I firmly believe that school should be fun and safe for every student. I will do my best to provide this learning environment while sparking your child's growth in creativity, critical thinking, and knowledge. I give the kids continual positive reinforcement and encourage them to give 100%!
I also believe that the inquisitive spirit of science is assimilated by students who participate in meaningful lab activities. Your child will be participating in lab activities throughout the year. Problem solving abilities will be enhanced in the context of lab inquiry, as will the development of your child's investigative, organizational, creative, and communicative skills.
Know what's going on in Biology!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Biology I
A 1 inch, 3 ring binder JUST for Biology
Six tab dividers
Blue and/or black pens
Pencils
Biology IH
A 2 inch, 3 ring binder JUST for Biology
Seven tab dividers
Blue and/or black pens
Pencils
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston (1st quarter)
Genome by Matt Ridley (2nd quarter)
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (3rd quarter)
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser (4 quarter)
Besides labs, homework, quizzes, projects, tests, etc. a significant portion of your grade is dependent upon the upkeep and organization of your BIOLOGY BINDER and your PARTICIPATION POINTS.
BIOLOGY BINDER:
Your binder may be randomly checked throughout each quarter. Each of the sections may receive a grade every quarter. To assist you in organizing and maintaining all of your work in your binder, the following sections must be CLEARLY TABBED in your binder and be in the following order:
1. Journal (SJ) – include the page number, date, and title on all entries; journal entries should be in complete sentences, unless otherwise noted.
2. Interactive Notebook (IN) – include the page number, date, and title on all entries; drawings should always be on the left side and all of your notes on the right side (detailed guidelines and a scoring rubric will soon follow).
3. Labs – include everything pertaining to lab work, such as worksheets, rough drafts, and labs.
4. Study Guides – all study guides, note cards, etc. for each unit.
5. Assessment – include all graded work given in class; completed homework, quizzes, tests, projects, etc.
6. Biology in the News (BIN) – include both the article and your summary.
7. (Bio IH Only) Relationship of Terms (ROT) – type up the relationship between each pair of terms for each unit.
PARTICIPATION POINTS:
Everyday you have the opportunity to earn a participation point (5 participation points per week). Trust me, they add up...to a test grade! You earn participation points for doing what you are supposed to…imagine that! The following is a list of how you earn participation points.
1. Arrive on time and get started on the "Sponge Activity" BEFORE the SECOND bell (tardy bell) rings. I will lock the door at the second bell and survey the room. Students not doing the "Sponge Activity" will not earn a participation point. I will then unlock the door. Tardy students will come in (Thank you for not knocking on the door or causing a disturbance in the hallway.). Those with EXCUSED passes will earn a participation point. However, you only get three passes for each semester. On your fourth pass you will lose your points for the day. If you do not have an excused pass you will not earn a participation point.
2. Be organized and prepared for class. Have ALL of your supplies and have your homework done!
3. Respect all ideas given in class and do not criticize anybody's ideas or thoughts.
4. Participate! Ask questions! Answer questions!
5. Respect all property (school, personal, and other’s). Please don’t write on my desks!
6. Don’t cheat. Duh!
7. Don’t demonstrate EXITING BEHAVIOR! This really ticks me off!
8. Don’t bring food, gum, drinks (water is the exception) into the classroom.
9. Don’t let me see your cell phones, iPods, etc.! If I do, they are mine until your parents pick them up. OUCH!
10. No whining or complaining.
11. Place your belongings (purses, bags, backpacks, etc.) on floor underneath your desk. The only items on your desk should be your Biology Binder an a writing utensil.
12. RECYCLE! You can find the recycle bin for both paper and plastic bottles by the door.
ODDS AND ENDS:
Just incase you haven’t read enough…
1. I do not accept late assignments. If you are absent and are well enough to do your homework, check my website and complete the homework to prevent falling behind. If you are unable to do the assignment, you have the same number of days you were absent to turn in your assignment.
2. If you are absent on TEST DAY, I must receive a phone call from your parent/guardian EXCUSING you from the test. You will make up the test the day you return. If you have an UNEXCUSED absence on test day, you will take the make up essay test. Trust me, it is not fun!
3. I don’t give out bathroom passes. If the average four year old can hold his/her bladder for eight hours you can for 52 minutes!
4. I DON’T ROUND GRADES! An 89.9% is a B. You will have Alternative Assignment and Bonus Point opportunities throughout the year that will lead to an individual review of your grade. Don’t pass up these opportunities! They can make the difference between a B and an A, a C and a B, a D and a C, etc…you get the point.
| Percentage | Grade |
|---|---|
| 100-90% | A |
| 89-80% | B |
| 79-70% | C |
| 69-60% | D |
| 59%-0 | F |
5. Your final grade will be based upon your performances on the following components:
6. Be an active listener in class. Use all of your senses. PARTICIPATE!
7. Ask questions as soon as possible. Challenging areas should be reviewed ASAP!
8. Study in groups. Learn by “teaching” others.
9. Check your grades weekly!
10. Give 100%!
11. Attendance will either make or break your grade! Never miss a class!
12. Want and love P.A.T!
13. Have fun!
TIPS TO USE:
The following tips will help you learn and understand the material in class...
The title provides the overall theme of the chapter.
The introduction or first paragraph gives you an idea of what the material is about.
The boldface heading will tell you what is contained in the section below the heading.
The first sentence often states the central thought of the paragraph. However, be aware that in some material the first sentence may function as a transition or lead-in statement. When this occurs, read the second sentence of the paragraph to determine its central thought.
Notice any words in italic or boldface type. Use of a typographical aid indicates that the term or sentence is important.
Notice any material that is numbered, lettered, or presented in list form. Graphs, charts, pictures, diagrams, and maps are other means of emphasizing what is important in the chapter.
The last paragraph or summary gives a condensed view of the chapter and helps the reader identify the main points in the chapter.
Quickly read any end-of-chapter material. If there are study questions, read through them quickly. They will indicate what is important in the chapter.