7th Grade Science | Quarter 3 | Matter Cycling & Ecosystem Dynamics
In this engaging course we will investigate ecosystems to see how they work and how they affect the living things in them.
Mrs. Victoria Laird, M.S.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(25)
What's included
24 live meetings
18 in-class hoursAssignments
1 hour per week. Students may be required to complete 20-30 minutes of assignments, reading, activities, etc. per each live lesson depending on the flow of the class.Assessment
Assessments will be given as an indication of how well a student is learning the content and skills for the class and to help me continuously develop a better curriculum. Students will be assigned a number on a proficiency scale* that lets the student, parent, and teacher know how the student is doing. Each assignment will have a rubric attached to it letting the student, parent, and teacher know the expectations for the assessment. Assessments may be multiple choice, free response, modeling, or many other types. Most assessments will be taken in class, but some may be at-home projects. Assessment retakes and/or revisions will be provided and encouraged. *See Grading Policy for our Proficiency ScaleGrading
Grades will be provided by default to all learners. If students do not want their student graded or to not have access to their grades, please let me know. Grades allow students, parents, and myself to understand where the student is at in their learning. Classwork will be graded using the outline below: 0 - The students understanding is incomplete, incorrect, or missing. 1 - The students understanding is complete and correct. Assessments will be graded using the outline below: 0 - The student demonstrates no evidence of learning. 1 - The student demonstrates a minimal understanding of the concept. 2 - The student demonstrates a partial understanding of the concept. 3 - The student demonstrates a complete understanding of the concept. 4 - The student demonstrates an understanding of the concept and can apply it to a new situation. Students will be able and encouraged to retake assessments and redo classwork throughout this class.Class Experience
US Grade 7
*Students DO NOT need to take quarter classes in order* Structure of the Class: In my dynamic classroom, students dive into a myriad of learning experiences, from live debates and hands-on projects to intriguing educational escape rooms and enlightening lab sessions. But it doesn't stop there - we also incorporate games and direct instruction to ensure a well-rounded education. Each live session comes equipped with a set of slides and activity guidelines, readily accessible for students during and post-class. Plus, I've got a slew of videos and resources at the ready to shed light on those trickier concepts and deepen your background knowledge. Student Requirements: Students will be required to keep their cameras turned on during class. This allows me to better interact with students and helps them to interact with their peers. My Teaching Style: My mission is to ignite a spark of scientific curiosity in my students, fostering lifelong learners who are scientifically savvy. I pour my energy into crafting lessons that aren't just informative, but also a whole lot of fun, ensuring students genuinely relish the learning journey. I'm a firm believer in connecting classroom knowledge to real-world experiences, encouraging students to view their surroundings through an exploratory lens. Prior Knowledge: Students will not be required to have any prior knowledge of life science to participate in this course. *Students DO NOT need to take quarter classes in order*
Learning Goals
Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
Syllabus
Standards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)2 Units
24 Lessons
over 12 WeeksUnit 1: Matter Cycling
Lesson 1:
Where do the food molecules in the maple tree come from?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Why don't plants die at night?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Why don't plants die when they can't make food?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Where does the rest of our food come from?
45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
1 pencil with an eraser 1 notebook, lined 1 pack of colored pencils, colored pens, markers, or crayons Access to a Gmail account (many of our assignments are in Google Docs and Slides)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
I will be referencing the OpenSciEd as well as the Utah Science Curriculum Consortium's SEEd Storylines and Jordan School District's (Utah) open-source curriculum. All are created by certified expert teachers and curriculum designers.
If you would like more information please see
https://www.openscied.org/
https://www.seedstorylines.org/
https://middlescience.jordandistrict.org/7th-8th-grade-exemplary-units/
Joined November, 2023
5.0
25reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Utah Teaching Certificate in Science
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Science from University of Utah
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University
I have a masters in Earth Science science and I have taught integrated science at the middle school level as well as high school Biology, Wildlife Biology, and Zoology.
During the last two years, I have worked as a Science Specialist for a large school district in Utah, supporting teachers and administration in science education. Reviews
Live Group Course
$33
weekly or $396 for 24 classes2x per week, 12 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-6 learners per class
