Ms. Laura Bell-Peters
Anatomyand Environmental Science Educator
email:
Co Teacher Ms. Traci Kacir email
My Philosophy about teaching:
I believe that all students have the ability to learn and be successful; however how they get there might be different than their peers. I also believe as upperclassmen it is important that they start to become self-advocates. It is crucial that when a student is not understanding the materials in class they must come and see me for extra help, if they do not ask questions I may not know they are having difficulties.
I have a diverse background in science. I have a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Minor in Criminal Justice Studies from Kent State University,Masters in Urban Education from Cleveland State and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Lead Teacher Endorsement from Kent State.
I have had several amazing opportunities from working as an intern at Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office, Summit County Medical Examiners Office, Lake County Crime Lab, and worked three years in a small biotech company in Cleveland before going back to school for education. I hope that my love for science and my many personal experiences I can bring real world examples to your students, helping them to learn and enjoy Science.
E-newsletter:
- If I have your email address, I can send out a mass email to announce when grades have been updated, projects are starting/finishing, etc.
School Point:
- School Point (linked to Aurora’s website) has plans for the week under announcements. It tells the topic for the day, what we did in class and homework. Note that it may change as the week goes on. Changes will be announced in class, but may not be changed on School point right away.
Grade Scale: grades are updated regularly!!
AnatomyEnvironmental Science(student decision)
65% Test60% Test
10% Homework10% Homework
10% Lab/Projects15 % Lab/Projects
15% Quiz15% Quiz
0% PreTest (This is to check for understanding prior to unit and to see how much a student has learned from the beginning of the unit to the end. This does not have any impact on student grade. )
HOMEWORK:
- About 2-3 times a week, sometimes it’s “finish what we started in class”
- I accept homework 1 day late for with a homework pass; they receive 3 per grading period.
- I will NEVER accept late homework after the summative has been given.
TESTS, QUIZZES, ASSESSMENTS, PROJECTS:
- Paper/pencil assessments (Common assessments in the department)
- Project – (independent and group)
ABSENCES:
- students are responsible for making up the work that they miss, 1 day for each day absent.
- their responsibility to find out what they have missed. They should be checking school point for any missed assignments. Anything we do in class can be found and printed offline!
-While you were out box in the classroom for assignments
Other:
*Please refer to class syllabus for more detailed information.
* Planning period 9:30-10:20 is when I will return emails or at the end of the day.
*Phone calls home will be after 4:30 after practice.
Topics we’ll do this year (subject to change as time allows):
Human Anatomy and Physiology Course Description
This is a college preparatory course designed for students interested in pursuing a career in a science-related area, health profession, or who simply have an interest in anatomy and physiology. The focus of this course will be applying previously learned concepts of Biology to the structure and function of the various organ systems, along with their interrelationship and homeostatic abilities in the human body. Prerequisites for this course include college preparatory Biology in addition to college preparatory Chemistry, which may be taken concurrently. Below is an outline of the various units, course topics, and corresponding textbook chapters.
Course Topics:
Unit #1An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology – Chapter 1
Unit #2 Cells and Tissues - Chapter 3 and 4
Unit # 3 The Integumentary System- Chapter 5
Unit #4 The Skeletal System- Chapter 6
Unit #5 Joints- Chapter 6
Unit #6 The Muscular System- Chapter 7
Unit #7 The Nervous System- Chapter 8
Unit #8 The Endocrine System- Chapter 10
Unit #9 The Cardiovascular System: Blood- Chapter 11
Unit #10 The Cardiovascular System: The Heart- Chapter 11
Unit #11 The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Circulation- Chapter 11
Unit #12 The Lymphatic System and Immunity- Chapter 14
Unit #13 The Respiratory System- Chapter 15
Unit #14 Introduction to Digestion – Chapter 2
Unit #15 The Digestive System- Chapter 16
Unit #16 Metabolism and Energetics- Chapter 17
Unit #17 Cell Membrane and Transport- Chapter 3
Unit #18 The Urinary System- Chapter 18
Unit #19 The Reproductive System- Chapter 19
Unit #20 Development- Chapter 20
Textbook:
6th Edition Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology: Martini/Bartholomew
Environmental Science: Lots of hand on lab activities
The study of Environmental Science is interdisciplinary. The course is designed to examine and appreciate the natural biological and physical processes that operate in the world. Because it is a broad area of study, students should have one science credit before enrolling in this course. The knowledge and skills acquired over the freshman and sophomore years will be applied to situations in this course. The successful student brings to this course skills in observation and analysis, a healthy respect for the earth, a willingness to challenge accepted beliefs, a competent level of technological ability, and well developed research skills. This course seeks to create a body of knowledge from observable facts, representing the very essence of science.
Course Topics:
Science and the Environment, Economics, Policy and People (Chapter 1,2and 21)
Dynamic Earth- (Chapter 3)
Populations- (Chapter 8-10)
Ecology- (Chapter 4-7)
Water, Air and Land (Chapter 11-15)
Mineral and Energy Resources (Chapter 16-19)
Human Health (Chapter 20)
Design and development of a school yard wetland (extension of the school year)
Textbook:
Environmental Science: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2004ed
I am looking forward to an amazing school year!! Please to not hesitate to email me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns.