WELCOME TO MR. WARD’S 7TH GRADESCIENCE CLASS

HOW TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME I can always be reached at

daniel.ward@ohio.kyschools.us

I can also be reached by phone by calling the school and dialing extension 320

Feel free to contact me anytime and I will get back with you as soon as possible

PERSONAL INFO Graduated from WKU with a Bachelors

degree for Middle Grades Education: Science and Social Studies in December of 2005 and began working at OCMS in January of 2006

I taught ½ year of 8th grade science, this is my 8th year of 7th grade science

I completed my Masters degree in Middle Grades Education: Science and Social Studies in May of 2010

Currently working on my Masters in School Counseling

MY PHILOSOPHY AS A SCIENCE EDUCATOR A proper science education goes far beyond

memorizing facts and definitions but instead is based upon developing critical thinking and analytical skills. Science is based upon answering “how” and “why” and realizing there is much more to the world around us than what is written in the textbook. Therefore, science should be experienced and discussed critically instead of lectured and unquestioned. Regardless of whether or not my students use all of the content info in life, the thinking skills I am hoping to foster will be useful throughout life.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN 7TH GRADE SCIENCE I can sum it up as “a little of everything” Scientific Method Energy Transfer Force and Motion Earth Systems (Seasons, Moon Phases,

Eclipses) Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter Elements and why the Periodic Table is

arranged the way that it is The Atmosphere and Water Cycle Constructive and Destructive Forces of

Landforms

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN CONTINUED Layers of the Earth Weathering and Erosion The Rock Cycle Structure and Function of Cells Levels of Organization in the Body Chromosomes, Genes, and DNA (Heredity) Flow of Energy in Ecosystems (Food

Chain/Web) Changes in Ecosystems and how Organisms

Respond

WISH LIST BY NO MEANS DO YOU HAVE TO BRING IN

ANYTHING! Tissues Glue Sticks Hand Sanitizer Disinfecting Wipes From time to time I will ask the students to

bring in materials for activities (for example we will be needing bags of M&Ms for a Scientific Method activity). Any help would be appreciated!

QUESTIONS Thanks for your time and attentiveness This year will be a partnership between you,

the student, and myself so I hope we can all work together for the benefit of the student.

Any questions before we go