Seventh Grade Science at TFAA
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! My name is Mr. Shelton, and I’m thrilled to be your 7th grade science teacher at Thurman Francis Arts Academy. I can’t wait to begin this journey with you—it’s truly an honor to be part of your educational experience.
A little about me: I’m married, a proud parent of three, and I love spending time outdoors. I’ve been in education for 26 years, serving as a classroom teacher, science program coordinator with Vanderbilt University, and assistant principal. Most recently, I spent five wonderful years teaching 7th grade science at Stewarts Creek Middle School.
My core belief is that open communication, trust, and mutual respect between students, parents, and teachers are essential for success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns—I’m always happy to connect and will respond as promptly as possible.
In my classroom, I emphasize positivity and motivation. I believe students thrive when they feel encouraged and valued. To that end, I use daily and weekly incentives like Jolly Ranchers for everyday achievements, popsicles for winning classroom games, and ice cream to celebrate consistent hard work and perseverance. These small rewards build excitement and encourage students to give their best effort.
I’m passionate about science and teaching, and I’m committed to making this year both fun and challenging. You can expect to be engaged in hands-on science practices, encouraged to think critically about the world around you, and inspired to look forward to class each day. I believe in making the most of every moment we have together—after all, there’s no substitute for time on task!
One phrase you’ll hear often in my class is: “If you know the song, you know the science!” Get ready to learn through music, collaborate with classmates, move around, explore strange phenomena, ask deep questions, build models, and dive into all that the 7th grade science curriculum has to offer.
Let’s go, Rams!
Sincerely,
Mr. Shelton
7th Grade Science Teacher
Thurman Francis Arts Academy
“IYKTSYKTS”
Turn to a New page in your journal:
- Cell- basic unit of life
- Tissue- group of similar cells
- Organ- group of tissues working together
- Organ system- 2 or more organs working together
- Organism- made of multiple organ systems working together
- MULTI-CELLULAR- made of 2 or more cells
- UNI-CELLULAR- made of only 1 cell
- Specialized Cell- cell doing a specific job
- Independent – functions alone
- Interdependent – depends on others
https://www.gimkit.com/join/68b970cdff123d1fca80d399
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Autotroph – "auto"matically makes own food (chloroplast)
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Heterotroph – "hunter" consumer (no chloroplast)
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Asexual Reproduction – reproduction with ONE parent cell
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Sexual Reproduction – reproduction with TWO parent cells
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Prokaryote – No nucleus (NO!)
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Eukaryote – Has a nucleus (You DO!)
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Terrestrial – lives on land (TREE)
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Aquatic – lives in water (Aqua=water)
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Unicellular – only one cell
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Multicellular – 2 or more cells
- Cell Membrane- "Semi-permeable" layer surrounding all cells
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- Cell Wall- "Rigid" covers PLANT Cells
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- Cytoplasm- "Jelly-like" fluid and the organelles.
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- Mitochondria- "Powerhouse" of the cell...ENERGY producer!
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- Nucleus- DNA found here; "brain/control center" of the cell
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- Ribosomes- Make "protein, protein, protein"
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- Endoplasmic Reticulum- "Passageways" to transport proteins
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- Golgi Bodies- packages proteins..."packager"
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- Chloroplasts- Green, PLANT cells, make food..."photosynthesis!"
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- Large Vacuoles- Store "water" for the PLANT cell..."vacupool"
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- Lysosomes- The "cleaner" of the cell..."Lysol"
