Welcome to Mrs. Gassert’s 7th Grade Science Class!
Hi! I am a graduate of Florida Southern College (Go Mocs!), and I moved to Terre Haute in 2012. This is my 8th year teaching 7th grade science at Otter Creek Middle School. Additionally, I sponsor the Science Fair at Otter Creek. Before moving here, I taught middle school in Polk County, Florida.
Students can find information related to my class on my Canvas page.
There, you will find a syllabus, class schedules, links to work and notes, a calendar of daily tasks, and more!
I will be available often to reply to questions or comments. Please allow additional response time for holidays, evenings, and weekends! (For example, if you email me after 4 PM on Monday through Friday, I will most likely not respond until the following school day.) Thank you for your patience!
During school hours:
– Before and after class
– TBG
After school hours:
– Email blg@vigoschools.org
– Send a message in Canvas- “Inbox” button on left menu
Remote learning days (or Hybrid learning):
– Email blg@vigoschools.org
– Send a message in Canvas- “Inbox” button on left menu
7th Grade Science Syllabus
Book | Lesson/Page | Title/Topics |
Intro. to Chem.- 1st Quarter |
1.1 p. 4-7 |
Describing Matter How is matter described? -Identify the properties used to describe matter. |
1.2 p. 8-13 |
Classifying Matter How is matter described? -Describe what makes up matter. -Describe the properties of a mixture. |
|
1.3 p. 14-19 |
Measuring Matter How is matter described? -Describe the units used to measure mass and volume. -Explain how to determine the density of a material. |
|
2.1 p. 40-47 |
States of Matter Why does a substance change states? -Describe the motion of the particles in a solid. -Describe the motion of the particles in a liquid. -Describe the motion of the particles in a gas. |
|
2.2 p. 48-55 |
Changes of State Why does a substance change states? -Explain what happens to a substance during changes between solid and liquid. -Explain what happens to a substance during changes between liquid and gas. -Explain what happens to a substance during changes between solid and gas. |
|
Forces & Energy- 1st Quarter |
2.3 p. 44-51 |
Newton’s Laws of Motion How do objects react to forces? -State Newton’s first law of motion. -State Newton’s second law of motion. -State Newton’s third law of motion. |
4.1 p. 108-113 |
What is Energy? How is energy conserved in a transformation? -Explain how energy, work, and power are related. -Name and describe the two basic types of energy. |
|
4.2 p. 114-119 |
Forms of Energy How is energy conserved in a transformation? -Explain how to determine an object’s mechanical energy. -List other forms of energy. |
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4.3 p. 120-125 |
Energy Transformations and Conservation How is energy conserved in a transformation? -Explain how different forms of energy are related. -State the law of conservation of energy. |
|
5.1 p. 136-139 |
Temperature, Thermal Energy, & Heat How does heat flow from one object to another? -Explain temperature and how it is measured. -Explain how heat is related to temperature and thermal energy. |
|
5.2 p. 140-143 |
Transfer of Heat How does heat flow from one object to another? -Describe the three forms of heat transfer. |
|
Earth’s Structure- 2nd Quarter |
1.2 p. 10-17 |
Earth’s Interior What is the structure of the Earth? -Explain how geologists learn about Earth’s inner structures. -Identify the characteristics of Earth’s crust, mantle, and core, and describe how temperature and pressure change inside Earth. |
1.3 p. 18-21 |
Convection and the Mantle What is the structure of the Earth? -Explain how heat is transferred. -Describe convection currents in Earth’s mantle. |
|
2.1 p. 32-43 |
Properties of Minerals How do rocks form? -Define a mineral. -Explain how minerals are identified. -Explain how minerals form and where mineral resources are located. |
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2.2 p. 44-47 |
Classifying Rocks How do rocks form? -List the characteristics used to identify rocks, and identify the three major groups of rocks. |
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2.3 p. 49-51 |
Igneous Rocks How do rocks form? -Identify the characteristics used to identify igneous rocks. |
|
2.4 p. 52-57 |
Sedimentary Rocks How do rocks form? -Describe how sedimentary rocks form. -List and describe the three major types of sedimentary rocks. -Explain how sedimentary rocks are used. |
|
2.5 p. 58-61 |
Metamorphic Rocks How do rocks form? -Describe the conditions under which metamorphic rocks form, how geologists study metamorphic rocks, and how metamorphic rocks are used. |
|
2.6 p. 62-65 |
The Rock Cycle How do rocks form? -Describe the rock cycle. |
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3.1 p. 76-79 |
Drifting Continents How do moving plates change Earth’s crust? -Explain Alfred Wegener’s hypothesis about the continents, evidence supporting the hypothesis, and why the hypothesis was rejected. |
|
3.2 p. 80-85 |
Sea-Floor Spreading How do moving plates change Earth’s crust? -Define and describe mid-ocean ridges. -Explain how sea-floor spreading affects Earth’s crust. -Explain deep-ocean trenches and the process of subduction. |
|
3.3 p.86-91 |
The Theory of Plate Tectonics How do moving plates change Earth’s crust? -Explain the theory of plate tectonics. |
|
Earth’s Surface- 3rd Quarter |
2.1 p. 38-45 |
Rocks and Weathering What processes break down rocks? -Explain how weathering and erosion affect Earth’s surface. -Explain what causes mechanical and chemical weathering. -Describe the factors that determine how fast weathering occurs. |
2.2 p. 46-51 |
Soil Formation What processes break down rocks? -Describe the composition of soil and how it forms. -Identify the roles of plants and animals in soil formation. |
|
3.1 p. 66-69 |
Mass Movement What processes shape the surface of the land? -Describe the processes that wear down and build up Earth’s surface. -Identify the causes of the different types of mass movement |
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3.2 p. 70-79 |
Water Erosion What processes shape the surface of the land? -Explain how moving water causes erosion. -Describe some of the land features that are formed by water erosion and deposition. |
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3.3 p. 80-85 |
