Syllabus Biology

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________________

BIOLO GY

Gag e Pa rk High S ch oo l Ms. T ully 20 08/2 009 Cl ass Pu rpose

As a class, we are a team. Every single member of this class is a critically important player on this team. We will need to constantly work together to help each other in order to ensure that the team is successful. A lot of what is done in this class is part of the 5 par ts of a succ es sfu l educa tio n. You will be expected to do each of these 5 things, and I will work very hard to support you in any way I can. You are not alone in your education! In this class, the 5 part s of a succe ss ful educat ion ar e: 1. Cr it ica l thi nk ing – The ability to apply different ideas to solve new problems. 2. Hard wor k – Doing whatever it takes to get the job done. 3. Re sp on sib il it y – Being held accountable for your actions and choices. 4. Re sourc eful ne ss – The ability to find answers to new questions. 5. Co nt en t know le dg e – The ability to learn and remember new class concepts. Along with these principles, our goa l as a cla ss is an a verag e of 80% mas ter y on all le arn in g goa ls, and for each s tude nt to incr eas e th ei r sc ie nc e ACT scor e by 3 poi nt s. To reach this goal, we will need the contribution of every player on this team. A team is only as strong as its weakest player.

Ex pectati ons

In the classroom, I ask you to follow these expectations so that we can have a productive learning experience. There are four expectations in this class: 1. Be pr ep are d – Come to class with your homework completed, have a sharpened pencil/pen and your notebook on your desk when class begins, and be ready to learn every day when you enter the class. 2. Be po li te – Listen when others speak, keep your hands and other objects to yourself, do not use profanity or insults, be a positive influence in the classroom, and respect the school and other’s property. 3. Be po si tiv e- Believe in yourself and your ability to learn and improve. Work hard and keep in mind that I am here to help you succeed. 4. Be pro ductiv e – No cell phones, iPods, walkmen, or other electronics in class, be an attentive learner, use class time efficiently.

Co nseq uences

As in any decision made in life, the choice whether or not to follow these expectations will result in consequences. There are both positive and negative consequences that will be discussed in class. Make sure that you understand these consequence procedures, and please approach me if anything is unclear. 1. Positive Consequences: a. Raffle Tickets: Raffle tickets will be given for various good behaviors and success in the classroom. A raffle will be held each week. b. Can you spell H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K? The class will get one letter for every day that 100% of the class turns in their homework ON TIME. c. Pride! 2. Negative Consequences are based on participation points. Five participation points are given each day. a. Warning b. √: Loss of one participation point for the day. c. √√: Loss of two participation points for the day. d. √√√: Loss of three participation points for the day, and fill out a behavior modification sheet. e. √√√√: Loss of 4 participation points for the day, and a call home. ***For extreme behaviors in the classroom, there will be a referral given.

Gr ad es

Your grade in our class is determined by 5 different factors: 1. In clas s act ivi ti es (30%) – Completion of Do-Now Activities (DNA) exercises, class worksheets, and general class participation. 2. Hom ewor k (10%)- Homework will be collected everyday, and is graded based on effort. 3. Pro jec ts (15%)-This includes labs, and any other large projects that are asked of the student throughout the year. 4. Qui zz es (15%) – There will be weekly quizzes that will be counted for a grade in order to check your understanding of the weekly objectives. 5. Tes ts (30%) This will include unit exams and final exams, and will test your cumulative knowledge for the course.

Letter grades in the class are as follows: A = 100% to 90% B = 89% to 80% C = 79% to 70% D = 69% - 60% F = 55% and below

Mate ri als

You will need the following materials in class every day: 1. Bind er 2. Pens and p enc il s 3. Not ebook /Pap er 4. Bind er Div id ers

Other required materials will be provided or requested as needed during the course of the class.

Absences

If you are absent any day, it is YOUR responsibility to make up required assignments or work that you have missed. All make-up work should be done outside of normal class time. Please refer to the handbook for the school wide absence policy.

Latene ss

No matter what, you must show up on time to class. There is a lot of material to cover, and you are hurting yourself by missing out on important information, and your classmates by distracting them when walking in late. When the bell rings, you must be fully inside the classroom. If you arrive during the first five minutes of class, you will receive no more than 1 out of 2 completion points for your ‘DNA’ exercise. This means that you will receive at most a 50% on your ‘DNA’ for that day. This will factor into your grade for class work. If you arrive more than five minutes late, you will not be able to make up the ‘DNA’ and you will lose all completion points for it, and you will lose half of your participation points for the day.

Imp ort ant C la ss P roced ur es

Entering class: 1. Enter quietly and pick up any handouts for the day. 2. Turn in any homework that is due into the “turn-in” folder. 3. Take care of any pencil sharpening, tissue getting, etc before you go to your seat. 4. Go to your desk. Take out the homework from the previous night, and all materials you will need for the day. Place your homework on the upper left hand corner of your desk. 5. Complete your “DNA (Do Now Activity)”. You will have five minutes to do so. 6. If you finish early you may sit quietly. We encourage you to review the previous day’s notes. Dismissal: 1. We will dismiss you, not the bell. 2. When you are dismissed, pack your bag and clean up your belongings. Do not pack up or get ready to leave beforehand. 3. Make sure you wrote down and picked up all the materials you will need to complete the homework. 4. Leave the classroom in a quiet and orderly manner. Restroom 1. You may use the bathroom during the guided practice portion or independent practice portion of class. DO NOT ask to go to the bathroom during introduction to new material. The teacher reserves the right to refuse bathroom privlages.

Ho mew or k

Homework is expected to be turned in on time. If it is turned in on time, you will receive 100% credit. If you turn it in within one week of the due date, you will receive 75% credit. If you turn it in later than one week, you will only receive 50% credit. All homework that is to be counted for credit in a unit needs to be handed in by the end of the unit. Homework should be completed every night to ensure that you have mastered the day’s objective, and so you can receive full credit. Homework is graded based on effort NOT

content. I will be giving points for an evident attempt to complete the assignment. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Homework will either help your grade by an entire letter grade, or it can significantly hurt it.

What you can exp ec t fr om m e 1. 2. 3. 4.

Respect, fairness, and consistency. Encouragement and support. Dedication to your education. I will be responsible and prepared.

**DISCLAIMER: Content on the syllabus is subject to change.

Any changes will be announced during class.

SAVE THIS PORTION FOR YOUR REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ONLY TURN IN THE PORTION BELOW.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please sign: I have read the letter and have discussed the class outline with my parents/guardians. Firme por favor: He leído la carta y he de discutido el resumen con mis padres/guardianes.

______________________ ________________________ Student Signature Parent/guardian Signature Firma de estudiante Firma de padre/guardián

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