Biology 2009-2010
Teacher:Mystic Henderson Email:
Phone number:(770) 819-2521 ext. 241
Welcome to Biology!
This year you will learn benchmarks associated with the following units of study:
Characteristics of living things
The Cell
Biochemistry
DNA & RNA
Cell division
Populations & Evolution
Classification
Photosynthesis, Respiration & Plants
Ecology
By the end of this course you will be able to:
Apply scientific knowledge and processes to make informed decisions and solve problems;
Communicate scientific information effectively; and
Design and conduct scientific investigations to test hypotheses.
Textbook: Georgia Glencoe Biology Cost: $71.70
The student is responsible for taking care of this book, bringing it to class every day, and returning it at the end of the semester. There will be periodic book checks during the semester.
Materials: 3 ring binder, loose-leaf paper, black or blue pen, pencil, colored pencils
Your binder should be organized as follows: *Syllabus, Root Words
Dividers:*Notes *DNA/RNA & Genetics*Vocabulary Quizzes
*Ecology *Intro/Cells *Evolution*Classification
Assistance: If a student needs additional help, tutoring is every Monday and Wednesday after school from 3:30-4:30pm and every Tuesday and Thursday before school from 7:30 – 8: 00am. If a student cannot make it to any these tutorial times, he or she may make an appointment with me for another time or he or she may seek help from any of Pebblebrook’s wonderful Biology teachers. Students and parents may email me with any questions or concerns. If a parent or student wishes to set up a conference, they must call the school’s Guidance Office at 770-819-2524 to set up an appointment through the counselor.
Attendance:
Students are tardy to class after the bell unless they have a pass. Tardies and unexcused absences will be handled according to PebblebrookHigh School policy.Upon returning from an excused absence, it isthe student’s responsibility to check on missed work and complete the tasks that the class accomplished in your absence.
Grading Scale: A = 100-90 D = 73-70
B = 89-80 F = 69 - 0
C = 79-74
School systems, administrators, and teachers have worked together to develop a new system that provides consistency to the grading process. The new process measures progress against a uniform standard, rather than other subjective assessments.
Cells14%
Genetics20%
Ecology20%
Evolution12%
Classification14%
EOCT15%
Final5%
Total100%
Grading Information:
A.)Tests (100 points each) and Quizzes (50 points each)
Biology is divided into units. Each unit will focus on specific Essential Concepts and Skills and will include a series of activities designed to help the studentlearn the Essential Concepts and Skills. The unit testscan include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in the blank and short answer/essay problems.
Test Remediation will be offered to help improve test grades and knowledge of standards. It is the student’s responsibility to complete remediation packets on their own time and to come in before or after school to take and re-take tests. All remediation must be completed within 7 calendar days of the remediation packet being given to class.
All tests are out of 100 points. Your lowest test grade may be exempted, except a grade of “0” for cheating. THE END OF COURSE TEST AND FINAL CANNOT BE EXEMPTED.
We will have daily and weekly quizzes (both announced and unannounced) throughout the semester covering information learned the previous day (or the whole week). There may be 1-2 questions on each quiz that are review questions from past units, designed to have the student continuously review throughout the semester. Students MUST bring a #2 pencil on test days.
B.)Labs: (50pts each)
Laboratory experiments will be performed during class. The lab grade consists of participation and lab reports/write-ups. The lab report format/guidelines will be discussed during the first week.
C.)Projects: (100 pts each)
Students will be assigned projects throughout the year. Most of these projects will be done outside of class. Types of projects may include research, reading, models, and experiments. Students will be provided with a rubric for each project when the assignment is given. If the student has difficulty in obtaining necessary project materials, please call or email me and I will be glad to help.
D.)Final Exam(s) (100pts)
These exams will cover material from the entire semester.
The state End of Course Test for Biology will be givenat the end of the course.
The Biology post-test will be administered during finals week.
A Cumulative Biology Mid-term Exam will also be given.
E) Homework/Classwork/Activities may be worth from 5pts up to 25pts each.
Most classwork and activities will be worked on and due at the end of a class period. Homework is due the
next class period after it is assigned unless otherwise noted by teacher.
Late Work:
It is yourresponsibility to attend class, write down due dates, and turn assignments in on time. I will NOT remind you of late assignments after the first late day. PHS policy will be followed regarding acceptance of late assignments.
Make-up Work:
I understand that sometimes we have to miss class for various reasons. My guidelines for make-up work are as follows:
- Make-up work forunexcused absences receives no credit.
- Make-up work for excused absences WILL be allowed.
There is a time limit: the make-up time =
# days missed + 1. For example, if the
student missed 2 days, he/she has 3 days to
make up the work. For long-term
absences (more than 5 consecutive days),
the PHS administration will determine the
time to be given for make-up work.
- IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE WHAT ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN MISSED. It’s easy… just ask.
- Make-up work must be handed directly to the
teacher.
- Any missed notes are the responsibility of the STUDENT. The student will need to obtain the notes from a classmate. If this is not possible, student may come in before or after school and copy teacher notes. No photocopies of notes from teacher will be provided!
- Unit tests and quizzes must be completed on the day of return to school providing student has prior notice of test and has been supplied with a study guide if one has been assigned. If student was absent when test notification and review materials were handed out, student must arrange a time to come in and take the test/quiz after or before school within time limit set above. Student must complete assigned review materials.
Tardiness: Being late to class will not be tolerated. Tardies will be
handled according to PebblebrookHigh School policy.
Bathroom Passes: Students have 6 minutes between classes to use the
restroom. Students are encouraged and expected to use
the restroom during this time. Students will be given 5
restroom passes to use at their discretion during the
semester. Passes will not be allowed during testing, labs, or lecture.
