Texarkana Independent School District - PreAP Biology



Texarkana Independent School District

Course Syllabus

2017-2018

Course Name: STEM Pre AP Biology 1

Contact Information

|Instructor |Michael Folse | |Conference |8:30-9:19; 2:58-3:45 |

|Campus |Texas High | |Phone Number |794-3891 ext 2111 |

|Room # |111 | |E-mail address |Michael.gherefolse@ |

Course Description

|In Biology, students conduct field and laboratory investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions |

|using critical-thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include structure and function of |

|cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; |

|taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; ecosystems; and plants and the environment. |

Course Goals

|Demonstrate safe practices during field and lab investigations |

|Plan and implement investigative procedures, collect data, make precise measurements, make inferences, and communicate valid conclusions |

|Acquire and demonstrate knowledge in each of the content areas listed in the course description |

Resources

|Texts |Biology – McGraw Hill |

|Outside readings |As assigned by teacher |

|Classroom supplies |1”Heavy Duty ring binder with View Cover, loose leaf paper, composition book, writing utensils (pencils, |

| |pens, highlighter), colored pencils (basic pack) |

|Additional Supplies |Ear Buds in case, dividers, sheet protectors, index cards, |

Course Policies

|Late Papers: Pre-AP STEM Biology is a college preparatory class; turning in work late is not acceptable in college or the workplace. If an |

|assignment is not turned in at the beginning of class on the day it is due, a 0 will be recorded until the student makes arrangements with the|

|teacher to make up the assignment. Full credit will not be possible for the late assignment. Any assignment turned in the following class |

|period will receive no higher than 70%, the second class period will receive no higher than a 50%, and any assignment turned in after one week|

|from the due date WILL NOT be graded. Your daily assignment due dates will be listed on the white board on your classes cabinet door and all |

|test dates will be listed at the front of the classroom. |

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|Portions of this class will be flipped and require you to watch videos/take notes from slides at home. I will also use Google Classroom to |

|supplement homework and assign quizzes. YOU MUST HAVE Google ACCESS!!!! (it will be provided by the district). I also highly encourage |

|parents to sign up when I send the information sheet home, this way you can monitor your students online assignments. It will also be |

|beneficial for students and parents to participate in REMIND 101. |

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|Test Retakes; Per STEM guidelines, if a student fails a test during the first six weeks they may do a retake. A 70% is the highest grade that |

|can be recorded on the retake. In order to retake a test, the student must schedule a retake time with the teacher. If the student doesn’t |

|attend this session for any reason other than a true emergency, they will have forfeited their retake option. |

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Evaluation/Grading

|Tests/Projects = 50% of grade |

|Daily work = 50% of grade |

|Lab Write Ups/quizzes count double (2X daily grade) |

Behavioral Expectations

|Rules and consequences as listed in Texas High Student Handbook --- Individual classroom expectations are attached |

Course Calendar/Schedule for Instruction

|Continuous in course |Scientific methods, critical thinking and problem solving, and lab safety ** |

|Semester 1: 8/21 – 12/20 |Unit 1: Science Safety and Evidence Based Thinking |

| |Unit 2: Ecology |

| |Unit 3: Biochemistry--- inorganic and organic |

| |Unit 4: Cells |

| |Unit 5: Photosynthesis/ Cellular respiration |

| |Unit 6: Cell Cycle |

| |Unit 7: Cellular Processes (Protein Synthesis) |

|Semester 2: 1/9 – 5/24 |Unit 7: Protein Synthesis |

| |Unit 8: Genetics and Heredity |

| |Unit 9: Evolution |

| |Unit 10: Classification & Kingdoms |

| |Unit 11: Bacteria & Viruses |

| |Unit 12: Plant Structures and Adaptations |

| |Unit 13: Body Systems |

| |Unit 14: Experimental Design |

| ** This is a rough estimate of what we will be covering based on State established TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and will |

|prepare the Biology student for the STAAR end of course examination in May. |

|**As the teacher I reserve the right to lengthen/shorten the units if needed, I will send a parent e-mail/letter if there are any major |

|changes or issues throughout the school year. |

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