Biology 2014-2015

Mrs. Wilks
Room: C210
Prep: 1st hour
Office hours: Posted weekly in class / Contact Information:
Voice Mail: 623.376.3210
Email:
Website: dvusd.org/mrhs-wilks
  • Course Description:

This course is designed to provide the student with a description of the study of life.

  • Course Text: Biology McDougal Littell 2008
  • Recommended Supplies for this Course:

Please bring paper for taking notes, writing utensils and a good attitude!

Course Objectives:

By the time the student completes the course of study he or she will be able to:

  1. Develop a positive attitude and excitement toward learning sciences and gain confidence in their ability to perform scientific discovery.
  2. Develop and understand the nature of science and technology.
  3. Acquire and apply appropriate scientific processes to interpret the natural world.
  4. Identify the historical contributions in science and the context in which they were made and will impact and have impacted society.
  5. Develop integrated thinking skills through scientific experimentation.
  6. Identify the limits, possibilities and interpretations among science, technology, society and the environment.

Arizona College and Career Ready:In addition to the course objectives listed above, the following Arizona College and Career Ready Anchor Standards for Writing are also embedded;

  • Standard 1- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
  • Standard 2- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
  • Standard 9- Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Classroom Expectiations:

  1. Arrive to class prepared- Please bring all materials necessary to be successful in class. Be on time and in your seat ready to learn when the bell rings. Have homework completed before arriving to class.
  2. Be involved in the lesson- In this class there is ample opportunity to be engaged in the lessons, labs and activities. Please participate and provide input during class.
  3. Show respect to everyone- this means being courteous to classmates as well as teachers.

Grading:

Grades will be composed of 3 areas: assessments (tests & pop quizzes), assignments (homework, labs and class work), and the final exam. The percentages will be broken down as follows: Final Exam 20%, assessments 50% and assignments 30%. The percentages will be rounded to the nearest whole number, a 79.5% will be rounded to an 80% and a 79.4% will be rounded to a 79%.

Grading Scale:

90% – 100% – A

80% – 89% – B

70% – 79% – C

60% – 69% – D

59% or below – F

In accordance with school policy there will be no extra credit available!

Test Retakes:

Twice a year (once per semester) an announced, unit exam may be retaken to improve the score to a maximum of 75%. (Same material, different formatting) In order to take advantage of this policy, a student MUST: 1) be present and take the original exam, 2) make test corrections and complete additional review assignments, and 3) declare their desire to re-test and get an after-school appointment scheduled within ONE week from the time the original, graded exam is handed back. This means a student must schedule the re-test with me AND allow time during that week to come in to complete required re-test work.

Plagiarism and Cheating:

Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s work and reporting it as your own. This is cheating and will not be tolerated. Any assignments that are plagiarized, or copied from a classmate will not be accepted. There is to be no talking during a test. If you are talking for any reason, regardless if it is about the exam or not, your test will be confiscated and you will receive a zero. Violating these classroom rules may result in parent phone calls, detention and/or office referral.

Power School Online Access:

Grades and attendance may be accessed 24 hours a day online with your Power School access code. Access codes are available in the Administration front office Monday – Friday 7:00 – 3:30. You must provide picture ID to be issued a code. MRHS also offers a guest computer and log-in for Power Schools, available in the Counseling office for parent/guardian. In an effort to conserve resources and harness the capacity of our electronic grade reporting program (described above), district schools will no longer print hard copies of report cards unless requested by individual parents. To request a hard copy of your student’s report card, please contact the front office at 623-376-3000.

Academic Assistance/Office Hours:

In addition to the Academic Prep times built into our schedule each week, additional assistance/tutoring is provided on a weekly basis both by MRHS and individually by instructors. These “office hours” will be posted in the classroom at the start of each week. I will demonstrate to the students how to find my availability each week. I also encourage your son/daughter to write down my availability each week in their Mountain Ridge planner (provided by the school) so that you, too, are aware of my weekly availability.

Homework:

Homework assignments are collected at the beginning of class. No late assignments will be accepted. Any assignments handed in without a name, or the name is illegible, will not be accepted. I keep assignments without names for a short time. This does not mean that if you find your assignment had no name you can turn it in for credit.

Make up and Long-Term Project Policies:

Long-term projects are due on the due date regardless if the student is in class or not. These assignments are due within the first 5 minutes of the class period. These projects will not be accepted after the due date. If it is not brought into class it is important to have the paper time stamped in the office. See handbook guidelines for any questions.

Students are eligible to do a retake on an exam if the student is not satisfied with the current grade once per semester. The student must be present on the original test day, speak with me no later than 1 week after the original testing day, and make arrangements to take the exam before or after school. The original test score will be averaged with the re-take score and the student can earn a grade of up to 75%. This will replace the original test score.

If a student is absent the day before a test that student is still expected to take the test the following day. Students will be informed of tests at least 1 week before test day. If a student is absent on a test day, he or she will need to come in on their own time to make up the test. I am available most days before and after school. There is a sign-up sheet on the white board with the days that I am available that week. If a student signs up for a day to make up a test and does not come in, or notify me, he or she will lose the privilege of making up that assignment.

Excused and Unexcused Absences:

Afteran excused absence, a student has one school day for each day missedto make up work/tests, regardless of the number of days absent. If many days were missed, please schedule an appointment with me to formulate a plan for the completion of make-up work. Make-up work for extended absences (over 3 days) may be requested through the Counseling Office and picked up there.

Classwork missed as a result of an unexcused absence will result in a zero for that day. This includes quizzes, tests, labs, projects, participation points, etc. that were completed that day.

MRHS Laboratory Breakage Policy:

The Mountain Ridge Science Department has a policy regarding the damage or breakage of laboratory equipment. In the event a student breaks any laboratory materials, that student will be responsible for paying the replacement cost of each item. A complete list of all laboratory materials and their costs are posted in each classroom. The students are taught proper procedures and laboratory etiquette to ensure the safety of our students during lab activities. This policy helps hold the students accountable for their actions and reinforces careful laboratory procedures.

Technology Usage:

Because we are becoming a technology rich campus, we are expanding the use of technology as a learning tool. Electronic devices will be increasingly integrated into the curriculum to reinforce critical thinking, collaboration, and cognitive engagement. I will designate during which activities students may use an electronic device and will articulate how the device should be used appropriately. If a violation of the stipulated use occurs, consequences will be enforced in accordance with the Mountain Ridge Student Handbook. While we strive to maintain a safe environment, Mountain Ridge is not responsible for lost, or stolen devices brought from home.