Welcome to Biology I at Carrboro High School



Welcome to Biology I at Jordan High School!

Teacher: Ms. Erika Fox

Website: foxsciencespot.

Email: Erika.Fox@

Did you ever wonder?

What does it mean to a scientist? How do cells work? What is DNA and how do we know it is there? How do plants grow? How do our genes and environment affect our health? How are animals related? How does the environment support animal and plant life? How do humans affect the planet? These questions will be answered and so much more through this course called BIOLOGY!

Overview of Class

This class will investigate the topics and principles of first year biology. Biology is the study of life and in this course students will investigate life through discussion, cooperative learning, written reflection, laboratory work and scientific inquiry. In this class there is an End of Course (EOC) exam where students are tested on the North Carolina standard course of study objectives. These objectives can be viewed at the following website: . Because of the importance of this state exam, it is crucial that students review their notes daily, be organized, keep up with their assignments, and be prepared for class every day. The way my class is designed is not for students to passively study the subject of biology, but receive the training and preparation of true scientists. My hope is for this class to be technology, problem-solving and product based; meaning students will gain scientific literacy and have options in their education by using 21st century skills in order to create projects that are relevant, meaningful and engaging. After all, by DOING science is how science is truly developed and performed!

Course Outline:

Unit 1-Scientific Method and Introduction to Living and Nonliving Things (Chapters 1 and 7.4)

Unit 2-Ecology (Chapters 3, 4, and 5)

Unit 3-Chemistry of Life (Chapter 2)

Unit 4-Cellular Structure and Function (Chapter 7)

Unit 5-Cellular Energetics (Chapters 8 and 9)

Unit 6-Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology (Chapters 12 and 13)

Unit 7-Meiosis, Mitosis and Heredity (Chapter 10, 11, and 14)

Unit 8-Origin of Life and Evolution (Chapters 15,16, and 17)

Unit 9-Classification and Taxonomy (Chapters 18 and 19)

Unit 10-Plant Biology (Chapters 22,23, and 24)

Unit 11-Taxonomy of Animals ;Including Invertebrates (Chapters 26,-35)

Unit 12-Human Body (Chapter40)

Review

EOC Testing

Textbook

Biology by Ken Miller and Joe Levine. 2005 Prentice Hall North Carolina Edition.

Grading

The grading scale is as follows: 100-93 A, 92-85 B, 84-77 C, 76-70 D, 69-0 F. This is outlined in the Jordan High School student handbook.

For students who need any help, there are two major Interventions:

1. I require every student to participate in a Success Contract, outlining the obligations and duties of myself and the student so it is clear our expectations for excellence at the start of the year.

2. Students who need to make up work or extra help may attend my Science Skills study session by appointment. Students who attend may complete missing assignments or retake quizzes from one week prior only.

Safety

This class is a science class and there are inherent safety measures that must be considered when performing experiments. Please read the safety considerations carefully and make sure you understand them fully before signing your name stating that you understand these procedures and will abide by them. Please sign the “Safety in the Science Laboratory” and return the agreement before the student can participate in laboratory activities.

Classroom Expectations:

Classroom policies in my class are fairly simple and equitable for everyone involved. Most important, I feel in my classroom we are all a TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More! We are not alone; there is support in your classmates, your parents and through me. I feel that in this class we are in this together and we all have a stake in each other’s education. Please do not hesitate if you need help! I reserve the right to randomly assign lab groups and partners as well as seating arrangements such to allow students to learn from others and keep students on task. I realize this may cause some initial discomfort for some students, but it is my educational obligation to have a classroom environment conducive to learning.

Here is some detailed information of typical concern:

Absences. In order to do well in this class, you need to be in class. Missing work can be found in the blue biology crate organized by date as well as an example portfolio binder. Parents, please contact me immediately if you have any concerns. As always, MAKING UP ASSIGNMENTS IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY! Also, students may not make up assignments from an unexcused absence. Late work will only be accepted for up to one week after the original assignment due date.

Plagiarism/Cheating. If a student is documented to be cheating, the result is a zero on the assignment, referral to the alpha administrator in which parents will be notified. This includes giving or receiving unauthorized aid on any assignment. Therefore it is in everyone’s best interest to hold on to your work, use a coversheet on tests, and report any instance of academic misconduct. There is no excuse for cheating, it is best to do your own work, talk to me about rescheduling an assignment or turning it in late. Students may collaborate on projects/labs; however your work needs to be in your own words. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to come see me. All students should abide by the JHS honor code at all times.

Behavior. Because there is such little instructional time and there are potential dangers in a science lab, disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated in the classroom. I ask the following, please No Foul Language, No Outside work homework/reading to be done while I am teaching, No Electronic devices (including mp3, CD players or iPod devices), and Cell phones should neither be on nor out anytime in class. If you need to use the phone, you are more than welcome to use the phone in my classroom and parents can also feel free to call your student on that phone if you need to speak to your child. In a growing digital and connected world, it is my responsibility to preserve your privacy while in my classroom. I appreciate your compliance with this right.

