Lassiter High School
Reaching Excellence and Climbing Higher
Science Department
Spring Semester 2018
COURSE TITLE: Biology 101B INSTRUCTOR: Jennifer Mercure
SCHOOL WEBSITE: http://www.lassiterhigh.org/ EMAIL:
TEACHER WEBSITE: reach directly via: Remind.com: Join @ e77ekg
http://lhsblogs.typepad.com/mercure/honors-biology/
LEARNING GOALS:
¨ Students will demonstrate proficiency in the critical thinking skills of decision-making, information processing, reasoning, and analysis at or above course standards.
¨ Students will demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills in reading comprehension and written expression through the use of vocabulary activities.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Biology is the study of life. Since understanding biology is essential in today’s world, a familiarity with the subject is crucial. The course will be challenging in that it is designed for accelerated students, but it should be interesting due to the very nature of the topic.
GRADING POLICY: Tests 40%
Labs 20%
Daily Work 10%
Homework ……………………………………………………. 5%
Final Exam …………………………………………………… 5%
State EOCT …………………………………………………...20%
Tests: We will usually give 3-4 major tests each six weeks. These will be worth 100 points each.
Labs: Labs will be done in class and all safety rules must be followed. Failure to do so will result in lack of
participation for the lab and a grade of zero will be assigned.
Daily Work: This will incorporate homework, quizzes (announced or unannounced), and study sheets. Due dates
for these assignments will be discussed at the time of the assignment. Homework must be handed in at the
beginning of class.
Final Exam: This will be given at the end of the semester and will be comprehensive.
EOCT: The Biology EOC test will be given May 7th and 8th, covers both semesters of Biology, and will count
20% of the student’s second semester grade.
TEXT: The textbook that will be used is Biology (Glencoe, 2009). If lost, the cost of the textbook is $71.70
TOPICS OF STUDY: The following standards (as per Cobb County’s science curriculum) will be covered during spring semester. (The listed time periods are approximate and may vary as needed.)
Evolution (Ch. 14-16) ……………….3 Weeks
Classification (Ch. 17) 1 Week
Viruses/Bacteria (Ch. 18) 1 Week
Protists/Fungi (Ch. 19-20) 2 Weeks
Animals/Systems (Ch. 24-30) 4 Weeks
Plants (Ch. 21-23) 2 Weeks
Ecology (Ch. 2-5) 4 Weeks
NOTE: ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO VIEW THE CLASS BLOG NIGHTLY TO PRINT NOTES, VOCABULARY TERMS, ETC. IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR CLASS THE FOLLOWING DAY. If you are absent, check the blog, then contact me via e-mail for more information if needed.
MATERIALS NEEDED: Kleenex, Paper Towels, Hand Soap, Scotch Tape, Masking Tape, Mini Hot Glue Sticks for glue guns, and Glue Sticks are much appreciated and needed. We are always willing to take any craft items you wish to donate! Often we build models during class and need all types of arts/crafts supplies! Suggestions include fuzzy sticks (pipe cleaners), construction paper, wiggle eyes, popsicle sticks, felt, yarn, etc. If you can send it, we will use it!
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP POLICY:
A student who is present and actively participates is more likely to be successful; however, if a student is absent, he/she has one day for each day of excused absence plus one extra day to make up the work. (For example, a student absent 2 days would have 3 days to turn in make-up work.) Students are responsible for asking their teachers for the make-up work. Encourage your child to check the blog, e-mail teachers, and check the make-up work box whenever they are absent. A student with an unexcused absence may ask for assignments and may choose to complete them in order to keep up with the class; however, the teacher is under no obligation to grade the work. If you are out the day of a test or on the review day, be prepared to take the test in class on return. Makeup times for labs or tests are either during ASE with advance permission from your ASE teacher, or by prior arrangement after school Monday or Wednesday from 3:30 – 4:00, or before school Wednesday – Friday from 7:45 AM to 8:15.
LATE WORK POLICY: NO late work will be accepted. All homework will be due at the beginning of the period directly to the teacher or in the location designated by the teacher. Any assignments left on tables, teacher desk, or the floor will be considered late and will not be graded.
