Summer Assignment 2010
Instructor: Mr. Mires
Email:
Phone: 651-6315
Class: AP Biology
Hello and welcome to AP Biology! You are about to begin a course that is the equivalent of a two-semester introductory biology course taken in the first year of college. Throughout the course we will explore the origin and diversity of life on this planet, how all life is interdependent and the roles humans play in the biosphere.
To successfully complete this course and meet all of the objectives this year, you are required to do independent work both during the summer and throughout the school year. Your summer assignment will consist of two main parts: reading Survival of the Sickest and becoming familiar with the first 3 chapters of the textbook. Survival of the Sickest is a fascinating book about the origins and evolution of diseases and why we have them. The first three chapters of the textbook include an introduction and a basic chemistry review. This should prepare us for the first week of class in August.
Additionally, it is necessary for each student to have access to the internet and a personal email address either through a public library or at home. During the school year, computers at the school can be used. I maintain a website and a blog so that we can communicate over the summer. The school site will contain resources for download while the blog will be there for you to ask me any questions or to find additional links and materials. When you check out a textbook and book from me, you agree to check these websites periodically during the summer (at least once a week) for updates to the course.
Websites:
my blog website where I will provide class updates and links.
My teacher webpage. Here you will find resources and downloads used in the class. You can also find this page by navigating through the school website and clicking the New Teacher Webpages link and selecting my name.
is the website that accompanies our textbook. Once you have gone through the registration procedure you will use this site. It has excellent resources to accompany your readings. I strongly urge you to do the online activities associated with each chapter.
What you need to do this summer.
- Read and take notes over the book Survival of the Sickest. You will have a test over this book the second day of class. There is an online reading guide that you can download from my teacher website.
- After registering for the book website, read through chapters 1, 2, and 3 and become familiar with them. The topics covered in this chapter should be familiar to you and I don’t think you will find them too difficult. You will need the information in these chapters to understand the rest of the biochemistry unit. We will build on these topics by starting class with chapter 4. If you are unclear about some of the topics in the first three chapters refer to the Campbell biology website and do the online activities associated with the chapters. You may also want to try the online activity quizzes and chapter quizzes to get a feel for the assessments used in the class.
- check the bchsscience blog at least once a week over the summer.
Registering for the online version of the textbook.
.
Go to the following address
Answer the question about the access code.
Click Covered Titles and select the Campbell, Biology 7e AP* Edition and it will take you to the registration page and select Student Registration.
After agreeing to the license agreement you can begin to login.
You probably do not already have a Pearson account so click no and choose a login name and password. Your login name needs to be your first initial and last name. If this is not available add some numbers to the end (birthdate, graduation year, etc.) Then enter the following code for your textbook access code: SSNAST-GUESS-MELIC-BAJAN-SPEIR-BODES then click next.
Enter the necessary information and continue.
On the next screen select join a class, the class code is cm892040.
For future reference, the textbook site can be found at
The website contains a digital version of your textbook and chapter activities and quizzes we’ll be using throughout the year.
Record your username and password below. REMEMBER IT!
Login: ______
Password: ______