SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL

“Building on Excellence”

Biology B SPRING SEMESTER Ms. McKenzie

It is a pleasure to assist you in the education of your child. The emphasis of biology is to provide the basic experiences in the basic principles of the life sciences, the requirements of plants and animals in the environment, the variety of life in our surroundings, cell theory, heredity, environmental concerns and personal group behavior. This year stress is on active student participation in laboratory investigations. The development of critical thinking and effective communication skills will be emphasized through the California State Standards and the Expected School-wide Learning Results.

Biology is a year long course and counts toward credit for high school graduation, as well as fulfilling the university requirement for lab science. At the beginning of the semester, I teach and review my standards, expectations, operating, and grading procedures. Please review these classroom expectations with your son or daughter. Reviewing these standards will help you to understand what is requires to be successful in this course.

I look forward to this semester. I hope your son or daughter will be more actively involved in his/her learning, have fun with science, and grow intellectually. If you would like to speak with me, please leave your contact telephone number on the tear-off portion of the second page, or call the school and leave a message. I will gladly return your call.

Course Syllabus

Representative California Standards / Unit / Instructional Focus
The genetic composition of cells can be altered by incorporation of exogenous DNA into the cells.
A multi-cellular organism develops from a single zygote and its phenotype depends on its genotype, which is established at fertilization. /

DNA

/ Multimedia Visuals
Direct Instruction
Laboratory Experimentation
Vocabulary Building and Spelling
Cumulative Unit Project
Reciprocal Teaching
Current Events
The genetic composition of cells can be altered by incorporation of exogenous DNA into the cells.
A multi-cellular organism develops from a single zygote and its phenotype depends on its genotype, which is established at fertilization. / Genetics / -Audio/Visual Presentations
-Direct Instruction
-Laboratory Experimentation
-Vocabulary Building and Spelling
-Supplemental Readings
-Reciprocal Teaching
-Pedigree Project
-Directed Reading Assignments
How natural selection determines the differential survival of groups of organisms.
The effects of genetic drift on diversity of organisms in a population. / Evolution / -Audio/Visual Presentations
-Direct Instruction
-Vocabulary Building and Spelling
-Supplemental Readings
-Directed Reading Assignments
Stability in an ecosystem is a balance between competing effects.
How fluctuations in population size in an ecosystem are determined by the relative rates of birth, immigration, emigration, and death. / Ecology / -Supplemental Readings
-Reciprocal Teaching
-Directed Reading Assignments
-Audio/Visual Presentations
-Direct Instruction
-Vocabulary Building and Spelling
As a result of coordinated structures and functions of organ systems, the internal environment of the human body remains relatively stable (homeostatic), despite changes in the outside environment. / Physiology / -Audio/Visual Presentations
-Direct Instruction
-Laboratory Experimentation
-Frog Dissection
-Vocabulary Building and Spelling
-Supplemental Readings

Biology B SPRING SEMESTER Ms. McKenzie

Assignments/Homework/Grading: Each assignment may be assessed on one or more standards using the following scale; 4(Advanced), 3(Proficient), 2(Basic), 1(Below Basic), 0(Far Below Basic). Report card grades are calculated as an average of scored standards achievement using the following scale:

A = / 100 / __ / 90 %
B = / 89 / — / 80 %
C = / 79 / — / 70 %
D = / 69 / — / 60 %
F = / 59% / Below

School Policies: All school policies regarding student attendance and behavior apply to this class. Students are expected to behave in a manner conducive to learning. Students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Students found cheating on tests or assignments will be subject to the school’s cheating policy. Students are expected to be in class daily and on time. Students are expected to bring necessary learning materials (notebooks, pens, paper, etc.), and any assigned textbooks to class each day. Textbooks must be covered and maintained in the condition in which they were issued.

Required textbook: Holt; “Biology: Visualizing Life.”

Student Materials: Each student is expected to come to class daily with materials for that day. I require that each student have a bound notebook where they can write out lecture notes. Typically, each student should carry a three-ringed notebook with dividers and paper. A writing utensil (pencil or pen) is always required.

How to help your child succeed: Help your child set a consistent block of time aside each day to work on homework and other class assignments. Provide a quiet study area in which your child can study uninterrupted. Encourage him or her to form study partners or study groups with other students in his or her classes. Should your child fall behind in one or more of his or her classes, encourage your child to attend the after school tutoring that is available in the Sylmar School Library. Please feel free to contact the school or instructor should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s educational progress or learning needs.

Page XXX of 1 Sylmar High School (818) 833-3700