Parents, I never punish the student, I only punish the behavior. I pledge to respect the dignity of your child, and if there are behavioral problems, I will notify you immediately. I have such HIGH EXPECTATIONS for your child and I believe they can be the most successful in a respectful and orderly learning environment.

How Parents can help in the Classroom!

I cannot stress this enough, I LOVE to have parental involvement in my classroom. I have found that parents want to be highly involved in their child’s education. Here’s how you can help:

● Surplus Materials. If you have anything lying around the house that you do not use, such as tape, markers, pens, pencils, old magazines, paper and/or any other school supplies, I would love to have them for use in the classroom.

● Guest Speaking. If you have experience in the university or workforce in Biology, I would truly appreciate you coming to speak to the class about your experiences and your career in science. Seeing real scientists gives students context to their learning.

● Continue the learning at home. Ask your child what they did in class today and ask to see their student planner for what homework they have. Continue the discourse of science over the dinner table, in the car, anywhere! Newspapers, TV, and websites are excellent conversation starters.

The KEY TO SUCCESS IS THIS: Take notes, read the textbook, do your homework every night, pay attention during labs and lecture, have fun, work hard and you will excel!

Thank you so much for your attention and I look forward to working you this school year!

Sincerely yours,

Erika Fox, B.A.

Biology Class Safety Rules and Information

Keep this in your notebook with your syllabus! You must keep this document!

Please sign and return the safety contracts so I can have them on file. You must return the second sheet before you can participate in any lab activities! This is a homework grade. Keep in mind your instructor, school, and school district are not liable for any damages, injuries or other issues incurred due to failure of not following these safety guidelines!

1. All accidents should be reported to the teacher immediately, no matter how minor.

2. Only those laboratory activities where the teacher has given instructions and permission should be performed.

3. Only materials and equipment authorized by the teacher should be used.

4. Written and verbal instructions should be followed carefully. All instructions given by the teacher should be closely followed.

5. Chemical goggles should be used and worn at all times when working in the laboratory and using chemicals.

6. Students should prepare for each laboratory activity by reading all instructions before they come to class. Follow all directions carefully and intelligently. Make note of any deviations announced by the instructor. You may have a prelab quiz!

7. No food, beverages, or smoking is permitted in the lab.

8. Never taste or touch chemicals with the hands unless specifically instructed to do so.

9. Take great care in noting odors or fumes. Use a wafting motion of the hand, never put a bottle to your nose and breathe deeply.

10. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap at the conclusion of each laboratory period.

11. Students should know the locations of the emergency, first aid, and fire fighting equipment.

12. Students should know the proper fire drill procedure.

13. Long sleeves should be rolled up above the wrist. Ties, coats, and sweaters should be removed. Long hair should be tied back during lab activities.

14. Student apparel should be appropriate for lab work. Long necklaces, bulky jewelry, and excessive, bulky clothing should not be worn in the lab.

15. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy.

16. Students should always clean and wipe dry all desks, tables, or lab work areas at the conclusion of each laboratory activity. Part of your lab grade depends on this because it affects the students who come to use the lab after you!

17. Broken glass should be removed from work areas and the floor as soon as possible. Never handle broken glass; your instructor will take care of it. Broken glass should be placed (using proper techniques, never with bare hands) in the labeled, sharps box.

18. All solid waste should be thrown in separate wastebaskets, jars, or other designated receptacles. Do not discard any solids in the laboratory sinks.

19. Do no bring any substance into contact with a flame, unless explicitly instructed to do so.

20. Only lab manuals and lab notebooks are permitted in the working area. Other books, book bags, purses and other items should be stored at the desks.

21. Students are not permitted in laboratory storage rooms or teacher workrooms unless directly instructed to do so.

22. Upon first entering the laboratory, students are not permitted to touch the laboratory equipment unless directly instructed to do so.

23. Always twist; never push glass tubing into stopper holes. Lubricate stopper hole and glass tubing with water or glycerin to insert easily. Always use glass tubing with fire polished ends.

24. Never pour water into acid, correctly dilute acid by pouring it into water.

25. Direct viewing of the sun, infrared, ultraviolet light or laser sources should be avoided at all times.

26. Never allow the open end of a heated test tube to be pointed towards anyone.

27. Horseplay, running, pushing, shoving and practical jokes will not be tolerated.

28. Students should never touch or handle laboratory animals without permission from the teacher.

29. Students should conduct themselves in a responsible manner at all times in a laboratory situation. No electronic devices (mp3, ipod, cell phones, etc) should ever be out during lab or class. Students need to hear the instructor and others during class and lab. I will take these items away from the student.

30. Listen to the instructor at all times, knowing what you are doing in a laboratory not only helps you learn more, but also keeps you from harming yourself or others!

I have read and understand the safety rules. I agree to follow all rules an am aware of the consequences should I choose not to.

_____________________________ ____________________________ ________________

Student Name (Printed) Student Signature Date

_____________________________ ____________________________ ________________

Parent Witness (Printed) Parent Signature Date

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