Academic Biology



Welcome to Research Biology

Mr. Daniel – PFHS

2018-19

Read it carefully and keep it in your notebook to refer to throughout the year. It is also posted on my PFHS web page.

Communication: The best way to contact me is through email at Cecil.Daniel@

Materials Needed at school:

• Three-ring binder (1 inch) or some type of notebook to keep hole-punched papers

• Lined notebook paper (loose-leaf or spiral bound)

• Pencil with eraser (Several)

• Pens (Black or Blue ink)

• Sketch Book / Journal (any spiral or hard-bound book with at least 50 unlined pages, about 8 ½” x 11”). AVOID pad type books designed for pages to easily be removed because pages will come loose.

• Box of tissues (Not required, but much needed. I will also purchase some for class use)

Materials Needed at home:

• Access to a printer (both black ink and color). Either at home, public library, school or friend.

• Wide clear packaging tape or clear contact paper

• Scissors

• Glue or rubber cement

• Colored pencils

• Ruler

• Biology textbook given by teacher

Topics:

General Overview – Subject to changes

|1st Quarter |2nd Quarter |3rd Quarter |4th Quarter |

|Intro. to Biology |Biochemistry |DNA, RNA & Protein Synthesis |Evolution |

|Classification |Cells |Genetics & Heredity |Ecology |

| |Cell Cycle & Meiosis | |Physiology |

Grades:

Each assignment is worth a given amount of points. The points are converted into percentage which is then converted into a letter grade per the Loudoun County Grading Scale for your final quarter and semester grade.

|Types of Assessments |Examples |Percent of Grade |

| |This measures how much students have learned: | |

|Summative |Lab summaries, quizzes, tests, lab writing, Research Project assignments, extensive Naturalist |100% |

| |Journal assignments. | |

What types of assignments can I expect?

• At the end of each unit there typically will be a unit test. Test review guides are in your workbook.

• During each unit expect a quiz or two, (15-20 points each) and1-3 lab summaries (~10 points each).

• Each quarter students will do at least one lab that allows them to work on their research/laboratory skills.

• There also are a variety of projects during each quarter.

The Biology Research Program

• Students will typically work in pairs or small groups to research and experiment over a variety of topics.

• The various components of Biological Research will be developed throughout the year.

A Naturalist Journal will be started and added to throughout the year.

• You will be assigned pages to add to your journal and given plenty of time to complete and turn in your journal for grading.

• You will need to take photos and print out color pictures. If you do not have a computer, color printer or camera/cell phone at home, please plan ahead to use the school resources.

FAQ’s

How much homework is given?

Homework is a completion of worksheets or labs begun in class. Some writing assignments are done at home. The Naturalist Journal is completed outside of class time.

Can you turn in late work?

Naturalist Journals turned in after the due dates lose 10%, for every day (not class period) late. Naturalist Journals should be turned in directly to me. Work left in the classroom, or placed in my mailbox could be lost. You are responsible for getting your work turned in.

Other written assignments will incur a deduction for each day they are turned in after the due date. However, they will not be accepted more than 2 days past the due date without prior communication with me.

What if I am absent?

Attendance is extremely important. However, if you are sick and out of school, you MUST see me or email me about the work missed.

Notes must be copied from a classmate and in your notebook by the next class block. All quizzes, tests and make-up lab work, must be completed has quickly as possible. The class continues to move along to new information.

Students with extended absences should see me to determine what was missed and when items are due.

What if I miss taking a test or quiz? You will need to coordinate with the teacher about best time to make-up the material. This would include making it up during CORE OR making arrangements for before or after school. The grade will be entered as a zero in Phoenix until you make it up.

Can I retake a test? Unit tests are available for retakes. See the document posted on my webpage for specifics and requirements.

Can I come see you for extra help or if I have questions? I arrive about 8:30 am. I can also work with you afterschool if you talk to me ahead of time.

How can I (and my parent) keep up with my progress?

Students and parents can access grades through Phoenix on-line to determine the grade at any point during the quarter.

EXPECTATIONS:

The focus of Research Biology is learning the subject matter. It needs to a safe environment for everyone to do their best. All LCPS and PFHS policies will be followed in class.

• Cell phones: are not to be out when students are to be listening to the teacher or working on a task. Cell phones may NOT be out on your desk or table unless directed by teacher. They are not to be plugged into outlets during class.

• Come to class prepared: Biology notebook every day. Pencils &/or pens. Paper. Completed Assignments

• You should use your Panther CORE time to complete biology work, do make-up work or see Mr. Daniel for extra help.

• Leaving Class: You must use the time between classes to get water, use the restroom and go to your locker.

o You cannot leave the first or last 10 minutes of class per PFHS policy.

o Hall Passes: Don’t ask during notes (unless emergency). Ask teacher, then sign clipboard, and take the hallpass.

• Respect: Yourself and others in the classroom.

• Honor Code: Will be strictly enforced. Tests, quizzes, lab summaries, papers and projects.

There is no food or drink (water is allowed) allowed in the science classroom because it is also a laboratory and it is not safe to eat in a room where chemicals are used and bacteria is cultivated.

Students and Parents:

Please sign this sheet documenting your understanding of the information on the Syllabus sheet. Please see me with any concerns the first two weeks of class.

STUDENT

I thoroughly read and understand the information in Mr. Daniel’s syllabus about Research Biology.

Student name (print legibly) - _____________________________________

Student signature- ______________________________________________________________

Date- _______________________________________

PARENT

I have read over Mr. Daniel’s Syllabus sheet.

Parent name (print legibly) - _______________________________________________________________

Parent signature- _______________________________________________________________________

CUT, RETURN THIS SECTION

KEEP BOTTOM SECTION

PARENTS:

❖ Please feel free to contact me via email at cecil.daniel@

❖ I also have a website accessible from the Staff section of Potomac Falls HS website.

❖ You will have access to grades through the parent portal via ParentVue link on PFHS’s website.

❖ I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 6th at 6:30pm.

|SIGN UP FOR REMIND UPDATES!! |

|CLASSES |Text this message… |To this number… |

|1st, 3rd and 8th Blocks (Research |@danielrb |81010 |

|Biology) | | |

|7th Block (Academic Biology) |@danielabio | |

**There is also a direct link to sign up on my website. **

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