North Montgomery High School Biology IA & IB Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Myers Classroom: 122 After/Before School Hours: 7:45 Daily/Bonus School Phone Number: (765) 362-5140 E-Mail: amyers@nm.k12.in.us North Montgomery High School Website: http://nmhs.nm.k12.in.us/ Mrs. Myers Website: http://myersscience.weebly.com/ Assignments will be available in class as well as on the classroom website. REQUIRED TEXTS: Pearson Miller/Levine: Biology COURSE DESCRIPTION: Life Sciences will follow the Indiana 2010 State Science Standards according to discipline. Please visit https://learningconnection.doe.in.gov/Standards/Standards.aspx to see the Biology I standards. COURSE FORMAT: The class meets for 70 minutes per day Monday- Friday. Readings and homework are assigned, as appropriate; to provide background information on course topics, and guest speakers may be invited to address various course topics. Student assignments are drawn from class topics and discussions. The goal of this course is to acquaint students with the study of life science and prepare them for higher-level science courses as well as college courses. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate knowledge and skills through classroom grades and a final assessment. GRADING POLICY: Grades will be earned throughout each trimester based on performance in each of the following areas: Tests and Quizzes, Laboratories and Projects, Classwork/Homework/Participation, and Science Notebook. Each of these areas will be given grades that will contribute to overall points per trimester. The following point ranges per assignment will be assigned. Tests: 75-100 points (Per assignment) Quizzes: 25-50 points (Quizzes will be based on mastery and can be taken over. See BONUS for more information) (Per assignment) Laboratories: 75-100 points (Per assignment) Classwork: 10-20 points (Per assignment) Homework: 3-5 points (Per assignment) Life Science Binder: 100 points (Per trimester) Biology in the News: (10 points each) Socrative Exit Ticket Formative Assessments: 2-5 points (Per assignment) Grades will be assigned on the basis of the percent of accumulated points as follows. North Montgomery has adopted the following scale: A= 90-100%; B= 80- 89%; C= 70-79%; D= 69-60% and F= 59% and below. Grades will be shown in Powerschool as a percentage. Extra Credit: Extra Credit may be given depending on topic and time of year. Extra Credit will not be given based on student or parent request. Students' are encouraged to keep up with their work throughout the year.

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to come to class with homework completed. Assignments not turned in on time will result in partial or no credit. 1 Day Late 2 Days Late 3 Days Late Trimester IA & IB 25% off 50 % off No credit given Homework will be posted on the board in the classroom. The website will also be updated regularly to show assignments and upcoming tests and quizzes. Make-Up Work: Students are responsible for getting work they missed while they were absent. All students should speak with me upon return so that we can go over what is due and when it will need to be turned in. If a student has a pre-arranged absence, they are expected to come to me before they leave to obtain any work they can do at home. All class work that cannot be made up at home will need to be made up during BONUS. Students are responsible for coming in to complete assignments. BONUS: Bonus times will be used in the following ways: Extra Help. Any student having difficulties may use bonus to get help in the area of need. Missed work (laboratories, quizzes, tests, and class work that cannot be done at home) will be made up in bonus. Students who need to make up work should sign up for bonus including what they need to make up so that work will be ready when they come in. Quizzes- Any students under 60% on a quiz will be required to come to bonus. Student will review problems with teacher and will retake quiz. Any student over 60% may elect to come into bonus to review and retake quiz as well. The goal of all quizzes is that students show mastery. Therefore, students may retake quizzes as many times as they need within a unit, until they have mastered the content. Students who consistently do not do well on Socrative Exit Tickets may be asked to stay for bonus. This will be at teachers discretion. Type of Assignments: Tests and Quizzes (25-100 points each) Tests will be given at the end of the unit, quizzes will be covered within a given unit. All tests and quizzes will have a variety of questions including multiple choice, true/false, matching, application, labeling, fill in the blank, short answer, and essay. Biology in the News (10 points each) Due on the 1st and 15th of each month Find newspaper, magazine, or internet article on some aspect of BIOLOGY. Write a two-paragraph summary of the news article that includes the following information: Who, What Where When Why Relation to BIOLOGY. Cite the source: Title of Article, author, date, and URL or Title of Article, author, date, and newspaper or magazine Submit Assignment via website by 1st and 15th of every month. Name and Biology News on subject line and Name etc. in text of message! Life Science Binder/ Notebook (100 points per trimester): Students expected to bring to class at all times. Student can decide how to organize, however it must be easy for teacher to follow for grading and must have the following materials/sections:

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Notes Labs Tests/Quizzes Vocabulary

