FRESHMAN BIOLOGY

Ms. Graviss

room 226 period 2, 3

biology@mgraviss.org website: mgraviss.org 510 526 9242 ex 213

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 VISTA: variation, inheritable traits, selection, time and adaptation and also genetic drift.

Diversity of life: Living things are organized and classified in a variety of ways.

Plant and animal physiology: Organization and structure relate to the function and homeostatic mechanisms of the bodies of plants and animals.

Core Tasks

· Identify and use the organization prompts of the textbook.

· Use skills of measuring, graphing with the use of lab equipment and technology.

· Research with oral, multimedia and written presentation.

· Use lab equipment appropriately and effectively to develop science skills. (microscopes, balances, meter sticks, probe ware, dissecting, test kit analysis, computers)

· Conceive, develop, perform and evaluate scientific inquiries.

· Develop writing, study skills, problem solving and planning abilities for future academic study.

Materials

· textbook: Biology; Miller, Levine*

· 3-ring binder for notes, handouts, quizzes and tests (keep ALL graded work until semester ends)

· composition notebook*

· small pack of markers or colored pencils*

*bring these to class every day

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 Friday. Quizzes are short, often graded immediately and should require no more than 30 minutes of studying. 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 the direct result of your effort and participation both in and out of class. Letter grades correspond to the following criteria

A= 94 - 100 A- = 90 - 93	consistent work, high quiz & test scores, excellent labs, superior content knowledge and explanation of concepts
B+ = 87 - 89 B = 83 - 86 B- = 79 - 82	consistent work, above average quiz & tests scores, good labs, good content knowledge and explanation of concepts
C+ = 76 - 78 C = 72 - 75 C- = 69 - 71	inconsistent work, average or below average quiz & tests scores, incomplete labs, limited content knowledge and explanation of concepts
D+ = 66 - 68 D = 63 - 65 D- = 60 - 62	missing work, low quiz & test scores, deficient labs, content knowledge and explanation of concepts lacking
F= 0 - 59%	missing homework, very low quiz & tests scores, missing and deficient labs, poor content knowledge and explanation of concepts

Within each of the following categories, assignments are graded by points.

Assessments 50%	Weekly quizzes
	Unit tests & final exam
	Authentic assessments (lab practicals, formal lab reports, other alternative assessments)
Assignments 50% (homework and in-class)	Practice
	Preparation (reading
	Organization (notebook)
	Laboratory application of concepts,

Ø Preparation and practice assignments get a check if they are turned in on time, complete and following instructions and work is in your own words. Any less than that does not get a check. At the end of a unit, if 100% of preparation and practice assignments are checked, you will receive a 5% boost to your unit test grade. One assignment is missing = 3% boost. More than one assignment missing = no boost and the grade you earn on your test goes into powerschool.

Ø Lab reports and assessments are graded for content and quality, as are quizzes and tests.

Late & Makeup Work Policy

Late work is defined as any assignment not turned in at the requested time. Homework is due 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 remember 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 any assignment turned in after the due date following an 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 (3 day rule)
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 after an absence 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 and contact with parents and counselor.
labs	See me immediately after an absence to arrange a makeup lab. In case a lab is impossible to make up, alternate assignment given for no points. (exempt grade instead of F)

Extra Credit Philosophy

I do not believe in extra credit “on demand” or to make up for missed assignments. Enrichment or extension projects may be offered to the class at various times throughout the year.

Class Rules

1) Be in the classroom on time and ready to learn every day. Use only the front doors to enter and exit. Bring textbook, writing materials 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 or emails submitted for grading.

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. You may not use the outlets in the room to charge your phones. You may use the back room (at your own risk).

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 or other materials not directly related to class will be removed from your desk and may be discarded.

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.