Duration: Year Long Course

Teacher: Mrs. Brenner

Location: Room 223

Hours: 1st period

COURSE OUTLINE

August: Lab Safety, Scientific Inquiry, Basic Chemistry (Diffusion)

September: Cell structure and function (Microscope lab)

October: Cell Division, Genetics

November: Bacteria, viruses, protists, plants (Bacteria project)

December: Plants (Flower dissection)

Midterm Exam, Fall Semester (Chapters 1-6 and 8-11)

January: Invertebrates, vertebrate body systems(Science Project, Worm Dissection)

February: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, skeletal and muscular systems (Science Project)

March: Cardiovascular, immune, excretory, respiratory, digestive systems (Science Project Due)

April: Nervous and endocrine systems, Health maintenance

May: Reproductive system, pregnancy, embryonic development (Disease Project)

Final Exam (Chapters 7-9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 22, 23)

You must have following materials by the first Monday of class:

#2 pencils or mechanical pencils (necessary for tests) / Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils (any of the three, and these may be kept at home after the first week)
Composition book (Lined or graph paper) / Pens (blue or black)
Lined paper

Your textbook must be covered with paper bag material and durable tape by the second week of class. Covers of any other material are not acceptable. NO FABRIC COVERS. Random book cover checks will be done each month.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

A)Entering:

Students must be inside the door of the classroom when the tardy bell rings in order to be considered “on time.” Lockers can be accessed before the bell rings and at the end of class.

B)During:

Focus on what God wants us to learn. Behave how God wants us to be. What wisdom shall we ask for? How will you let Him change and mature you?

All cellphones and electronics must be silent and in the Phone Basket unless Mrs. Brenner gives special permission to use them.

C)Leaving:

Stay at your seats until dismissal. Make sure your area is clean and ready for the next class.

D)SCCS Student Handbook: All content within the SCCS Parent Handbook will be adhered to within this classroom.

E)Disciple Plan: Handling Misconduct

When a student’s behavior or attitude conflicts with the standards of the school, I will take steps toshow the student what changes need to be made and encourage the student to do so. Most student discipline will be handled in class, between the student and me.

If needed, I may use any or all of the following methods in student discipline:

Meeting with the student regarding the misbehavior, and parents will be notified.
Submitting a Discipline Report wherein the student will be sent to the office and may be assigned a consequence determined by Mr. Wilson / Mr. Caldwell / Mrs. Kennedy.
Requesting a conference to include the parent, teacher, student and administration.

I will work closely with parents to resolve discipline issues. I will keep parents well-informed about classroom behavior so that we can work as a team in matters of discipline.

GRADING:

Homework and Class Work: 15% Mainly exercises from the textbook and lab manual.

Projects: 15% Lab activities and multi-day assignments

Composition book notes 20% Notes taken during class lectures and group activities

Tests: 25% In-class multiple choice/short answer portion, and take-home essay portion

Final Exam: 25% At the end of each semester, students will complete an exam consisting of multiple choice questions as well as short essays.

GRADING SCALE:

A’s / B’s / C’s / D’s / Failing
A+ 98% and up
A 94 – 97.9%
A- 90.0-93.9% / B+ 87.0-89.9%
B 84.0-86.9%
B- 80.0-83.9% / C+ 77.0-79.9%
C 74.0-76.9%
C- 70.0-73.9% / D+ 67.0-69.9%
D 64.0-66.9%
D- 60.0-63.9% / Below 60%

*Grades will not be curved, amplified, bumped, or adjusted under any circumstances. For instance, if a student receives a 59.9% they will fail the class. If a student receives a 89.9% they will receive a B+ and will not be bumped up to an A-.

IMPORTANT TIDBITS:

There is a hall pass, but use of it should be exceptional, not habitual.

Bring your supplies to class, and extra in case a friend needs to borrow.

Electronic devices---I will take any electronics if students are thought to beusing them in class without permission. Devices can be picked up from the office after school, or the next day if the office is closed.

Other than bottled water, no food or beverages may be consumed in the classroom.

Extra help is available after school every day except Wednesdays.

Best way to reach me: Email. Make sure your email is in the RenWeb system!

I will update grades weekly via RenWeb. Please check RenWeb often to catch any mistakes.

Classroom Covenant

Please read and sign the attached Classroom Covenant, signifying that you understand and agree to the course policies stated in the syllabus. This will count as your first homework assignment.

SCCS Life Science Fall 2016 Mrs. Brenner

CLASSROOM COVENANT

(Students: return this completed sheet for 10 points)

Teacher Portion:

I, Mrs. Brenner, will provide classroom activities, assignments, and lab experiences to properly scaffold your learning in Life Science. My grading will be fair and impartial. I will be praying for each of my students, and myself, each week. Signed:

Parent and Student Portion:

I have read the SCCSLife Science Fall 2016 syllabus. I understand the grading policy and agree to adhere to classroom expectations. If this sheet is never signed and turned in, then I understand that I will not receive the 10 POINTS of credit for its completion.

Parent/Guardian Signature and Student Signature Portion

Student name (print):______

Student signature: ______Date:______

Parent/Guardian name (print):______

Parent signature:______Date: ______

Please indicate below any student or parental concerns about this course: (Continue on back if you need)

Student Concerns & FYI’s / Parent Concerns & FYI’s