The Person Who Thinks That He Can and the Person Who Thinks That He Can't Are Both Right
"The person who thinks that he can and the person who thinks that he can't are both right."
AP Biology Classroom Procedures and General Info. 2014-2015
CouncilRockHigh School South; Mr. Warmkessel ()
Welcome to Advanced Placement Biology!Over the course of the year we will be studying Biology following the College Board’s AP Bio curriculum outline. This course is sure to keep you involved and interested, but there will also be a good deal expected of you and your positive contributions to the class are vital. It is the most advanced biology course offered here, and it therefore requires an advancedeffort from all students. The content, including all reading, writing, lectures, labs, and assessments are designed to be ‘college level’. In addition, there will be a heavy emphasis on reasoning, thinking analytically, and designing experiments and evaluating the results. I would like to summarize what you can expect from this course and from me. I will include what I am going to expect from you, so that we are all on the same page right from the beginning and there will be no surprises. Get yourself “set up for success” right from the beginning!
I- General Classroom Procedure
In order for every student to get the maximum benefit from in-class notes, labs, activities, and discussions, I expect certain procedures to be followed.
1. Be respectful and courteous to classmates, visitors, and the teacher at all times. It is my policy, the school's policy, and the mature, grown-up way to present yourself to both adults and your peers. This rule is number one for a reason… there are no exceptions!
2. Be in your assigned seat and ready to begin when the bell rings (not walking into the room when it rings).
3. Be prepared with all the materials that you will need for the day (such as pencils, pens, notebook, textbook, homework, etc.).
4. Follow all safety rules (again, no exceptions).
5. Complete all assignments on time.
6. No food, drink, gum, etc.
7. Respect school property.
8. Maintain academic honesty.
9. Cooperate with classmates and be a helpful, fun, friendly person.
10. Do your BEST at all times!
II- Attendance
While I hope that you find this course to be both fun and interesting, you can also expect it to be challenging. Attendance is critical because even one day's absence will cause you to miss a great deal of material. Work missed due to absenses must be made up either before or after school when you return (exceptions are made for extended absences). Not coming in for make-up work will result in receiving a zero for the assignment(s), plus you may not know the material as well when the test or quiz comes around. If you are absent the day of a test you must take it on the day you return (unless extended absence).
III- Materials that you will need for class:
-Pencils and pens (not pencils OR pens)
-A three-ring binder with loose-leaf paper (not a spiral notebook)
-A place to record your homework and long-term assignments every day.
-College Board’s AP Bio website
-An AP Bio test prep guide book?
IV- Grades
Nearly everything that you do in class and at home will be reflected in your grade in some form. Labs will be written up, then collected and graded. Homework may be checked for completeness and accuracy. Tests and quizzes will be given regularly and may be announced or unannounced (quizzes). Class participation is very important…what you have to offer the class is valued greatly and will certainly help you to learn the material better. If you wish to take a test home to review it after our in-class review, please see me after school.
Two important things to help you succeed academically…
1.You are expected to be prepared for each class session by reading the assigned chapter and watching the videos online prior to class.
2.Chapter Guided Readings will be assigned for each chapter. They are not optional!
V- Attitude (How to approach this class)
I will do my best to make this class both fun and interesting, but how you do still depends on one person...YOU! You can make the decision today, right now, to give your best effort each and every time you walk into this room. Do the little things that make a big difference… volunteer in class, ask questions, give your opinion, help another student, and if you are having trouble, never be afraid to ask for help. You’re going to be getting pretty comfortable with everyone in your class, and we ALL need help from time to time. Learn to depend not only on Mr. Warmkessel, but also on one another. Many of the topics that we will cover build upon material from previous units, so if at any time you feel as though you are falling behind, please make arrangements to come in to see me.THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! Decide today that you will do your very best every day in this class, then take the initiative to do the work that will make it happen!
VI- To contact Mr. Warmkessel
It is my policy to communicate academic and behavioral progress and problems with parents through emails, phone calls, back to school night, report cards, etc. You also have a HAC account that both you and your parents should be checking regularly (daily!). There is really no excuse for not knowing exactly how you’re doing in all of your classes anymore! In the event that your parents need to contact me, please email or call the school at 215-944-1153 and leave a message. I try my best to return all calls the same day, but if this is impossible, I will call early the next day. Often an email asking for a call will get a prompter response than leaving a voicemail.
I believe that I have included the basics of my philosophy and what you can expect. Please ask questions now and write down any other information that you feel is important for you to remember. I hope that by addressing this all on the first day of class, we can avoid any misconceptions or miscommunications and get on to the fun of science! It’s going to be a great year!
Sincerely, Jeff Warmkessel
Please fill in the following information, then sign, date, and return.
Student Name ______
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I have read the AP Biology course description and understand what will be expected of students in the class.
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Dear Parents,
Finally, to help me get to know your son or daughter better (and more quickly), please take a few minutes to share some thoughts about your child that you think his or her teacher should know. The more I know about your child, the better prepared I can be to address his or her individual needs and learning styles. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on Back to School night.