Biology Syllabus and Curriculum
Room 600 Reagan High School
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to present you with information central to understanding the basic concepts of the study of living things – namely the scientific discipline of Biology. Our studies will include the use of lectures, independent class work, demonstrations, and laboratories. Major topics will include ecology, living chemistry, cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, evolution, taxonomy, human organs, and behavior.
Materials:
Materials needed for class are as follows:
* A well rested, well fed mind and body!
* 3-ring notebook (at least 2 inch)
* Pencil
* Highlighter
* Red pen
If you lack these supplies, you will not be able to perform in class and that will result in loss of participation points.
Textbook:
“Biology: The Dynamics of Life”. Do not lose it because textbooks cost $59.42 and YOU WILL be responsible for lost materials!
Notebooks:
All lecture notes, classroom work, and handouts must be organized in a three-ring binder. I will provide assignments and study materials using hole-punched paper that will fit into a three-ring binder. The notebook will be part of your grade, as well as a valuable study resource throughout the class.
Student Attendance Policy for the 2012-2013 School Year:
There is no substitute for the uninterrupted personal contact between teacher and student. As a result, it is important that our students value the time that they have in school. We want our students in class, knowing that their academic achievement, or lack thereof, is directly related to their presence in school.
1) Documentation for an absence must be brought to the attendance desk within 2 days of returning to Reagan. If not, they will be coded as unlawful \(unexcused). Notes should include the student’s full name, dates of absences, reasons for absences, parent or guardian’s name and signature. This note should be brought to the attendance desk before school. Notes for students to check out during the school day should also be brought to the attendance desk before school begins on the day the student needs to check out early.
2) Lawful (excused) absences consist of:
a) Illness or injury
b) Quarantine
c) Death in immediate family
d) Medical or dental appointment
e) Court or administrative proceedings
f) Religious observances
g) Educational opportunity
To qualify for religious observances or educational opportunity, the student and parent must request approval from the principal at least 3 school days prior to the absence.
3) Six or more absences for a class per quarter are considered excessive. Students with excessive absences can be denied credit for the course.
4) According to School Board Policy (AR 5110) “If a student in grades 10, 11, or 12 accumulates ten (10) absences in a school year,
excused or unexcused, the student’s parking privileges shall be revoked for the remainder of the school year unless:
a) the student agrees to participate in an “Attendance Improvement Plan” approved by the Principal or a designee; or
b) the Principal finds that there was an extraordinary cause or excuse for the student’s excessive absences, such as a long term illness, injury or disability.
If a student’s parking privileges are revoked at a school, the revocation also applies to the Career Center and vice versa.” Please note that parking fees are nonrefundable.
5) If a student accumulates 8 or more tardies per quarter in a class, they will receive an unsatisfactory conduct on their report card and be subject to administrative referral. According to Board policy, an accumulation of 10 tardies shall be equal to one unexcused absence.
6) A student has one day for every day that they were absent to complete and turn in their make-up work. For example, a student is absent on Monday, return to school Tuesday and their make-up work should be turned in on Wednesday. If a student does not return the completed assignment within the given period of time, the teacher is not required to accept the assignment and may result in zero.
Make-up Work:
If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to procure your make-up work. In most cases, especially for worksheets and class work assignments, this work will be available in the classroom. You will find it on the bulletin board in the folder marked for your class. Speak with me before or after class (not during class) to get any information your require. For lecture notes and other class only work, you will need to make arrangements with a classmate to fill in that information in your notebook. Make-up work is due within one day/absence after returning unless we make other arrangements. Late work will not be accepted without penalty. Tests and Quizzes missed will have to be made-up after or before school upon appointment! If you pay attention and keep up with the daily assignments, you will be fine. Students that fail usually miss class and do not keep up with the necessary work.
The Bottom Line:
Passing the EOC Exam at the end of the year is extremely important! Students have to earn a Level 3 to get credit for the course and graduate. If you are attentive and goal-oriented, you will be successful. I will help you get to this goal. Please do it!
Grading:
Quarter grades will be assigned based on your performance on test and quizzes, homework, classwork. Lab assignments, class participation, and notebooks.
· Classwork…………………………………………..25%
· Labs……….…………………………………………10%
· Project………………………………………………20%
· Quiz/Homework………….…….…………………20%
· Test………………….……………………………….25%
Total Grade:
1st semester(40%) + 2nd semester (40%) + Final exam (20%)
Class Expectations:
* BE PRESENT * BE PREPARED *BE POSITIVE
Attitude is a choice…Success is a result of your choices!
· I expect all students to be on time to class everyday
· I expect all students to be seated and ready to begin their first task of the day.
· I expect students to refrain from talking wile someone else is speaking.
· Students will not be allowed to go to the restroom during the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class and when I am not
explaining material. Only one student will be allowed out of class at a time. Do NOT ask while I am covering material!
· Students are not to leave their seats at the end of the period until the bell.
· Assignments must be handed in on time. Late work will not be accepted without penalty!
· I expect students to be prepared to work everyday.
· I expect students to show respect for themselves, for their classmates, and for their instructors and administrators at this school!
Mrs. Heath’s Contact Information:
I am located in room 600 during 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, period. My planning is during 1st period1st semester and 4th period 2nd semester. The best way to contact me is through e-mail. My e-mail is [email protected]. The second best way to contact me is in person. You may also contact me by calling the school and leaving a message for me.
