Biology I Honors Syllabus

Biology I Honors Syllabus

Biology I Honors Syllabus

Lumberton High School---Mr. Theodore Hill

Dear Parent or Guardian and Students,

I am pleased to have your child as a student in class this semester. Honors courses are designed for students who consistently exceed the objectives and expectations of the essential curriculum, both in terms of content knowledge and application. North Carolina Essential Standards are taught in greater depth and includes an emphasis on abstract materials, thus requiring extensive independent work, self-discipline, and commitment to meet rigorous expectations and timelines. The honors course teacher will possess the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to challenge and inspire thought processes of honors level students through a differentiated curriculum and a variety of instructional strategies. The honors curriculum student should possess the motivation, interest and ability to meet the prepare students for post-high school education.

During the course of the semester students will survey the basic aspects of Biology including 1) Structure and Functions of Living Organisms 2) Ecosystems 3) Evolution and Genetics and 4) Molecular Biology. Our goal is to expose students to a wide range of biological topics that may spark an interest in various science, technological, engineering and/or mathematics fields. This class is designed to help students understand and build skills needed in science and prepare them for the 21st Century. Under North Carolina graduation requirements, exit standards mandate that students master biology with an achievement level of 3, 4, or 5 on the End of Course Test. In an effort to ensure your child’s success, high but obtainable goals will be set for your child

Biology Honors will be aligned with ACT Science College Readiness Standards and Advanced Placement course. Students taking the honors course will be required to cover Essential Standards under North Carolina’s curriculum but will complete more in-depth scientific investigations and will work more independently. Students will expand their knowledge through various extensions that correlate to the North Carolina’s Essential Standards. This will be accomplished through regular class assignments, major projects, reading, critiquing, and presenting findings from scientific articles. Students in biology honors will also be expected to participate in class discussions, teach mini-lessons, and contribute with class presentations.

Materials used during the course will include scientific equipment such as microscopes, balances, gel electrophoresis machine, and various other tools. Students will use these materials for hands-on and inquiry-based activities. Other materials such as laptops and Ipads will be used for web-based labs and interactive activities as well as independent research. Textbooks and supplemental texts will be used to reinforce topics and objectives.

Instruction will include a combination of lecture, guided practice, independent practice, cooperative learning, peer tutoring, and independent research.

Standards and Objectives:

North Carolina Essential Standards for Biology can be located at the following link:

www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/new-standards/

“Scroll” down to Science and “click” on Biology

Students’ Responsibilities:

It is the goal of the teachers and staff at Lumberton High School to ensure every student receives the academic, social, emotional and developmental needs that he/she deserves. Our chief priority is student learning, and we believe all students are capable of learning. Every student’s success lies within a combination of involvement from teachers, home, and the students themselves. We will work to help every student achieve their learning potential, but the students must take responsibility for themselves.

Homework:

Students will be responsible for reviewing and reading biology materials obtained in class for at least 30 minutes a day/night. Homework will be assigned at the discretion of the teacher and students are expected to complete all assignments on time. Late work will result in deducted points.

Attendance:

Students should attend class on a regular basis in order to be successful. Class begins when the student enters the classroom, not when the tardy bell rings. Students should enter the classroom, have a seat and begin their starter assignment. Students learn best when they are actively engaged; therefore, student participation in class is crucial to their success.

Forfeiture of Credit Policy:

In grades 9-12, absences in excess of 5 days per semester/course will be grounds for a failing grade. (Refer to your student handbook.)

Make Up Work:

IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK FOR ALL MAKE-UP WORK UPON RETURN FROM AN ABSENCE OF ANY KIND.

Upon return from an absence, ask a classmate first about any missed assignments. Then consult with the teacher to obtain any missed assignments. Any missed starters and notes should be copied from a classmate. The teacher will provide any handouts. Excuses are not an option. Claiming to not have known about an assignment will not be accepted. Missed tests due to absences will be made up during a tutorial session designated by the teacher and must be made up within 5 days of return to school. Any missed labs will be made up during after school tutorial, also designated by the teacher. The student is allowed 5 days, beginning the day they return to school, to turn in any make up work. Work not turned in within the time limit will be given a grade of zero (0).

