RESEARCH BIOLOGY

MR. DANIEL’S FAQ/Information

School Year 2016 - 2017

Welcome toBiology. This document was created to answer many of the questions you might have as we begin the year. Read it carefully and keep it in your notebook to refer to throughout the year. It is also posted on my PFHS web page.

What topics will we be covering?

The curriculum is broken up into units (and mini-units). The first unit is an introduction to Biology. It will introduce you to the vast field of biology. We will also review the microscope, and scientific method. Other units include:

Classification VirusesBiochemistry Cells Mitosis/Meiosis DNA

DNA TechnologiesGenetics EvolutionEcology Primate Evolution Physiology

How are quarter grades determined?

Each assignment is worth a given amount of points. Grades are in two categories. The formative and summative grades are combined and the resulting percent is converted into a letter grade according to the Loudoun County Grading Scale.

Types of Assessments / Examples / Percent of Grade
Formative / these tasks help students learn new material:
worksheets, labs, note-taking, warm-ups, unit review / 10%
Summative / these measure how much students have learned:
Lab summaries, quizzes, tests, lab writing, Research Project assignments, extensive Naturalist Journal assignments. / 90%

How is the class time organized?

  • Each class begins with a warm-up reviewing material from last class. New material is introduced in short lecture/discussion format using diagrams and animations during which you will take notes. After the introduction of new material there may be a lab, coloring, labeling, short reading, or worksheet assignment to allow you more time to process and work with the new concepts.
  • There will be lab summaries and quizzes during a unit to keep you apprised of your understanding of the material being covered. Anytime you are falling behind or notice that you are not doing well, you must immediately get some extra help before school or during Pri”roar”ities.
  • At the end of a unit, you will complete a unit review. The answers will be posted on my webpage. This review is useful in guiding you through a review of all your unit materials (worksheets, vocabulary, labs, notes, warm-ups) in preparation for the test.

What types of assignments can I expect?

  • At the end of each unit there typically will be a unittest.
  • During each unit expect a quiz or two, (15-20 points each) and1-3lab summaries (~10 points each).
  • Each quarter students will do at least one lab that allows them to work on their research/laboratory skills.

The Biology Research Project is the essence of the research program.

  • Students can work in pairs or individually to independently research and experimentwith a topic from choices provided.
  • The various components of the Biology Project are part of the 3rd and 4th quarter grades.

A Naturalist Journal will be started and added to throughout the year.

  • You will be assigned pages to add to your journal and given plenty of time to complete and turn in your journal for grading.
  • You will need to take photos and print out color pictures. If you do not have a computer, color printer or camera at home, please plan ahead to use the school resources.

How much homework is given?

Homework is a completion of worksheets or labs begun in class. Some writing assignments are done at home. The Naturalist Journal is completed outside of class time.

Can you turn in late work?

Naturalist Journals turned in after the due dates lose 5points, for every day (not class period) late. However, they will not be accepted more than 2 days past the due date. Naturalist Journals should be turned in directly to me. Work left in the classroom, or placed in my mailbox could be lost. You are responsible for getting your work turned in.

Other written assignments will incur a 10% deduction for each day they are turned in after the due date. However, they will not be accepted more than 2 days past the due date.

What if I am absent?

Attendance is extremely important. However, if you are sick and out of school, you MUST see me or email me about the work missed.

Notes must be copied from a classmate and in your notebook by the next class block. All quizzes, tests and make-up lab work, must be completed during the next Pri”roar”ities or within one week from the date of your absence

(Students with extended absences should see me to determine if they will get an extension.)

It is your responsibility to complete all missed work and turn it in by the deadline!

What if I miss taking a test or quiz?You will need to coordinate with the teacher about best time to make-up the material. This would include making it up during Pri”roar”itiesOR making arrangements for before or after school. If tests or quizzes are not completed by the deadline, the grade will be recorded as a zero.

Can I retake a test? Unit tests are available for retakes. See the document posted on my webpage for specifics and requirements.

