Biological Science Methods and Expectations
Mr. Zahm, Liberty High School, 2014-2015
http://mrzsedwiki.wikispaces.com/
(Please visit my “wiki” for an electronic version of this document and others.)
COURSE OVERVIEW
Biology is designed to allow students to investigate basic Biology concepts from the world around them and their importance to humans and the environment. Students should be able to relate the learned information to the world and apply it to everyday situations, as well as pass the PA Keystone Exam in Biology.
The course combines the use of 21st Century technology learning tools, lecture, discussion, lab, research, and presentation work. Laboratory investigations will be used to further explore topics discussed, although not every class will contain a lab.
In the 9th Grade Freshman Center, Biology class meets EVERY OTHER DAY (for 85 minutes – a “block”) and follow a 6 day cycle during which a student meets either on “odd” days (1, 3, & 5) or “even” days. Cycle days are not skipped: after day 6 is day 1, etc. The first day of the year (Monday, August 25th, is a “Day 1”.)
In addition to the traditional methods of study and evaluation, students will be expected to present material to the class using modern and new technology such as real-time web collaboration with Google Docs, Wiki webpages, digital video, Social Media, and more, combined with the challenge to express student understanding in ways that are more authentic and technologically relevant. Research projects and presentations will be assigned once the course is in session. Community service options will be incorporated where possible.
Finally, students will learn and practice using techniques from neuroscience for improving memory and learning. And, it is my goal to have a major “student as teacher” instructional project incorporating the new and modern technologies mentioned.
-1. Community
-1. We will be a community. Respect for each other’s culture will be expected and nurtured.
-1. Our community consists of more than the classroom. This program hopes to
-1. involve people from the Lehigh Valley in our classes to bring their relevant knowledge and
-1. experiences to bare on our student’s studies. Together, we can provide a more safe,
-1. secure, and compelling atmosphere to inspire each other. If parents and students would like to
-1. discuss this further, please contact me by email, which I prefer, at , and
-1. school phone: 610-691-7200 x ______.
Internet & Social Media
Please visit our class website regularly to see what we are doing: www.mrzsedwiki.wikispaces.org.
Also, please follow my class Instagram account (@MrZsScience) for pictures & notes about class activities.
TEXT MESSAGE REMINDERS (Remind101.com)
TEXT @MRZSCIENCE to the Phone # (484) 240-2599. You'll get a text that WILL ask for your full name - give first name and last initial. (That way I know who is subscribed - it's free.)
-1. ACADEMICS:
Course Content: Students will study five units:
Ø Basic Biology – i. Scientific Inquiry; Characteristics of Life; The Cell: Types, Structures & Functions
ii. Homeostasis (stability) & Cell Transport
iii. Chemistry of Life
Ø The Proliferation (Spread) of Life i. Cell Growth & Reproduction; Inheritance (Genetics)
Ø Energy in a Cell – i. Photosynthesis
ii. Cellular Respiration
Ø The Molecular Basis of Life - i. DNA, RNA, & Proteins
ii. Biotechnology
Ø Interdependence of Life – i. Evolution
ii.Ecology
Units will last for between 8 and 24 class blocks or, approximately, 16 to 48 days.
DAILY MATERIALS FOR THIS COURSE:
1. Textbook (Physical texts will be left in school; the Online Textbook is available outside of school.)
2. Writing Utensils: Two Pens, Two Pencils, and Two LARGE Erasers EVERYDAY
3. 3-Ring Binder Notebook AND 3-Hole Lined Paper
4. Two spiral notebooks for block 2 & 3 classes; (One spiral for Block 4 classes)
1 for daily “Warm-up” or “Do Now” activities (at the start of class)
1 for Project Notes
5. RECOMMENDED:
i. Colored Pencils
ii. A Flash/Thumb drive
iii. HOME INTERNET SERVICE (for Online Textbook and Google Drive/Gmail)
Tips for Success:
Come prepared, ask questions, & volunteer answers. Bring notebooks, pens, pencils, & erasers.
Do the homework on time. If you do this, you should pass the class.
Readings and homework will come from the text unless otherwise noted. Some type of homework will be assigned often - this could be anything from reading the textbook to just “thinking about current issues”. I will periodically check notebooks, daily Warm-ups, and assign grades as well.
