Course Expectations 2001-2002



Course Expectations

Honors Biology

Instructor: Ms. Mathew

Mrs. Pallotta

Course Description:

Honors Biology follows the New York State Regents syllabus and learning standards. Additionally, it serves as a general biology course at the college preparatory level. This course involves an in-depth study of life and living organisms, including their physical and chemical structure, function, development and evolution focusing on a variety of areas. In addition to classroom instruction, the student will be actively engaged in laboratory exercises, which play an integral part of the leaning experience. This course culminates in a Regents examination but students are encouraged to take the SAT II exam offered by the CollegeBoard.

SAT II: Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate to colleges their mastery of specific subjects like English, history, mathematics, science, and language. Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT Reasoning Test, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future performance. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.

New York State Common Core Standards:

Students learn that Biology is not merely comprised of distinct abstract areas of study but rather an inquiry and explanation of themselves and the world around them. In this course students will:

❑ Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose

❑ Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

❑ Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology

and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

❑ Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life

problems and make informed decisions.

❑ Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

Classroom Expectations and Requirements:

Your success is the utmost priority. Keeping this in mind, the following classroom expectations and requirements will help facilitate that success.

I. Supplies- The following supplies should be in class every day:

❑ Notebook-any type

❑ Digital Textbook and Regents Review Book – (see website for detailed information on this)

❑ Binder and/or Folder-to organize handouts

❑ SAT Subject Exam Review Book- (see website for detailed information on this)

❑ Pen and pencil

❑ Looseleaf paper

Classroom Procedure and Behavior

The rules and regulations outlined in the Student Handbook should be followed at all times. Some key points for this class are noted below:

❑ Attendance and Promptness-Attendance is vital for your success. If you are absent from school, it is your responsibility to make up all assignments and experiments. Students have the obligation to contact their teacher upon the day of their return, during activity period, to find out what was missed and to schedule make-up exams and/or quizzes. If you are only absent the day of a scheduled exam, you will be expected to take the exam during activity period on the day of your return. If you are absent for an extended period of time, the instructor, working with the student, will schedule the make up exam.

❑ Late-Lateness is defined as arriving to class after the bell rings. Latenesses and/or cutting classes will negatively impact a student's quarterly average up to 5%. Repeated lateness may also result in Saturday detention.

❑ Be Prepared. -This includes all your supplies and your homework.

❑ Be Safe. - Laboratory activities are exciting, but please follow the proper procedures for using laboratory equipment. Do not misuse the materials or supplies in the classroom. Horseplay in the classroom/laboratory endangers not only you but also others around you; therefore, it will not be tolerated.

❑ Do Participate. - Your participation, via questions and comments enrich the course. Please be courteous and raise your hand when you want to contribute to the class. Please do not speak when someone else is speaking and respect the opinions of others around you. You are not obligated to agree with someone’s opinion but you are obligated to show respect for his or her opinion.

❑ Remind-You must sign up. I will periodically send text message reminds or clarifications.

III. Homework- Don’t “Just Do It” – “Think It.”

Homework is assigned to help you preview, review and conceptualize information, ideas and skills.

Preview Homework assignments are assigned before a topic has been discussed or taught and include reading, “think about” questions, vocabulary, finding background information and reviewing essential concepts.

Review Homework assignments are assigned after a topic has been discussed or taught and include repetition, summary, organizational and practical application assignments.

Conceptual homework assignments are often the most difficult type of homework. Conceptual homework assignments require you to form ideas or draw conclusions based on information presented. These assignments include lab reports, projects and compare/contrast, cause/effect and reasoning questions.

❑ All homework should be completed and submitted at the start of class. Giving or receiving homework answers will not be tolerated and will result in a zero and/or disciplinary action. Homework will be collected and/or checked daily. Major projects or assignments will be assigned periodically.

❑ All homework on worksheets should be done in ink. All assignments must be typed, unless otherwise directed. Homework must be complete and neat. Late homework will be accepted with a ten point per day penalty, unless the homework has been reviewed or returned to the class then it is no longer acceptable and a zero will be issued.

❑ All labs must be submitted prior to or on the day that it is due. Late labs will lose ten points per day. Labs submitted after 5 days will receive a grade of zero that will be averaged in to the quarter grade, however in order to be eligible to sit for the Regents Exam the lab report must be completed and receive a passing grade (P).

❑ In case of a legal absence or an illegal absence with parental approval you will have two days to submit the missed work. Otherwise, a grade of zero will be issued. If you are illegally absent without parental permission, a grade of zero will be given for all missed work.

Grades

Your grade will consist of exams, quizzes, homework, lab reports, and major projects and/or assignments.

Exams-2 to 4 per quarter

❑ Quizzes-TBA

❑ Homework-check website, Remind texts, and will be announced in class

❑ Lab Reports

❑ Major Projects and/or assignments-1 or 2 per quarter

❑ Participation

All grades will be out of 100 points with the exception of lab reports, which will be out of 10 points. All lab folders will be graded twice during the course of the year and will count as a quiz grade for the second and fourth marking periods. All exams, labs and summary articles are to be placed in the lab folder and kept in the classroom.

The marking period grade will be a weighted average. (% may vary for each marking period)

Progress Reports

Progress Reports are not mailed home. You may check the parent portal for your grades. However, if you would like additional information as to your current progress, please feel free to ask. In addition, if you fail to complete 3 or more homework assignments or are performing below average, expect a call to your home.

Extra Help

Don’t wait until the last minute to get help. If you find yourself becoming lost, please get help from me as soon as possible because a weakness in one area will surely impact other areas. I will be available during activity period for extra help. Extended after-school appointments need to be scheduled in advance.

I am committed to your success, but remember…

“You can’t spell success without U.”

Note: email address: Ms. Mathew: mathewk@

Mrs. Pallotta: pallottac@

Websites:

Find your Biology teacher and look in the appropriate section for homework assignments.

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