Welcome to Student & Parent(s)



TERRA Environmental Research Institute

Mrs. Landa’s 2020-2021 Biology Honors Course Syllabus (while online using K12 and/or face-to-face)

I wanted to welcome you to the 2020-2021 school year. You are expected to follow the procedures that are outlined in this paper. Following these procedures will ensure your success in this class. Disregarding the procedures will set the stage for failure and failure is not an option.

Materials Needed

Your lessons or notes for the week will be kept in a composition notebook (no spiral notebook or notebook with detachable pages). Print your name, period and Biology clearly on the cover (use Sharpie). This journal is reserved only for Biology. Every time you enter information in your journal make sure it has a title and a date. If you choose to type notes you must print a hard copy (you will need copy paper) and glue to the journal before class to be spot checked at any time. Pens and pencils will be required DAILY for taking notes, working on written assignments or any quizzes or tests that may be given. You must ask me permission to use any electronic device in my class!!! Improper use of electronic devices, e.g. texting, taking pictures, recording audio or video, viewing material that is not part of the lesson assigned, copying and pasting other student’s work, etc. will be dealt with in a serious manner. This class will require you to have access to a computer or electronic device with internet access in order to complete on-line assignments at home. A printer may also be needed. If not available you will need to copy the information on a paper and complete. Loose-leaf paper will also be required for class and home. You should have colored pencils, scissors, and glue for assignments that will be completed in class and home.

Attendance

You should follow the school policy regarding attendance. I will take attendance the first 10 minutes of class. Remember that absences adversely affect grades and should be kept to a minimum. Whenever you are absent or anticipate being absent you can do the following: check my webpage at , e-mail me, or talk to me immediately upon returning to school. Don’t wait until the next class to find out what you missed. If you know that you will be absent ahead of time you should talk to me about any upcoming assignments. I will only post a grade for any assignment missed due to an absence provided the absence is satisfactory. Unsatisfactory absences (2 or more) will affect your conduct grade in my class and may also affect you academically.

Classroom (Discipline Plan)/General School Rules

You will need to adhere to the classroom rules and general school rules.

The following classroom rules will be observed:

1. Be on time to class. Unsatisfactory tardies (2 or more) will affect your conduct grade. Turn off any electronic device(s) BEFORE ENTERING the classroom and place in book bag. Quietly check board for daily assignments and homework reminders. Have your materials on your desk and ready to begin work when the session starts.

2. Wear uniform top for online learning, full uniform for face-to-face.

3. Sit in a chair, not bed, during online learning.

4. Make sure digital device camera is on during online learning.

5. Practice digital citizenship.

6. Raise your hand if you have any questions. Wait to be recognized.

7. Keep the room clean for all students. Groups leaving trash or lab materials will be penalized (points will be deducted from the assignment).

8. Treat the teacher and other students with respect.

9. Keep all furniture free from writing, graffiti, GUM, or other substances. Please notify me immediately if you find any of these.

10. Wait in your seat until I dismiss you.

11. DO NOT ASK for passes unless you have an extreme emergency. Try to limit your passes to 3 per grading period (for any circumstances). This will minimize class disruptions. You may receive an extra credit PG grade if you do not use any passes, for whatever reason, during the grading period (Ladies, that includes monthly issues) AND DO NOT BREAK OTHER RULES. Try to plan your bathroom visits before class. I want you in class! In the event you need to use a pass, raise your hand or see me. You must complete the passes log: find your name in the log located on my desk, write the date, write where you plan to go, and take the class pass with you. Passes are given at the teacher’s discretion.

12. DO NOT USE ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. This includes, but is not limited to, texting, taking pictures, recording (audio or video), viewing material that is not part of the lesson assigned, and copying and pasting student’s work. Your device may be taken by an administrator and your parent will be notified.

If you break a rule, the following consequences will occur:

1. You will receive verbal warning or reprimand.

2. Continued disruptions will result in a call home to your parent.

3. If you continue to exhibit improper behaviors, I will arrange a parent conference with a school personnel (counselor, assistant principal, or principal) and a referral will be filed in accordance with school/district policy.

