PHYSIOLOGY Ms. Graviss

room 228

physiology@mgraviss.org           website: mgraviss.org                   phone: 510 526 9213

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

Course Description

Physiology is the study of the structure, function and interaction of the human body's cells, tissues, organs and organ systems.   

 

Big Ideas

I.          Our bodies are organized and studied on many levels from atom to organism and at each level, structure is related to function.

II.         Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems all contribute to homeostasis of the human body.

III.        Organ systems are interdependent, organized groups of tissues and organs that provide us with movement, support, protection, communication, transport, reproduction, digestion, gas exchange and waste removal.

IV.        Laboratory skills and materials can be used to study the function of human body.

V.         Doctors and researchers use numerous methods to study, analyze, diagnose and heal the body.

VI.        Heredity and interactions with the  environment affect the functioning of the human body.

 

Materials

á        textbook: Human Biology *

á        TWO composition notebooks *

á        folder or binder (keep ALL graded work until each trimesterÕs end)

á        colored pencils/markers (seriously, we use them a lot)*

*BRING TO CLASS EVERY DAY

 

Class Procedures

á        Class activities will include lab experiences, class discussion, small group investigation, video and computer presentation, drawing and use of educational coloring books, research and student presentation. 

á        Assigned teams will work together for 6-week periods.

á        Expect 2 or 3 homework reading assignments each week. Outlines or concept maps for these assignments will go in your homework notebook. The homework notebook will not be graded but will be used on open note quizzes

á        You must email me once a week at physiology@mgraviss.org. Weekly emails will contribute to the reading comprehension category of your grade (see grades and assessments below) Email may ask a question about something we've been discussing, share something you read or saw outside of class, describe something you learned this week, mention something new you saw on my website, share a comment/question about science in general. It doesn't have to be long but it must include your name and class period in you email address or subject line. Email may not be a question about grades or late work or anything like that but can be sent any day of the week.

á        Quizzes, tests and other assessments will be used to evaluate various skills and outcomes. 

-Quizzes occur every Friday. They are short, open note (homework notes only), and are not listed on the test calendar. Missed quizzes must be made up the following Monday during BREAK. One low quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the term.

-Unit tests will be listed on the test calendar and require at least 3 hours of study.

-Other assessments may include lab practicals, projects, written and oral reports, skits, etc.

 

Grades and assessment

A= 94 - 100    A- = 90 - 93               

mastery of learning objectives, consistent effort, high ability to articulate knowledge

B+ = 87 - 89   B = 83 - 86   B- = 79 - 82

above average understanding of learning objectives, consistent effort, good ability to articulate ideas

C+ = 76 - 78   C = 72 - 75   C- = 69 - 71

average understanding of learning objectives, inconsistent effort, average ability to articulate ideas

D+ = 66 - 68   D = 62 - 65   D- = 60 - 62

below average understanding, inconsistent effort, low ability to articulate ideas                        

F= 0 - 59%

lacking understanding, no effort, inability/unwillingness to articulate ideas.

 

The following are percentages of your total grade for the course:

 

Factual knowledge = 20%

(quizzes, other assessments)

Explaining concepts = 30%

(tests, other assessments)

Analyzing data = 30%

(tests, research, lab reports)

Reading comprehension = 10%

(in-class activities, weekly email)

Organizing information = 10%

(notebooks, in-class activities)

(A "habits of scholarship" category will not be included in overall grade)

Within each category, assignments are based on points.

 

¯     Reading comprehension assignments receive an A if they are on time, complete, follow instructions and are original work.  Incomplete assignments receive a B.  Late and missing assignments receive an F and are labeled as such. 

¯     All other categories are graded for accuracy and quality. 

¯     Every activity done in class should be accompanied by notes taken in your interactive notebook on the right (input) side of the page.  Each night, read each page of your notes and on the left (output) page, interact with your notes in a visual or other way. Ex: drawing or diagram, concept map, vocab list, or simply type out the notes and neatly attach the printout. You may be given specific assignments for the output pages.

 

Late & Makeup Work Policy

              Assignments are late if you submit them after the designated turn-in time, unless you have an excused absence.  Homework is usually due at the beginning of class. If you arrive to class late, it is your responsibility to remember to turn in your homework or make up a quiz you may have missed.

In-class assignments are usually collected at the end of class. You are responsible for knowing when and where to turn in class assignments. Late work is not accepted and receives an F. 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.  (If using a tech excuse, you must turn in the assignment.)

Assignments can be made up if they are late due to excused absence. It is your responsibility to see me after an absence for any assignments, handouts or labs you may have missed.  The following are specific policies for makeup work.

 

 

Makeup work (3 day rule)

homework

Absent?  Check homework at mgraviss.org physiology 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.  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. Enrichment or extension projects may be offered at various times throughout the year.

 

Class Rules

              1) Be in the classroom before the bell rings to begin class.  Enter and exit through the front door only. Bring materials listed above EVERY DAY.

              2) I ONLY GRADE DARK PEN OR PENCIL.  I will ask you to rewrite an assignment if I can't comfortably read it.  Include full name, class period, date on all papers or emails submitted for grading.

              3) All school rules must be followed in class. No hats may be worn. Food is never allowed unless it's part of a learning activity. I will ask you to put food and drinks IN THE TRASH or to leave them by the door. Cell phones, ipods and other electronics should not be seen or heard or they will be taken to the office. You may not use the electrical outlets in the classroom to charge your phones during class. You may use the ones in the back offices at your own risk.

              4) Vandalism and leaving trash around is not tolerated.  The consequence for defacing desks is to clean ALL the tables.

              5) Your undivided attention is required for success.  Keep magazines, homework, makeup, friendship bracelets, etc. in your bags.

6) ALL WRITTEN WORK MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

7) Do not ask to leave the room for any reason. Use your bathroom passes and follow the rules on the back. If someone else is out of class, please wait until that person returns.

8) Respect our learning environment. Please listen when others are speaking, treat classmates and their property (and me) with respect.

 

Inability to follow these rules will result in warning, seat change, removal from class, student-teacher conference, parent-teacher conference as needed.

Good participation and success in following these rules will result in enjoyable classes and academic success.