Biology I #2000310Robert E. Lee High School

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

- The Lorax

Instructor: Samantha L. PartonClassroom Number: Rm. 896Phone Number: (904) 381 3930 ext 2896 Email: partons@duvalschools.orgWebsite: partonscience.weebly.com

Course DescriptionBiology I is a comprehensive course designed to provide students with a foundational knowledge of biological science. Biology is the study of living things. From the life sustaining processes of a single cell to the interconnected nature of complex ecosystems, students will use observation, inquiry, and experimentation to study life across many scales.

Graduation Requirement and Educational PathwaysStudents taking Biology I are required to take the Biology End of Course Assessment in the spring. The EOC is based on Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The EOC assessment will count as 30% of each student’s final grade. Successful completion of this course satisfies one of the three science credits needed for successful graduation and can lead to the opportunity to take advanced courses such as Chemistry, AP Biology, or AP Environmental Science.

Course ContentQuarter 1 Quarter 2Unit 1: Nature of Science and Cell Theory Unit 2: Biochemistry

Unit 3: PlantsUnit 4: Ecology Unit 5: Human Physiology

Quarter 3 Quarter 4Unit 6: Cell Biology Unit 7: GeneticsUnit 8: Evolution

Remediation Lessons Comprehensive ReviewEnd of Course Assessment Preparation

Class Goals and Motto As a class we will achieve…

> 100% of students will surpass the district average on the Biology End of Course Assessment. > 100% of students will demonstrate 75% mastery of each standard taught in Biology.

As a class we will strive to… BE UNCOMMON

Textbook and Materials Textbook : Biology. Nowicki, S. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Orlando, Florida. 2012. Required Supplies : One 1 or 1 ½ Inch 3 Ring Binder, 10 Tabbed Dividers (for binder), 1 Pack College

Ruled Loose Leaf Paper, and Writing Utensils.

Classroom Expectations and ConsequencesStudents are expected to conduct themselves with dignity and respect each and every day. The following expectations and consequences are intended to protect the sanctity of the classroom and promote student learning. Students that do the right thing will be rewarded in this class.

Classroom Expectations Classroom ConsequencesBe PROMPT. 1. Verbal Warning Be PREPAPRED. 2. Teacher/Student Conference and Seat ChangeBE PRESENT. 3. Phone Call HomeBE POLITE. 4. Removal from Class/ReferralBE PROUD. Multiple incidents may result in a Parent Teacher

Conference. ** Teacher will use discretion when issuing consequences. **

Rituals and Routines Starting/Ending Class : In order to maximize our learning time, I have a set procedure for the beginning

and end of each class period. These are non-negotiable action items and students that fail to complete each item in a timely manner will be issued a consequence.

The First Five - Starting Class The Last Five - Ending ClassPick up today’s class materials. Finish your exit ticket. Immediately find your seat. Organize your binder and turn in assignments.Organize your desk and ensure you have everything you need to be successful.

Clean up your area.

Write down your homework. Assign yourself. Start your Do Now. Wait for the teacher to dismiss you.

Do Now/Tardy : Do Now assignments are completed during the first five minutes of class and will always count as a grade. Therefore, it is imperative that students arrive to class in a timely manner. Tardiness will be documented and may result in lower Do Now grades. In addition, homework is always due at the beginning of class; as a result, tardiness may also result in lower homework grades.

Academic Honesty : Forms of dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, are violations of the Student Code of Conduct of Robert E. Lee High School and Duval County Public Schools. All incidents will result in a zero for the assignment and the appropriate referral/consequence from administration.

Bathroom/Hall Pass : Students have exactly 5 minutes in between each class to transition themselves and take care of any errands or business. My class is only 90 minutes long and we only meet every other day. The expectation is that you will utilize 100% of that time to advance your learning. Therefore, students will not be issued restroom passes in my classroom. In addition, students may not gain permission to go elsewhere without the appropriate pass.

Food and Drink : Biology is an inquiry dependent course that takes place in a fully equipped science lab to maximize student learning. Due to the nature of the course and common rules of laboratory safety, no food or drink is allowed in this class.

CommunicationThe best way to get in touch with me is via email (found at the top of this document). I will try my best to always adhere by the professional standard of responding to an email within 24 hours. Students and parents are also able to call my classroom number and leave a message. It should be noted that during school hours I will prioritize class time over answering and taking phone calls unless it is an emergency. The best time to reach me would be between 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM. I will also try to return calls within 24 hours.