Tutoring:

Tutoring will be available after school, and on Saturdays during Saturday Academy (as set by individual teachers). It is strongly advised that any student who is having difficulty with a concept or is behind for any reason attend tutorial sessions.

Grading Criteria:

Two (2) half-semester grades plus the final exam will determine the student’s final grade. Please refer to Lumberton High School Student Handbook for specifics of numerical grading. The grade for each nine-week grading period will be calculated as follows:

ITEM PERCENTAGE:

Tests 35%

Quizzes 10%

Classwork/Homework/Participation 15%

Labs/Notebooks 20%

Projects/Portfolio 20%

Students will be administered an End of Course Test for biology. This test will account for 25% of their final semester grade. It is imperative that students do well on this test in order to receive credit to fulfill their graduation requirements.

LHS fields a Science Olympiad team that prepares throughout the year for tournaments. Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a series of 23 team events in each division. By combining events from many disciplines, like anatomy, physics, geology, astronomy, mechanical engineering and technology, Science Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved in active, hands-on, group participation.

Active Participation in the LHS Science Olympiad team will result in the following compensation for Biology:

·  Replacement of lowest project grade (1 per nine weeks) after verification of participation

NINE WEEKS GRADING SCALE:

Every classroom teacher shall use the following grading scale to measure student progress:

A: 90 – 100 = 4.0

B: 80 – 89 = 3.0

C: 70 – 79 = 2.0

D: 60 – 69 = 1.0

F: < 59 = 0.0

Students will also be required to keep a portfolio of all their work.

Communication between student and teacher will be maintained throughout the course. Data will be used to provide feedback to students and allow them to focus on areas of need. A combination of pre-assessments to gauge student prior knowledge will be used; formative and summative assessments will also be used to determine mastery learning. Students will be given a set-grading criterion illustrating all areas and percentages. This will be explained by individual teachers and presented to students in a syllabus.

Students will participate in hands-on and virtual labs. Students will be assessed on science practice skills, analyzing and interpreting lab results, and presenting information. Upon completion of some labs students will be required to prepare formal lab reports.

Student Work:

It is required for your child to keep examples of all their work. This will be important for you to see their progress and to show evidence of having completed required assignments. Students will turn in a portfolio at the end of the semester.

Each student will be provided a packet within the first couple of weeks of school. This packet will provide the student with detailed information about each project including due dates, specific requirements for each project, and grading rubrics. All projects will be turned in on or before the posted date. Any project that is turned in late for any reason will result in an automatic 20-point reduction in grade. Students in biology honors will also be expected to participate in class discussions, possibly teach mini-lessons, and be responsible for various types of in class and out of class assignments. Many assignments will involve use of the Internet. If your child does not have access at home, make sure they have an Internet agreement on file with the school so that they may use the computers on campus.

I look forward to having your child in class this semester. If there are any questions or concerns, please, feel free to contact me. To make an appointment, you may call LSHS at 671-6050 or contact me at my school email address (). My contact information and class information may be found under my “Teacher Website” at Lumberton High School’s homepage.

Classroom Rules and Procedures:

1. All materials should be brought to the class every day!

2. LISTEN when I am giving instructions!!

3. Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings with your materials out and ready to begin working.

4. Raise your hand to receive permission to leave your seat.

5. Raise your hand to be recognized.

6. Personal grooming should be done somewhere other than the classroom.

7. Keep your feet and hands to yourself.

8. Respect all individuals in the classroom, including the teacher.

9. Food and drink will not be allowed in the classroom.

10. Restroom visits will be kept to a minimum. Medical passes and emergencies are the only exceptions.

11. The use and disturbance of cell phones in the classroom WILL NOT be tolerated.

1st offense: Verbal warning

2nd offense: Phone will be taken and held until the end of the class. (Student pick-up)

3rd offense: Phone will be taken by teacher. Student and teacher will call the parent at that time and the parent will have to pick the phone up from the teacher at the end of the day.

