Biology Yearly Course Description
Mrs. A. Britton -Teacher
Course Objectives:
To understand the basic principles of safety, scientific method, ecology, molecules and cells, heredity, molecular genetics, evolution and classification.
To understand the incredible diversity in nature and the importance of the preservation of all life on Earth.
To gain an appreciation and understanding of contributions made by scientists in biological studies.
Explore career opportunities in the biological sciences.
Materials Required
All students are expected to show up to class every day with a pen/pencil, and paper.
All students are expected to give a 100% effort daily
Grading
Tests & Quizzes: 40%
Projects: 10%
Labs: 20%
Homework/Daily Work: 30%
CLASSROOM RULES
1. Respect the rights and property of yourself and others.
2. Enter the classroom prepared to learn.
3. Follow instructions the first time they are given.
4. Follow all rules and guidelines outlined in the Student Handbook.
5. Follow all classroom procedures.
Consequences
1. Warning
2. Hallway
3. Phone Call Home
4. Discipline Referral
5. Office
Rewards
There will be a special reward offered every month to a student that demonstrates an extremely high level of understanding and/or has shown vast improvement.
Laboratory Rules/Procedures
1. Stay at your assigned lab table during the entire lab.
2. Do not talk to anyone at another lab table.
3. Wear goggles, aprons and gloves during all labs unless otherwise stated.
4. No Horseplay at any time.
5. Clean up your lab area before you return to your seat.
6. Wash hands thoroughly after all labs.
First Semester Material
Safety & scientific method
Organic molecules and chemical reactions
Cell structure and function
Cellular energy
Heredity
Molecular genetics
Second Semester Material
Safety & scientific method Ecology
Evolution
Viruses & Bacteria
Fungal, Plant, & Animal Kingdoms
Body Systems
Notebooks
You should have a binder with a section for each of the following:
1. Notes
2. Homework
3. Tests/Quizzes
4. Labs
5. Warm-Up Activities
6. Vocabulary
You are also responsible for having a 3 ring binder, dividers, folder, spiral notebook & a composition notebook!!! These items are essential to your success!!!
You will have vocabulary quizzes once a week. It is your responsibility to keep track of all assignments I hand back to you. All warm-ups will be handed in on Friday. You should write 1 weeks worth of warm-ups on the same sheet of paper to save paper.
Procedures
Proper Assignment Appearance
All assignments should have a heading that appears at the top left-hand corner of your paper. The heading should include your name, date and class period. It should look like this:
Name
Date
Class Period
All assignments that are turned in should be written in blue or black ink or pencil.
Leaving Class
I release the class, not the bell. Please wait for me to dismiss the class before leaving.
Turning in Assignments/Homework
Turn your assignment into the designated box for your class period. Homework is to be turned in as soon as you walk in the door, before the bell rings. I will collect homework from the box as soon as the bell rings except for pre-reading assignments.
Science Department Late Work Policy
1st day = -20
2nd day = -40
3rd day = -60
4th day = -80
5TH DAY & BEYOND NOT ACCEPTED
NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE TO THIS RULE!
Makeup Work
It is your responsibility to ask me for your makeup work. I will not remind you about it.
Students who are absent will be given the number of days they were absent to complete the missing assignments. After that time frame, the late work policy applies.
Tests, Quizzes, & Labs must be made up within 5 days. After that time frame, they will no longer be offered.
Extra Credit Work
There is no extra credit work in my class. I do offer many opportunities throughout the year to earn bonus points.
Forgotten Materials
Any forgotten materials such as writing utensils or paper may be purchased from me for 10 cents at the beginning of class.
Sharpening Pencils
This may only be done if Im not in the middle of a lecture.
Food/Drinks
No, eating and drinking is not permitted in the classroom unless I designate that day to be a special Reward Day or have said otherwise. This room is not only a classroom; it is a laboratory that stores many hazardous objects and materials. Eating and drinking are never safe activities around hazardous objects or materials.
Restroom
If you have a pass, you may go to the restroom if Im not in the middle of a lecture. You will be allowed 2 passes for every 6 weeks grading period. If you need to use the restroom, wait until a good breaking point in the activities and quietly raise your hand. I will keep track of the pass use for the 6 weeks. If you run out of passes before the end of the 6 weeks grading period, you will need to plan your restroom breaks around this class. If at the end of the 6 weeks you have 1 or more restroom passes, each pass can represent 3 points added to a test grade of your choice (excluding Final Exams). So, if you have 2 passes left at the end of the 6 weeks and you made a 75 on your first test of the 6 weeks, you now have an 81 for that test.
Tardies
Tardies will be kept track of on a daily basis. Consequences for multiple tardies can be found in the Student Handbook.
Tutorials
Tutorials will be available after school Tues & Thurs until 3:30 unless other arrangements are made prior to the tutorial session. I am available & willing to meet at other times if there is a scheduling conflict.
Dress Code
Dress code will be strictly enforced. No exceptions will be made.
Profanity
I will not use foul language in front of you. I expect the same respect from you. When you go out in the real world, it will not be acceptable to blurt out obscenities whenever you feel like it. There is a time and a place for everything and this classroom is not the time or the place.
Cheating
Under no circumstances is cheating allowed in my classroom. If I catch you cheating in any way, your grade will be an automatic zero. No exceptions will be made. I consider cheating to include: copying someones homework, looking on someone elses test, bringing any kind of testing aid to a test such as cheat sheets, notes written on hands, legs, arms or anywhere else, showing someone else your test, doing someones work for them, turning in someone elses work with your name on it, and any form of plagiarism. This will NOT be tolerated. You will receive a zero for any assignment that you have cheated on and your parents will receive a phone call about the situation. Further information on this matter is addressed in your student handbook.
(Please sign and return by Thursday, 8/28/08)
I have read the attached material and understand the rules and procedures required to be successful in Mrs. Brittons class.
_____________________
Student Signature
____________________________
Parent Signature
Parent email address: ___________________________
Parent phone number: ___________________________
For parent records:
First let me apologize I was hired to the district before I was married therefore their systems still reflects my maiden name. Below I have listed two email addresses as well as two phone numbers. Please feel free to contact me if there are any problems with understanding homework, labs, etc no later then 10:00 pm. My goal is to enrich and educate. I am always just a call away for parents or students. I think it is essential that we build a relationship to ensure your childs success. I look forward to hearing from you!
You may contact me at any time during the day by leaving a voicemail at School: (281)229-6590 Home: (281)724-9653 or by email at
Professional:
ajudge@dickinsonisd.org
Personal:
brittonashley@ymail.com
Thank you!
Ashley Judge Britton
Biology/ IPC Teacher