Socrative Exit Tickets (3-5 points per class): In the last 5 minutes of every class students are expected to take a quick quiz/reflection to reflect what they learned that day in class. Questions will vary depending on topic but will feature both items that may appear on future quizzes and tests as well as reflection questions so I can address topics better or go back and reteach items that classes did not understand well. Reflection questions will be graded by completion. Answers that are only one word will not get a full score. Content questions may be either multiple choice or short answer. Only topics covered will show up as content questions in Socrative. The lowest two Socrative scores will be dropped each trimester. Classroom Expectations: RESPECT RESPONSIBILITY RESOURCEFULNESS The above three words are your expectations for your class this coming school year. Being Respectful includes: Respecting yourself including how you dress and overall present yourself within the classroom. Respecting all other students in the class including their opinions, ideas, space, and belongings. Respecting all instructors in the classroom including ALL school personnel, guest speakers, and guests. Respecting school property including materials within the classroom. Being Responsible includes: Bringing all materials to class including textbook, binder, and writing materials. Handing in all assignments on time and completed. Copying assignments down in calendar and getting all permission slips signed. Not bringing items into class that are not in accordance with school policies including food, drinks, cell phones, etc. Being on time to class and ready to DO SCIENCE! Follow ALL LAB SAFETY rules. Make up any missed work when you are absent. Being Resourceful includes: Seeking answers on own using textbook and outside resources including reference materials and recommended websites depending on topic. Working towards developing scientific hypotheses based on experiments and creative ideas. Using time wisely in all classroom activities and seeking extra help when needed.

2012-2013 Science Department Safety Standards North Montgomery High School

This is a safety standard student contract that you should read and sign. Because the science classroom can be a dangerous place, you need to be aware of what is expected of you in this class.
1) I will not work in the lab if the teacher is gone from the room. 2) I will dress appropriately for science class. No: loose clothing or jewelry, loose long hair, or open toed shoes while using chemicals or dissecting. (FLIP FLOPS/SANDALS) 3) When I am doing an experiment, I will move everything but my lab book/notes, pen/pencil, and necessary lab equipment off of the table. 4) I will wear safety goggles and a lab coat/apron when performing a lab. 5) I will follow all lab procedures exactly. I will not deviate from the lab procedures unless I obtain permission from my teacher. I.e. randomly mixing chemicals. 6) I will know the location and proper use of all safety equipment, including: the fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eye wash station, restroom, nearest fire alarm and the nearest two exits. 7) I will not throw anything in class or take any action that intentionally jeopardizes a student or teachers safety. 8) I will not use dirty, broken, or chipped glassware. At the beginning of each lab I will inspect all lab equipment and insure it is in proper working condition. Any unserviceable equipment will be given to the teacher and I will be supplied with a replacement. 9) I will properly dispose of any excess chemicals or leftover materials in appropriate waste containers. 10) I will clean up and put away all equipment, and clean my lab station upon finishing a lab activity. 11) I will not bring any food or drink to a lab station.

12) Chemical Procedures:

A) I will mix all substances that produce noxious fumes, vapors, or gasses in the fume hood. B) I will properly dispose of any excess chemicals or leftover materials in appropriate waste containers. C) I will not directly smell any chemicals. D) I will handle all chemicals safely. E) If any chemical, solution, or mixture spills, I will contact my teacher and will not attempt to clean up the spill without special instructions.

13) Special Situations:

A) HOT EQUIPMENT I will treat all equipment as if it was hot for personal safety purposes. B) FIRE I will immediately stop working, warn everyone at my table, and warn the teacher. Then, one of four steps will be taken: i) If the fire is limited to one sheet of paper in size, let it burn out. ii) If the fire is controllable, the teacher will use the extinguisher to put out the fire. iii) In the event that the fire possesses a threat to safety, the alarm will be pulled and the room evacuated. iv) If a person is on fire the fire blanket will be used. C) EQUIPMENT BREAKAGE In the event that equipment breaks, I will warn everyone at my table, get the teacher, and not attempt to clean up the broken material. D) ELECTRICAL i) I will check to make sure all electrical is off before plugging it in or unplugging it. ii) I will make sure that the lab station is dry and all cords are not frayed. E) ACCIDENT OR INJURY I will immediately stop working, get my teacher, and warn everyone at my lab table to stop working. Bodily fluids are NOT to be handled by students. 14) I will behave responsibly and exercise common sense at all times. 15) I will understand the operation of and know how to use all lab equipment before beginning an experimenting utilizing that equipment.

I understand each statement in the Science Safety Standards contract and agree to abide by these rules so I may participate in the class Printed Students Name: ______________________________________ Signed ____________________________________________________ Date _________________ Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________ Phone Number ___________________