task is more or less important than the other. We ask that students be prepared to excel and grow both as learners and as participating global citizens.

Policy for Late Assignments

7^th and 8^th grade:

Assignment is due at the beginning of class the day it is due. Students will have a reduction in their grade by 10% each calendar day that an assignment is late, but the student must turn the work in within 5 days for it to be accepted. After the due date, work must be turned in by 3:30 (whether or not there is class that day).

Examples (all of these are assuming there are no vacations or days off or absences):

Monday is the due date but the student did not have the work in at the beginning of the hour. The work is done by the end of that day. Grade reduction: 10%

Monday is the due date but the student did not have the work in till Tuesday at 3:30. Grade reduction: 10%

Tuesday is the due date but the student turns the work in Friday. Grade reduction: 30%

Tuesday is the due date but the student turns the work in the next Tuesday. Grade reduction: 50%

Tuesday is the due date but the student turns the work in a 6 days later (the following Wednesday). Work is not accepted after 5 days.

6^th grade:

Assignment is due at the beginning of class the day it is due. Students will have a reduction in their grade by 5% each calendar day that an assignment is late, but the student must turn the work in within one week for it to be accepted. After the due date, work must be turned in by 3:30 (whether or not there is class that day).

Classroom Rules

Arrive to class at the first bell, sit down, and read the Lesson Objective posted, and access their Unit Plan where there is the class agenda.
Speak English at all times.
Follow all parts of the Middle School Handbook.
Show respect towards your teacher and classmates at all times.
Be sure to have all materials to class everyday
Homework will be given in accordance with the Middle School handbook.
Late assignments will be penalized according to the respective grade policy.
Please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged by your teacher before speaking.
Leave the classroom only with your teachers' permission.
At the end of class you are dismissed by the teacher not the bell.
When taking a test please remember:

You should remain silent throughout the testing period.
If you have a question raise your hand and remain seated. Your teacher will come to you.
Sit properly on your chair

12. Students who do not complete the class work within the class time allotted for that assignment will complete the work at home, and will be automatically one day late with that assignment, and subject to appropriate points deduction.

Disciplinary Action Plan

1. Verbal or non-verbal warning.

2. Student/teacher conference during brunch or other arranged time.

3. Parent contacted.

4. Conference with teacher, student and principal or counselor.

5. Office Referral.

Click here for printable versions of these documents

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