BIOLOGY SYLLABUS
Contact #- 919-856-7710
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to Biology! Here is an overview of the major topics we will cover this year:
· Scientific Method and measurement
· Ecology (study of living things and their interactions)
· Chemistry (atoms, elements, compounds, etc.)
· Cells (types, structure, function)
· DNA and Genetics (study of heredity and genes)
· Evolution (study of how organisms change over time)
I believe that students learn best when they are actively involved so we will have lots of class discussions, do lots of labs and activities, and complete in class project. Biology can be really fun and interesting but we will only be successful if we have some expectations and guidelines in place so that class will run smoothly.
Materials: We will have lots of hand-outs, write down important information, and complete plenty of assignments throughout the semester. The best way to keep track of all of this information is to keep it in a 3 ring binder (with notebook paper). This binder should be brought to class each day. You will also need to bring pens/pencils to class each day as well. Notebooks will be collected periodically for a grade. This syllabus should remain in your notebook at all times.
Grading Policy: I try to assess students in a variety of ways so that I can get a clearer picture of what they know. This also helps you because you may perform better in one area than another. Remember, you should forth a 110% effort in all you that you do. Do not settle for a C or D in this courseJ Your grade will be determined by the following categories:
Througout the semester we will take benchmark exams- which will count as a test grade- and we will also have a midterm exam in January. The midterm will be averaged in as part of your first semester grade and will count 25% just like the EOC.
Make-up Work: Students should ask for make-up work during the first or last ten minutes of class. I am also available to hand out make up work during lunch, seminar or afterschool. I will also try to put all make-up work in your student folder when you are out. Please do not ask for make-up assignments during class. In many cases, make-up assignments require me to explain requirements or teach you a particular skill and we will not have time to do that during class time. As per the MEPHS student handbook, you will have 1-2 days to turn in all make-up work or you will receive a grade of 0.
Procedures: Each day when you enter class you will have an assignment to complete. This will help you to remember what we talked about the day before and also give me time to take attendance, collect HW and get materials ready for the day. As soon as you come into class please sit in your assigned seat and get started on the assignment immediately. The assignment is time limited and will be collected when time is up! Also, at the conclusion of class you will have an exit ticket. You will need to complete this and turn it in on the way out the door at the end of class. These assignments will count towards your classwork grade.
You should remain in your seat at all times. You may not leave your seat during class discussion or when I am teaching. Also, you will not be given a bathroom pass at during this time. You are allowed to leave your seat during groupwork for necessary reasons (ex. getting lab materials, getting a tissue, sharpening pencil or going to the trash can) but you may not get up to socialize. You may also ask to go the bathroom during this time but you must come back within 2-3 minutes.
Rules and Expectations: During the semester I will have many incentives for students who come to class each day (and/or on time) and for those who work hard to complete assignments and keep their grades up. You will also work together in groups to tutor/help each other (not to copy from one another) because this will help you to be a better student overall.
Here are my expectations of you:
1. Arrive at class on time each day with your materials (binder, pen/pencil, HW)
2. Show respect for your peers (and me) at all times. In return, I will be respectful of you and make sure that your peers do the same.
3. NO food or drink in the classroom!!! Some of our prizes will be food prizes but they must be consumed in the cafeteria.
4. Follow all instructions and safety procedures during labs and activities.
5. Respect the opinions and property of others.
6. Clean up (and put lab materials back). Do not leave trash or personal items on the floor or table.
7. Make up ALL missed assignments.
8. Please push all chairs in before exiting the classroom.
Email: [email protected]
Welcome to Biology! Here is an overview of the major topics we will cover this year:
· Scientific Method and measurement
· Ecology (study of living things and their interactions)
· Chemistry (atoms, elements, compounds, etc.)
· Cells (types, structure, function)
· DNA and Genetics (study of heredity and genes)
· Evolution (study of how organisms change over time)
I believe that students learn best when they are actively involved so we will have lots of class discussions, do lots of labs and activities, and complete in class project. Biology can be really fun and interesting but we will only be successful if we have some expectations and guidelines in place so that class will run smoothly.
Materials: We will have lots of hand-outs, write down important information, and complete plenty of assignments throughout the semester. The best way to keep track of all of this information is to keep it in a 3 ring binder (with notebook paper). This binder should be brought to class each day. You will also need to bring pens/pencils to class each day as well. Notebooks will be collected periodically for a grade. This syllabus should remain in your notebook at all times.
Grading Policy: I try to assess students in a variety of ways so that I can get a clearer picture of what they know. This also helps you because you may perform better in one area than another. Remember, you should forth a 110% effort in all you that you do. Do not settle for a C or D in this courseJ Your grade will be determined by the following categories:
- Tests (25%)
- Quizzes (15%)
- Labs (15%)
- Projects (15%)
- Homework (10%)
- Classwork (20%)
Througout the semester we will take benchmark exams- which will count as a test grade- and we will also have a midterm exam in January. The midterm will be averaged in as part of your first semester grade and will count 25% just like the EOC.
Make-up Work: Students should ask for make-up work during the first or last ten minutes of class. I am also available to hand out make up work during lunch, seminar or afterschool. I will also try to put all make-up work in your student folder when you are out. Please do not ask for make-up assignments during class. In many cases, make-up assignments require me to explain requirements or teach you a particular skill and we will not have time to do that during class time. As per the MEPHS student handbook, you will have 1-2 days to turn in all make-up work or you will receive a grade of 0.
Procedures: Each day when you enter class you will have an assignment to complete. This will help you to remember what we talked about the day before and also give me time to take attendance, collect HW and get materials ready for the day. As soon as you come into class please sit in your assigned seat and get started on the assignment immediately. The assignment is time limited and will be collected when time is up! Also, at the conclusion of class you will have an exit ticket. You will need to complete this and turn it in on the way out the door at the end of class. These assignments will count towards your classwork grade.
You should remain in your seat at all times. You may not leave your seat during class discussion or when I am teaching. Also, you will not be given a bathroom pass at during this time. You are allowed to leave your seat during groupwork for necessary reasons (ex. getting lab materials, getting a tissue, sharpening pencil or going to the trash can) but you may not get up to socialize. You may also ask to go the bathroom during this time but you must come back within 2-3 minutes.
Rules and Expectations: During the semester I will have many incentives for students who come to class each day (and/or on time) and for those who work hard to complete assignments and keep their grades up. You will also work together in groups to tutor/help each other (not to copy from one another) because this will help you to be a better student overall.
Here are my expectations of you:
1. Arrive at class on time each day with your materials (binder, pen/pencil, HW)
2. Show respect for your peers (and me) at all times. In return, I will be respectful of you and make sure that your peers do the same.
3. NO food or drink in the classroom!!! Some of our prizes will be food prizes but they must be consumed in the cafeteria.
4. Follow all instructions and safety procedures during labs and activities.
5. Respect the opinions and property of others.
6. Clean up (and put lab materials back). Do not leave trash or personal items on the floor or table.
7. Make up ALL missed assignments.
8. Please push all chairs in before exiting the classroom.