Biology 1-2 Instructor: Mrs. Menicucci Classroom Policies and Procedures for Biology Students
Materials Needed: 3 ring binder/folder, 4dividers,(BIO CLASSWORK, BIO LABS, OTHER),paper, pen and pencil. You will be given one compbook to take notes. It is suggested that you get a second compbook. Save all your work in the binder. There is also a mandatory $10 lab fee. General Course Description:
This course deals with the characteristics of nature shared by living things including biodiversity, adaptation, homeostasis and natural selection. It incorporates inquiry processes, experimentation, construction of hypotheses and observations. As a language, biology knowledge builds up from the beginning of the year. The focus of skills regarding vocabulary and nomenclature, nature of science, chemistry of life, cells, mitosis, meiosis, taxonomy, cellular energy, & DNA structure and function will be highly stressed during the course.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will understand:
1)Concepts of each of the previously mentioned
2)The application of related skills such as use of the microscope, experimentation and production of scientific models.
Attendance And Make Up Policy:CLASS WEBSITE:
Attendance and participation will be critical for success in this course. It is the responsibility of the student to make up work when there is an excused absence. Washoe County School District policy will be followed for acceptance of make up work (the number of days you were absent plus one to make up work). It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and pick up the work. Weekly assignments are listed on the website In addition, the weekly assignment book, worksheets and lab make up assignments are kept in the file box in the classroom. Most work is due during class the day it is assigned. Late work is accepted up to 3 days after the unit is completed for 50% credit. After the final deadline, no late work will be accepted. WCSD policy will be in force. Make up work must come in on time after an absence. You might not be reminded of the late work deadline at the end of a unit. It is a student responsibility to get all work in on time to maximize points. If you do not meet the deadline, the work may not be accepted. My office is in room 205. I encourage any student who needs help on any assignment to come see me.
Classroom Policies:
McQueen High School Progressive Discipline Policy will be followed. In addition, be aware of the following rules that directly affect citizenship grades:
1)Be on time- tardies may result in lowering of the citizenship grade
2)Respect one another’s right to learn-disruption of class can lower citizenship
3)Behave in the lab-the McQueen Science Safety Contract will be strictly enforced. Behavior outside of expectations will lower citizenship grade along with the possibility of expulsion from the lab.
4)Cheating of any kind results in a zero for the assignment and a lowering of citizenship grade according to WashoeCountySchool District policy. In addition, the incident may be written up and sent to Student Relations for enforcement of McQueen High School Policy regarding cheating or plagiarism.
Lab Safety:
The lab safety contract will be signed for admission to the labs or activities. Misbehavior in the lab or during a class activity will not be tolerated. For your safety and for those around you, understand that misbehavior in the lab/activity can result in personal loss of labs/activities for the remainder of the year (and possible expulsion for the class). Some labs may require goggles. You are required to wear the goggles at all times for those particular labs or take a zero on the assignment. Admission to labs is at the discretion of the teacher and will be determined by your behavior andwillingness to participate. Certain labs are required and must be completed by all students except in cases of expulsion.
Grades:
Academic grades are a reflection of performance and accomplishment. Effort is important and follows that if good effort is made to complete assignments, good performance should follow. Grades will reflect performance through a combination of evaluations in the classroom including participation, classwork, labs, homework, tests and quizzes. Keeping information well organized and together in your binder is important. Any unclaimed papers turned in without a name will be thrown away.
NO NAME=NO CREDIT
Grades will be available through Infinite Campus. Tests/quizzes 35% 90-100%=A
Project10%80-89%=B
Assignments25%70-79%=C
Labs15%60-69%=D
Semester Final15%Less than 60%=F Test Retake Opportunity Students have the option of retaking any test under the following guidelines: (a) The retake must be scheduled within three days of receiving the graded test and must be taken within 2 weeks of the original exam, excluding excused absences. I will need a few days to create the new test in most cases. (b) The new test grade will replace the previous test grade. (c) Retake tests will cover the exact same content but will not be in the same format. Quizzes may not be retaken.
Citizenship grades are based on the classroom policies listed above, number of tardies, classroom behavior, attendance and consistency in turning in assignments. Cheating will not be tolerated. Anyone caught cheating will receive a zero on the assignment and a lowered citizenship grade according to WCSD policy. Calls home are placed for exceptional problems. All students begin the semester with an A in citizenship. Your citizenship grade gets lowered for any of the problems listed. Your number one goal should be to achieve at the highest level possible academically and in citizenship.
Homework, Classwork & Daily Class Points:
We have a very full range of topics to cover. Classwork is generally based on effort and completion, and has no grace period. You must work hard during class, display great teamwork, and get your work in. In most cases, the work is due during class. Daily class points may be awarded based on participation (doing the assignment), and behavior. Late work for all assignments is generally not accepted. The teacher has the final decision on whether to accept a late assignment and whether any credit or partial credit will be given.
I hope you find the expectations of this course challenging but clear. With hard work and optimism you will find success. Parents, please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions you may have. I recognize that parents are the primary educators of their children and hope to have your support throughout the year.
This document is available on the class website:
Mrs. MenicucciMcQueen High School email: 746-5880 ext.32145