Course Objectives:
This course is designed to present you with information central to understanding the basic concepts of the study of living things – namely the scientific discipline of Biology. Our studies will include the use of lectures, independent class work, demonstrations, and laboratories. Major topics will include ecology, living chemistry, cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, evolution, taxonomy, human organs, and behavior.
Materials:
Materials needed for class are as follows:
* A well rested, well fed mind and body!
* 3-ring notebook (at least 2 inch)
* Pencil
* Highlighter
* Red pen
If you lack these supplies, you will not be able to perform in class and that will result in loss of participation points.
Textbook:
“Biology: The Dynamics of Life”. Do not lose it because textbooks cost $59.42 and YOU WILL be responsible for lost materials!
Notebooks:
All lecture notes, classroom work, and handouts must be organized in a three-ring binder. I will provide assignments and study materials using hole-punched paper that will fit into a three-ring binder. The notebook will be part of your grade, as well as a valuable study resource throughout the class.
Student Attendance Policy for the 2012-2013 School Year:
There is no substitute for the uninterrupted personal contact between teacher and student. As a result, it is important that our students value the time that they have in school. We want our students in class, knowing that their academic achievement, or lack thereof, is directly related to their presence in school.
1) Documentation for an absence must be brought to the attendance desk within 2 days of returning to Reagan. If not, they will be coded as unlawful \(unexcused). Notes should include the student’s full name, dates of absences, reasons for absences, parent or guardian’s name and signature. This note should be brought to the attendance desk before school. Notes for students to check out during the school day should also be brought to the attendance desk before school begins on the day the student needs to check out early.
2) Lawful (excused) absences consist of:
a) Illness or injury
b) Quarantine
c) Death in immediate family
d) Medical or dental appointment
e) Court or administrative proceedings
f) Religious observances
g) Educational opportunity
To qualify for religious observances or educational opportunity, the student and parent must request approval from the principal at least 3 school days prior to the absence.
3) Six or more absences for a class per quarter are considered excessive. Students with excessive absences can be denied credit for the course.
4) According to School Board Policy (AR 5110) “If a student in grades 10, 11, or 12 accumulates ten (10) absences in a school year,
excused or unexcused, the student’s parking privileges shall be revoked for the remainder of the school year unless:
a) the student agrees to participate in an “Attendance Improvement Plan” approved by the Principal or a designee; or
b) the Principal finds that there was an extraordinary cause or excuse for the student’s excessive absences, such as a long term illness, injury or disability.
If a student’s parking privileges are revoked at a school, the revocation also applies to the Career Center and vice versa.” Please note that parking fees are nonrefundable.
5) If a student accumulates 8 or more tardies per quarter in a class, they will receive an unsatisfactory conduct on their report card and be subject to administrative referral. According to Board policy, an accumulation of 10 tardies shall be equal to one unexcused absence.
6) A student has one day for every day that they were absent to complete and turn in their make-up work. For example, a student is absent on Monday, return to school Tuesday and their make-up work should be turned in on Wednesday. If a student does not return the completed assignment within the given period of time, the teacher is not required to accept the assignment and may result in zero.
Make-up Work:
If you miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to procure your make-up work. In most cases, especially for worksheets and class work assignments, this work will be available in the classroom. You will find it on the bulletin board in the folder marked for your class. Speak with me before or after class (not during class) to get any information your require. For lecture notes and other class only work, you will need to make arrangements with a classmate to fill in that information in your notebook. Make-up work is due within one day/absence after returning unless we make other arrangements. Late work will not be accepted without penalty. Tests and Quizzes missed will have to be made-up after or before school upon appointment! If you pay attention and keep up with the daily assignments, you will be fine. Students that fail usually miss class and do not keep up with the necessary work.
The Bottom Line:
Passing the EOC Exam at the end of the year is extremely important! Students have to earn a Level 3 to get credit for the course and graduate. If you are attentive and goal-oriented, you will be successful. I will help you get to this goal. Please do it!
Grading:
Quarter grades will be assigned based on your performance on test and quizzes, homework, classwork. Lab assignments, class participation, and notebooks.
· Classwork…………………………………………..25%
· Labs……….…………………………………………10%
· Project………………………………………………20%
· Quiz/Homework………….…….…………………20%
· Test………………….……………………………….25%
Total Grade:
1st semester(40%) + 2nd semester (40%) + Final exam (20%)
Class Expectations:
* BE PRESENT * BE PREPARED *BE POSITIVE
Attitude is a choice…Success is a result of your choices!
· I expect all students to be on time to class everyday
· I expect all students to be seated and ready to begin their first task of the day.
· I expect students to refrain from talking wile someone else is speaking.
· Students will not be allowed to go to the restroom during the first 15 minutes of class or the last 15 minutes of class and when I am not
explaining material. Only one student will be allowed out of class at a time. Do NOT ask while I am covering material!
· Students are not to leave their seats at the end of the period until the bell.
· Assignments must be handed in on time. Late work will not be accepted without penalty!
· I expect students to be prepared to work everyday.
· I expect students to show respect for themselves, for their classmates, and for their instructors and administrators at this school!
Mrs. Heath’s Contact Information:
I am located in room 600 during 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, period. My planning is during 1st period1st semester and 4th period 2nd semester. The best way to contact me is through e-mail. My e-mail is [email protected]. The second best way to contact me is in person. You may also contact me by calling the school and leaving a message for me.