Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional High School

Course Syllabus

Teacher: Mrs. Adams Room 10

Course Description: Biology (Academic) 5262 Credits: 6 Grade: 9-10

Students are introduced to the unique properties of living organisms that set them apart from non-living ones. Molecular and cellular biology provide a background for concepts of reproduction and genetics. Microbiology, multicellular plants, invertebrate animal life, the vertebrate animals, and human biology follow in logical sequence. Critical thinking involves

students in utilizing the steps of the scientific method in the completion of laboratory reports and projects.

Textbook:Each student will have access to a textbook during class. In addition to the textbook, students are also encouraged to visit my website for notes, study guides and other resources.

Laboratory Experience:Biology class has a double lab period once a week. This gives us 84 minutes to conduct more in depth labs, take tests and complete tasks that may take longer than one class period. Pens and a lab notebook are needed for each lab in order to complete the required lab report.

Grading System and Assessment of Student Performance:

Student performance will be assessed as follows-

This year the science department will be using the Standards Aligned Grading (SAG) system to evaluate student performance. What is SAG? SAG is essentially a grading method used to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses in their learning. It promotes that teachers provide meaningful assessments and quicker feedback to students and parents.

Traditionally, students’ marking period grades were determined by their test, quiz, homework, classwork, and lab grades. In SAG, however, students’ marking period grades are based on their performance in certain skills, or categories. In science, students will be assessed in these categories per marking period:

  • Content
  • facts, vocabulary, identifying variables and equations (How well do I know it?)
  • Application
  • problem solving, designing an experiment, analyzing data (How well can I apply what I know?)
  • Science Literacy
  • developing graphs, writing conclusions, explaining and defending your answer (How well can I explain what I know?)
  • 21st Century Skills
  • creativity, group work, following directions, meeting deadlines

How does this translate into your grade? Let’s look at an example comparing the traditional grading method and the SAG method.

Traditional method: Sally earned a 90% on her Chapter 3 test. What does this 90% represent? It should represent how well she knows, understands, and applies the material learned in Chapter 3. But that 90% could be vague in representing where she is weak in her understanding of the material.

SAG Method: The chapter 3 material was assessed in three categories: content, application, and science literacy. Sally earned 45/50 points in Content, 40/50 points in Application, and 10/10 points in Science Literacy. Each of these separate grades is recorded in PowerSchool. The three scores are not recorded as an average, but as individual grades. Based on the results, Sally needs to focus on Application, specifically in the problem solving portion. Sally has an opportunity to retake one assessment per marking period. If she is interested in improving this assessment and meets the requirements of the Science Department’s retest policy, she can retake all three categories or one category of the assessment.

All assessments (tests, quizzes, labs, etc.) are graded in total points. Categories on an assessment do not have to have the same number of points. For example,Sally is working on a lab. The teacher decided for this lab that the content portion will be worth 10 points, the application 30 points, and the science literacy 20 points.

Test/Re-Test Policy:

Students will be allowed one re-test per marking period. If a student has a Blue or Orange Renaissance card they will be allowed one additional retest per marking period.

  • Student must have all assignments completed for the subject tested prior to the first test, to be eligible for the retest.
  • Student must successfully complete an additional assignment given by the teacher, such as a review.
  • Student must meet with their science teacher outside of class time prior to the retest test.
  • Students will be given one opportunity for re-take per assessment.
  • The make-up test must be completed in 1 week from the date the assessment was put into Power School.

Failure to Complete Assignment Policy (FTCA):

If a student fails to complete an assignment the following steps will be taken:

  1. Inform student that they will have 5 school days to complete and turn in the assignment for full credit; otherwise they will receive a zero.
  2. Place a zero in PowerSchool with a comment indicating that the assignment was missing and will be accepted for full credit until 5 school days have past.
  3. Student will be written up for failure to complete assignment.
  4. Student's parent/guardian will be contacted.
  5. Assistant Principal will meet with the student and assign them an academic detention.
  6. If assignment is completed within the 5 school day grace period, it is graded for full credit, but the student must still serve the academic detention.

Yearly Average (As determined by the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District):

1st Marking Period- 25%

2nd Marking Period- 25%

3rd Marking Period- 25%

4th marking Period- 25%

Grading Scale (As determined by the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional School District):

A (93-100)

B (84-92)

C (77-83)

D (70-76)

F (below 70)

New Jersey Biology Competency Test:This is a State test that all students taking Biology will be given in May. Students will be given more information closer to test time and will have access to review materials.

