Contact Mrs. Mach at jmach@tenafly.k12.nj.us
Welcome to my science website for your child's 7th grade science class! Below, you will find descriptions about the activities your child is doing in class each week. The descriptions include quiz dates and useful information to help you help your child succeed.
I look forward to working with you this year. Feel free to email me with any questions, comments or concerns at jmach@tenafly.k12.nj.us. I will respond as soon as I can, usually within a day. In the meantime, be sure to scroll down for tips on how to help your child do homework!
Week of January 11 - This week, we're starting our Human Body Unit. It will last until the end of March. We'll study many of the organ systems, including the skeletal, muscular, and digestive systems. Monday is an introductory lesson to get the kids excited and Tuesday starts the skeletal system. We'll be learning the names of about 20 different bones in the body and 3 kinds of joints. See the homework page for assignments and due dates.
Week of December 7 - This week, we'll be working on our cell T-shirts. Students will use permanent markers to draw and label a cell on a light colored T-shirt with its organelles and their functions. They'll also include cell history and cell theory. The T-shirts will be worn on the day of the test and can be used during the test! The test will be next Tuesday, Dec. 15th. Check the homework page for homework for this week and due dates.
Week of November 23 - For this short week, we'll be learning cell history and the cell theory. This can be found in Chapter 3 - Section 1. On Wednesday, there will be a short quiz on this section. Your child has a study guide from which to study.
Week of November 16 - This week, we'll be learning about viruses and then reviewing Chapter 10 (bacteria, archaea and viruses) in preparation for a test on Friday. On Monday, we will go over our virus study guide. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be reviewing Chapter 10. Friday is the Chapter 10 Test. There is a virus model project also due on Friday. Please see your child's binder for the rubric and the homework page for specific assignments and due dates.
Week of November 9 - This week, we'll be learning about bacteria's role in the world - that life cannot exist without bacteria! We'll also begin talking about viruses. There will not be any quiz on these subjects this week, but we will have a binder test on Thursday. Your child will not need to study. It is essentially an open binder test on the marking period's material. As long as he or she has kept the binder organized all marking period, the test will be an easy 100.
Week of October 19th - This week, we'll be learning about the kingdom protista and all the wonderful protists! Monday and Tuesday, we'll complete a study guide on Chapter 11, Section 1 about the characteristics of protists, their differences among each other and their reproduction habits. There will be a quiz on this section on Thursday.
Week of October 12th - This week, we'll be reviewing Chapter 9, which is about classification. The postcard project is due this Tuesday. On Thursday, they'll be a Chapter 9 Test. Students should study all notes and worksheets they have completed for this chapter. Rereading the book is not necessary as test questions come from what we have done in class. See you Friday for the Open House!
Week of October 5th- This week, we'll be learning about how organisms are classified according to Carolus Linnaeus's 8 level system. We'll also be learning about the 3 domain and 3 kingdoms that all organisms are currently classified into. Finally, we'll learn how to identify an unknown organism using a dichotomous key. An organism project will be assigned this Wednesday and due next Tuesday. The directions and rubric is in your child's science folder. See the homework page for other assignments and due dates. The test for this chapter (chapter 9) will be next Thursday.
Week of Sept. 29 - This week, we are continuing are education with the microscopes. Students will learn how to focus on high power, make their own slides, notice how an image appears upside down and backwards, and take a microscope quiz on Friday. My fun websites page has some microscope review sites. There are some good self quizzes that will prepare your child for the quiz on Friday. As always, see the homework page for assignments and due dates.
Week of Sept. 21st - This week, we'll be learning why organisms need to eat certain foods. For example, we need to eat protein to rebuild cells and we need to eat lipids to make cell membranes. On Tuesday, we'll review for our Chapter 2 Test, which is on Wednesday. On Thursday and Friday, we'll begin learning about and using microscopes to view prepared slides! As always, please see the homework page for assignments and due dates.
Week of Sept. 14th - This week, we'll be discussing "What is a living thing?", as well as "What do living things need?" Students will learn the 6 characteristics of all living things (Chapter 2 - Section 1) and there will be a quiz on these on Thursday. There is also a poster project on the 6 characteristics due on Thursday. The rubric for the poster is in your child's science folder in their binder. Later in the week, we'll learn what living things need to survive (Chapter 2 - Section 2) and there will be a test on all of Chapter 2 next Wednesday. Please see the homework page for assignments and due dates.
Week of Sept. 8th - During the first week of school, your child will be learning the ropes of science class and determining his or her learning style. To do this, they'll make a list of all the supplies they'll need for science this year, discuss classroom rules and procedures, and take a Multiple Intelligence Test (not for a grade). You will need to sign the classroom policies sheet (see classroom policies pages above) and ensure that your child has all the necessary science supplies. Please check the homework page for a supplies list and the dates when these things are due.
Helping Your Child Complete Homework
1. Set up a consistent spot in your home for homework to be completed. Homework should be done in the same place every night, not on the couch one night, at the dinner table the next, and the bedroom the following night.
2. Organize the homework spot for maximum efficiency. Have a box with pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, markers, and paper. This will reduce procrastination.
3. Establish a consistent schedule for completing homework. Depending on your child's after school schedule, it may not be possible for your child to complete homework at the same time every night. However, it is wise to create a schedule that is as consistent as possible.
4. Do NOT sit with your child and do homework together. The purpose of homework is for your child to practice alone what he or she learned in class. If your child cannot do the homework by herself, contact the teacher.
5. Discuss the homework after you child completes it. Ask what he or she was working on and whether it was difficult or easy.
6. Students should spend 10 minutes per grade level on homework each night. For example, a 2nd grader should spend about 20 minutes on homework each night. A 7th grader should spend 70 minutes each night. If your child seems to be consistently spending more time on homework (and he or she is not texting, watching TV or talking to friends on the computer), make sure to contact the teacher.