SYLLABUS
7th Grade Engineering & Design
Southwest Middle School

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

Exploring Engineering & Design

Engineering and Design (Invention and Innovation) prepares students with opportunities to apply the design process in the invention or innovation of a new product, process, or system, along with helping students learn the fundamental principles and universal laws of technology. Their experience in this course will help them develop skills and insights that will be applicable to lifelong learning. Learning is student centered and directed toward impacting analytical and creative skills. Students will research tasks that are designed to help them achieve technological literacy through authentic real world experiences.

Assignments:

Students will be expected to turn in assignments when they are due.

Make-Up Work

• Upon the student’s return to school, arrangements for make-up for excused or unexcused absences shall be made within three (3) school days.
• Due dates for make-up work will be at the discretion of the teacher.

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

Required Background:  To successfully complete this course, you will need to:

• Utilize Engineering Design concepts such as computer aided-design
• Analyze solutions to technological problems
• Understand how technology can impact society

Required Materials:

Students need earbuds, a hand-held pencil sharpener, 1-subject spiral notebook, and pencils.

Common Core Curriculum

We follow the Common Core Curriculum.  Please visit the North Carolina Department of Public instruction for more information.  The link is:
http://ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/common-core

CTE Technology Education Curriculum

Instruction will be taught through guided instruction for hands-on projects and Canvas Learning Management System. Students are involved in activities and experiences where they learn about brainstorming, visualizing, modeling, constructing, testing, experimenting, and refining designs. Taking notes in their Engineering Design Journal and Electronic Portfolio is a weekly expectation. Students will have time to work on assignments outside the classroom for practice and independent study for vocabulary, projects, and research.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

General Rules: 
Student Expectations

1. Be respectful.
2. Enter quietly and get to work immediately.  Exit quietly.
3. Sharpen your pencil at the beginning of class.  It is highly recommended to have and use a hand-held pencil sharpener.
4. Raise your hand and be given permission before speaking or leaving your seat.
5. Do your best on all assignments - effort matters.
6. Be an active participant by listening and speaking at appropriate times.
7. Engineering Design Journal is organized and contains Entry for each class period.
8. Handle Chromebook responsibly (follow GCS Acceptable Use Policy) and use for academic purposes only.
9. Clear bottled water allowed in the classroom (food not allowed without teacher permission).
10. Use the restroom during designated times.
11. Cell phones must remain off and put away (Not in use).
12. Homework expectations (once Week) Canvas Journal Entry; Vocabulary

Parent Expectations

1. Please observe and monitor homework. Please see that they study and review their vocabulary.  Complete research for projects and presentations.  Complete their homework, review and study. The success of your child depends on you too!
2. Go through their Engineering Design Journal to help maintain organization and neatness.
3. Email or call if you have questions.  [email protected]
4. Access your child's grades online using their lunch number and password.

Grading Policy

Students are graded using the Gaston County Schools weighted grading scale and will be graded on:

1. Tests, major projects, papers, and performances 40%.
2. Quizzes, class work, common assessments 30%.
3. Guided Work and group activities 20%.
4. Homework 10%.

Each student will be encouraged to achieve a minimum of 80% on each test or in-class assignments.

I use Gaston County grading scale to determine student grades.  The grading scale is as follows:

100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 F

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

I look forward to a great year as we incorporate new technology, learning strategies into our classroom.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I can be reached:

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mrs. Angela Sanders, CTE Technology Education Teacher
704-308-4950 (Planning Time: 1:00-2:00) and By Appointments
[email protected] / School Phone:  704-866-6290
Website