Supplies needed:

  • 3 ring binder, preferable 1 – 2 inches
  • Dividers
  • Paper, pensand pencils
  • Lab books will be provided

Class Policies:

  • Respect for all (students, teachers and guests)!
  • Responsibility (for your work and your actions)!
  • Please respect all school policies and procedures as outlined in the school agenda and Safety Contract!
  • When the bell sounds at the beginning of the period, please be seated in your assigned seat, prepared with the necessary materials and ready for class to begin.
  • At the end of the period please be in your assigned seat before class is dismissed.
  • If you wish to get a drink or use the restroom, simply fill out your agenda and quietly get it signed. There is no need to request permission and interrupt class. A signed, completed pass in your agenda is required every time you leave the classroom. I will sign the pass but you must fill it out completely!
  • If you do not have your agenda, you may use my classroom agenda.
  • Food and drinks are not permitted in the classroom except under health-related circumstances.
  • Clean up your lab station and/or desk area at the end of labs or activities.
  • Keep notebooks organized as instructed.
  • The use of cell phones, iPods, iPads, etc. are not allowed during class unless told otherwise. Usage of these devices during class without permission will result in disciplinary action.

Class Procedures:

  • Upon entering the room, students should do the following:
  • take out materials
  • begin the daily warm up
  • record homework from the board in your agenda
  • prepare a science buck for the end of class
  • Grab a science buck daily and a new warm up sheet every Monday!

Absentee Policy/Assignments:

  • Students are responsible for finding out what work needs to be completed upon their return to school.
  • Check the daily checklist for what was done in class each day that you missed.
  • Check the daily folders for any papers needed to complete missed work.
  • Notes must be copied from another student in class on your own time. On occasion, you may be able to copy notes from a note key as homework and return the key the following day.
  • If there is nothing in the folders it does not mean that you do not owe me anything or that you did not miss anything.
  • Check with a classmate.
  • If you have additional questions you may ask me during down time in class.
  • If you know you are going to be missing class please let me know in person or via email in advance.
  • If you are absent for a quiz or a test we will agree on a make-up date.
  • Although, if you are present the day before a quiz or test date you will be expected to take the quiz or test the day you return. Please be prepared for this!
  • At times, make-up quizzes and tests may be taken during class. Otherwise, they will need to be taken in the morning or after school. If a test or quiz is made up during class, you are responsible for any missed classwork.

Topics to be covered:

Marking Period 1 - Human Impact, Molecular Biology and Microbiology

  • Chapter 1 - The Science of Biology
  • Chapter 2 - Chemistry of Life
  • Chapter 7 Sections 1 & 2 - Cell Structure and function
  • Chapter 7 Sections 3 & 4 - Cell transport

PROJECT: 3-D Cell Model

Marking Period 2- Cell Processes and Intro to Genetics

  • Chapter 8 - Photosynthesis
  • Chapter 9 - Cell respiration
  • Chapter 10 and Chapter 11 Section 4 - Cell growth and division / mitosis and meiosis
  • Chapter 11 Sections 1, 2 & 3 - Mendelian Genetics

PROJECT: Cellular Energy Project

Marking Period 3 - Genetics, Evolution and Classification

  • Chapter 14 Section 1 & 2 - Human Chromosomes and Disorders
  • Chapter 12 - DNA and Replication
  • Chapter 13 - RNA and Protein Synthesis
  • Chapter 14 Section 3 and Chapter 15 - Genetic Engineering
  • Chapter 19 Section 3 - History of Life on Earth
  • Chapter 16 - Evolution - Darwin, history of evolution, Darwin’s theory, evidence of evolution

PROJECT: Genetic Disease Pamphlet Project
Marking Period 4 - Kingdoms of Living Things

  • Chapters 3 Sections 1 & 3, Chapter 5 Section 1 and Chapter 6 - Ecology
  • Chapter 18 - Classification
  • Chapter 20 - Viruses and Prokaryotes (Bacteria)
  • Chapter 21 - Protists and Fungi
  • Chapter 22 - Introduction to Plants
  • Chapter 25 - Intro to Animals - characteristics of animals, body plan
  • Chapter 27/28 - Animal systems 1 & 2
  • Visual guide to the Diversity of Life (for animals) - pgs. 1064-1098 – characteristics of all major animal phyla

PROJECT:Biology Comic/Meme Project/Invasive Species Wanted Poster/Classification Project