Mrs. Williams
Phone: 714-962-3301Ext.
221
Room: 221
Text: Biology Kenneth R. Miller and Joseph Levine
Course Website: http://mrswilliamslovesbio.blogspot.com/
(Be
sure to bookmark it!)
I. Major Course
Objectives:
Upon
experiencing a variety of different teaching techniques, students will develop
a broad understanding of the following 5 major biological themes:
Cellular Biology (organelles, chemical reactions within cells,
enzymes)
Genetics (sexual reproduction leading to
variation, probability of traits inherited, DNA & RNA, modern
biotechnology)
Ecology (biodiversity, ecosystems,
populations, biogeochemical cycles, human impact, pollution)
Evolution (diversity of species, natural
selection)
Physiology (structure and function of the major human body
systems)
Content standards set forth by The
California State Board Of Education – 2001
II. Class Rules:
1.
Be ready to learn and in your seat when the bell rings. At the end of the period, I will dismiss the
class. The last 15 seconds of class is
plenty of time to get to learn one more thing in Biology.
2.
Be prepared to learn. Bring your notebook/binder
and something to write with everyday.
3.
Be courteous to each other and to your teacher.
Say please and thank you. Raise
your hand. Talk and engage with others during appropriate class time.
4.
Be respectful – respect others in the class and their property.
5.
Be attentive – success in this class depends on YOU. Believe in yourself. Listen, learn, And PASS.
6.
Be honest- follow and adhere to your personal code of honor and to the FVHS
Academic Code of Honor.
7.
Be positive and work hard- Contribute to a positive learning
environment.
Failure
to follow the guidelines above will result in….
First
Offense: Warning
Second
Offense: Private conference with student and detention
Third
Offense: Phone call
home and detention
Fourth
Offense: Referral
III. Suggested Materials: Discovery happens to prepared minds!!
A
lack of materials wastes valuable time and interferes with success. Suggested
materials include a pen, pencil, 8.5” x 11” paper, highlighter, colored pencils
and a science notebook with 4 section dividers labeled: Warm-ups, Notes, Labs, Homework/Classwork. To stay organized it is
important to bring this notebook to class every day.
IV. Homework Policy: The purpose of homework is to reinforce and
practice concepts discovered in class. Homework will generally be given on a
nightly basis, and will be stamped at the beginning of the period when it is
due. Homework is late 30 seconds
after the tardy bell rings. It will be stamped for complete AND thoughtful
responses. If your homework is not stamped at the beginning of the period
(i.e., you have an unexcused tardy), it is late and will not be accepted for
full credit.
Each
assignment will be worth points. You will
keep all assignments until a packet is assembled at the end of the unit. On the provided cover sheet for the unit,
total your points earned and staple your assignments in order. Packets will be
due the day of the exam. If you lose a paper before the packet is turned
in, you will not receive credit for it. It is your responsibility to keep all
work!
Late work: NIGHTLY HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE.
BUT……you can earn up to 4 homework coupons throughout
the semester that can be used to turn in an assignment one day late.
ALSO….I do understand that life happens. So if you have an extenuating circumstance,
talk to me (call or email me BEFORE the day the assignment is due)
HOW SHOULD I STUDY??
Due
to the volume and detail of information you will be learning, it is important
that you take the initiative and go over notes and readings every night.
Discover which study techniques work best for you to maximize your
learning. Keep in mind that looking at
your notes and looking at the book are just looking and that learning Biology
requires that you understand. Taking
ownership of the material will help you be successful in this class.
V. Tardies/Leaving Class:
If you are tardy to class, you must go to the
front office and obtain a tardy slip before you will be allowed to enter the
class. If your tardy is excused,
immediately hand me a note upon entering the classroom. You should attend to personal business during
passing period. To leave class for any reason, you must ask
me.
VI. Tests And Quizzes:
There
are no “set” days that tests or quizzes will be given. Don’t worry; plenty of
warning will be given. Tests will
consist of multiple choice, fill in and essay questions that require students
to apply concepts learned. There will
be a cumulative final at the end of each semester. This means that students
will need to master everything covered from the beginning to the end of each
semester.
VII. Absences:
The
course is fast paced and centered on hands - on activities and labs. Students may
find returning overwhelming if even one day is missed. Students are
responsible for doing all work assigned (even if the absence is excused. IT IS
THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS MISSED - NOT THE TEACHER. Any
assignment not handed in, regardless of the type of absence, will receive a
zero.
- Immediately upon your
return, give the missed day’s homework to the
teacher by placing it in the “in box” so it can be stamped for credit.
Write “ABSENT” on the top of your assignment and include the due date.
- You should primarily refer to the online agenda to determine
what you missed before you come back to class.
- You should also refer to the “What did I miss in Accelerated Biology”
box in the back for any missed worksheets that were not posted online.
- You have one day to make up an assignment per day absent.
After this time, all missed work will be considered LATE and will not be
scored.
If
you missed a lab, please arrange a make-up time with the
teacher. For those labs that cannot be made up, other arrangements will be
made. If at all possible, DO NOT MISS LAB DAYS!
If you missed a test
but were present when the test was announced, you are expected to take the test
on the day you return. An exception will
be made only if new material that is included on the test was introduced during
your absence. It is imperative that students make an appointment with me for a
make-up test. If at all possible, DO NOT MISS TEST DAYS!
VIII. Grading:
·Grading is done on a
cumulative point basis. Approximately 60% of the grade received will reflect
test scores. Approximately 40% of the grade received will reflect homework and
class work like labs, projects, and reports.
·Periodically, grades will
be posted on the parent/student portal. This leaves no room for surprise at
report card time. Students are strongly urged to keep track of their own grades
and check to be sure the grade on the portal is accurate according to their own
records.
·Extra
Credit: Extra credit is a rare occurrence, but several
opportunities will be available throughout the semester. Any unused hall passes
will earn five points extra credit each at the end of the semester.
·Students are not given grades students EARN them.
The
grading scale is as follows:
100%
- 90% = A 89% - 80% = B 79% - 70% = C 69% - 60% = D 59% and below = F
VIIII. Mission Statement
It
is my goal to ignite the inquisitive nature of students in the fascinating
field of science. I will do this by
incorporating a science curriculum that is passionate, creative, rigorous and
relevant. Biology is the scientific
study of life and can be seen in every aspect of our daily lives. The students will be motivated to learn by
making a personal connection to the material.
Although the class will be demanding, it is my hope that the students
find the work to be rewarding.
I
look forward to a fun and challenging semester!
Mrs.
E. Williams
I
can be contacted at Fountain Valley High School at (714) 962 – 3301 ext. 4221
or via my email address ewilliams@hbuhsd.edu. Email is the best way to contact me.
I usually check my mail daily and am able to access grades at home and report
them back to interested parents or students. I also encourage students to email
me if they need assistance academically or otherwise.