All assignments are due on the date assigned (at the beginning of the class period whether or not the teacher asks for them). Written assignments must be typed (or written) neatly.
Posted on the Website:
Assignments are posted on the “Warm-Up” page of my class website http://mrzsedwiki.wikispaces.com/. Notes are also available there as Power Point slide shows and documents. Please make use of them.
Make-up/Late Work All work must be made up according to the following guidelines.
Excused Absences: Homework must be made up within the same number of days of the
absence. Test and quizzes must be made up within 2 days. Labs must be completed
and submitted within 1 week of the absence.
Unexcused Absences: Work is expected to be made up and handed in to prepare you for
an upcoming test. (Credit is NOT PERMITTED in this case according to school policy.
And remember about a positive attitude?)
Tutoring
I encourage any student in need of extra help to come for tutoring. I am available for tutoring most days from 2:30-3:00 PM after school. An appointment is not necessary. Usually, other tutoring opportunities are available. See your counselor or principal.
Cheating:
Integrity is a trait respected and valued highly in my classroom. Cheating reflects a lack of self-respect. One of my goals is to help reinforce strong character. Therefore, cheating of any kind including copying any work – equally, GIVING your work to be copied, etc., will be dealt with seriously.
GRADING
All assignments are given a point value. In order to calculate the current Marking Period (MP) grade, the student should divide points earned by points available.
Marking Period Grade: Students can calculate their Marking Period grade at any time as follows:
Total points earned x 100% = Student Grade
Total points available
Daily “Do Now” & Class Participation - 2 PTS/day = 10 pts/wk = 100 + pts/marking period =an easy Test Grade
Homeworks - 5 – 20 PTS/each
Quizzes - 10 PTS each
Unit Testss - 100 PTS each
Projects - 100 PTS each
The Year End Grade is calculated by adding the MP numeric grades + the average of the midterm and the final, and then
dividing by 5, as follows: [MP1 + MP2 + MP3 + MP4 + ½ (Midterm + Final)] divided by 5 = Final Grade
Ultimately, I find that students are often their hardest critics. I am here to guide and help.
Please think of me that way. I MUST grade. It is, however, a reflection of OUR work
together.
BEHAVIOR:
-1. *Remember, a POSITIVE ATTITUDE - toward everyone - goes a long way.
*Be on time and ready to learn.
-1. *Use COMMON SENSE; act carefully…and thoughtfully.
-1. *RESPECT yourself, your classmates, your teacher, and your classroom.
-1. *EATING, DRINKING (other than water), and GROOMING are to be done BEFORE or AFTER CLASS please.
-1. *SCHOOL POLICIES WILL be enforced, including ELECTRONICS and DRESS codes
-1. *RECYCLE in class; throw out your TRASH. “Leave things better than you find them.”
-1. Help make our class community the best it can be: contribute, help, and take responsibility when right as well as when wrong.
-1. SAFETY:
-1.
Laboratory work is an important part of science, and safety is a must in Biology. UNSAFE BEHAVIOR MUST BE PREVENTED.
All students will be required to acknowledge the safety requirements of the classroom by signing a safety contract.
-1.
Our Mission
Please think about these “ideas”. I will strive to live by these principles and to expect others to do the same. Please remember to consider them in your decision-making.
-1. *Do your best in each moment so that you do not regret a missed opportunity.
-1. *Make the greatest positive difference you can; correct your mistakes.
-1. *Foster a Spirit of Safety, Cooperation, Respect, and Teamwork.
-1. *Contribute: Create a safe and healthy working environment and a culture of trust by each person being trustworthy
-1. *Have integrity: Follow the rules. (If you don’t agree, ask respectfully.)
-1. *Appreciate People – all people.
-1. *Find a solution, not just a Problem (Don’t just complain!)
-1. *”Make it yours.” I will do MY best to keep Science interesting. Do YOUR part to learn and contribute.
-1. (You won’t love everything, but only you can “make it yours” as much as possible.”)
-1. *Depend on yourself. Believe. Do.
-1.
Learning Philosophy
I feel strongly that each students’ physical and mental well being come first before our academic goals and I will strive to remain conscious of that.
