General Policies and Procedures

Biology

General Policies and Procedures

Instructor: Mrs. Wierzbicki

(or simply Mrs. W)

Classroom: 219

Email:

Phone: 262-363-6200 Ext.25219

Free hours: 4th & 7th hours and after school until 3:15 pm

Text website: my.hrw.com

Username:jmorrow195

Password:f6v5j

Prerequisites: None

Grade level: 10, 11 or 12

Credit earned: 1

Purpose

As a former student, I tended to be more interested in classes when I knew the reasons for taking them. Therefore, I feel that I must provide you with at least one good reason why you should take thiscourse. Aside from preparing you for college science, understanding what biology is and how it affects our lives is essential for every person because biology is all around us and within us, from the parasites that can sicken your pets to the child growing within its mother’s womb. Understanding biology, therefore, enables you to be a more knowledgeable and empowered citizen.

Grades

Your quarter grade for this class will be determined by:

50% Tests

30% Quizzes

20% Classwork/Labs

Your semester grade will be determined by:

40% each quarter

20% final exam

GRADE SCALE

100-99%A+84-83% C+

98-95%A82-78% C

94-93%A-77-76% C-

92-91%B+75-74% D+

90-87%B73-72% D

86-85%B-71-70% D-

Below 70% is an F

Materials

Loose-leaf paper

3-ring binder

(at least2” wide)

Four dividers w/ labeled tabs for binder: notes, homework, quiz/test, lab

Paper-covered textbook

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES IN THE CONDITION OF YOUR TEXT!

Assignment Notebook

Black or blue ink pen

Pencil with eraser

Red correcting pen

Assignments

Late assignments (those that are turned in after being requested) will not be accepted in order to prepare you for the deadlines of the real world. The only exceptions are those assignments that have an NQA (no questions asked) attached. Homework will be posted on Planbook (referred to in absence section).

Absence Policy

The past week’s work can be found printed in the correction binder and will be posted daily on Planbook to encourage you to become familiar with student management tools being used by colleges.Check it out:

Pick up any worksheets, etc. from the weekly work crate.

School-related absence(field trips, athletics, etc.):

-Assigned practice is due the same time it was assigned for; therefore, you should correct it ahead of time using the master in the correction binder.

-Assignments should be requested before the absence. –Schedule any make-up tests/labs for outside of class time ASAP.

Excused absence (illness,etc.): -Previous assignments should be corrected upon return to class

-Check Planbook for what was missed and classroom file crate for hard copies

-Schedule makeup tests, quizzes or labs -You have one day for each day missed to make up the work

-Labs will be left setup for a period of no more than one school week. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING AND SCHEDULING ALL MISSED WORK!!

Passes

You are expected to come prepared to listen and learn. Therefore, all bathroom breaks, phone calls, etc. should be taken care of prior to this class. In addition, you will be issued one emergency bathroom pass per quarter so please use it wisely.

Hallway and nurse passes will be given out on an infrequent basis, and if taken advantage of, will be permanently revoked.

Academic Dishonesty

All forms of cheating (copying, cheat sheets, “fudging data,” calculator programs, etc.) will be issued a 50% and a referral to your Associate Principal’s office. In addition, no cell phones may be turned on or within view at any time during class. These items are non-negotiable.

Tardy/Truant Policy

Unexcused Tardy:

You will receive a ten minute detention with me when you are not in your seat when the bell rings and do not have a pass that excuses your tardiness.

Unexcused Absence:

If you are truant, you will receive a zero for all work missed on that day, including major projects and tests.

Classroom Rules

No food, drink, or candy is allowed in the classroom.

Follow directions and safety/lab procedures.

Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings. Do not leave your seat until dismissed by the teacher.

Come prepared. Read information off of the white board to know what materials to get out while attendance is being taken.

Respect your teacher, your classmates, and yourself.

No replacement worksheets or charts will be given. You will need to make a copy of someone else’s if you lose yours. Make sure you put your name on them.

Realize that you earn A’s, B’s, C’s, etc. and are not given A’s, B’s, C’s, etc.

Positive Recognition

To recognize appropriate behavior, students will receive praise, notes and/or phone calls home.

Discipline

1st Time: Verbal warning followed by a private meeting between you and me

2nd Time: 30 minute detention after school followed by a parent phone call

3rd Time: Referral to your Associate Principal

Severe Disruption: Sent to Office

Please Note: All detentions will beserved after school the day they are assigned or the following day before or after school.

Biology Strategies for Success:

1. Bring materials to class each day.

2. Take notes during class presentations. Stay attentive during A/V presentations.

3. Cooperate with and respect other students in group activities.

4. Turn in completed lab and class work on time.

5. Make up work promptly after any absence from class.

6. Make graphic organizers of chapters or units.

7. Read your notes and vocabulary terms out loud.

8. Use your binder to keep your materials organized.

9. For other resources for tests and questions, look to your peers.

*10. Ask questions or come in for extra help when you don’t understand something.

*11. Spend some time each day reviewing and self-assessing what you learned that day.

*12. Add details and highlight your notes as soon as possible after class.

*Key tips for survival

Tentative Course Outline

Period Units

SEM 1

Introduction to Biology

Themes

Scientific method

Characteristics of Life

Matter vs. Energy

Solutions: h bonding, acids

Ecology

Ecosystem dynamics

Matter and energy cycles

Interdependence

Cytology

Microscopy

Structure and function

Reproduction

Transport

Photosynthesis/respiration

SEM 2

Heredity/Genetics

Inheritance patterns

DNA & protein synthesis

Evolution

Evidence

Mechanisms

Taxonomy

Binomial nomenclature

Microbiology

Bacteria

Viruses

Protists

Zoology

Invertebrates

Vertebrates

Anatomy & Physiology

Structure & Function

Homeostasis

“Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.”-Francis Bacon

“To see a World in a grain of sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour.”-William Blake