BIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE 2013-2014
Mrs. Neal/Lancaster High School
Website:
Welcome to Biology! I look forward to working with you over the course of the school year.
The following information will help us get the most out of our time together.
I. GRADING PROCEDURES
- All graded work will be scored on a percentage basis using the following scale:
Percent CorrectLetter Grade
100%-90%A
89%-80%B
79%-70%C
69%-60%D
59%-0%F
B.Graded work consists of:
1. TESTS/QUIZZES-will cover reading assignments, vocabulary, lecture notes, and any related lab or group work; will include a variety of question types and will be given approximately every other week.
2.HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK/WARM_UPS-There will be homework and classwork. Homework is due on its posted due date. Classwork will be due as you complete it. All warm-ups are to be turned in and are a considerable part of your grade.
NOTES - At least some notes are done almost every day, and are checked for points on a random basis, so always have your notes complete and with you every day.
LAB ACTIVITIES-will be completed regularly. Students and parents must sign a lab safety contract before participating in any lab activities. Formal lab reports will be assigned. Lab reports are due on the day of the lab.
NEWS ARTICLES – Once a quarter (four times a year) students will research and present to the class a news article on any area of science. The assignment will include the following three components:1) bringing in an original of the article (Internet including the URL or newspaper) 2) writing a summary of the article including why they picked the article, and 3) presenting it to the class.
C. Overall Grades
Overall grades will be determined by earning a percentage of total possible points based on tests, quizzes, labs, homework and classwork.
D. Extra credit/Bonus points
No extra credit may be attempted unless the student has less than 10% of their assignments missing. In other words, unless you are all caught up on your assignments, no extra credit will be accepted.
E. Suggestions
1. It is to your benefit to attempt to do all assignments and all test/quiz questions.
2. DO NOT THROW AWAY OLD ASSIGNMENTS! You will need them to help review for the semester exams and to settle any disputes regarding whether an assignment was turned in or not.
3. Cheating is forbidden. This includes blatant copying (plagiarism) or “borrowing” on any assignment, project, test, or quiz.Any phones or electronic devices out during any portion of any exam will be automatic grounds to have your test taken and your grade a zero. All parties involved will receive an automatic zero percent (or “F” grade) on the assignment/test/quiz and disciplinary action will be taken on all parties involved.
II. COURSE PROCEDURES
A. Materials-Required Daily: Notebook and 3-ring binder (just for Biology) Notebook paper
Pen (blue or black ONLY)
Pencils (#2)
Colored Pencils (for labs and drawings)
Ultrafine Sharpie-type pen (for drawings)
B. Assignments will be turned in at the beginning of the block on the date theyare due. If your work is not ready at the time, it will be LATE.
C. Attendance is very important. The school’s attendance and tardy policies will be strictly enforced. It is also important to remember that many class periods involve activities that cannot be made-up (such as labs, warm ups, notes & video notes). In other words, it is in your best interest to be here every day and on time.
D. Make-up Work
- When you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up all the work that you missed. You will have one day for every day absent to turn in late assignments with an excused absence. **If you are absent on a due date, the assignment will be due the day you return to class.
- If you are absent for a test or quiz, you can make up the test/quiz OUTSIDE of normal class time AFTER SCHOOL ONLY.NO EXCEPTIONS. My tests are long and difficult, and cannot be completed in 20 minutes or less during lunch.
E. Late Work Policy-Late work will be accepted for excused absences but will have a reduction in points, not including the points lost after it is graded. So if you do a poor job, AND turn it in late, you may not receive credit at all.
III. CLASSROOOM BEHAVIOR AND CONSEQUENCES – The most important component of a successful and productive classroom is respect. That means be respectful of your fellow classmates as well as the teacher. It also includes respect for materials and resources provided for you, such as your textbook, borrowed items like rulers, and my time and yours. Disrespect of any kind will not be tolerated and will be dealt with in a swift manner.
A.Classroom Rules:
1. You will be marked tardy if you are not in the room and in your seat when the bell rings.
2. Bring required materials daily.
3. “Wandering” around the room is not allowed.
4. Respect others and their property.
5. No food, gum or beverages allowed in the classroom at any time. The only exception is water in clear plastic bottles.
6. No grooming, no primping, no preening, no checking yourself out in the mirror allowed at any time. It’s just plain rude to brush or comb your hair, put on perfume, lotion or makeup in the classroom. It says you care more about what’s going on the outside than what’s going on the inside of your head.
7. Cell phones must be turned off and put away during class. They will be taken in accordance with school policy.
8. Nothing EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER goes airborne.
9. Don’t waste your time in class. The bell does not dismiss you; I do. All assignments completed in class are due that day, and will not be accepted late if you were here.
B. Consequences:
1st offense: Warning (verbal and/or written)
2nd offense: OCD
3rd offense: After School Work
4th offense: Referral to Administration
C. All school-wide rules including but not limited to the tardy policy, the dress code and electronic devices will be strictly enforced.
I know these seem like a lot of restrictive rules,, but I want to be clear what the expectations are in this classroom, and I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.
Thank you for your cooperation and I’m looking forward to working with all of you this year.
Mrs. Neal
I have read the above letter regarding expectations for students in Biology
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