Welcome to our biology class! We are going to have a great time exploring life. The following is a simple set of guidelines to help you succeed in this class. If you are having trouble with any part of the class we are available before school, after school, and during free periods come see either of us, or go to the resource area just outside of room 337 if you need any help or have any questions.
~ Mrs. Hance, Miss Luckhardt, and Mrs. Stocker
Objectives:
1.To gain an understanding of the structure, function, characteristics, and basic needs of organisms
2.To understand the cell as the basic unit of life
3.To understand the principals of genetics
4.To understand the basic principles of molecular biology
5.To understand basic biochemical pathways of plants and animals
6.To compare and contrast life cycles of living things as they interact with the environment
7.To develop problem solving, decision making, and inquiry skills
8.To develop an understanding of how major discoveries and events have advanced science and technology
9.To do well on the New Jersey Biology Competency Assessment
Materials:
·3 Ring Binder or Notebook and folder
·Writing tool
·Chromebook
·Agenda Book
Expectations:
1.Be On Time We start at the bell be ready!!
2.Be respectful of yourself and others at all times
3.Be prepared to learn by coming to class everyday with your materials; including your agenda, notebook, writing utensils, and assignments
4.Be responsible for what is covered in class. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, If you missed a lab or activity you have 3 days to make it up
5.Do your own work, cheating is not allowed and will result in a zero and referral to discipline
6.Safety First: This is a laboratory course that uses many chemicals. You are to be in compliance with the Voorhees Safety Contract at all times.
7.Challenge yourself and work hard you will benefit from it
8.Act in an appropriate manner
9.Enjoy! You are expected to have fun
Homework/Quizzes:
·Homework will be posted on the board
·Late Homework: 100% loss of credit
oI expect you to complete all of your homework on time, even if you are absent. Please be responsible for all of your assignments. We encourage the use of your agenda book and the calendars on the front of the packet.
Projects:
·You will be assigned many projects during the year, both long term and short term.
·Timelines will be given for each project and your project is expected on time
·100% loss of credit if turned in 1 or more days late
Labs/Activities
·Lab is a very important this is a multidisciplinary hands on course
·Your lab grade is based upon performance in the lab, the written lab, lab reports, and adherence to safety procedures
·If lab equipment is set up in the room you are not permitted to touch it until instructed to do so.
·Horseplay will not be tolerated; it will result in an automatic dismissal for class, referral to the office, and a zero grade for that lab.
·Misbehavior in the lab may lead to a loss of lab privileges. Should this occur, a paper lab and report will be provided. This may require you to stay after school to complete the assignment.
·Labs will be handed in the next day
oLate Work: 100% loss of credit
·Data may be shared with lab partner/ class, but the body of the work must be your original work. Evidence of plagiarism will result in a zero grade for the lab.
·You will not be permitted to leave the classroom until the lab is cleaned up.
Extra Credit:
·Numerous extra credit opportunities are always available; see your teacher for an extra credit contract. It is NOT appropriate to ask about extra credit at the very end of a marking period. Please monitor your grades on the online grading program, Aspen.
Absences:
·All work must be made up after an absence
·If you are absent on the day a unit packet is due it is due the day you return.
·If you are absent for a lab, you have 3 days to make it up.
oA lab makeup may be the lab or an alternate assignment.
oYou must make arrangements in advance, especially since labs often require special set up.
·Be prepared quizzes on the scheduled day
oIf you are out of school the day before a test or announced quiz you will take it on the scheduled day. Refer to your packet for dates. NOTE: MAKE-UP TESTS ARE ESSAYS.
·Extended absences will be dealt with on an individual basis; you must make an appointment to talk with your teacher.
·It is highly recommended that you contact your teacher about ANY absence, to make sure you know what you missed and if there are any assignments you should know about. Email communication is highly encouraged. It is not appropriate to ask what you missed while your teacher is setting up for your class, as we are in a number of different rooms and use the few minutes before class to settle in, just as you do.
Extra Help
·Extra help is available: Mrs. Bellows and Miss Luckhardt can usually be found in Rooms 142, 143 or 144. DO NOT COMPLAIN about your grade if you have not come in for extra help.
·After school help is available from 2:25 pm-3:10 pm.
oIf you are coming in for extra help, please let us know in advance so we can make appropriate accommodations.
·Use your classmates: Ask other students for help or set up a study group.