Life Science Syllabus

American School of Tegucigalpa

Dear Life Science Students/Parents:

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Science through the Life Science Course for seventh grade. This course is widely described as an in-depth study of the five kingdoms and human biology. However, since the American School now offers the unique opportunity of preparing the students for International Baccalaureate studies through the Middle Years Program, it is also the foundation of a successful career in science. Let’s work together to excel in setting the right knowledge and attitude towards study in the students. Please take a few minutes to examine this short introduction and the classroom textbook to get acquainted with this course.

Course Compliance:
The course is designed to meet and/or exceed the requirements of the Ministerio de Educación de la República de Honduras and also the American School Science Benchmarks and Standards, which are based upon those suggested by the U.S. National Science Teachers Association, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Course Elements:
The course is supported by a textbook: Pearson Prentice Hall’s Science Explorer; M.Padilla, I. Miaoulis and M. Cyr, and is divided into four quarters:



FIRST QUARTER

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO LIFE SCIENCE
CHAPTER 2 LIVING THINGS
CHAPTER 3 CELL PROCESSES AND ENERGY
CHAPTER 4 GENETICS: THE SCIENCE OF HEREDITY
CHAPTER 5 MODERN GENETICS


SECOND QUARTER

CHAPTER 6 CHANGES OVER TIME
CHAPTER 14 BONES, MUSCLES, AND SKIN
CHAPTER 15 FOOD AND DIGESTION
CHAPTER 16 CIRCULATION


THIRD QUARTER

CHAPTER 17 RESPIRATION AND EXCRETION
CHAPTER 18 FIGHTING DISEASE
CHAPTER 19 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHAPTER 20 THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND REPRODUCTION


FOURTH QUARTER

CHAPTER 21 POPULATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
CHAPTER 22 ECOSYSTEMS AND BIOMES
CHAPTER 23 LIVING RESOURCES




Course Implementation:
In order to asses the student’s comprehension, the course requires a grading procedure divided as follows:
• Class Participation 10%
• Homework and Classroom Work 20%
• Tests 25%
• Projects and Lab Activities 30%
• Quizzes 15%

You might have noticed that Class Participation is graded and required. I cannot stress enough the importance of personal attributes such as being prepared, on-time, follow directions, work well with others, show good classroom manners and display a positive attitude and effort all around, as these are roughly the matters that make class participation. Homework and classroom work are obviously graded to encourage completion of the assigned task. You might also have noticed that there are quizzes and tests. In a subject like Science, learning comes predominantly through observation, just like the original discoverers of many scientific processes did; Projects and Lab Activities will be part of the tools used to reinforce lectures, and will also be graded. Tests are chapter evaluations that will be announced and expected at the end of each chapter. Since students are also expected to review the material covered in class on a daily basis, they should be ready for a Quiz at any time, be it announced or unannounced.

Miscellaneous:
It is always important to read the Student/Parent Handbook as it is a good reference as to what is expected, permitted, prohibited and otherwise. If the need arises, you can contact me by making an appointment through the secretary to the Middle School Principal, or via email to the following address: merrazuriz@amschool.org

Best regards,





Marici Errázuriz-Giron