We must all remain aware, as well, that we are all members of a community with opportunities to learn and responsibilities to each other such as respect and to contribute our best socially, intellectually, and academically.
We must help each other to hold ourselves up because we all have worthy goals and can make important contributions to many worlds.
I believe that discovery is the best approach to learning. And I believe that guided autonomy is the quickest path, but it requires great responsibility. And we are all responsible to oversee it.
-1.
Classroom Expectations & Behavior
Contract
Mr. Zahm, Liberty High School, 2014-2015
[Please see the complete Biology Overview and Expectations on the class website at http://mrzsedwiki.wikispaces.com/]
- Keep the first two pages of this document for your record.
- SIGN THE LAST PAGE AND RETURN IT ON THE SECOND DAY OF CLASS,
Course Content Daily Materials Needed
This course is designed to prepare students for the Keystone Biology Exam, college, & future work: LIFE.
Students will study five units:
Ø Basic Biology, 1. Textbooks remain in class; Use the Online text at home
Ø The Proliferation of Life, 2. Always have TWO Pens, TWO Pencils, and TWO Erasers
Ø Energy in a Cell, 3. 3-Ringed Binder Notebook (w/pockets) AND 3-hole Lined Paper
Ø The Molecular Basis of Life, and 4. Two Spiral Notebooks (8”x11” size)
Ø Evolution & Ecology. 1 for daily “Warm-Ups” (or “Do Nows”)
1 for Project Notes
5. Recommended: i. Flash Drive, ii. Colored Pencils
iii. Home internet service (for online text and Google Apps)
Grading
All assignments are given a point value. In order to calculate the current Marking Period (MP) grade, the student should divide points earned by points available.
Marking Period Grade: Students can calculate their Marking Period grade at any time as follows:
Total points earned x 100% = Student Grade
Total points available
Daily “Do Now” & Class Participation - 2 PTS/day = 10 pts/wk = 100 + pts/marking period =an easy Test Grade
Homeworks - 5 – 20 PTS/each
Quizzes - 10 PTS each
Unit Testss - 100 PTS each
Projects - 50-100 PTS each
The Year End Grade is calculated by adding the MP numeric grades + the average of the midterm and the final exams, and then
dividing by 5, as follows: [MP1 + MP2 + MP3 + MP4 + ½ (Midterm + Final)] divided by 5 = Final Grade
Ultimately, I find that students are often their hardest critics. I am here to guide and help. Please think of me that way. I MUST grade. It is, however, a reflection of OUR work together.
Expected Behaviors
1. Be prepared for class - everyday
-1. Be on time - and ready -- with all supplies listed in syllabus when bell rings.
-1. Have completed assignments - don’t earn a zero.
-1. When class is missed, present excuse upon returning or zero is given. Tests are made up on day returning.
-1. Be familiar with the safety requirements for class.
-1.
2. Be Respectful...
-1. To school property - do not write on desks, etc.; book must be covered; throw trash away.
-1. Listen while others speak or question.
-1. Considerate language is expected.
-1. Care for computers properly.
-1.
-1. 3. Be Honest, Cooperative, and Helpful - a positive member of the community!
-1. WEAR YOUR ID AT ALL TIMES.
-1. Be in your assigned seat AND READY when bell rings.
-1. Food and drinks - except water - must be consumed before or after class.
-1. Computers: Students are expected to follow the class and district guidelines for proper use and care of school equipment and networks. If a student loses privilege due to carelessness, viewing inappropriate sites, or other infractions according to BASD policy - the grade of zero will be given for each assignment after loss of privilege.
-1. Electronic devices or accessories will be confiscated according to school policy. When instructed, students may be permitted to use their own devices according to the class/teacher guidelines.
-1. Leave hats in lockers; dress according to policy.
-1. Copying or falsifying work - or allowing it - will be considered cheating according to the discipline code.
Consequences + / -
-1. + Be recognized for positive contribution to class.
-1.
- Equally, inappropriate behavior will be dealt with quickly and firmly with the following process.
-1.
-1. Reminder
-1. One reminder about rules will be given: it might be non-verbal or verbal.
-1. Second event: will result in a conference and corrective action.
-1. Refusal to comply: will result in a referral.
-1.
-1. Conferences (chronologically)
-1. With Student: behavior will be discussed after class.