Welcome to Ms. Finchums Honors Biology Class!!

Lane Tech College Prep 2012-2013

What is biology? Biology is the study of life. We will be covering everything from the most basic (and smallest) units of life to the ways in which life forms interact and change over time. Additionally, in this class, we will be learning about some highly controversial issues such as stem cell research, evolution, genetic engineering, and finally, reproductive freedom. How will I be graded? 25% = Laboratory Work 25% = Class Participation 25% = Homework What will our week look like? Because science is a really Hands-On, Minds-On kind of field, we are going to be concentrating a lot on experimentation and laboratory work. We will try to do a lab per week, however, this is entirely behavior-dependent. If the class shows me that we can be mature and diligent with our class work, I will want to incorporate more and more lab experiences. Remember: Labs are a privilegeEARN THEM! We also need to be concentrating on skills that are necessary for college/post-secondary opportunities also known as CRS (College Readiness Standards). This is going to mean a lot of scientific reading and analysis. You will need to get very comfortable with reading for information. What are the classroom rules? In order to be successful in this class, you will need to: 1. Come to class on-time & prepared to work. When the bell rings, we will begin work immediately. 2. Respect everything and everyone in the class. 10% = Quizzes 10% = Unit Exams 5% = Quarterly Exams

What do I need for class? A 3-ring binder (only for Biology) A bound notebook (again, only for Biology) Pens/Pencils A calculator What will we be learning this year? SEMESTER 1 Unit 1: The Science of Life Unit 2: Classification & Taxonomy Unit 3: Biochemistry Unit 4: Cell Biology Unit 5: DNA & RNA Unit 6: Cell Division SEMESTER 2 Unit 6: Mendelian Genetics Unit 7: Evolution Unit 8: Organismal Energetics Unit 9: Ecology

Service Learning Project: You are required to complete a Service Learning Project specifically for biology, called the Tree Taxonomy Project. You can find information on this project at www.lanetech.org/media/taxonomy2010.pdf. You will be required to find this packet, print it off, and complete the project on your own. We will go over the components of the project on Thursday, September 6th in class so please bring the printed packet with you. Absence & Tardy Policy If you are absent, you must bring a doctors note to be signed by me in order to receive your work that you missed for the day. Any unexcused absences will result in zero credit for participation and class work for the day. If you are absent more than 5 times in the semester (excused or unexcused) your grade will be dropped one letter grade (i.e. AB, BC). Tardies are simply unacceptable. You receive the opportunity to get 5 participation points per day. If you are tardy, you automatically lose half of these points. More than two tardies in a week will result in a parent phone call in addition to points lost. Contact Information: I can be reached at eafinchum@cps.edu. All class work and presentations will be posted at www.FinchysMyTeacher.com under Honors Biology

Student Teacher Parent Agreement: In order for you, as a student, to get as much as possible from the class, and be safe in the process, we need to have open communication between myself, your parents/guardians, and, of course, you! This form shows that you (and your parent/guardian) have read and understood what is required from you in this class. Furthermore, this shows that you are released by your parent/guardian to participate in laboratory work.

Student Signature: _____________________________________________________ Printed Student Name:__________________________________________________ Parent Signature:______________________________________________________ Parent Contact Information (Email & Phone Number): ___________________________________________________________________ Best time of day to contact (Circle One): Morning Afternoon Evening

Printed Parent Name:___________________________________________________ Date Signed:_________________________________________________________

This signed agreement is due on Friday, September 7th, 2012 and will be worth 10 points towards your participation grade.