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The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny..."  ~Isaac Asimov

Welcome Back!!!

Mr. Whitehead

Biology

Class Syllabus

Room 2-202

Email: lwhitehead@

I. Overview

Biology is a required subject that includes 12 units.

What is Biology Cellular Reproduction

Classification Genetics

Biochemistry Microbiology

Cell structure Cell Function

Ecology Evolution

Plants Human Biology

Purpose of Course:

Biology is the study of life. The course includes the study of the structure and function of living organisms, energy transformations, comparative survey of life processes, diversity of life, and the interdependence of organisms and their environment. Investigations emphasize process skill development and safe manipulation of laboratory equipment and materials in the field and laboratory. The purpose of this course is to present biology content within a pattern of unifying themes that helps students understand the larger significance of the details they are learning. Students will be asked to think critically about concepts and relate them to the world in which they live.

II. Materials

The following is a list of other items you will need for this class:

Pencils Pens (Blue or Black) Lined Paper

3 Ring Binder (1 inch) 1 package of dividers Folder with brads

Composition Book

You will be expected to keep a binder dedicated only to Biology. If you do not have any of the items above you will be responsible to have them by the next class. If you ask me for any of these supplies during the year it will cost you time after school, I am a teacher not a Wal-Mart.

III. Assignments

There will be assigned work in this class everyday; this does not mean that there will be homework everyday. Work is this class will range form a simple worksheet to reading and writing abstracts on articles given to you. You will also have readings from the book ever week; to perform at the level expected in this class you MUST keep up on these reading assignments.

I hope to be in the lab at least once a week. At least once a six week student will be expected to produce a professional quality lab report that will be typed and in the given format provided by the teacher. More information about the lab area will be given later in the syllabus

Weekly quizzes will cover information from daily work, lectures, and videos.

These quizzes can be in any format, so make sure you keep up with you work and your readings.

You will be given at least one project every six weeks, these projects will be a major part of your grade and you will need to plan to put time and effort into these projects. Trust me when I say I can tell when you wait until the last minute to start you project.

You will be keeping a notebook that you must keep up to date during the year. This notebook will be your main study guide for all exams given in my class.

Exams will cover information from lectures, readings, and labs. Exams will be multiple-choice, short answer and/or essay questions. If you have questions during the six weeks, please ask me as soon as possible, the day of the exam is too late. I am here to answer any questions and help you in any way I can.

I can not express how important it is for you complete and to do your very best on all of the assignments in this class; the fastest way to fail this class and any other is to stop caring about your work or stop doing you work.

IV. Evaluation

Student’s six-week grades are determined by the following:

Class Work and Homework 15%

Labs 30%

Project and Products 20%

Test 20%

6 Weeks Test 15%

The final grade is determined by the following:

Six-week grades 85%

Final exam 15%

Extra credit will be given to those students that are involved in the Check Your Self program. Extra credit will only be given to those students that put in the extra effort.

Extra credit means extra work, so it is a VERY good idea to keep your grades up with the work I give you.

V. Procedures

Entering Classroom: When entering the classroom pick up any handouts by the door and quietly take your seat. Begin Bell Work on board. All pencils should be sharpened during this time, and make sure that you turn in any assignments into the tray on my desk. Once you enter the classroom, class time begins -- if you want to talk to any of your classmates do this outside the class room.

Tardies: Students should be in their seats when the bell rings. If tardy, I will follow the consequences set by DISD which are posted at the front of the room.

Dress Code: Conrad High has a dress code that must to followed at all times. To enter my classroom you MUST be in proper dress code. Anyone out of dress code will not be allowed to enter the room and will be marked absent or tardy.

Asking Questions: If during any part of my lesson you need to ask a question or make a statement, please raise your hand and wait for me to call on you.

Talking in Class: If I am talking, you should not be talking; talking while a teacher is trying to teach is one the RUDEST and most DISREPESCTFULLY thing a student can do.

Binder: You will need to have a binder just for Biology. This binder will need to be kept up to date. In this binder you should have five sections: Administration, Assignments, Bell Work, Notes, and Tests/Labs. There will be random check of to make sure you are keeping this notebook up to date.

Taking Notes: Taking notes is part of this class; any day that a lesson is given you will need to take notes. All notes should been kept in the Notes section of your notebook. While taking notes is not the most existing active in class it is a very important one. You need to pay close attention during this time, all labs and other actives are based off of these notes I am giving to you.