TechnologyCell phone use in class is strictly prohibited. If a student is caught with a cell phone, he or she will be issued a class consequence. Recurring issues will result in administrative involvement and further consequences. We will utilize classroom technology (tablets and school computers) to conduct research, complete assignments, and engage in other learning opportunities. If a student is caught misusing any school or classroom technology, he or she forfeits the right to use said technology until further notice. There are quite a few websites that will be used this year in Environmental Science to connect students to course material. Class codes and sign up information can be found on the class website.

Grading PolicyThe gradebook for Biology will be set up based on weighted categories. Grades will be updated weekly by Sunday evening. Any work that was not turned in for any reason will be temporarily entered as a zero in the gradebook. Students are able to turn in work past the original due date and the zero will be adjusted according to the late work policy. Assignments will be graded on a point scale using a rubric and recorded in the appropriate category. The four grading categories include: Assessments, Classwork, Engagement, and Do Now/Exit Ticket. Below you will find a description of each category as well as the assigned weight to each category.

Category DescriptionAssessments (40%) The assessment category includes assignments that

measure a student’s mastery of a particular state standard or skill; for example, topic quizzes, unit exams, labs, inquiry based activities, or performance tasks.

Classwork (30%) The classwork category includes assignments completed during our scheduled class block to help students monitor and advance their learning; for example, guided notes, text-dependent questions, and other guided practice.

Do Now/Exit Tickets (15%) This category includes student scores on the daily Do Now (recall short answer questions) and daily Exit Tickets (standards based mastery questions).

Engagement (15%) The engagement category includes all the other necessary access points to a successful science class including: returning paperwork on time, abiding by safety procedures and lab protocols, completing homework, as well as extension projects.

Absence Policy, Late Work, and Missing Assignments Late Work : All work is expected to be turned in on time. Students who choose not to turn in their work

on time will lose 10% of their grade for every class day the work is late. Late work will never count for less than 50% of the original score. For work that is late due to an absence, please see the absence policy.

Absence Policy : Students will have one day for every day of absence to turn in work for full credit. If you know you will be gone over a test or a quiz, please notify me ahead of time to arrange for a time to make up the assessment. Work turned in beyond the adjusted due date is late, and will be scored according to the late work policy.

Obtaining Make Up Work : If a student has make up work or a missing assignment, they may access their missed work via the class website and if necessary, extra copies can be found in the bin labeled “extra copies.” If work is due the day of an absence, students are required to turn the work in immediately upon their return to school. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain and complete missing work. I encourage students who know they are going to be absent to ask for their work prior to the absence to ensure that they have enough time to complete the assignment on their own.

Exam Retakes and CorrectionsLearning is not a finite quest that abides by due dates. It is continual. In order to honor my belief that all students can learn and grow and my expectation that students have a growth mindset, I will always offer exam retakes and exam corrections. Students that receive a score lower than a 65 on a unit exam are eligible for an exam retake once they have met a predetermined set of requirements. Students that earn higher than a 65 are eligible for exam corrections and may earn up to one half of their missed points back.

I welcome any comments or feedback that you may have about our class. Achieving our goals this year will take a team effort, and I hope that you will share any constructive suggestions you have to help us reach our goal together. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, you may speak to me directly before class, after class, or by email.

Please sign the next page indicating that you have read and understood this syllabus. This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor, the school, or district. In addition, please have your parent/guardian complete

the next page verifying that you have read and understood the above information. This is your first assignment!

Student First Name: ___________________________ Student Last Name: _______________________

I, ________________________________________________________(Print Name), have read and understood the expectations for my Physical Science Class. __________________________________________________________________ (Signature)_________________________________ (Date) Parents/Guardians

Please read the attached syllabus with your student. Then, sign and date below. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to fill out the bottom portion of this page! I have read and discussed the above expectations with my student. __________________________________________________________________ (Signature)_________________________________ (Date) Additional Information

Parent/Guardian Name(s): __________________________________________________________________________________________The best way to contact me is by (please circle all that apply): email phonetext messageThe best email address to contact me at is ________________________________________________________________________. The best phone number to reach me at is ________________________________________________________________________ and the best time to contact me is __________________________________________________________________________. What do you wish teachers knew about your student? Also, does your student have any special needs or conditions that make learning more difficult for him/her?

What motivates your student? What strategies have worked in the past to make your student successful? What are your short-term and long-term goals for your student? Is there anything else that I should know that would be helpful in making me a good teacher for your student?

**Please return this page.**