The acacia ant (Pseudomyrmex ferruginea) on a bull's-horn acacia tree (Acacia cornigera).
Course Outline
Introduction to the Course
This is a course that deals with animal, plant and human anatomy (structure); physiology (function), genetics, evolution, and the living environment around us. To encourage mastery of the material covered in the course, various teaching strategies and homework activities will be used in class on a daily basis. By using “active learning” strategies, you will take more responsibility for your own learning and be able to create personal meaning. This in turn will help you process the information better and increase your retention rate, which will ultimately improve learning.
Course Outline
1. Scientific Inquiry 2. Characteristics of Life 3. Chemistry of Life 4. Cells 5. The Human Body 6. Reproduction & Development 7. Genetics & Biotechnology 8. Evolution 9. Ecology 10. Human Influences on the Environment 11. Regents Review
The Study Clinic
When you are having difficulty in a course, the reason is usually not a lack of ability on your part, but rather less than desirable study habits and techniques. Therefore, one day a week after school has been set aside for a study clinic.
You are expected to attend the study clinic if the following situation(s) exist:
Your grade for the course is below a 65. Or Your grade for quizzes or exams is below a 65.
You are expected to continue attending the study sessions until your grade for the course and quizzes/exams is at least a 65. If you have a grade below 65 in the course and are not attending the study sessions your guidance counselor will be notified so that a meeting can be arranged with your parents/guardians to discuss the situation.
If you have a grade of 65 or above, you are encouraged to attend the study sessions if you desire a higher grade more efficient study techniques.
Grading
Your final grade for this course will be an average of your four quarter grades and a fifth “exam” grade, of which 1/3 is your midterm exam and 2/3 the Regents Exam. There is no separate report card grade for the "laboratory" section of this course. This section will be figured into your subject grade.
Testing
This course culminates in the Living Environment Regents Examination in June. You must have completed the minimum of 1200 minutes of lab work, accompanied by an acceptable lab report, to be eligible to take this exam. Periodic quizzes and tests will be given each quarter.
A new version of any test or quiz taken during the year may be retaken once in an attempt to raise your grade, demonstrating that you have increased your mastery of the subject material. A retake must be accomplished within one week of the in-class test. Please schedule the re-take with your teacher. There is one requirement for taking a retest. You must show that you have reviewed the required subject matter by completing a review sheet designed by your teacher. This review sheet must be brought with you at the time of the retest. Obviously it is a much wiser use of your time to study efficiently for the initial in-class test/quiz. Certainly, taking a retest can significantly raise your grade, but you will have spent much more additional time in preparing for it, time that probably could have assured a good grade on the initial test.
Attendance
If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what work you missed. You have one week from the time you return to make up the work. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero. If you are forced to be absent for an extended period of time, please see me. All work that needs to be made up must be done on your own time. If you are caught skipping my class, all work due and performed that day will be counted as a zero and you will forfeit any chance of making it up.
Homework
Homework is a valuable tool that helps support and review the material covered in class. Each assignment will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete and will be collected and graded each time it is assigned.
To help you become responsible young adults, only two late homework assignments will be accepted each quarter without a consequence. When you do not have an assignment completed, you must hand in a piece of paper that states your name, the title of the assignment, and when it was due. On this piece of paper you must also communicate to me when you plan to complete the homework by placing a large “A” or “B” on the page.
A = I will hand in the assignment by the end of the day. B = I will had in the assignment by class time the next day.
This option can be used only two times each quarter. Once this option has been used then you will be asked to come in for study hall, lunch, or after school to complete your homework. After these options have been used, failure to hand in your homework on time will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
Projects
Throughout each quarter there will be individual and group projects. More detailed information will be provided in class.
Laboratories
The laboratories performed in this course are very important. Not only do they provide you with the chance to apply what you are learning in class to a real life situation, but it also provides you with a hands-on learning opportunity.
Each quarter I will accept only two late lab reports. When you do not have a lab report completed, then you must hand in a piece of paper that states your name, the title of the lab and when it was due. On this piece of paper you must also communicate when you plan to complete the lab by placing a large “A” or “B” (refer to homework policy). Once this option has been used you will be asked to come in for study hall, lunch, or after school to complete the lab. After these options have been used, failure to hand in your lab on time will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
Remember, you MUST complete 1200 minutes of hands-on labs (with passing grades) to be able to take the Regents Exam and receive credit for the course. Refer to the Laboratory Requirement form for more details.
Books
We will be using Biology by Miller and Levine as our textbook for this course. Damaged or lost books will be the financial responsibility of the student.
Later in the year you may be asked to purchase a review book for this course. This is a requirement for the course, and it will help you a great deal. I will get back to you with more information on purchasing the review book later in the school year. The cost is approximately $11.00.
What to Bring to Class Daily
You are expected to come to class prepared. You should have your textbook, your notebook (a 3-ringed binder at least 2”), a calculator, any assigned homework, a pen and a pencil with you for each class. I will not spend time giving everyone passes to their lockers because they forgot something they needed in class.
Classroom Goals
1. To become a community of learners. 2. To learn to challenge our minds. 3. To make learning science a “fun” activity. 4. To realize that science is more than just a subject we learn at school. 5. To learn to responsible for yourself and your actions.
Essential Guidelines for Creating a Positive and Fun Learning Environment
1. Remember all rules in the Code of Conduct that apply in the classroom. 2. Follow all Lab Safety Guidelines (See Lab Safety Contract). 3. At the bell you should be quietly seated. 4. Come prepared to learn. 5. Respect each other. No one will be allowed to interfere with another person’s opportunity to learn. 6. Remain seated until you are dismissed. 7. See Individual Teachers’ Classroom Regulations for more specific Rules and Procedures.
Academic Honesty
Under no circumstances will plagiarism be tolerated. If you are found to have copied work from another student, both students will receive a grade of zero on that assignment. If you are found to have copied work from the Internet, you will receive a grade of zero and may be subject to a meeting involving your parents and school administration. Each of you is capable of doing your own work. There is no reason to submit work that is not your own.
Each of you has the ability to succeed in this course. With your help and dedication we can make this a fun and productive year. Good luck!