Biology I
2009-2010
Prerequisites: Physical Science or Conceptual Physics
Instructor: Mrs. Watson
Available:* Every morning at 8:00am
* After school every day until at least 3:30pm
* During third hour preparation period
Mrs. Watson’s Schedule
1st Hour Biology
2nd Hour Biology
3rd Hour Intro to Physics
4th Hour Prep
5th Hour Intro to Physics
6th Hour Advanced Intro to Physics
7th Hour Intro to Physics
Mrs. Watson is generally available in her classroom after school until 3:30 pm. Because of school related commitments, she may be attending meetings outside of the room during those times. Students may feel free to “drop in” for extra help when she is present in the room. If students wish to guarantee individualized help, they should check during the school day to see if she is available at those times.
Email:
Required Material
- Textbook: Biology, Modern Biology, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
- Pen, pencil, pen and pencil bag, notebook, folder, 3 ring binder, and planner
Course Description
Purpose
General Biology is the study of life. It involves the study of how life came to be, how it changes, and how the living condition is maintained. Six themes are emphasized during the course. These themes are the nature of science, systems and interactions, homeostasis, energy, unity within diversity, and evolution. By dissection of several animals, students will learn how organisms and systems are related.
Learning Outcomes
After the completion of this course, students will be expected to know the scientific method, how to conduct a controlled experiment, and how experiments are used to understand biology. Students will be expected to know organisms’ environment (how energy flows through an ecosystem, where species live, population growth). Students will be expected to know the life of a cell (elements important to the cell, the parts of a cell and their function, how a cell divides, and the energy of a cell). Students will be expected to know the changes that have taken place over time (history of life and the theory of evolution). Student will also be expected to know about classification and the six kingdoms.
Grading
Assignments will be graded on a point system. Letter grades will be assigned according to the CHS handbook. Tests, projects, and quizzes are usually worth more than homework, lab activities, class participation, and class preparation but all aspects of the course affect student’s grades at the end of the term. Tests will be worth 100 points. Projects are worth 100 points. Quizzes are worth 50 points. Class preparation will be worth 100 points once every 9 weeks. Homework, lab activities, and class participation will have a point value dependent on the activity.
Class Preparation
Class preparation is worth 100 points every quarter. Every time you borrow materials from the teacher it will cost you 5 points off your class preparation grade. You will also owe $0.25 for every item borrowed or you will receive a detention. Every fifth time you borrow materials you will receive a detention. All required materials will be needed everyday unless mentioned by the teacher.
***All resource testing will take place in the classroom. Any resource student who is not able to finish the test must inform the teacher and the student will finish the test during their next resource hour.***
Absenteeism and Tardiness
Absenteeism and student tardiness will be dealt with as per the CHS handbook.
Medical Absence
***It is the student’s responsibility to find out what took place in class while they were absent. The student should obtain lecture notes from a reliable student. If a homework assignment was assigned, the student is responsible for asking the teacher for the assignment. The assignments will be made-up per the CHS handbook.
***Since tests are announced several days in advanced, if you are absent one day only, you will take the test on the scheduled test day or the first day you return to school.
***After longer absences, a schedule of make-up work should be arranged with the teacher on the day you return to class or by telephone to the teacher after school on the day before you return. Failure to do this may result in a grade of a zero on each missed assignment.
***Students are responsible for assignments/tests that were due from earlier or later class periods missed. Failure to turn-in assignment will result in a zero. DO NOTturn-in assignments during a class period.
Non-medical Absence– This includes any excused absence for which you do not have a medical excuse. If the criteria for advanced notice printed in the student handbook is met, you may complete homework and hand it in before you leave or on the first day you return. ***Tests will be given on the first day you return.
Unexcused Absence– No credit is given for work missed due to unexcused absences.
**If parent/guardian does not call in a student’s absence by 3:00pm, all work that day will be considered unexcused.
Homework and Late Work
Late work is dealt with as per the CHS handbook. If a student has an excused absence, he or she will be given the opportunity to complete makeup work. If a student is absent, he or she must see me, so that we can work out a timeline for assignment completion.
Remember, late work can be detrimental to a student’s grade.
- The school homework policy will be enforced in this class.
- Homework assignments and lab reports are due the day after they are assigned unless an alternate date is indicated by the teacher.
- Homework which is one day late will be penalized 50%.
- No late work will be accepted after the chapter test has been given.
All assignments will need to have the following on the assignment. Failure to legibly write this may result in lost homework points.
Student’s Name
Hour
Date Due
Academic Dishonesty
Plagiarism or cheating is not tolerated. If a student is found to violate either offense IN ANY FORM, he or she will be issued an automatic zero and suffer the disciplinary consequences outlined in the student handbook.
***Homework is due at the beginning of the period. Hurriedly writing in answers as the teacher collects the work is considered cheating. No credit will be given for answers that, in the teacher’s opinion, were written as the work was collected.
Suggestions for Success
To be successful in Physical Science, it is imperative that students read assigned material, take careful notes and participate in class; class participation, lab activities, projects, and homework are easy opportunities to improve grades. Time outside of class must be devoted to homework assignments and studying. Successful students will also turn in assignments on the due date. Not doing this will be detrimental to your grade. I am always available to give extra help.
Extra Credit – Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 50 points extra credit per semester. These opportunities will be presented as the semester progresses.
Classroom Expectations
This classroom is a positive environment.
- I expect students to respectful of themselves, others (teacher and peers), and other property.
- I expect students to come to class prepared, participate, and turn in all assignments on time. Students who do not come to class prepared and need to borrow any material (pens, pencils, books, etc.) from the teacher will have to rent it for $0.25 or provide the teacher with something of value to hold on to until the item is returned. Not coming to class prepared will hurt your preparation grade and possibly earn you a detention.
- I expect students to leave book bags, coats, pursesand cell phones in their lockers.
- Students are to be in their seatwhen the bell rings. Failure to not do this will result in a tardy.
- In the case of an emergency, students will be excused to the restroom during class. If this privilege is abused, there will not be any bathroom breaks allowed. Students must have their planner to leave. A detention will be given to any student who does not have their planner and insists to leave.
- Gum and water bottles are allowed in class. This is a privilege and will only be allowed as long as everyone is responsible. Throw away any empty bottles, wrappers, or old gum. Students will not be allowed to leave the room to get a drink.
- All school rules will be respected in the classroom.
Any violation of the classroom expectations will be dealt with as per the student handbook.