Wren High School
Biology College Prep – Fall, 2016
Instructor: Dr. Mary Dillingham
Classroom: 319
Email:
Phone: 864-850-5900
Text: Biology (Glencoe Science). The course emphasizes the major themes of biology: cells, genetics and DNA, ecology, structure and function relationships in biology. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are an integral part of this course.
This course has a required End of Course Exam, which counts 20% of each students final grade in the course. We are setting our goal now, to have a successful year in Biology CP!
Classroom Procedures:
Beginning Class:
1. Come in quietly.
2. Sit down in your seat; be seated by the tardy bell
3. Take out your notebook, and pen/pencil.
4. Begin the assignment on the board/handout.
5. Work quietly during the time allotted for the assignment.
Classroom Rules
1. Treat people, materials and equipment with respect.
2. Bring supplies, notebooks, textbooks pen/pencil, to every class.
3. Sit in your assigned seat unless you have permission to leave it.
4. Immediately follow directions given by Dr. Dillingham
5. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
6. Work on assignments during times given
7. Keep your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself (no projectiles)
8. Use only school appropriate language (oral or written)
9. Turn in completed assignments on time, have notebook materials in notebook for regular notebook checks.
Class procedures: There is a specific time during class that I will ask if there are questions about assignments, especially in the case of students who have been absent. This will occur AFTER the entire class has been directed on how to begin class. Please work with me in an orderly manner, so that class disruption is minimized. Homework assignments from the previous several classes are typically posted in class so that students may access that information upon their return to class from absences.
How does iPad Technology fit into this procedure system?
· All sounds and notifications OFF before you enter class.
· iPads OFF, unless or until directed by the teacher to turn them on. When directed, iPads will be turned ON or OFF. It is the student’s responsibility to follow these directions, and to do so the first time asked.
· Do NOT take pictures, audio or video recordings of anyone in class. You will be instructed at times to use these features, as might be appropriate to labs or projects. It is the student’s responsibility to follow directions.
· iPads are to be used for instructional purposes only, NOT other functions or uses.
· The presence of an iPad/iPads in class does NOT give any student permission to use a cell phone in class. School Board policy still applies to cell phones, and will be followed.
· Repeated failure to comply with procedures may result in a student losing the iPad option in my classroom.
As we go through the school year, and become more accustomed to the iPads, we will update procedures for everyone. Updates will be shared with students.
*Note: Any serious infraction of the classroom procedures, or other school rules or guidelines will be dealt with immediately and seriously.
**No food or drink in class. No gum, candy, or snacks during class. Clear water bottles with a lid are allowed in classes, but not near computers and never during laboratories.
Grades will be calculated using this formula: Major grades: 60%, at least three per quarter; Minor grades 40%, at least 8 per quarter. Major grades are typically Unit Tests, but may also be projects or labs. Major assessments are announced well in advance. Rubrics and directions are provided for projects and information for projects is posted on my website, as a project is assigned. Minor grades may include assignments such as: News Article Summaries, Quizzes, Classwork, Labs, projects, Notebook checks, and Homework. Some labs and activities are minor grades, and are labelled as such at the beginning of the assignment.
Re-take Policy
Honors classes in the science department at Wren High School will have the opportunity to re-take one major assessment each quarter, in the two week time frame after the student receives his or her grade, if the grade is a failing grade. Re-takes will be assigned during after school tutoring. It is the students’ responsibility to complete the re-take within the allotted time. Maximum score available on a re-take is 60%, a passing grade. You will need to ask for a time, so that your re-test will be ready for you in the testing location.
Homework is assigned every class period, with few exceptions.
Laboratory Activities - Participation in laboratory activities will depend on the students’ demonstration of a consistent level of good behavior, so that I may be sure of their compliance with safety rules and regulations. The safety rules and regulations always apply to everyone. No student will be allowed to participate in laboratories, who cannot follow the rules. This includes dress code violations, iPad violations, and other infractions.
Grading Scale
100 - 90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 - 70 = C
69 - 60 = D
below 60 = F
Diligence and Responsibility: Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. Students are responsible for keeping up with the units we are studying, by reading in the text, completing homework, class work (including taking notes), laboratories, and any other assignments. Students are expected to take notes in class, in outline format, or Cornell notes. Students are expected to write summaries of each days’ notes, to be checked the next class. Students are expected to keep track of assignments and due dates. Students are expected to keep End of Course Review assignments provided throughout the year, in their Biology Honors notebook. Students are expected to take the initiative to seek assistance. Tests or other projects are announced well in advance. It is the students’ responsibility to complete all assignments according to announced deadlines.
