HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY 2017-2018
Teacher Name: Timothy Bayliss Room Number: B211
Conference Periods: 3rd & 7th (1:05-2:40) Phone: 512-594-1276 Email:
In Biology, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment.
Topics cover the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills) and will prepare students to pass the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. Students MUST pass the STAAR Biology End of Course exam in order to graduate.
Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Students should know how science has built a vast body of changing and increasing knowledge described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models, and also should know that science may not answer all questions.
Required Materials: Recommended Materials:
Highlighters / 1 blue or black pen / Notebook for Journal / Colored pencils / GlueNotebook paper / Pencil / Binder or section of a binder / Scissors
Learning Strategies: Class notes/discussions, lab experiments, individual & cooperative group projects, lectures, demonstrations, type III writings, journals, exit tickets and various assessments.
Assignments are often started in class and expected to be finished at home. Turn in all assignments at the beginning of class unless other instructions have been given. Remember: The person who does the work is the one who learns. Copying is considered academic dishonesty and is distinguished by the teacher when assigning grades.
· LATE WORK IS NOT GIVEN FULL CREDIT…A MAXIMUM OF 80% MAY BE EARNED DURING THE 3-WEEK TERM.
· LATE WORK MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED OR WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Lab Expectations:
Each unit will have lab activities. During lab time students MUST follow all lab rules to ensure the safety of all students. There can be absolutely NO horseplay during class time.
PfISD Laboratory Safety Rules will be strictly enforced at all times. (Students will discuss and cover these rules in class and will have to pass a Safety test before they may begin lab activities.)
Students will be expected to sit at their assigned lab tables and follow all instructions.
Safety is our first priority.
Safety rules & guidelines are covered at the beginning of this course and a safety contract is signed and kept on file.
Students should also be respectful, responsible, & resourceful.
Grading: Please note that grades are assigned to the categories listed below at the discretion of the teacher.
70% - Major Grades
50% Major Assessment (May include: Bundle tests, Long term projects)
20% Minor Assessment (May include: Quizzes, Lab write ups, etc.)
30% -Minor Grades
25% Daily Assignments (May include: Classwork, Quizzes, Lab assignments, Homework, Grade checks, etc.)
5% Engagement (May include: Exit tickets, Warm ups, Participation and performance assessments related to classroom objectives as a tool for increasing student motivation and effort and reducing classroom disruption and "off-task behaviors.")
Assessments of various types cover each topic. Make ups or retakes, if needed, should be scheduled with your teacher.
· If you miss an assignment or an assessment, they will be marked with an “M” (missing) in Focus and count as a zero until completed, scored and posted.
· After the 3-week IPR deadline has passed, any remaining “missing” grades will be posted as “0” zero.
· Retest on assessments may be taken if the student scores below a 70 and meets ALL retesting criteria. Students will have 5 calendar days to meet criteria and take retest.
· Minor assessment grades may be corrected/redone for a grade up to a 70.
Semester Grades:
Two Nine Weeks Grades = 90% (45% each)
Exams (midterm & final) = 10%
Student Progress
Parents/guardians will receive a report at least every 3 weeks.
It is REQUIRED that every student have on-line access to monitor their grades through Focus. Grades may be accessed through the “Parent” tab from the PfISD website.
*Please note that students have their own Focus account and this does not alter the parent settings.*
Class Guidelines:
Be prepared.
Be punctual. (on time)
Be respectful. This includes teacher, substitute teacher, all staff members, all students, and yourself.
Be proud to be a Hawk!!!
SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS IN BIOLOGY
1. Do every assignment. Most frequently the people that do poorly in this class do so because they are not doing their homework and assignments. Likewise, those that do every assignment usually do very well in the class.
2. Carry a good attitude. Tenacity and perseverance will most of the time take you further than someone with a high IQ and a sour disposition. Participation, cooperativeness, attitude, responsibility, work habits, promptness, dependability, and enthusiasm can affect your grade.
3. Come in for help if you genuinely do not understand a subject or topic. ANY Biology teacher on this list will be glad to help you as much as possible. Study Hall & Tutoring times are listed below:
TEACHER / MORNING / AFTERNOON / ROOM #Bayliss / By Appointment / Mon.-Thur. / B211
Chambers / Mon. & Fri. / By appointment / B204
Crain / By appointment / Tue. & Thur. / B203
Mikolajczyk / Mon.-Thur. / By appointment / B210
Webb / By appointment / Mon.-Thurs. / B205
If a student needs tutoring but cannot make the times for their current class teacher, they can attend the tutoring sessions for any of the teachers listed above.