Behavior/Lab Safety/Lab Fees

You will work in a lab environment that will require sharing of information and alertness. This will require a great level of trust from me. Only perform tasks that I allow. Sharing of information does not mean copying. Every student is responsible for their own notes, data gathering, and collection of information. Students must pass a laboratory safety quiz, sign a safety contract (also signed by parents), and pay a lab fee (amount and date TBA).

Assignments/Make-ups

All papers must have a proper heading in the upper right- hand corner. Always include your name, date and period. Be sure to title each assignment. You are expected to complete all assignments by the due date. Any assignment which is to be completed at home will be collected AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD ONLY, NO EXCEPTIONS. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO FIND YOUR ASSIGNMENT QUICKLY…GET ORGANIZED! Quality of work is a MUST! Lack of quality will greatly decrease grades. Assignments not turned in by the DUE DATE will receive a ZERO, INCLUDING ON-LINE ASSIGNMENTS.

All students should be aware of assignments and due dates by checking my webpage and paying attention to reminders in class, both written on the white board/Promethean board and given orally. If you are absent on the day a WRITTEN assignment is due, you will turn in the assignment upon your return to school (even if that day you don’t have my class). An excused admit is required for the grade to be posted in the gradebook; otherwise, a Z or zero will remain in the gradebook.

Homework

YOU MUST READ and CORRECTLY complete ALL HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. As soon as I assign a chapter (textbook is available on the student portal)

you need to read it PRIOR to the lesson. Start working on homework on the day it is assigned. DO NOT WAIT until the next day. You are on block schedule and have other classes on the next day. Keep up with your readings and note-taking so you can ask questions in class and save yourself some study time later. Complete all on-line textbook assignments on or before the due date.

Grading Information

Test and quiz dates will be announced prior to their administration, unless a pop- quiz is in order. Tests will usually be worth four grades. Quizzes will usually be worth one grade. Homework grades will usually count anywhere from ¼ to 1 single grade and labs or notebook grades may vary. The required M-DCPS grading criteria will be used. All assignments will have due dates that need to be adhered to. So ALWAYS MIND THE DUE DATES!!! Complete all assignments with maximum effort. Low grades will result if assignments are incomplete, incorrect, or missing. If you cheat or show lack of originality you will receive an automatic Z or F for that assignment. I will also post a note in the gradebook describing the reason for the F or Z. Be careful when using the Internet. You must place material taken directly from the Internet in quotes and credit the author and source even if it is only a few words or one sentence. In science, we also credit the original source of an idea.

This school year you will take the Biology End of Course (EOC) Exam in May. The Biology EOC Exam is worth 30% of your final grade. I will give you a Practice Test assessing benchmarks and reading skills during the first nine weeks of school. I will also give you a Post-Test (which will count 4 grades) prior to the EOC. I will administer a district test in January which will count 4 grades. This test will assess your progress. It is imperative that you are constantly reading, reviewing, and reflecting on previous concepts so that the Mid-Year assessment and the EOC exam do not become overwhelming.

I am available by e-mail (accessible through ) to discuss any difficulties you may be having in the course or make-up work. If necessary, we can arrange a meeting before the start of the school day. Remember that I am available to answer questions and take care of concerns during class. If you forget to ask a question in class, or if time does not allow me to answer your question during class, feel free to see me before you leave school or the next morning prior to the start of the school day. I don’t want to leave any stones unturned and your success is important to me. I look forward to a great year!

• Print and glue pages 1-3 (trim pages) into your Composition Notebook (marble journal) for a notebook check next class.

• Print page 4 (this page) and return it (for a grade) with all appropriate information and signatures by the next class day.

Print Student Name _________________________________

Period ____________________________________________

Please acknowledge that both you and your parent(s) have read and understand Mrs. Landa’s Biology Course Outline written above (pages 1-3). Sign below, parent/guardian please print name below signature, and write in the date.

Student Signature Date

Parent or Guardian Signature Date

Parent or Guardian Name Printed

Note: Return by next class day for a grade. ONE LETTER GRADE DEDUCTED FOR EVERY CLASS UNTIL YOU HAVE A Z OR ZERO POINTS (Only applies to this assignment).

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