FRESHMAN BIOLOGY                                                       

Ms. Graviss

room 226 

biology@mgraviss.org                website: mgraviss.org               510 526 9213

The best way to reach me is by the email listed above.

 

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 of random 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

á        Identify and use the organization prompts of the textbook.

á        Practice measuring and graphing skills with the use of lab equipment and technology.

á        Research with oral, multimedia and written presentation.

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

á        Conceive, develop, perform and evaluate scientific inquiries.

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

 

Materials

á        textbook:  Biology; Miller, Levine*

á        3-ring binder for class notes, handouts, quizzes and tests (keep ALL graded work until trimester ends)

á        composition or spiral notebook for homework*

á        small pack of markers or colored pencils*

*bring these to class every day

 

Class Procedures

á        Class activities will include lectures, discussions, small group investigation and presentation, multimedia presentation, drawing, other hands-on activities including lab experiences.

á        Every class activity or discussion will be accompanied by notes taken in an inter-active binder; which will be graded for completeness, neatness and organization.

á        Labs will often be inquiry-driven investigations and include a formal write-up or discussion questions that are graded for content and quality.

á        Teams will be assigned for 6 week periods and are expected to work together. Team work will be graded in a variety of ways to maximize participation.

á        Tests, quizzes and alternative assessments will be used to evaluate your understanding of the material. 

Quizzes occur every week on Friday. Quizzes are short, open note (homework notebook), timed and should require no more than 30 minutes of studying. One low quiz grade is dropped at the trimester's end.

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 work, very low quiz & test scores, missing and deficient labs, poor content knowledge and explanation of concepts

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

                          

 

 

Assessments  60%

Weekly quizzes  20%

Unit tests & final exam  25%

Authentic assessments (lab practicals, formal lab reports, etc.) 15%

 

Assignments  40%

(homework and in-class)

Organization, Preparation, Practice (interactive notebook, in-class assignments, homework)  20%

 

Laboratory application of concepts  20%

¯     Preparation and practice assignments earn an A if they are turned in on time, complete, follow instructions and work is in your own words; a C if incomplete in any way; an F if late or missing.

¯     Assigned reading from the textbook should be outlined or mapped in your homework notebook. These outlines and concept maps will not be graded but will be discussed in class and can be used on open note quizzes.

¯     All other types of assignments and assessments are graded for content and quality.

¯     All major assessments must be completed in order to successfully complete the course.

 

Late & Makeup Work Policy

              Late work is defined as any assignment not turned in at the requested time. If you arrive to class late is your responsibility to remember to turn in work that is due. You are responsible for knowing when and where to turn in class assignments. 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 or they will be counted late.

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 during lunch or A period. 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 Òon demandÓ 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 before the last bell and ready to learn every day. Use only the front doors to enter and exit.  Bring textbook, writing materials and notebook/ paper 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 unless it is part of an activity and provided by the teacher, so if you have it, you will be asked to put it IN THE TRASH or outside. 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 or may not be returned to you. 

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.