Teacher: Mr.
Henry
2007-2008 School year
Course Description:
Biology is an
inquiry-oriented course in which lectures and laboratory experiments are
designed to introduce the student to the diversity of living things, their
structure and function, and their inter-relationships. A major approach
includes biological problem solving using scientific methods. This course
focuses on the study of energy flow, plant and animal classification,
microorganisms, aspects of the cell theory, bio‑chemistry, heredity and
genetics, and evolution. This will be supplemented by information on marine
biology and oceanography of local interest.
Textbook:
Notebook: For
class notes and assignments. All class notes, labs and assignments are to
be kept in a notebook for Biology class only. Notebooks will be collected
on a regular basis and graded for accuracy and
completeness.
Lab: Lined
notebook and graph paper for assigned labs
Parents are encouraged to
contact Mr. Henry with any concerns or questions. The best way to contact Mr.
Henry is by e-mail (henry@palmahs.org). Parents may also contact Mr. Henry by calling Palma
High School @ (831) 422-6391 and leaving a message.
Mr. Henry will return calls at the earliest opportunity. Students are
encouraged to see Mr. Henry for help when they feel they need it. Most days Mr. Henry will be available immediately
after 7th period or by appointment for help or to meet with parents.
STUDENT OUTCOMES (including Expected School-wide Learning Expectations
and California State Educational Standards): Upon completion of this course:
1. The student
will demonstrate an understanding of major biological principles.
ESLRÕs Addressed:
Intellectual,Spiritual/Moral, CA
bio content STD 1-9
2.
The student will be able to define biological and scientific
terminology, and apply it to new concepts.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual CA bio
content STD 1-9
3.
The student will be able to compare and contrast structural and
functional adaptations by living things.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, Physical
CA bio content STD
4.
The student will be able to state and to write about the relationship of
survival to the adaptations of living things.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, Social,
Spiritual/Moral, CA bio content STD
5.
The student will be able to state that scientific inquiry is limited
because of unknowns.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual,
Spiritual/Moral, CA bio content STD
6.
The student will be able to state career opportunities in biological
sciences.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, Social, CA
bio content STD
7.
The student will be able to perform simple experiments in biological
science.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, Physical,
CA bio content STD
8.
The student will be able to obtain, organize, and analyze laboratory
data and write lab reports.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, Social, CA
bio content STD
9. The student will be able to write reports on science
topics of current interest, through outside readings and library
research.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, CA bio content
STD
10.
The student will be able
to propose, correlate, and interpret data in a project of his own choosing.
ESLRÕs Addressed: Intellectual, CA
bio content STD
11.
The student will be able
to advance to Biology (Advanced Placement) level after completing Chemistry.
ESLRÕs Addrerssed: Intelllectual, CA
bio content STD
Evaluation:
|
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
First Semester Grade |
|
Tests/Quizzes 40% |
Tests/Quizzes 35% |
First Quarter grade
40% |
|
Classwork/Homework
35% |
Classwork/Homework
25% |
Second Quarter grade
40% |
|
Lab Reports 20% |
Lab Reports 15% |
Final Exam
20% |
|
Class
participation/cooperation
5% |
Research paper
20% Class participation and |
|
|
|
cooperation 5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter |
Second Semester Grade |
|
Tests/Quizzes 40% |
Tests/Quizzes 35% |
Third Quarter grade 40% |
|
Classwork/Homework
35% |
Classwork/Homework
25% |
Fourth Quarter grade
40% |
|
Lab Reports 20% |
Lab Reports 15% |
Final Exam
20% |
|
Class
participation/cooperation
5% |
Biology project
20% Class participation and |
|
|
|
cooperation 5% |
|
Grade Scale:
A 100%-90% Please
Note:
B 89%-80% Due
to the emphasis on the final exam,
C 79%-70% the
studentÕs semester grade can be lower
D 69%-60% than
the two quarter grades if the student
F 59%-0 does
not perform well on the final exam.
A test will usually be given
at the end of each chapter. Pop quizzes may be given for each chapter
and as determined by the teacher. Make up tests for low scores will not be
permitted. Make up tests for excused
absences will be done after school, not during regular class time. Class
assignments will normally be due by the end of the day that they are
assigned. StudentÕs names must
be on the top of all
work. Work submitted without a
name, will not be
graded, please note, this includes exams.
Homework will be due at the beginning of class meeting after it was
assigned. Late work will not be accepted (the only exception is for excused absences). If a
student misses class for an excused absence, it is his responsibility to
contact the teacher and make arrangements to complete missed assignments or
exams. Mr. Henry will not
seek out the student to discuss missed work or make arrangements for make-up
work/exams.
Homework is an important part
of Biology. Most students will do well if they consistently do their homework.
Students who do not do turn it their homework routinely will do poorly. Students
who do not turn in their homework could fail, even if they do well in other
parts of the class
A research paper on a
scientist important to Biology will be assigned for the first semester. A
statement with the topic chosen for the paper will be due by October 12th. The
paper will be due on November 16th.
Absolutely no late papers will be accepted unless approved,
prior to November 16th, by Mr. Henry. More information regarding the research paper will be
given out in class.
Class Project
A life science experiment
will be assigned for the second semester. A PowerPoint presentation will be
used to report results of the experiment.
The PowerPoint presentations are due May 16th, 2008. Absolutely
no late projects will be accepted unless approved prior to due date by Mr.
Henry. More
information regarding the project will be given out during the first part of the
second semester.
Name_________________________________________
Period ___________
Classroom expectations:
1) Students
will be prepared for class before the bell rings. This means sitting in your
seats and being ready to start working.
2) Safety
is the number one concern in the Lab. Students will only handle equipment when
instructed to, will always follow all directions in the correct and safe usage
of science equipment, and lab procedures . Any unsafe activities will not be
tolerated, and the student will be dismissed from class
as a
safety hazard. If a student is
dismissed from a lab period, he will receive a grade of zero for the work that
day and for the lab write-up.
3) Respect
will be shown to all people at all times. This includes other students, the
teacher, or
any
other person in the classroom. Students will listen when other students are
asking
questions
or the teacher is talking, and will refrain from any behavior that disrupts or
delays
class
activities.
4) Food,
drink, cell phones, and electronic gaming devices will not be allowed in the
classroom.
5) There
is zero tolerance for cheating or
plagiarism of any type in Mr. HenryÕs classroom. Such actions will result in a grade of zero for the
assignment, notification of the studentÕs parents, and notification of the
principal per the Academic Integrity Policy found in the Palma High School
Student and Parent Handbook.
Parent
Name ________________________
Parent
e-mail address ______________________ Daytime Phone ____________Home Phone
______________
Student
signature ______________________
Parent signature
___________________