Hints for success: Take the initiative to do more instead of less. Take the initiative to LEARN more. Read the text on the assigned topic. I will not say or read every word in the textbook. There are a variety of assignments, and regular homework. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with assigned reading, and written assignments, and to ask questions and/or seek assistance as needed. Be prepared in class, listen, complete assignments.
If a student is absent: it is the students’ responsibility to check with classmates for notes. It is the student’s responsibility to seek out missed information, and to ask the teacher questions about assignments (please see the class procedures section). It is the students’ responsibility to ask for and complete assignments missed during school absences, according to the timeline in the handbook.
Materials: Notebook – have paper and pen/pencil and textbook every day. Assignments for which note cards are appropriate will be assigned for almost every unit, so it is helpful to have note cards on hand. Many students find markers or highlighters to be helpful.
Please ask about anything you do not understand. This course description will be updated as needed.
Course Outline: (one set of standards is provided; while we are in transition this year, updated information will be provided as we go through the school year.)
First Semester
Unit 1 – Introduction - Approx time: 6 classes (Standards H.B.1, H.B.2)
Chapter 1- The Science of Life
The Science of Biology
Characteristics of Life
Scientific Method
Chapter 6 - Chemistry in Biology
Unit 2 – The Cell - Approx. time 12 classes (Standards H.B.1, H.B.2)
Chapter 7 – Cellular Structure and Function
Chapter 9 – Cellular Reproduction
Unit 3 – Genetics Part 1, Approx. 12 classes (H.B.1, H.B.4)
Chapter 10 – Cellular Reproduction and Genetics
Chapter 11 – Complex Inheritance and Human Heredity
Second Semester
Unit 4 – Genetics Part 2, Approx. 5 classes (continue Standards H.B.1, H.B.4)
Chapter 12 – Molecular Genetics
Chapter 13 – Genetics and Biotechnology
Unit 5 – Diversity of Life, Approx. 10 classes (Standards B5.1 – 5.7)
Chapter 14 – The History of Life
Chapter 15 - Evolution
Unit 6 – Diversity of Life, Part 2, Approx. 5 classes (Standards B5.5 – 5.7)
Chapter 17 – Organizing Life’s Diversity
Unit 7 – Ecology, Approx. 11 classes (Standard H.B.1, H.B.6)
Chapter 2 – Principles of Ecology
Chapter 3 – Communities, Biomes and Ecosystems
Chapter 4 – Population Ecology
Unit 8 – Energy in the Cell – Approx. 13 classes (Standards B3.1 – 3.6)
Chapter 8 – Cellular Energy
Practice for the End-of-Course Exam will occur as part of each Unit, as well as separately, as the date for the test approaches.
Students are reminded to keep a section in their Biology CP notebook for End of Course Exam Review Materials.
This schedule will be adjusted as needed. Students will be informed of adjustments.
With the number of changes we are implementing this year, please be aware that adjustments may be necessary.
Notebook organization (This information was supplied to students the second day of class).
A. Sections
1. Notes
Labeled with date, chapter and standard number
On paper
Outlined or Cornell format.
Checked about once per quarter.
2. Homework
Labeled with book page, date given, due date
On paper, in students own handwriting.
Checked regularly (generally everyday) in class.
3. End of Course Exam Practice
Labeled with date given, date due, standards covered
Completed in students’ own handwriting
Will be checked for each student near the end of each quarter.
Materials will be saved by the student for EOC Exam study.
Blank copies of these materials will be available on my website.
B. How does the iPad figure into this system?
a. Use your iPad to retype your notes as a method of study.
b. Use your iPad to take pictures of your notes as a back up.
c. Use your iPad to look for further information on content.
d. Use your iPad to complete assignments and submit on Showbie
e. Use your iPad to check my website for updates and information.
Receipt of Course Description for Biology Honors with Dr. Dillingham, 2016-2017 school year.
Students must return this receipt to earn a homework grade. This form will be accepted until Thursday, September 8, 2016.
Parents, please sign this page, and have your student complete his/her portion, and return this page on time. Thank you.
By signing, you indicate,” I have received a syllabus, and my student has his/her copy in his/her Biology Honors notebook. “
Parent Signature ______Date ______
Print parent name ______
Print Student Name ______
Student: I have received a course description and will keep it in my Biology Honors notebook.
Student signature ______Date ______
Parents, if there is anything that you would like for me to know about your child, that might pertain to Biology Honors, please use the space below to tell me. You may use the back or attach another sheet if needed.
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