FRESHMAN
BIOLOGY
Ms. Graviss
room 226 period 4
biology@mgraviss.org website: mgraviss.org 510
526 9242 ex 433
The best way to reach me
is by email.
Course Description
Biology
is the study of life, including the materials and structures of living things,
the processes that sustain life, and the interactions between living things and
their environment.
Big Ideas
Ecology: No organism, including humans, exists in isolation.
Chemistry and cells: The fundamental life processes of plants, animals
and other organisms depend on a variety of chemical reactions that occur in
specialized areas of the organism's cells.
Cell growth and division: Cells cannot grow indefinitely. Instead they divide
and make identical copies of themselves.
Genetics: The diversity of life derives from differences in
nucleic acid sequences, sexual reproduction and production of proteins. Living organisms inherit genetic traits
in predictable ways, due to the actions of chromosomes during sexual
reproduction.
Evolution: The diversity of species seen today is a continuing
product of selection pressures on genetic variation.
Diversity of life: Living
things are organized and classified in a variety of ways.
Plant and animal
physiology: Organization, function
and homeostatic mechanisms of the bodies of plants and animals can be observed
and understood.
Core Tasks
1. Identify and use the organization
prompts of the textbook.
2. Use skills of measuring, graphing with the use of lab equipment and technology.
3. Research with oral, multimedia
and written presentation.
4. Use
lab equipment appropriately and effectively to develop science skills. (microscopes,
balances, meter sticks, probe ware, dissecting, test kit analysis, computers)
5. Conceive,
develop, perform and evaluate scientific inquiries.
6. Develop
writing, study skills, problem solving and planning abilities for future academic
study.
Materials
á
textbook: Biology; Miller, Levine
á
3-ring binder for
notes, handouts, quizzes and tests (keep ALL graded work until semeste ends)
á
composition notebook
Class Procedures
* Class
activities will include lectures and discussions, small group investigation
and presentation, video and computer presentation, drawing and other hands-on
activities including lab experiences.
* Every
class activity or discussion should be accompanied by notes taken in your
composition book. Notebooks will be graded periodically
for completeness, neatness and organization.
* Labs
will often be inquiry-driven investigations and include a write-up or discussion
questions that are graded for content and quality.
* Teams
will be assigned for 6 week periods and are expected to work together. Teamwork will be graded in a variety of ways to maximize participation.
* Tests,
quizzes and alternative assessments will be used to evaluate your understanding
of the material.
-Quizzes occur every week on Thursday or Friday.
One low quiz grade is dropped in the 2nd and 3rd grading periods.
-Unit tests are listed on the test calendar and usually
require 3 - 4 hours of study. Occasionally,
content knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed using alternative
methods, such as lab practicals.
Assessment
Grades
are earned by consistent effort and participation both in and out of
class. Within each of the
following categories, assignments are graded by points.
30% labs
20% homework
20% quizzes
20% unit tests, alternative assessments
and exams
10%
notebooks and & in-class assignments
Letter grades correspond to the following criteria
A= 94 - 100 A- = 90 - 93 consistent
homework, high quiz & tests
scores, excellent labs,
superior
comprehension
and content knowledge
B+ = 87 - 89 B = 83 - 86 B- = 79 - 82 consistent homework, average quiz &
tests
scores, good labs, good comprehension & content knowledge
C+ = 76 - 78 C = 72 - 75 C- = 69 - 71 inconsistent homework, average or
below average quiz & tests scores,
incomplete labs, limited
comprehension & content knowledge
D+ = 66 - 68 D = 63 - 65 D- = 60 - 62 missing homework, low quiz & tests
scores, deficient labs, comprehension
& content knowledge lacking
F= 0 - 59% missing
homework, very low quiz &
tests
scores, missing and deficient labs, poor understanding of concepts
¯ Homework and in-class assignments are worth 10 points
and receive full credit if they are turned in on time, complete and following instructions
and work is in your own words. Incomplete or improperly done assignments receive 8
points and late assignments receive 5 points, as do missing assignments.
¯ Lab reports and assessments are graded for content
and quality, as are quizzes and tests.
Late
& Makeup Work Policy
Late
work is defined as assignments not turned in at the requested time. Homework is
usually turned in at the beginning of class. If you do not have it when I
collect it, it is late. If you arrive to class late is your responsibility to
turn in homework. In-class assignments are usually collected at the end of
class. You are responsible for knowing when and where to turn in class assignments.
Each semester you get one free tech excuse for a late assignment and after that
you are responsible for any tech mishaps including emails sent to the wrong
address.
Makeup
work is defined as assignments turned in after the due date because of excused absence.
It is your responsibility to see
me after an absence for any handouts or labs you may have missed. The following are specific policies for
various grade categories.
|
|
Makeup work |
|
homework |
Absent? Check homework at mgraviss.org biology page. Makeup homework
must be turned in via email
within 3 days of your absence. If
you know you will miss a class or are leaving school early, put
assignments in my mailbox before you leave. |
|
In-class assignments |
See me for handouts, which
must be completed and turned in within 3 days of your absence. |
|
quizzes |
Missed quizzes must be
made up the following Monday during BREAK. First missed quiz gets exempted from your grade.
The rest receive zeroes. |
|
tests |
Missed tests must be made
up within 3 days in ARC after
school. Failure to make up tests
will result in a failed grade. |
|
labs |
Not all labs will be
possible to make up. Alternate assignments given for no points (exempt grade
instead of F) |
Extra
Credit Philosophy
I do not believe in extra credit Òon demandÓ or to make up for missed assignments. Extra credit, in the form of enrichment or extension projects may be offered at various times throughout the year. Usually, extra credit points are added at the end of the semester.
Class Rules
1) Be on time and ready to
learn. Bring textbook, pen or
pencil and notebook EVERY DAY.
2) I ONLY GRADE DARK INK
OR PENCIL.
I may ask you to rewrite something if I can't read it
comfortably. Please include full name, class period and due date on all papers.
3) All school rules must
be followed in class. It is especially important that you not EAT OR DRINK in biology.
Food is never allowed in a laboratory space, so if you have it, I will
ask you to put it IN THE TRASH. Phones,
ipods, and other electronics SHOULD NOT BE SEEN OR HEARD DURING CLASS or they
will be confiscated to Mr. Shum. If
you need repeated reminders to remove your hat, it, too, will be confiscated.
4) Vandalism is not tolerated.
The consequence for defacing desks in the biology classroom is cleaning
ALL the tables.
5) Your undivided attention is required for success. Any reading or writing that is not directly related to class will be removed from your desk and may be thrown in the trash.
6) You are encouraged to
work collaboratively in and out of class but ALL WRITTEN WORK MUST BE IN
YOUR OWN WORDS OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Failure
to follow these rules will result in warning, seat change, removal from class,
student-teacher conference as needed.
Persistent or serious participation problems will result in a parent-teacher
conference.
Good
participation and success in following these rules will result in learning and
enjoyable classes.