Wildfire Science Page
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 Students & Parents:

Scientific Method (Science Process Skills)  (last:12-02-2009)
Class Bell Work  (last:02-19-2009)
Announcements  (last:08-25-2009)
Astronomy  (last:02-03-2009)
Reading  (last:07-28-2007)
       Agendas for Science and Home Base  (last:08-10-2009)
Ecology  (last:02-19-2011)
Geology  (last:01-08-2007)
Homebase  (last:08-15-2007)


No Late Assignments      posted 08-25-2009
No late assignments are accepted in Science class. There are several reasons for this policy:

**to encourage personal responsibility
**to keep all assignment-based instruction current
**to support grading equity
**to discourage academic procrastication

The following classroom procedures are in place to support On-Time Assignment Submission:

**ALWAYS one deadline date per week - FRIDAY
**"Assignments due" physically posted (w/ magnets) as assigned on the white board next to the agenda
**"Freaky Friday" procedure reiterates all that is due
**"Freaky Friday" emergency time to complete unfinished weekly assignments
**A "Bell Work Guru" to help w/ and collect Bell Work each Friday
**One turn in spot (tall blue chair)


CAVEAT**CAVEAT**CAVEAT
STUDENTS WHO DO NOT TURN IN AN ASSIGNMENT ON THE DUE DATE MUST ATTEND AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY OR THURSDAY IF THEY WISH TO GET CREDIT FOR THE ASSIGNMENT. STUDENTS MUST REMAIN IN TUTORING FOR A MINIMUM OF 20 MINUTES IN ORDER FOR THE WORK TO BE ACCEPTED FOR GRADING. TUTORING ATTENDANCE IS THE ONLY MEANS BY WHICH THIS WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AND GRADED.






Classroom Coupons      posted 08-10-2009
Sometimes stuff happens. Some one takes your pencil, you drank one too many glasses of water, the person sitting next to you REALLY bugs you. Your teacher should'nt have to determine when you just HAVE to have an out. That's why we have classroom coupons in Wildfire Science.

Each student will receive two Potty Passes, and one each Pencil, Seat Change and Locker Visit coupon each quarter. Students must sign each coupon upon receipt.

Coupons may be used at any time during class as long as the hall pass (vest or apron) is available. They should simply place the coupon on the gray table in the front of the room, put the vest (or apron) on, then go off to locker or rest room. This should be done in an unobtrusive manner so as not to disturb class.

The pencil coupon is used for acquiring a new pencil. These are in a jar on the gray table. The coupon is placed next to the jar, and a pencil taken.

Coupons that are not used can be turned in on the last day of the quarter for 5 points extra credit each. Coupons can be used only once, and may not be transfered from student to student.

Due to printing delays, 1st quarter coupons will not be distributed until the second week of the quarter.





Science Standards for 7th Grade 2008-2009      posted 08-04-2009
7th Grade Science Standards
Marana Middle School follows the Arizona State Standards in all subjects. Both the AIMS tests and the local DAPS are based on these standards. Your Science book, projects, lessons and activities are ALL planned with these standards in mind!

The Science Standards can be viewed by clicking on the link above. If you want to know what you are expected to know by the end of the school year, take a look at these!














Required Student Supplies for Science 2008      posted 08-02-2009
All Wildfire Science students will need the following materials by the second week of classes:
*#2 pencil
*eraser
*pen (blue or black ink only)
*Mead Composition Book (100 sheets, 200 pages, 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 inch)
*loose leaf ruled binder paper (8 1/2 x 11)
*Mead 2-pocket folder w/ 3 brad hold-downs (green for science)
*highlighter
*Elmers white glue
*box of facial tissue
*book bag or backpack
*1 ream of printer paper

Optional (but VERY handy) supplies:

*box of 24 Crayola Colored Pencils
*box of 10 Crayola Markers (Classic Colors)

















More Science Fair News      posted 02-02-2009
Bottle Biology
Here are some resources to use for your projects:

Bottle Biology (for various experiments like fish and plant respiration)

Air Foil/ Fluid Dynamics http://www.bottlebiology.org/basics/index.html

Phototropism: the potato growing experiment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze8NV7cvW8k





New Additions to Web Site!      posted 10-26-2008
Please check the Scientific Method section of this web site for many new additions pertaining to the SCIENTIFIC METHOD. We're having FUN NOW!!

MMS Science Fair is February 18th, 2008      posted 08-08-2008
SARSEF Home Page: Rules and Regulations
Attention all Science Fair participants!!

All Projects must be turned in by 8:15am, Wednesday, February 18th in the MMS Media Center. That's the Wednesday after conferences.

The Science Fair projects will be judged between 10:00am and 2:30pm on the 18th. Awards will be presented and projects will be available for viewing from 6pm to 7pm the same day.

Projects must be taken home by Friday, February 20th at 1:00pm.

Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair is March 16th at the Tucson Convention Center. The SARSEF fair is available to all MMS fair projects earning a 1st place in their category. Registration fee paid by MMS. Students are responsible for delivering and picking up their own projects.



Back to School Night is August 28th      posted 08-06-2008
We'd like to welcome all parents and students to visit Marana Middle School on August 28th. Here you will meet all your student's teachers, experience a bit of the MIDDLE atmosphere and glimpse some of the great things your great kids are doing. Be here at 6:00pm for an enjoyable evening!





Student Led Conferences September 25th      posted 08-06-2008
All parents should plan on attending a school conference conducted by their child on September 25th. Mrs. Sheppard's home base students will meet in room N100.

At the conference, your child will share his/her academic portfolio with you, brag about successes and reveal plans to address academic problems. Mrs. Sheppard will be on hand to reinforce and elaborate upon your child's points.

All Wildfire teachers will be available for informal discussions during intermittent team gatherings. Puncha nd cookies will be available at these recesses.

Conference schedules and appointment forms will be sent home with students on September 19th.

If you'd prefer a private conference with Mrs. Sheppard please call 682-4790 or e-mail her at I.D.Sheppard@maranausd.org.




Tutoring Purpose and Schedule Quarter 1, 2008      posted 08-05-2008
Tutoring is available to all Wildfire students Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:25. Mrs. Sheppard offers tutoring on Tuesdays in N100, Mrs. Blute on Thursdays in D103. Activity buses can take students home at 4:20pm.

Tutoring began Tuesday, August 12th.






Know Your School's Rules!!      posted 08-03-2008
MMS Student Handbook
Mrs. Sheppard's classes follow the academic guidelines set forth by the Arizona Department of Education.

To establish and maintain campuses focused on learning, Marana Unified School District has established a set of rules and procedures for all students to follow.

All students must know and conform to these specific behavior expectations. These are published in the MMS Student Handbook.






Start of 2008 School Year: Do's and Don'ts      posted 08-01-2008
First Day (Everyday) Do's and Don'ts

* Do be excited and happy - we're going to have a great year!
* Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing - you will be moving around a lot!
* Do come prepared to learn the first day. What better time to begin?!
* Don't wear revealing clothing! I may be a biology teacher, but I don't need to see YOURS!
* Don't chew gum. It makes you look like a cow.
* Don't wear hats. I want to see your loverly face!
* Do get plenty of rest. Dare I suggest a 9:00pm bedtime like mine?!
* Do eat a good brekfast. A hardboiled egg is handy when you are running for the bus!