Biology+-+Syllabus

EDCO Biology Teacher: Erika Guarino Room: 366 Teacher Email: erika_guarino@newton.k12.ma.us

//This biology course is a study of various life forms and their interdependence. Note-taking, class discussions and participation, audio-visual materials, laboratory work and critical thinking all play an integral part in this class along with regular homework and study. //

__EXPECTED MAJOR UNITS OF STUDY __

Characteristics of Living Things Cell Structure and Function Heredity & Genetics Life Changes Over Time Classification Living Things and Their Environment Interaction Among Living Things Support and Movement Nutrition and Digestion Transport in the Body Respiration and Excretion <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Control and Regulation <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Reproduction and Development

__<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">CLASS EXPECTATIONS __

 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">1. Be Respectful at All Times. **

**<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">2. Do __NOT__ be Disruptive in Class. **
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> **classroom will be a safe learning environment for all people** **regardless of their gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and class (both economic and academic).** As a result, language or behavior that is disrespectful to others will not be tolerated. Any violations of this rule will involve consequences.
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lab equipment is a privilege. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> All equipment should be treated with respect and care. Lab equipment must be cleaned and put away before you leave class. Additionally, lab materials should not be used without the permission or instruction of your teacher. Lab safety rules must be followed at all times.
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You are expected to behave in a mature manner that promotes an active and engaging learning environment. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Any activity that disrupts and hinders the learning process will not be tolerated. Please:
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do NOT use electronic devices (i.e., cell phones, PDAs, iPods, iTouchs, etc.).
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">These devices must be turned OFF and put out of sight. Failure to do so may result in the device being taken away.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do NOT make aggressive physical contact (pushing, hitting, kicking, etc.).
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do NOT leave the classroom without permission.


 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">3. Be Responsible. **

**<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">4. Be In Class and On Time. **
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Come prepared. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Please bring your notebook with dividers, paper, and a pencil or pen every day. Without these items your participation in class is severely limited.
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Work must be handed in on time. **
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">All late homework assignments, labs, projects, etc. will receive only partial credit.
 * Ø **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Each day the assignment is late will result in a 10% grade reduction. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> For example, if you earn 90% on an assignment that is one day late, then your grade becomes 80%.
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">All work submitted must be your own. Do NOT cheat or plagiarize! **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Plagiarism, as defined by the NNHS Faculty Handbook, is “the improper use of, or failure to give credit to, another person’s writing, visual, or musical representation, or ideas. It can be an act as subtle as inadvertently neglecting to use quotation marks or references when using another source or as blatant as knowingly copying an entire paper, or parts of a paper, and claiming it as your own.” Failure to follow this rule leads to some severe consequences. First offense: meet with the Housemaster; call home; zero for the assignment; not on permanent record. Second offense: meet with the Housemaster; call home; zero for assignment; disciplinary action; will be on permanent record.
 * **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Communication is key. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you are having trouble understanding something, then ask for help. It is in your best interest to use class time wisely. However, if you cannot get your questions answered during class, then come see me outside of class. I am available during Resource Rooms, X-blocks on Thursday afternoons and by appointment during the school day.
 * § **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The first step towards success is simply showing up. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Class attendance is very important. If you miss a class, then you are not participating.
 * § **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tardiness is unacceptable! **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Once I have started taking attendance, class has started. If you arrive after I have passed your name on the attendance list, you will be considered tardy.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you arrive to class more than 1 minute late without a pass, then you will owe time and you will be marked “Tardy-Unexcused”.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you arrive to class so late that you missed 50% or more of the period, then you will no longer be "Tardy-Unexcused" but rather you will be marked "Absent-Unexcused."
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you reach 4 tardies within a single term, I will send a warning home to your parents.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you reach 9 tardies, then you will receive an "N" on your report card with your letter grade behind it. Please review the N-Rule in the Student Handbook.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Lastly, if you must be late, make sure you have a valid pass.
 * § **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There are serious consequences when you "cut" a class. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> If you miss a day of class due to an __unexcused__ absence, you earn a **zero** for all materials covered in class that day.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you cut class on the day of a test or quiz, then the test or quiz grade will result in a ZERO with no chance for make up.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you cut class on the day of a lab, then you must come within the week to make up the lab work; you will not be allowed to simply copy another student's data. However, not all labs can be made up due to a variety of reasons. If this happens, then you will be given a research assignment of equal value.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Remember the **__Newton N Rule__**: “In a class that meets four times a week the third unexcused absence or the ninth absence, excused or unexcused, means the student receives an N = No Credit for the term.”
 * § **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You are responsible for all missed work. **<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> If you are absent, you are responsible for getting the work that you have missed. Upon return to class, you must see me to get the missing work before and/or after class or school. It is not appropriate to ask for missing work during class.
 * Ø <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Make-up work due to __excused__ absences:
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You have 2 days to make up an assignment.
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">You have 5 days to make up a test and a lab. (Remember, some labs cannot be made up – if this happens, you will be given a research assignment of equal value.)
 * **//<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">IMPORTANT: //**<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> If you are absent the day before a test or quiz that has been announced, then you are still responsible for taking that test or quiz with your class upon your return.

__<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">GRADING POLICY __
<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Grading is based on a weighted system: <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Letter grades are determined by the following overall percent averages:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Quizzes 30%
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tests, Labs, & Projects 40%
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Each unit has at least one lab.
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">There is homework most nights.
 * <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Participation is based on a variety of different things. I will be looking at how well you: work in groups, follow lab safety procedures, behave in the classroom, ask questions during discussions, come prepared to learn, and arrive on time.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Homework 20%
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Participation 10%

<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> 94-100 **A** 87-89 **B+** 77-79 **C+** 67-69 **D+** 59 and below **F** <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> 90-93 **A-** 83-86 **B** 73-76 **C** 63-66 **D** <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> 80-82 **B-** 70-72 **C-** 60-62 **D-**

**__<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">LABORATORY __** <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Science labs contain many things including expensive equipment and various chemicals. Because of this, along with the school policies, a separate “Laboratory Safety Agreement” must be signed by both student and parent and returned to the teacher before the student will be allowed to do lab work.

**__<span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif;">PROGRESS UPDATES & COMMUNICATION __** //__<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif;">Anything On This Sheet Is Subject To Change At The Teacher’s Discretion. __//
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Warnings are issued half way through each term to students in danger of failing.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Report cards are available four (4) times a year.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: Corbel,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Any concerns will be discussed with the student, counselor, director, and/or parents/guardian on an as-needed basis.