TARDY POLICY: To avoid being counted tardy, students must be seated and ready for class when the bell rings. You will be required to obtain a tardy pass through the late arrival system (LAS) to enter the room if you arrive after the bell for 1st period. Students will be referred to an administrator afterTHREEunexcused tardies. See handbook for the appropriate consequences, which may include administrative detention, Saturday school, ISS and loss of parking privileges. Please be in class on time. Also be aware that I do not write passes to be late to another teacher’s class, as every class you take is just as important as mine!
EXTRA HELP: Anyone needing extra help is encouraged to visit me after school 3:30-4:00 PM on Tuesdays or during ASE. You may also get extra help through Ms. Adams on Wednesdays 7:45-8:10 AM. Please let us know in advance if you are coming. Occasionally we have other commitments or may be busy working – in other words, we are not always in our rooms! If we know you are coming, we can tell you ahead of time if there is a conflict. Honors biology is a challenging course but not impossible. I will be glad to help if you are having difficulty – all you need to do is ask! If you are struggling, do not wait until the morning of the test to get help! If your parents or guardians have any questions about your classroom performance, please tell them to contact me.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Lassiter Science Department Policy on Academic Integrity:
In addition tonotifying administration, theparentsof a student who has been involved in cheating will be notified and the student will receive a grade of zero for the assignment or evaluation period, and a grade of U in conduct. For the Lassiter Science Department, cheating is defined as,but is not limited to, the following acts:
For the
· Copying anyone’s answers to questions, lab activities, study guides, classwork or homework assignments (this also applies to other teachers reporting copying being done in their classrooms on similar assignments)
· Looking onto another student’s paper during a test or quiz.
· Having available any study notes or other test aids during a test or quiz without the teacher's permission.
· Collaborating on assignments when independent work is expected.Be certain that individual lab reports, even when performed as a group, are written in your own words.
· Taking any information verbatim from any source, including the Internet, without giving proper credit to the author, or rearranging the order of words and/or changing some words as written by the author and claiming the work as his or her own, i.e., plagiarism.
· Using external resources such as web sites or apps to complete an assignment or assessment unless specifically permitted by the teacher.
· Taking pictures of assignments or assessments without the consent of the teacher.
DIFFERENTIATION: In anticipation of student differences in interests and learning needs, I will at times differentiate the curriculum. This will involve flexibility in carrying out varied approaches to content, process, and/or product.
HONORS LEVEL COURSE EXPECTATIONS: Please NOTE: Placement in the appropriate science course next year will be determined by your performance in science and math courses this year and the prerequisites you have met.
LASSITER HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Spring 2018
SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TEACHER: Jennifer Mercure COURSE: Biology 101B
YOUR SIGNATURE BELOW INDICATES YOUR AGREEMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING:
¨ I have read and understand the academic integrity policy.
¨ I have reviewed the class syllabus and understand the grading policy.
¨ I am willing to be contacted by email.
¨ I have access to the internet and will access the Synergy parent feature (once it is available) to check on my child's progress. I understand that teachers will make every effort to post grades within 2 weeks of accepting the assignment, but that posting of grades for larger papers and projects may extend beyond the 2 week time frame.
¨ My child has access to the internet and a printer, and he/she will be responsible for checking the blog and printing the required notes and materials from the teacher’s blog prior to class.
Student Name: ______Class Period: ______
(Please print.)
______
(Student's Signature) (Parent's Signature)
______
(Student's E-mail—optional but encouraged) (Parent's E-mail—needed)
(___)______(___)______
(Parent phone - cell and work or home)
RETURN THIS FORM WITH BOTH SETS OF SIGNATURES BY Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
Please feel free to contact the instructor if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Student Lab Safety Contract
I will:
1. Follow all instructions given by the teacher.
2. Read directions thoroughly before beginning a lab investigation.
3. Protect eyes, face, hands, and body while conducting a lab investigation.
4. Review all safety guidelines indicated in each lab before beginning.
5. Know the location of first aid and fire fighting equipment.
6. Conduct myself in a responsible manner at all times in a lab situation.
I, ______, (print name) have read and agree to abide by the safety regulations as set forth above and also any additional printed or verbal safety instructions provided by the teacher and/or district. I further agree to follow all other written/verbal instructions given in class. If I do not follow the safety instructions, I will be removed from the lab and receive a grade of zero on that lab. My parents will be contacted, and, depending on the severity of the infraction, an administrative referral may be written.
Date: ______
Student Signature: ______
Parent Signature: ______