Materials:

Required Supplies: Wish List:

All students are required to have the following: Kleenex

3-ring binder (2 inch) notebook with loose-leaf Paper Computer Paper

Dividers #2 Pencils

Glue Sticks Batteries (AA or AAA)

Pencils (#2) Expo markers

Highlighters Expo board cleaner

Colored Pencils/Markers Construction paper

Colored pencils/markers

Clear Scotch Tape

** Check the teacher website frequently in regards to supplies needed for in-class labs, activities, and projects to be donated to the science classroom. **

FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION!

Biology Pacing Guide

(This is a tentative schedule that may be subject to change)

Days / North Carolina Essential Standards and clarifying Objectives / Topics
Week 1 / Introduction, Scientific Inquiry, Lab Safety
Week 2 and 3 / 2.1.1, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.2.1, and 2.2.2 / Ecology (interrelationships among organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems), Flow of Energy in the Ecosystem, Impact of Human Population on Local Ecosystems and Global Environments
Week 4 / 4.1.1 and 4.1.3 / Biochemistry, Organic Molecules, Enzymes
Week 5 / 1.1.1, 1.1.2, and 1.1.3 / Structure and Function of Cells
Week 6 / 1.2.1, 1.2.3, and 4.2.2 / Maintenance of Homeostasis (osmosis), Cellular Transport, Energy use in the Cell
Week 7 / 4.2.1 / Bioenergetic Reactions (aerobic and anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis)
Week 8 / 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, and 4.1.2, / Molecular Basis of Heredity (DNA, protein synthesis)
Week 9 / 1.2.2 and 3.2.1 / Asexual and Sexual Reproduction (cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis)
Week 10 / 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 / Introduction to Genetics, Patterns of Inheritance, Pedigrees and Punnett Squares
Week 11 and 12 / 3.3.1, 3.3.2, and 3.3.3 / Multiple Alleles (blood types), Polygenic Traits, Sex-linked Traits, Impact of Genomics (individuals and society)
Week 13 / 3.4.1, 3.4.2, and 3.4.3 / Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Week 14 and 15 / 3.5.1, 3.5.2, and 2.1.2 / Classification of Organisms Based on Evolutionary Relationships
Week 16 / Review for Biology EOC
Week 17 / Review for Biology EOC
Week 18 / Exams—Biology EOC Online

NAME OF STUDENT: ______

Parent/Guardian please place your initials on the line next to each item listed below as a statement of your understanding and agreement of what is expected from the course, the student, and you (as the parent/guardian):

_____I have read AND retained a copy of the Biology Course Syllabus that contains the course description, required materials, teacher/parent contact methods, and grading scale. Should I have any questions, I will contact Mr. Theodore Hill directly at the school telephone number or e-mail address listed on the Course Syllabus.

_____I understand that my child WILL receive a progress report every four (4) weeks and “may” receive a progress report every two (2) weeks. I agree to ask my child directly for the progress report and if he/she says that they have not received one, I will contact Mr. Theodore Hill directly at the school telephone number or e-mail address listed on the Course Syllabus to acquire one for my perusal.

_____If my child receives a grade of “78” or below on his/her progress report, I will contact Mr. Theodore Hill directly at the school telephone number or e-mail address listed on the Course Syllabus to arrange a conference to discuss my child’s progress.

_____I understand that my child’s grades will be available for me to access at any time on Power Schools.

_____I understand that Mr. Theodore Hill will designate specific days for afterschool tutoring from 3:20-4:20pm. I understand that my child has five (5) days to make up any missed assignments, tests, or quizzes. I also understand that it is MY CHILD’S responsibility to make up any missed work or attend any afterschool tutoring sessions.

_____I understand that my child has access to computers and printers in the media center. I understand that in order for my child to use the computers in the media center that the library must have a signed Internet agreement form signed by myself (the parent/guardian) allowing them access to the Internet. I understand that there is a charge for any copies my child may make and the price is listed in the library.