Dear Parents/Guardians,

This semester will be an exciting adventure for your student! I am looking forward to working with your child to make this year a productive learning experience. Please read through this letter to understand the course description, requirements, grading system, rewards and consequences. Review this information with your child to help him or her adhere to the guidelines for success in Biology.

Sincerely,

Crystal Flynn Worrell

Biology

Biology is a laboratory based course that involves the scientific study of living organisms. The course will continue through the pro-gression as outlined by state standards.

Course Overview

Lab Equipment and Safety Cell Energy and Photosynthesis

Scientific Method and Taxonomy Cell Structure, Transport, and Reproduction

Organic Chemistry/ Macromolecules Mendelian and Molecular Genetics

 

Course Requirements

Text-Glencoe: Biology #2 Pencils

1” Binder/Notebook Paper Highlighters/Markers

Clear Tape Index Cards

 

 

Discipline Procedures

* First Offense- Verbal Warning

* Second Offense- Hallway Conference and/or Parent Contact

* Third Offense- Lunch Detention

* Fourth Offense- Referral to Administration*

*May be necessary for extreme first offense.

 

Grading System

Daily grades/ Homework- 20%

Quizzes/Labs- 30%

Tests/Projects- 30%

End of Course Exam 20%

 

 

 

Grading Scale

A= 100-90

B= 89-80

C= 79-70

D= 69-60

F= <59

 

 

Daily assignments/Homework

Students will be expected to complete all assignments. These assignments will include reading the text, completing study sheets, defin-ing vocabulary terms, writing lab reports, and answering chapter questions.

Makeup Work and Late Submissions

It is the student’s responsibility to promptly find out what work he or she has missed upon return from an absence. Makeup work must be turned in on the day the student returns unless absences were due to a prolonged illness. If the work is not made up the student will receive a zero. Unexcused absence and otherwise late submissions will receive a deduction of 20% for each day the assignment is late. Homework that has been reviewed in class will not be eligible for late submission credit.

Labs

Laboratory work will be assigned on a weekly basis. Labs cannot be made up if a student is absent. The missed lab, however, will not count against the student if the absence is excused.

Tests/Quizzes

If a student is absent on the day that a test/quiz is given, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the work when they return. All tests and quizzes must be made up within five days of the student’s return unless absences were due to a prolonged illness. If the work is not made up the student will receive a zero. Quizzes must be made up the day before the Test for that Unit to help students prepare for the Test. Tests will be given at the end of each chapter. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced (pop quiz).

Projects

Various Projects will be given over the course of the semester. All projects will count as test grades. Some projects may be mandatory while others may count as extra credit only (3-D models and research papers). Mandatory projects may either be used in conjunction with chapter tests or to replace a written test.

Tutoring Requirements

Tutoring is available before (8 to 8:30 am) or after school (3:30 to 4:00 pm) by appointment if the following criteria have been met:

* Do all homework assignments

* Actively participate in class discussions

* Stay awake during the class period

* Bring required materials to class daily

* Ask questions during class period when a concept is not clear

Please note: Extra credit will not be given on an individual basis. All extra credit assignments given to the class must be turned in on time. Late extra credit assignments will not be accepted.

Reward System

Each student will be allowed to drop one major grade and one intermediate grade at the end of each nine weeks if they have not ex-ceeded a warning in class. Scientists of the month will receive recognition for academic excellence. Five-point passes will be awarded periodically for exceptional classroom leadership, good conduct, and academics.