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24990634439My Section/Student # for this class is _____________.00My Section/Student # for this class is _____________.The Bronx High School of Science Dr. Gensert, InstructorDr. Jean Donahue, Principal Biology DepartmentDr. Allison Davis, Assistant PrincipalSeptember 2019ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGYThis class requires a commitment to learn, understand, and retain large amounts of information. The course is cumulative; you must be able to make connections among concepts learned now and later in the year. You must demonstrate understanding by applying what you learn to new sets of information. You must review your notes, read supporting materials in the textbook, lab manual, and review book, and study, every night. If you put in the effort, you will be rewarded with a high grade in this class, a high score on the AP exam, and, most importantly, a strong foundation in biology that will help you in your future studies.GOALSSuccessfully complete a rigorous college-level course focused on biology content & scientific skillsThe course focuses on the study of life starting with the “micro”--atoms, molecules, cells, and moving to the “macro”--organ systems and organisms and how organisms interact with each other and their environments. Overarching themes that permeate the course are evolution and ecology, topics that will be introduced first and studied in more detail throughout the year. Emphasis is placed on developing science skills and understanding how scientists discover knowledge about life via careful observation and experimentation.Prepare for the AP Biology Exam, administered Monday, May 11, 2020, 8:00 am (3 hrs)Exam formatSection 1: Multiple Choice60 questions, 1 hr 30 min, 50% of exam scoreindividual questionssets of questions with 4-5 questions per setSection II: Free Response6 questions, 1 hr 30 min, 50% of exam score2 long questions, 8-10 points eachinterpret and evaluate experimental resultsone requires graphing4 short-answer questions, 4 points eachscientific investigationconceptual analysisanalysis of a model or visual representationdata analysisExam scoring5 = extremely well-qualified4 = well-qualified3 = qualified2 = possibly qualified1 = no recommendationCLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIESYou must work hard and be organized in order to do well. Study pro-actively. If you wait until one or two days before an exam to start studying, do not expect to do well on the unit exams or to retain the information or gain the understanding necessary to succeed on cumulative class exams and the AP exam.Standing homework assignment: Read your lesson notes each day. Read relevant sections in the textbook, review book, and lab manual, as guided by the course syllabus. Add clarifying notes to your lesson notes as you read. Test your understanding by answering Concept Check and End of Chapter questions in your textbook and doing the related practice questions in your review book.If you have questions, write them down and get them answered as soon as possible. Come to class on time. “On time” means that when the late bell rings, you are already in your seat with your notebook open and your pen ready to take notes. Homework due is already on your desk ready to be checked or collected. Begin any “Do Now” exercise posted on the board as soon as the late bell rings.Three “lates” earns a Dean’s detention. If you arrive late, sign the “late book/bathroom log” located on the teacher’s desk. The log book is an official record of your presence in class. Failure to sign the log upon late arrival may result in a e to class prepared with lesson notebook, assignments due, writing implements, calculator, and, on lab days, lab notebook and goggles.All assignments handed in must have all sheets neatly stapled together. Staple them before you come to class. All homework, answer sheets, papers, etc., handed in must have a clearly written heading on the first page. Failure to include the heading will result in a reduction to your grade.HEADING: full name, date, and, in the upper right corner, your section/student # for this class Pay attention, actively participate in class discussions and laboratory activities, and take lesson notes.Cell phone policyBEFORE entering the classroom, make sure your cell phone is turned OFF and stowed away in your bag, OUT OF SIGHT. Use of cell phones and other electronic devices is not permitted in my classroom.Do ONLY AP Biology work that you are supposed to be doing during class. Other work will be confiscated and returned to you or your other subject teacher at my discretion. If you are doing unrelated work in my class, your participation grade for that week will plummet.Use the bathroom before or after class. Leaving the classroom during the lesson is disruptive to class. If you must use the bathroom during class, quietly go to the front of the room, sign out and record the time in the “late book/bathroom log” and exit the room. Sign back in and record the time upon your return. Do not call out in class. Raise your hand and wait to be called on. Be respectful while others are speaking.Clean your work area before you leave the classroom. Discard all trash in appropriate bins. Return lab and demonstration materials to their proper place. Wipe down your table at the end of a lab.The bell at the end of class does not dismiss you. The teacher dismisses you. Do not pack up your belongings or leave your seat to move towards the door until I have indicated that the lesson is over even if the bell has rung.Tentative exam dates are on the syllabus. You will be given a minimum one-week notice prior to an exam.Absence on a regular class dayIt is your responsibility to get the class notes, the classwork and the homework from a classmate. Homework that was due on the day of your absence is due the day you return to school.Homework assigned on a day of absence must be submitted within two school days upon your return or during the next SGI. Missed work not completed within this time will be subject to late penalties.Absence on an exam dayThe best policy is to not be absent on test days. Exams are two periods long and it is difficult to schedule a make-up exam outside