Syllabus

Biology Syllabus

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Room 301 Mrs. Wright

Tutoring Schedule, Tuesday Thursday 3:05-3:45

Phone: 972-218-1590

Teacher Website: mrsbwright.educatorpages.com

Quizlet Study Cards Link https://quizlet.com/join/uupCCFFck

Course Objective: Welcome to Biology! This year, you will gain an understanding of the various organisms that live on our planet, their structures and their interactions, and the organ systems of the human body. You will also be subjected to a rigorous course that will prepare you for upper level science classes and college level science classes as well.

You will demonstrate this by achieving at least (if not more than) 80% mastery on tests and quizzes. In addition, you will be able to read, understand, communicate, investigate, analyze, and demonstrate creativity in the scientific field. You will apply these skills on the End of Course Biology Exam (STAAR) in order to meet or exceed the statewide average on the test.

STAAR Exam: All 9th grade Biology students will take the Biology End of Course (EOC) exam, one of the 5 EOC tests. All EOC exams will take place in May. If you follow my lead by participating, attending class regularly, studying, and getting help when needed, this class will prepare you very well to pass the STAAR Exam.

Topics Covered:

v Ecology

v Biochemistry

v The Structure and Function of Cells

v Photosynthesis and Respiration

v Cell Cycle

v Protein Synthesis

v Genetics

v Evolution and Natural Selection

v Biological Classification

v Viruses and Bacteria

v Plant Structures and Adaptations

v Biological Systems

Expectations: This is a high school class, and each of you is expected to act with the maturity of a young adult. You are responsible for your assignments and behavior in this class. Failure to adhere to class expectations may result in exclusion from labs or other activities, parent contact, detention, and administrative referral. More importantly, we never want to take away from the time we could be spending mastering Biology.

1. Follow directions the first time they are given

2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself

3. Seek my permission to leave your seat and to leave the classroom

4. Appropriate and respectful language only

5. Students will raise hands and wait to be acknowledged

Policies: What we must do to make sure the class runs smoothly

1. You are dismissed by the teacher, not the bell. Remain seated until I tell you to leave.

2. You must be in your assigned seat and have your materials ready to go when the bell rings.

3. Stay on task

4. Electronic devices (phones, iPods and tablets included) must be put out of reach while in class unless I have approved use for a class activity. If you are asked to hand over the device, do so immediately. If device is not handed over district policy consequences will occur next.

1. Punctuality: Be on time. No excuses. If you skip class, I will find out and there will be consequences both in my classroom and from school administration.

2. Respect: You will show respect for the classroom and its contents, your classmates, your teacher and yourself. We will earn each other’s respect. You – by coming prepared and on time, working hard, and treating others with respect. Me – by being prepared, being fair, and by working hard to help you succeed.

Consequences: (For inability to meet Expectations or follow Policies/Procedures)

1. Verbal Warning

2. Time Owed after class

3. Parent Phone Call

4. Parent/Student/Teacher Conference

5. Administrative Referral

Grading:



Projects, Labs, Quizzes, Snapshots, Common Assessments 40%

Classwork 40%

Homework 20%

 A = 100% – 90%

 B = 89% – 80%

 C = 79% - 70%

 70%, is the minimum passing grade

Tests/Quizzes: There will be quizzes given at the end of a topic to check for your understanding. In addition, there will be a test at the end of each 6-week grading period. Additional tests and quizzes will be announced ahead of time.

Projects: You will complete a STEM Project as part of your participation in Biology. Additional details will be announced at a later date.

Make-Up & Late Work Policy: You are responsible for requesting make-up assignments (before or after class, not during lessons). Work will not be accepted more than 1 day late, and will receive a maximum grade of 70. Late projects will be assigned a late penalty if turned in after the due date. It is a district policy to attend class every day. If you have too many absences, regardless of your grade, you be in danger of not receiving credit for the class. If you have an excused absence, work will be due upon your return to school or specific class. Extra credit assignments will be announced periodically, and each assignment will replace one missing grade with a maximum of a 70. Please Turn in your work on time. You will have opportunities to re-take quizzes and tests that you failed within 5 school days of receiving your failing grade. Your passing grade will replace the failing grade, unless you exhibit lack of effort. We are working together towards excellence.

SWIM (Student Work Is Mandatory) Camp is a program that supports raising academic expectations for all students. SWIM means all students are expected to turn in class work, homework, tests, projects, etc. Teachers will NEVER enter a zero or NG (no grade) into the gradebook for missing work. SWIM camp gives students the opportunity to complete assignments that are missing in order to maintain a competitive grade point average as well as make continual educational strides. SWIM camp is open Monday – Thursday from 3:20-3:45pm. Parents and students will be notified in advance if SWIM camp is assigned.

Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating is a very serious problem, often punishable at the university level by expulsion. There is a zero tolerance policy in this class for those who cheat or plagiarize. All students involved will receive an automatic 0. This means: Do not cheat or you will fail. There are no exceptions to this policy!

Plagiarism is defined as taking credit for another person’s work, either by failing to cite an author or simply passing their work as one’s own. Any work plagiarized from another source will receive an automatic zero. For instructions on how to cite sources, visit the following website: http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_how_do_i_cite_sources.html

Tutoring: I will be available for tutoring before and after school at least two days a week. The tutoring schedule will be announced in class and posted outside the classroom. If you need to see me outside of these times, you may make an appointment. Notebooks: All students are required to keep an interactive notebook for this class. Specific requirements will be explained in a separate handout. These will be graded several times over the course of the nine weeks, including the day of the 6 Weeks test, and will count as a major grade.

Supplies: Please bring the following supplies to class.*

1. COMPOSITION notebook (digital notebook will be shared out during class)

2. 2 no. 2 pencils

3. A small hand-held pencil sharpener

4. 2 pens, blue or black

5. 2-4 Dry erase markers

* If you have trouble getting any of these items, talk to Mrs. Wright after class by Friday, September 18th. These items will stay in the classroom. Si necessita Usted este pagina en Español, por favor pregunta a Mrs. Wright.