Biology 2015-2016 Syllabus
Ms. Taylor
/ 281-252-2550
Conference Period: 7thPeriod from 1:47-2:35
Welcome to the 2015-2016 academic year! I am looking forward to a successful year with ALL of my students. To keep updated with important information and due date reminders, please subscribe to the following Remind to get reminders and updates! Text 81010 @westbio16
Materials – to be brought EVERYDAY
●Pens (blue or black) and #2 pencils (mechanical is okay)
●Loose-leaf notebook paper
●Biology Binder (or folder w/ brads)
●Teacher may request other things as the year progresses
●Online Textbook provided!
Grade System
Student assignments will be divided and weighted as follows:
●51% - Major Assessments: tests, lab practical, projects, reports, etc.
●34% - Minor Assessments: quizzes, independent practice, daily work, etc.
●15% - District Common Assessments
**NOTE: All assigned daily work, quizzes, and tests must be completed no later than the end of the 3-week grading period (progress report time).
Tutoring
I want ALL of my students to be successful so I will allow students to schedule afternoon tutoring sessions throughout the school year. My official tutoring day is Tuesday afterschool. If I am not available students can attend tutorials with other Biology teachers. Tutoring can make a great difference in student performance and I highly recommend it for anyone having problems – large or small.
Make-Up Work and Labs
Obtaining work missed when a student is absent from class is the student’s responsibility!!! They are to be sure that they obtain any notes and request all other assignments that were given while they were absent. They need to check with their lab team first then contact me. I tend to upload a lot to Google Classroom and my web page.
If you have an unplanned absence, you should:
• Check our Class “Make Up Work” Folder. If empty, check with team mates then me.
• Contact a member of your lab team for any questions pertaining to notes or email me.
• Arrange a tutorial session with teacher as needed.
• Complete/turn in work 1 day for each day absent.
• Tests are assigned at least 1 week ahead. If you are absent the day of the test, you must take the test the day you return.
• If you miss a lab, you will have to complete a report since most labs cannot be set up again. Or will be required to complete an online make-up lab in tutoring.
• REMEMBER: Assignments due the day you were absent are DUE the day you RETURN to class.
• If absent, have family member turn in projects the day of absence since these are assigned well in advance. Otherwise, the project will receive the 10 point penalties.
Important note for those of you participating in extra-curricular activities:
If you miss class due to a school-sponsored activity (football, tennis, choir, art, etc.), you are NOT considered absent and cannot use the make-up work policy as an excuse for missed work. You are expected to complete & turn in all missed work BEFORE you miss the class.
Late/Missing Work Policy:
●All missing work that is turned in BEFORE the summative assessment (test) shall be given a grade that reflects the level of mastery of the content assessed.
●If a student has taken the maximum number of retests allowed by the MWHS Retest Policy or has elected not to retest, the work turned in AFTER a summative assessment has been administered may receive a maximum of 70% of the grade that reflects the level of mastery of the content assessed.
PLEASE NOTE: If the missing assignment has already been graded and/or returned, an alternate assignment may be given for the student to complete.
Test Re-Take Policy
Students may retestsummative assessments/assignments ONE time within ONE week from the date the assignment is posted for a grade. The maximum grade score on a retest is 80%
The requirements for retesting are as follows:
●All missing work must be completed and turned in prior to the reassessment.
●Attendance at tutorials is mandatory for re-teaching prior to the reassessment.
●Tutorials will be scheduled at the teacher’s discretion.
Academic Honesty
Cheating will not be tolerated. It will result in a phone call notifying parent/guardian and possibly disciplinary action by the school administration. The following list provides examples of cheating, but it is not all inclusive:
●Using another person’s homework to write down answers.
●Writing down answers when they are being checked in class.
●Changing answers on another student’s paper while checking papers in class.
●Using methods other than your own brain on tests or quizzes.
Electronic Devices & Cell Phones Policy
In this course, electronic devices may be allowed at certain times, depending on the nature of instruction and classroom activities. The teacher will notify students of times when the use of electronic devises are permissible. Use of electronic devices without teacher permission or use of a device that interferes with the ability of other students to work will be considered a rule violation and will be addressed according to the code of conduct.
**Any students with special needs or concerns should let the teacher know as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made to ensure the success of ALL students. Any accommodations requested must comply with district policies and are subject to approval by the administration and/or counselors. **
Course Content
Over the course of this school year we will be covering various topics in biology.
These will include:
1st 9 Weeks
Nature of Science
Ecology
Evolution
Cells and Cell Transport
2nd 9 Weeks
Growth and Development of Cells / Cancer
Biochemistry
DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis
Genetics
3rd 9 Weeks
Taxonomy (Will Include a Taxonomy Project)
Cell Energy and Metabolism
4th 9 Weeks
Living Systems & Homeostasis
EOC Review
EOC Biology Test – May 5th
Biology End of Year Project
Please sign below stating you have read the syllabus with your child and then have your child sign it.
Please add any comments, questions, or concerns you may have in the space provided.
Please have your student return this back to Ms. Taylor for a grade, no later than Wednesday, August 27.
Signing below indicates that you have read and understand the class syllabus for Biology with Ms. Taylor
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