Glacial Erosion What processes shape the surface of the land? -Explain how glaciers form and move. -Explain how glaciers cause erosion and deposition. |
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4.1 p. 104-109 |
Fossils How do scientists study Earth’s past? -Explain how fossils form. -Identify the three types of fossils. -Describe what fossils tell about organisms and environments of the past. |
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4.2 p. 110-115 |
The Relative Ages of Rocks How do scientists study Earth’s past? -Describe how geologists determine the relative ages of rocks. -Explain how unconformities and folding can alter the order of rock layers. |
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4.4 p. 120-123 |
The Geologic Time Scale How do scientists study Earth’s past? -Explain how and why the geologic time scale is used to show Earth’s history. |
|
Cells & Heredity- 4th Quarter |
1.1 p. 4-11 |
Discovery of Cells What are cells made of? -Tell what cells are. -Describe how scientists first observed cells and developed the cell theory. -Describe how microscopes produce magnified images. |
1.2 p. 12-21 |
Looking Inside Cells What are cells made of? -Describe the functions of cell structures and organelles. -Describe how cells are organized in many-celled organisms. |
|
1.3 p. 22-27 |
Chemical Compounds in Cells What are cells made of? -Define elements and compounds. -Identify the main compounds that are important in cells. |
|
1.4 p. 28-33 |
The Cell in Its Environment What are cells made of? -Describe how materials move into and out of cells. |
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2.3 p. 56-63 |
Cell Division How do living things get energy? -Summarize the functions of cell division. -Identify the events that take place during the three stages of the cell cycle. |
|
Human Body Systems- 4th Quarter |
3.3 p. 80-85 |
The Digestive Process Begins How does food become material your body can use? -Describe the functions carried out in the digestive system. -Explain the roles of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach in digestion. |
3.4 p. 86-91 |
Final Digestion and Absorption How does food become material your body can use? -Describe how the small intestine, liver, and pancreas function in digestion. – Explain the role of the large intestine in digestion. |
|
4.1 p.102-107 |
The Body’s Transport System How does your body’s Transport System Work? -Explain the functions of the cardiovascular system. -Describe the function and structure of the heart. -Sequence the path blood follows through the cardiovascular system. |
|
4.2 p. 108-113 |
A Closer Look at Blood Vessels How does your body’s transport system work? -Describe the structure and functions of arteries, capillaries, and veins. -Explain what causes blood pressure. |
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4.3 p. 108-113 |
The Composition of Blood How does your body’s transport system work? -Describe the components of blood. -Explain what determines the type of blood that a person can receive in a transfusion. |
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6.2 178-185 |
The Body’s Defenses Why do you sometimes get sick? -Explain how the body’s first line of defense guards again pathogens. -Describe how the inflammatory response and the immune response function. |
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6.3 p.186-189 |
HIV and AIDS Why do you sometimes get sick? -Identify how HIV affects the body. -Describe how HIV infection spreads and how it is treated. |
Each year, we cover a variety of topics within 6 text books:
- First Quarter:
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Forces and Energy
- Second Quarter:
- Earth’s Structure
- Third Quarter:
- Earth’s Surface
- Fourth Quarter:
- Cells and Heredity
- Human Body Systems
Additional Resources:
- Glencoe Teen Health
- Too Good For Drugs
- Creating Positive Relationships
Required Materials:
** Students are expected to have required materials, plus textbook and agenda DAILY in class. Additionally, students should bring Chromebooks to class when required. Chargers should be left at home (students can charge at night, and Chromebook batteries last 10 hours!).
Please contact me if you have any questions about the supply list for this year. Bring in supplies as soon as possible for class. Students will be responsible for bringing all supplies to class when required. Due to the nature of this school year, we will be limiting shared supplies. A pencil box or pencil pouch to be used for most classes may be helpful for supply storage.
- (1) Composition notebook- Please label with your name and class period
- (20) #2 pencils
- (1) Highlighter (any color)
- (1) pack of colored pencils or markers (8 or 12 pack should be sufficient for diagrams)
- (1) eraser
- (1) pair of scissors
- Choose one:
- Box of tissues
- Pack of 3×5 notecards
- Post-Its
7th Grade Bell Schedule
Passing Period: 8:00-8:09
1st Period: 8:09-8:54
2nd Period: 8:58-9:43
3rd Period: 9:48-10:33 (Related Arts)
4th Period: 10:37-11:22 (Related Arts)
5th Period: 11:26-11:56 (Lunch)
6th Period: 12:01-12:46
7th Period: 12:51-1:36
8th Period: 1:40-2:25
9th Period: 2:30-3:15 (TBG/Advisory)
Dismissal: 3:15
Website/Link | Description |
BrainPop/ (Access through Canvas) | Short videos, quizzes, vocabulary, games, and more related to in-class science topics. |
National Science Foundation/ https://www.nsf.gov/ | Research and documents |
Cells Alive/ www.cellsalive.com | View descriptions of different types of cells and how cells function. |
Science Buddies/ www.sciencebuddies.org | Learn about science fair projects, the scientific method, and scientific investigations. |
Monterey Bay Aquarium/ https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/ | Live cams of animal exhibits, including otters and jellyfish! |
Khan Academy/ www.khanacademy.org | Tutorials and short videos for a variety of subjects |
Otter Creek’s Science Fair is held each spring, in conjunction with FABS Night.
Students in all science classes may submit projects for judging.
Projects are judged by local engineering and construction management professionals. Winners from the school-level science fair have the opportunity to attend the West Central Indiana Regional Science Fair, held at DePauw University, in early March. Indiana’s State Science Fair competition is in early April each year.