Can I come see you for extra help or if I have questions? You can ask me for a FLEX pass and receive helpfrom me or a tutor during the FLEX block or see me for quick questions and clarificationbefore school. I arrive about 8:15 am. I can also work with you afterschool if you talk to me ahead of time.

How can I (and my parent) keep up with my progress?

Students and parents are able to access grades through Phoenix on-line to determine the grade at any point during the quarter.Keep all graded work in case there are any discrepancies to resolve. Students who want to speak with me about their grade should see me before school.

SUPPLIES REQUIRED:

  • FOR CLASS AND PRI”ROAR’ITIES: 3 ring binder(or section in a multi- subject binder),loose-leaf paper, pens, pencils.
  • Journal (any spiral or hard-bound book with at least 50 unlinedpages, about 8 ½” x 11”). AVOID pad type books designed for pages to easily be removed because pages will come loose. Spiral art sketch books work well.
  • AT HOME: Colored pencils, Glue/Rubber cement, scissors, ruler. If you do not have access to a computer, camera and color printer, please plan ahead to use the school resources.

EXPECTATIONS:

I expect everyone to know how to behave in the classroom. I will not tolerate any abusive language or any disrespect either toward each other or me. Cell phonesare not to be out whenstudents are to be listening to the teacher or working on a task. Cell phones may NOT be out on your desk or table. They are not to be plugged into outlets during class. Electronic devices and/or cell phones are allowed out during FLEX,however, you cannot share devices.

Come to class and SSW/Pri”roar”ities prepared.

  • You must have your biology notebook every day.
  • You should use your Pri”roar”ities time to complete biology work, do make-up work or see Mr. Daniel for extra help.
  • You must use the time between classes to get water, use the restroom and go to your locker. Passes from class will be restricted. You cannot leave the first or last 10 minutes of class/Pri”roar”ities.
  • You must have assignments ready to turn in upon entrance to the room the day they are due.

There is no food, drink (including water & gum) allowed in the science classroom because it is also a laboratory and it is not safe to eat in a room where chemicals are used and bacteria is cultivated.

SSW/FLEX: Students may see me for FLEX passes before school or during their class. During SSW/Pri”roar”ities, students sit in their assigned seat. YOU MUST BRING YOUR SCIENCE NOTEBOOK TO FLEX! You may use your electronic device as long as it doesn’t interrupt others. You may only FLEX to another teacher if you are up to date with your biology work.

WEB PAGE:

This document: Daniel’s FAQ/Information about Biology will be posted on my school web page. Naturalist Journal assignments, test reviews and other reference information will be posted as the year progresses. Due dates will be posted on the white board in the classroom, on my website calendar and I will use Remind.com.

E-MAIL: Cecil Daniel

Any questions or concerns about a student’s progress should be addressed to me. E-mail is a wonderful tool to use but parents must indicate a willingness to have grades and confidential information sent via this method by signing the attached sheet. I check my e-mail only during school hours. Therefore, please allow at least 24 hours for reply.

Students and Parents:

Please sign this sheet documenting your understanding of the information on the FAQ/Information sheet. Please see me with any concerns the first two weeks of class.

STUDENT

I thoroughly read and understand the information in Mr. Daniel’s FAQ/Information about Biology.

Student name (print legibly) - ______

Student signature- ______

Date- ______

PARENT

I have read over Mr. Daniel’s FAQ/Information sheet. I understand that late work may not be accepted or will incur a grade deduction. I read and understand the make-up policy and how grades are determined. The teacher can e-mail me with grade information as needed YES _____ or NO _____?

Parent name (print legibly) - ______

Parent signature- ______

PARENTS:

Please feel free to contact me via email at

I also have a website accessible from the Staff section of Potomac Falls HS website.

You will have access to grades through the parent portal via ParentVue link on PFHS’s website. This will become active around September 26th.

I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 19th at 6:30pm.

SIGN UP FOR REMIND UPDATES!!
CLASSES / Text this message… / To this number…
2nd and 6th Blocks / @danielrb / 81010
1st, 3rd and 7th Blocks / @danielabio