of class. But, of course, do not come to school if you are ill.Email me before or on the day of your absence to let me know and to arrange a make-up exam. Failure to do so may result in a grade of zero. Be ready for a make-up exam on the day you return to school.The quality of your work matters. There is no extra credit. There are no dropped or replaced grades. If you are having trouble with concepts or content, come see me right away for help.Review of exams: We often do not have time to thoroughly review exams in class. It is your responsibility to come to SGI to review your exam, an important exercise so that you can learn from mistakes and better understand how to efficiently answer AP Exam type questions.Class participation grades are recorded on a weekly or biweekly basis. The starting grade is a 9/10. Active participation in class discussions will raise your grade. Failure to follow class policies including being unprepared, late, off task, disruptive, having your cell phone out, or doing unrelated work in class will lower your grade. Lab participation grades are recorded for each lab or lab day. If you are prepared, on task, actively participate, and follow lab safety and clean up policies, you can earn a 10/10. BOOKSTextbook: Campbell Biology, 10th edition (2014) by Reece et al.Additional resources:Lab Manual: AP Biology Investigative Labs: An Inquiry-Based Approach Student ManualReview Book- purchase one NOW to use throughout the yearHighly recommended: Test Prep Series for AP Biology (2014) by Holtzclaw and Holtzclaw, ~$20 from or store. (You will be issued a copy)Recommended: Cliffs Notes AP Biology by Phillip E. Pack, 5th edition (2014) @ ~$20AP Biology Course and Exam Description, Effective Fall 2019, .pdf available at apcentral.REQUIRED MATERIALSLesson NotebookSeparate notebook or notebook section dedicated to AP Biology lesson notes onlyLesson notes must be on bound paper—loose-leaf paper in 3-ring binderMust have a dedicated 3-ring binder for notes and handoutsLaboratory Research Notebook- available from student store onlineA sewn, bound 9? x 7? inch marble composition notebook that contains graph paperUse for AP Biology labs only, not for lesson notes or for any other classPens, pencils, highlightersCalculatorNo graphing calculators allowed on unit exams, midyear exam, or final examAny type of calculator allowed on AP ExamGoggles- available from student store onlineTHE LESSON NOTEBOOKYou are REQUIRED to actively take notes during class and maintain an orderly lesson notebook. Failure to do so will result in a reduction to your participation grade.Your lesson notebook may be checked at any time for a grade, based on organization, neatness, & completeness.All written notes must be on bound pages and in chronological order.All handouts must be firmly secured and maintained in chronological order.Begin a new page for each lesson. Clearly write the date on the top of the page. Clearly write the Problem (focus question) displayed on the board near the start of the lesson. If there is a “Do Now” for the lesson, do the work in your notebook.At a minimum, if I write it on the board, you write it in your notebook. Good notes also include details spoken but not written on the board and details or questions that you add in later as you do your standing daily homework assignment of reading over your notes and related resources (textbook, review book, lab manual)You will be directed to work individually or in groups to construct answers, to do problems, to write down predictions, or to summarize concepts during lessons. Record this class work in your notebook as part of your lesson notes. Failure to do so counts against your participation grade.HOMEWORKHomework assignments will be posted on the board in the front of the room during class.Sometimes homework assignments may be emailed via Pupilpath before the end of the school day.Homework will be collected on some days, but not on others. Always assume that homework will be collected.Homework will be graded 50% for completeness and effort. The other 50% of the grade will come from my critical reading of a selected question. You will not know in advance which questions will be critically graded.Assignments are due at the beginning of class, not the middle, not the end, and not later in the day.Some selected homework assignments will be due both in hard copy and submitted to .Penalties for late workRegular homework: if accepted late, ANY lateness = 50% grade reductionLab reports and projects: <1-week late = 10% grade reduction; >1-week late = 50% grade reductionCOURSE GRADING RUBRIC50% Exams and Quizzes20% Lab Assignments10% Homework10% Midyear Exam and Final Exam/Projects10% Class and Lab ParticipationCOMMUNICATIONIt is difficult for me to give my undivided attention to students at the beginning or end of a class. Please try to use email whenever possible to ask me questions that cannot be addressed during the lesson so that I can give your concerns the attention they deserve. We can always make arrangements to speak outside of class during SGI or at another mutually convenient time.E-mail: gensert@bxscience.eduOffice: 329DSGI: room 331KEYS TO SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOMBe respectfulRespect yourselfRespect each otherRespect your classroomBe organizedOrganize yourselfOrganize your classroomBe part of a positive learning communityActively participatePractice mutual learningKnow every question is a valid questionHave high expectationsExpect a lot from yourselfExpect a lot from each otherACADEMIC HONESTY & INTEGRITYZERO TOLERANCE policy for plagiarism or any form of cheating. I will report to the Dean’s office and notify your parents.Definition of “plagiarize” from Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary:To steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s ownTo use another writer’s work without crediting the sourceAcademic Honesty Policy from The Bronx Science Student ManualAcademic dishonesty includes all forms of cheating including but not limited to: representing another person’s work as your own, using any sort of aid in an examination, looking at another student’s examination during a test and/or the possession of any sort of prohibited electronic device during