Biology (SOL)



Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________ Block: _________

Research Biology Syllabus 2016 - 2017

Classroom Policies and Procedures

Instructor: Mrs. Amber Poniatowski Email: Amber.Poniatowski@

Course Description:

This course is a look into the “living” world. Students will be exposed to the many fields of Biology as well as characteristics and processes of life. Students will learn how Biology is related to their day-to-day life. To enhance students understanding of the world around them through hands on activities and discussions. This in turn will prepare students for the Virginia End-of-Course Biology SOL assessment.

|Materials for Class: | |

|One Three Ring Binder |Prentice Hall Biology Textbook |

|Pencils/Pens |Agenda (the school will give you one) |

|Notebook Paper |Colored Pencils (recommended, not required) |

|Composition Notebook (sold in the school store) |Dividers (recommended, not required) |

Biology Binder:

Students must keep a binder for this class. Students will be required to keep all assignments, lab reports, notes, and quizzes in their notebook. They will be required to bring it to every class. However, their textbook can be kept at home as a reference.

Class Expectations:

1. All rules and regulations, as stated in the Code of Student Conduct for Briar Woods High School and Loudoun County Public Schools, will be followed in this classroom.

2. Students will be in their seats with their binders out and ready to begin when the tardy bell rings.

3. Every student will act in a safe manner during all classroom activities, including lab activities.

4. Treat others with respect and respect other people’s belongings (B-TRUE).

5. Every student will abide by the Honor Code set forth by Briar Woods High School. It is expected that no student will give or receive unauthorized aid on any assignment. All individually submitted assignments must be in your own words. There is a difference between collaboration to help reinforce a concept or skill and cheating.

“The Briar Woods High School community embodies a symbol of mutual trust and intellectual honesty that is essential to the nature of the school. As members of this community we uphold the values of honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and respect for the property of others.”

Extra Help:

I am here to do whatever I can to help students have a successful, exciting experience in my classroom. Additional tutoring and review will be available in 502 on Tuesday/Wednesday from 8:10 – 8:55 am (Mrs. Poniatowski) and in 506 on Tuesday/Thursday from 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm (Ms. Snow). Any additional help can be arranged with me as my schedule permits.

Absences:

1. If you are absent you have one day to make up the missing work for every day you missed.

• Check the Briar Woods School page to see what we did in class:

2. Any work that was due the day of your absence is then due the day of your return. This includes quizzes, which will be made up during class. In the case of lab assignments, you will need to come in before or after school.

3. If you miss a test you will need to make it up within the week. All tests will be taken before or after school or in the testing center. It is your responsibility to get a pass. If you do not make up the test or quiz a zero will be recorded.

4. Arrangements can be made for extenuating circumstances but the excuse (“I forgot”) is not a valid reason.

Late Work:

Work is considered on time when you have it in your possession when your class meets on the due date. Electronic assignments must be submitted by the date and time that is specified in the assignment directions. Late work will be accepted one class period past the due date for a 50% penalty. Work will not be accepted after one class period past the due date and a zero will be recorded.

Evaluation and Grading:

Science Research: 30% of your grade

• This is the section that distinguishes Research Biology from Academic Biology. Throughout the school year, you will be engaging in scientific questioning, research, data analysis, and formulation of conclusions based upon analysis of data and investigating the answers to research questions. Overarching questions will guide the curriculum and dictate the activities that we will complete during our time together in class. The research section will encompass scientific writing, data collection, and group and individual presentations on findings. A strong math background will be helpful when completing statistical analyses. A solid understanding of Excel to produce graphs is essential.

• You will get two types of research based labs. Sometimes you will be told exactly what to do in a lab. Other times you will be given an objective and you will be asked to design and carry out the experiment. This is so that you learn to think about, analyze, and apply knowledge — not just repeat a bunch of facts.

• Students are expected to complete an individual or teamed biology project for the Briar Woods High School Science Symposium in the spring. This is a requirement to receive the .5 GPA bump at the end of the year.

Tasks (Activities/Projects/Homework): 30% of your grade

• Tasks and activities consist of in-class assignments and will vary in length and complexity. Point values will be assigned for each task based on complexity. These are designed to introduce and/or reinforce ideas related to the unit topic.

• Homework will consist of activities related to either a review of the day’s material or will be preparation for the next lesson. Vocabulary for each unit will also fall into this category. Homework will be graded based upon its 100% completion.

Assessments (Tests and Quizzes): 40% of your grade

• Tests are larger assessments designed to see how well you are putting the parts of a unit together with the course as a whole. You will be given a unit guide for each test that clearly identifies the learning targets, chapters, and vocabulary you will need to master to be successful on the assessment. If you miss a test the make-up assessment will not necessarily be in the same format as the original, however, it will cover the same learning targets and content. Extra Credit is restricted to one activity per unit and will be added directly onto the test grade.

• Quizzes will only be a few questions in length and will have, as their content, material covered in the previous few classes. They usually are used to assess a single learning target and are used as a formative assessment.

How the students grade is calculated?

1. Determine your SCIENCE RESEARCH GRADE, and then multiply by 30.

Ex: Points I earned = Research grade x 30 = Your Science Research Grade Total Points possible

70 + 65 + 40 + 40 = 0.78 x 30 = 23.4

100 + 75 + 50 + 50

2. Determine your TASK GRADE, and then multiply by 30.

Ex: Points I earned = Task grade x 30 = Your Task Grade Total Points possible

20 + 30 +15 + 12 = 0.86 x 30 = 25.8

25 + 30 +20 + 15

3. Determine your ASSESSMENT GRADE, and then multiply by 40.

Ex: Points I earned = Assessment grade x 40 = Your Assessment Grade Total Points possible

75 + 65 + 85 + 90 = 0.79 x 40 = 31.6

100 + 100 +100 +100

4. Add steps 1-3 together for your FINAL GRADE. Ex: 23.4 + 25.8 + 31.6 = 80.5 B

Name: _______________________________________________________ Date: __________ Block: ________

Student and Parent Information Form – Research Biology 2016 - 2017

Thank you very much for reading the provided materials. After reading, please fill out and sign this form. Remove this form and have your child return it to their teacher as soon as possible.

Student’s Name (print): _____________________________E-mail: ________________________________________

Guardian one (print): _______________________________E-mail: ___________________________________________

Guardian two (print): _______________________________E-mail: ___________________________________________

Home Phone: _____________________________________Work Phone: _____________________________________

Cell Phone: ________________________________________Best time to call? _________________

Please circle the BEST way (from above) for me to reach you.

Mrs. Poniatowski has my permission to discuss grades (letter and percentages) over email any time during the school year with the student or guardian(s) listed above:

Please initial the one that applies. _____________YES (initial) _____________NO (initial)

I have received a copy of Mrs. Poniatowski’s Biology Policies and Procedures for the 2016 - 2017 school year. I understand that by remaining enrolled in this course, I will be expected to abide by Mrs. Poniatowski’s policies contained in this document.

Parent Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: ______________________

Student Signature: ______________________________________________________ Date: ______________________

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