Once the 5 passes are used, the student will
not be given another. Bathroom passes are not transferable
between students Remember, the information you miss
while in the restroom could result in your answering
questions incorrectly on the tests. In order to attain
maximum student achievement, time out of class must
be kept to a minimum.
Consequences:Failure to follow procedures will be handled as follows:
1st Step: Verbal warning, seat change or Time Out (except with tardies, which will be
handled as stated in section V above.
2nd Step: Call home and detention
3rd Step: Call home, possible conference, & detention
4th Step: Administrative referral
NOTE: Any of these above steps can be taken at any time, and some behaviors may require a
seating change, relocation to another room, or immediate referral.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Respect! Students are expected to respect their fellow students, the equipment and materials in the room, and the instructor. One person speaks while others listen and hands are raised for recognition.
Be on time! When the bell rings, students need to be in their seats and working on the warm-up assignment.
Be organized and prepared! Studentswill not be allowed to return to their locker during the class period so make sure he/she has everything with him/her. For every class period he/shewill need a pen and pencil, three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper, colored pencils and his/her book as needed.
No food, drinks or gum are allowed in the room. This is a scientific laboratory where dissections occur, organisms are examined, and chemicals are mixed.
If you have any questions or concerns about the class, please contact me in writing via your child or email, or by leaving a
message for me at school (770-819-2521 ext.241) and I will contact you as soon as I can
SAFETY CONTRACT:
A science laboratory can be a safe place to work if you, the student, plan ahead and are alert and cautious. The following practices will be followed.
1. Read lab procedures before starting the lab.
2 Do not start the lab without your teacher's permission.
3. Only teacher is allowed in the storeroom or preparation area.
4. Know the locations of the fire extinguishers, eye wash and shower stations
5. Wear goggles and gloves when instructed to do so by your teacher.
6. Do not carry hot equipment or dangerous chemicals.
7. Pull back long hair while in the laboratory. Long sleeves should also be rolled up.
8. Handle all organisms with caution and be careful not to harm them in any way.
9. Handle chemical bottles with extreme care.
10. Be careful when using any sharp instruments such as razor blades or scalpels.
11. Keep hands away from the face and wash them immediately after the lab activity is completed.
12. Notify your teacher when you suspect a dangerous lab situation (such as injury, broken glassware, or spilled chemicals.)
13. Clean up your work area at the end of each laboratory activity.
14. Return all materials to the location indicted by your teacher.
15. Dispose of chemicals as instructed by your teacher.
16. Dispose of all garbage properly.
17. Appropriate behavior is expected in the lab!
To the parents and guardians of Biology students,
My name is Mystic Henderson, and I will be your student’s Biology teacher this semester. I am very excited about getting the opportunity to expose your student to all the wonders of Biology. This semester your student will actively learn about the relationships and concepts of Biology and how they correlate to everyday life.
Please see the attached syllabus for a list of supplies your student will need for this class.
As this class is fast paced and includes many labs and hands-on activities, attendance is necessary to ensure success. Excessive absenteeism puts students at a tremendous risk of not passing this course. Class expectations and requirements, course timeline, and my contact information will all be provided in the attached syllabus. Please feel free to use the “comments” section inform me of anything that you think I should know about you or your student’s situation (medical, familial, etc.) that you think would affect your student’s success in this course. Email is the best way to get in contact with me with questions or concerns so that I can respond in a prompt manner, however, you may call the school and leave a message for me. Please review this information, fill out the bottom of this page, have your student return the bottom of the sheet to class. Let me know if you have any questions.
What can you do to help your student be successful?
Please check PINNACLE frequently to keep up with your students grade and attendance! If you do not have Pinnacle access, please contact the school guidance office.
Please talk to your student and encourage him/her to come in for help the moment they feel like they are struggling. It’s important to ask for help right away. Students tend to get more and more frustrated and lost if they wait until a test day to ask for help. Please check with your student daily and remind them to do any homework. Your student should be studying and summarizing what we did in classevery single day. Flashcards are a great way to study. You can quiz your student with flashcards even if you don’t remember any Biology yourself! :) Pebblebrook has also subscribed to a couple of fantastic websites that will help your student to succeed in Biology as well as many of their other classes. These are:
and Please see the attached sheet for instructions on using these sites.
Sincerely,
Mystic Henderson
Science Department
PebblebrookHigh School
______cut here______
I have read the course syllabus and understand what is required in order to be a successful
Biology student.
Student signature:______Name printed:______
Parent/guardian signature:______Name printed:______
Parent/guardian phone numbers:______
______
Parent/guardian email:______
Student email:______
Comments:
GREAT WAYS TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR LEARNING:
If you are struggling in ANY area of Biology (or in other classes) please use the following websites to help you. Just follow the instructions provided. If you have questions, please email me at or ask me in class.
1. This website gives tutorials for each unit of Biology that we will be studying.
After each tutorial, you will complete a short quiz that will help you to evaluate your understanding of
that section.
username: should be your first and last name with no spaces in between
example: joeschmoe
password: cobb (unless you have changed it to your own personal password) If this doesn’t
work, see me!
site id: pebblebrook01
2. This site can help you with vocabulary and concepts. This is a fantastic place
to take practice End-of-Course tests. It includes all subject areas that will be
covered on the GHSGT as well as any class that includes an EOCT. It’s never too early to start
practicing!
username: pebblebrook
student password: newton88
3. Other sites that I like that you may find useful:
(links to lots of tutorials, games, etc.)
(great biology articles)
(look at cells)
(pretty simplified, but good if you need basics)
4. Great shows that deal with Biology and/or other Sciences: (turn off MTV and watch these instead)
“How It’s Made”
“Mythbusters”
“Naked Science”
“How Stuff Works”
“Planet Earth”
“Evolve”
“Weird Connections”