a test.HomeworkCopying from the text or any other source OR copying other students’ work. If you allow someone to copy your work and claim it as his/her own, you are equally as guilty as the person who is copying and will be charged with plagiarism and disciplined accordingly.1st offense: Zero for the assignment. Parents notified. Incident recorded in Dean’s File.2nd offense: Same as 1st offense and 5 Dean’s detentions, meet with Assistant Principal.3rd offense: Same as 1st offense and pre-suspension hearing with the Principal.Cheating on Class Exams1st offense: Zero for the test. Parents notified. Incident recorded in Deans’ File.2nd offense: Pre-suspension hearing with the Principal. Repeated offenses may result in colleges being notified during a student’s senior year at Bronx Science.Cheating on Midterm/Final/Regents/AP ExamsZero on exam and recorded in Dean’s File. Pre-suspension hearing with the Principal which may result in detentions, suspensions and/or reporting to colleges.Falsified, Stolen, or Fraudulent Paper/ Research ProjectCiting non-existing sources, excerpting primary and/or secondary sources with no credit given, or entire paper or research is fraudulent, invented by student or taken wholesale from the Internet, another student, or any other source.Zero for the paper/project. Parents notified. Suspension possible. Colleges to be notified at Principal’s discretion. Incident recorded in Dean’s File. Repeat offenders will face further disciplinary action.TIPS ON NOTE-TAKING AND STUDY METHODS(DISTRIBUTED TO FRESHMEN AT JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY)NOTE-TAKINGUse a large 8.5” x 11” spiral notebook with plenty of paper. Have a separate section for binding and organizing handouts.Date your notes for each class session. Include the problem/aim for the day.When the teacher enters the room, practice getting set. Get pen and paper ready and focus your attention on the speaker. Class participation is very important so pay close attention to what is being said. Have your mind ready to receive the first idea that is presented. Try to keep your attention from wandering until the end of the class.Paper is cheap. Use only right hand pages. And, for the notes you make during class, use only the right ? of the page. (Maybe it helps to draw a vertical line a couple of inches from the left edge.) The format is important.Make your notes in the large section of the page. Do not copy verbatim every word that is spoken. You are not a course reporter. Think, analyze, judge, compare, digest what is said; then, in your own words, summarize the main ideas and key facts in a few brief, logical phrases. Get charts, definitions, graphs, tables, and formulas. If it is written on the board, it is especially important—so write it in your notes. Get everything, which helps you to learn. You want to some notes that will help you remember and review what was said.Immediately after the class, or just as soon as possible, write the main points and cue words in the left-hand column. Try to develop some questions. Use your own key words and ideas. Underline some of them. Use colored pencils. Draw arrows from your ideas in the summary to your notes in the center. Make each page look different.Review your notes right after you make them. Review by covering the center section of your notes. Then, using your summary, see if you can recite the notes that are covered up. If you can, you know them. If you cannot, this is the best time to learn them. Review as often as you need to, of course, but make this first review within 24 hours. Even this may be too long to make.During the week before an exam, go through the same process for each page of notes, tying them all together during your reviews.Right before your exam, review all the material in all your left-hand columns as a final preparation. You will be surprised how fresh your ideas will be. This is an excellent king of last minute cramming—it gives you a lift right when you need it most, and it only takes a few minutes.THE SQ3R METHOD OF STUDY: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, ReviewSURVEYGlance over chapter title, headings, and summary to see major points that will be developed. This allows you to get an overview of what the whole lesson is about.The survey should take no longer than 1 minute.It will show the 3 to 6 core ideas around which the discussion will cluster.This initial orientation helps organize the ideas as you read them later.QUESTIONTurn the chapter title and first heading into a question. This helps arouse your interest and curiosity and so increases comprehension.Questions bring to mind information already known.Questions make important or main ideas stand out and enable you to seek the answers as you read.Turning sub-headings into questions will also help your comprehension of the reading matter.READRead to answer the question you asked about the first heading. Make this an active search for the answer! This will help you remember and organize what you have read.RECITELook away from the book and briefly try to recite the answer to your question.Use your own words. Name an example to illustrate the answer. Verbalizing will help comprehension.If you do not clearly remember what the section states, scan it again.Without looking at the book, jot down cue phrases in outline form. (Be brief; detailed notes make the reader lose track of major points.) These become your working notes.REVIEWCover notes and try to recall the major points. Check for accuracy. Expose each major point and try to recall the sub-points listed under it.Section/Student #:______________Name:_______________________________________Date:________________________________________STUDENT CONTRACT FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGYI, ______________________________________________ , have read and understand the requirements outlined in the course (print your full name)documents and the syllabus for Advanced Placement Biology._____________________________________________________________________________Student signatureDate_____________________________________________________________________________Parent/Guardian signatureDate ................
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