Homework: All assigned work and handouts will be due at the beginning of class on the date specified by me. All work should have the following: Name, Date, and Period if any of these are missing points will be taken off. Complete sentences will be used in assignments unless otherwise directed. A one word or short phrase answer will not earn full credit on assignments needing complete sentences. All assignments must be done in pencil, blue or black pen, if you use any other color points will be take off your assignment. All homework should be turned into the tray at the front of the room BEFORE the start of class. All graded homework should be kept in the Assignment section of your notebook until the end of the six weeks.

Restroom: If you need to use the restroom this should be done during the passing period. However, if you need to go during class, understand that each student will only get one restroom pass each six weeks. You may only go to the restroom if we are working on an assignment, but if I am lecturing or giving any type of instruction you will NOT be allowed to leave the room.

Lab: Labs will be due before class ends, unless stated otherwise. Horseplay is not allowed -- the lab is a place for learning. You must also be in dress code to enter the lab. If students come to lab dressed inappropriately or are seen acting improperly in lab the following can be expected:

1st offense: Warning

2nd offense: 30 points off lab

3rd offense: Lab will be taken up and students will be

given a zero on the lab

Success Check: Success Check is an after school program where you will have a chance to review notes , test, labs, grades, and have questions answered that were not addressed in class. You can also get help with any other assignments that are due. Success check will be held after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:55 – 4:20 or by appointment.

Electronics: DISD policy tells you that ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES (Phones, MP3s Players, I-Pods, PSPs, etc.) are to be switched off and put away while in class. If I see ANY DEVICE out for ANY REASON I will take them up and they will not be returned to you until after 24 hours or longer.

Attendance: REGULAR AND PROMPT ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL. Frequent absences will no doubt affect your average severely. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher about assignments or activities covered. You must find out BEFORE/AFTER CLASS what you missed when you were absent.

Make-up Work: Daily and Laboratory Assignments

Each student has two days for each day absent to turn in missed assignments. The student must come in before or after class to make up any labs and/or test. All assignment can be found on the class web-site at

Major Tests:

All tests must be made up with in five days of the day you return to class. Make-up tests will NOT be given during class, so you must make an appointment with me to take one.

Late work: If a student fails to turn in a homework assignment or project on time, the student can expect the following:

End of the day: 10 Points Off

1st day late: 20 Points Off

2nd day late: 30 Points Off

After the second day NO WORK will be accepted, which means you will get NO grade.

Leaving Class: I will tell you when there are five minutes left in class. You need to use that time to put away your notebook, paper, and any other supplies and pick up any trash around your table. If the classroom is a mess you will not be allowed to leave. DO NOT leave the class when the bell rings -- wait for me to dismiss you.

Honor Code: This class will be held to the standards of the Aggie Honor Code of Texas A&M University.

“A Charger does not Lie, Cheat, Or Steal nor tolerate those who do”

If any student chooses to break this rule and copies work from another student’s work, both will receive a ZERO for the assignment or lab. If any student talks for any reason or if I believe that anyone is cheating during a quiz or test I have the right to take up the test and the student will be given a ZERO. In short if you took the time to complete the work take pride in that work and don’t let people copy it.

Consequences: In order for this class to run as smoothly and easily as possible I expect you to follow the simple procedures and guidelines I have set for this class. Failure to do so will result in the following.

1st offense: Verbal reminder and/or moved to a new seat

2nd offense: Teacher-student conference, parent phone call and/or Detention

3rd offense: Detention and parent conference

4th offense: Office referral

Class Expectations

  

   1. All electronic devices need to be turned off and put away during class.

    2. Be respectful to yourself, others & the school.

    3. Be safe.

    4. Be prepared.

    5. Follow all DISD/Conrad Policies.

Lab Expectations

1. All food and drink should be left outside the lab.

2. Read, re-read, and then begin the lab.

3. Listen to the teacher when instructions are given, this will make the lab a lot easier.

4. Make sure that you leave the lab better than you found it.

5. Ensure that you are in dress code before you enter the lab.

Class Contract

My goal in this class is help you gain as much knowledge about biology in the short amount of time we have together. If have any questions or need help, I am here to help. All I ask is that you follow the class guidelines, procedures, and come to class prepared and ready to learn.

_________________________

Mr. Whitehead

I _______________________ have read and understand what will be expected of me during my time in Mr. Whitehead’s class. I understand that it is Mr. Whitehead’s job to teach me, it is MY job to learn. I agree to follow all classroom guidelines and procedures that Mr. Whitehead has laid out in this class syllabus; finally I agree that at anytime time during the year that I do not understand or need any type of help or clarification I will seek help from my teacher, friend or tutor.

_______________________

Student Signature

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