June, 2014

Dear AP Biology Students,

I hope you are as excited about AP Bio next year as I am! This packet contains all of the materials you will need for the first 3 weeks of class, so that you can come to class on this first dayready to learn. Please read this letter carefully; it is the directions for your first “official” AP Bio assignment.

1. Make sure you have all your supplies and bring them on the first day of class:

  • 3-ring binder (at least 2”)
  • 8 dividers labeled:
  • General
  • Chemistry of Life
  • Cells/Transport
  • Cell Signaling/Homeostasis
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Heredity
  • Evolution
  • Cell Energetics/Ecology
  • Lab Notebook – a bound composition book (100 lined sheets, 9¾ x 7½)

Please note: spiral notebooks are not acceptable as lab notebooks

  • Calculator
  • Writing utensils…pencil and blue/black pen
  • Green pen (not a green marker/highlighter) – all corrections must be done in green!
  • And, of course, your Coleus plant (remember, prizes will be awarded!)

If cost is an issue in procuring any of the above, please let me know – scholarships are available.

2. Organize your binder:

=Put the following pages in the General section of your binder – in this order:

  • AP Biology 2014-2015 Syllabus
  • Grading Policies
  • Grading Policies signature page
  • 2014-2015 Calendar
  • Online Textbook and Mastering Biologydirections (available by August)
  • Wiki Sign-up directions
  • Remind 101 sign-up directions
  • The AP Biology Exam: Multiple Choice Tips
  • The AP Biology Exam: Free Response Questions
  • Safety Rules
  • Student Contract
  • Getting To Know You
  • Parent Letter

=Put the colored Learning Targets(available in August) in the Chemistry of Life section of your binder.

=Put the following pages behind the Topic 1: Chemistry of Life blue cover sheet – in this order:

  • Biochemistry Learning Targets (available by August)
  • Biochemically Important Macromolecules (blue)
  • 20 Amino Acids/Amino Acid Sidechains
  • Protein Structure handouts 1-2
  • Bradford Assay Lab
  • Explanation Tool
  • Enzyme Function/Gamers Solve Stubborn Viral Mystery
  • AP Investigation 13: Biofuels Enzyme Kinetics
  • SpectroViz Instructions (half sheet)
  • Explanation Tool

3. Complete the following paperwork (turned in on the first day of class)

□Grading policies signature page

□Student Contract

□Getting to Know You

4. Have your parents complete the following to turn in on the first day of class

□Grading Policies signature page (requires both student and parent signatures)

□Student Contract (requires both student and parent signatures)

□Parent Letter

□Bonus: Have your parent read and sign the Success Brochure. Print your name at the top too.

5. Complete the following tasks before the first day of class:

□Sign up for access to the online textbook and Mastering Biology (handout available by August)

□Go to the class website: Follow the directions on the handout to create an account and request access to the wiki. Note: If you were in my Biology class previously, you’ll need to create an account – the one I made for you last year has been deleted.

□Sign up for Remind101 (to get texts, emails or both) Again, if you were in my Biology class previously, you’ll need to create a new account

□Complete the safety quiz online. (link emailed to you by August)

□Create a professional email account if you don’t already have one (handout available by August)

□Send me an email from your professional account.

□Read and take notes on Chapter 1 in your textbook.

□Complete the Mastering Biology Assignments (directions available by August)

6. Check out the class wiki:

Go to the different sections of AP Biology and familiarize yourself with how to get around the wiki. You will need to use it often, both for class and our year-long research project!

7. Cover your textbook! (after you get it at check-in)You will have the option to buy your textbook if desired.

7. Take a tour of our textbook:(after you get it at check-in)

Read through the Table of Contents and think about which parts of biology are most and least interesting to you. We will cover the entire textbook before the AP exam in May so we’ll cover your favorite part!

Flip through the pages and look at the diagrams and pictures. What do you remember well from GeneralBiology? What do you remember but need review? What is totally new?

Thanks for completing this first assignment before our first day; it will make our first day much more productive! If you have any questions, please send me an email at ; I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I will be out of the country June 12-24 and unable to respond to email until I get back. It’s going to be a great year!