Mrs



[pic] MARINE BIOLOGY

2018 Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Cartamil

Email: vcartamil@

Website:

Phone: Mater Lakes Academy

Room: 428

Welcome to Marine Biology

The best learning happens in a stress-less environment, in a place where activities and discussion involve ALL learners in a comfortable, respectful, engaging environment. Please be present, really present in class, no cell phones, computers or tablets are allowed in this class. No exceptions, first time you will receive a warning, second time it will be taken from you during all the session, third time your cell phone will be confiscated and sent to the office. Take notes by handwriting, have a notebook for this class. Please use your gadgets and technology out of the classroom. Thank you!!

I. Introduction:

Marine Biology is the study of the unknown depths of our vast oceans! We know more about Space than our planet: EARTH! In this course we will learn more about our “home” and all of its habitats and inhabitants. We will begin our journey as we DIVE into the depths and study what makes these marine organisms so fascinating & learn what they have to offer along with their functional role in our planet. We will learn various topics such as: marine complex ecosystems like coral reefs, ecological interactions, how our oceans are CONSTANTLY changing and micro/macro organisms along with their adaptations! SO, are we READY? Let’s DIVE and DISCOVER our world!

II. Description of the course dynamics and structure

Education, the process of transmitting knowledge values and information, is going through a transformation from a teaching oriented process towards an active learning process where students will have an active, challenging participation in class. Research in education demonstrate that that knowledge is better retained and used by students when acquired through an active participatory learning rather than a passive receptive process (Fink 2003).

Following those findings, this course is centered in an active learning rather than a passive-teaching process. The structure of the course is designed to motivate and engage students in active learning processes promoting critical thinking through the solution of concrete problems. The course will be composed of lectures, in-class individual/group activities, guided discussions and scientific articles.

III. Grading Scale ***Grades will be based on the following percentages:

90% -100% = A Exams 35%

89%- 80% = B Homework/ Classwork/ Participation 20 %

79%- 70% = C Labs/Projects 35%

69%- 60% = D

59%- 0% = F

IV. Class expectations and structure in detail:

• HOMEWORK will be assigned every week and will be due the following class within the 1st five minutes of class in your period’s corresponding bin; refusal to submit within the deadline will result in a letter grade drop. NO EXCEPTIONS!

• PARTICIPATION is highly expected in this class as we actively learn. Students are to be engaged in asking questions, participating in guided discussions and reflecting on lectures. Students will regularly submit at the end of each class “IQ questions” and “3 points Learned and 3 points Confused” after each lecture as a participation grade.

• CLASSWORK will be assigned on a weekly-basis.

• LABS/ PROJECTS will be conducted throughout the year and will allow students to participate in groups to observe, question, and solve real problems with different students in order to provide better solutions to concrete problems. Further announcements will be made.

• EXAMS will include an array of multiple-choice/fill-the-blank and short response questions and “BONUS/extra credit” questions that will count as an extra credit to your exam, if answered correctly. ***NOTE ( “IQ” questions from participation can be used as a tool to studying for the exams as these questions may appear on the exam!) WHAAAT???!! NO WAY! YUP ( So make sure you participate during lectures and review in advance.

Materials:

• 1.5 inch 3 ring binder containing:

o 5 dividers labeled:

o Notes, Participation, Homework, Classwork and Lab

o Loose-leaf paper

• pens ( blue or black only)

• Period 1: Coloring Pencils

• Period 2: Glue sticks

• Period 5: Lysol Wipes

• Period 6: Hand Sanitizer

Labs:

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▪ Students are required to follow all lab safety procedures as designated in class.

▪ Lab grades will be based on Lab day performance/ participation and lab reports (students will be given the proper format for writing lab reports).

▪ Students can be banned from performing labs in cases of unsatisfactory conduct or if safety procedures are not followed. If a student is banned from a lab, he/she will receive an “F” for the lab report & participation for the day.

▪ Students will be required to pay a $10 fee for the purchase of lab materials. The science fee deadline is Friday, September 28th. After that date, a financial obligation will be issued.

Make- up work:

▪ Every week, assignments will be posted on:

. 1) Select: “Academics”

2) “Departments” 3) “Science Department” 4) select the appropriate class period. Please utilize this resource consistently.

▪ Make- up work must be turned in within 2 class periods of the student’s return to class.

▪ A missed test/quiz must be made up the day of your return to class, and only if an admit is shown. In cases of extended excused absences, you will be given an assigned due date to turn in your make-up work.

▪ Only students with excused absences will have the opportunity to make up work for a grade.

▪ It is your responsibility to ask for make up assignments and to remember to turn them in.

****NO CHEATING POLICY!!!****

Cheating of any type, to include plagiarism, WILL NOT be tolerated. Immediate disciplinary action will include, but not be limited to: notification of the parent, F on the work, and a maximum of C in conduct for the grading period. Severity of the infraction may determine that further actions are appropriate and necessary.

Academic Honesty:

I expect that all students will exhibit academic integrity. Honesty and ethical behavior are a must in all scientific endeavors. Should a student engage in one of the following behaviors, immediate corrective disciplinary action will be taken (see above):

o Cheating: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids.

o Fabrication: falsification or invention of any information.

o Assisting: helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty

o Tampering: altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents

o Plagiarism: representing the words or ideas of another person as one’s own

Infractions of Expected Behaviors will lead to:

1) Verbal Warning*

2) 2nd Verbal Warning/ parental notification/ points lowered from conduct grade

3) Parental notification with possibility of classroom exclusion and/or detention.

4) Referral to administration

* Any severe misbehavior or any behavior that endangers the safety of others will be referred to administration immediately.

Marine Biology- PARENT/STUDENT CONTRACT

I have read the class expectations and discipline policy for Marine Biology class. I understand that it is my responsibility to ask questions for any policy that seems unclear.

As a student, I understand that my success in this class is based on my performance. I also understand that I am to check the on-line portal and/or website on a daily basis for important information and refer to any hand-outs that I may receive.

As a parent, I understand that I am also responsible for my child’s success in this class. I further understand that it is my responsibility to ask for progress reports, monitor homework, and check my child’s on-line portal regularly for information about their progress in the class.

Each Period is required to bring one of their material. Hence, if you are in my period 2 class you are required to bring one glue stick and this signed contract.

• Period 1: Coloring Pencils

• Period 2: Glue sticks

• Period 4: Hand sanitizer

• Period 6: Lysol Wipes

***Students make sure that you bring your periods corresponding material and this signed contract.

Student Name______________________________ Period:_____

Student Signature___________________________ Date___________________

Parent Signature____________________________ Date___________________

Return this form to Mrs. Cartamil by __________________________________. This is worth a Homework grade.

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