West Hall High School
Honors Biology Syllabus, 2017-2018 School Year
Teacher: Leigh Ann Nicolella
Room: 227
Email: [email protected]
Teacher Website: http://www.nicolella.weebly.com
School Phone: 770-967-9826
Honors Biology Syllabus, 2017-2018 School Year
Teacher: Leigh Ann Nicolella
Room: 227
Email: [email protected]
Teacher Website: http://www.nicolella.weebly.com
School Phone: 770-967-9826
Course Description:
The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology. Biology is the study of living things. An understanding of biology therefore, results in a better understanding and appreciation of life. Biology provides, through regular laboratory and field investigations, a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.
Textbook:
Biology by: Stephen Nowicki (Publisher: McDougal Littell)
Replacement cost varies based upon edition student receives. If textbook is lost, please notify teacher to determine replacement cost.
The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology. Biology is the study of living things. An understanding of biology therefore, results in a better understanding and appreciation of life. Biology provides, through regular laboratory and field investigations, a study of the structures and functions of living organisms and their interactions with their environment.
Textbook:
Biology by: Stephen Nowicki (Publisher: McDougal Littell)
Replacement cost varies based upon edition student receives. If textbook is lost, please notify teacher to determine replacement cost.
Supplies:
Additional Supplies (Not required, but helpful):
- 1 ½ inch notebook – 3 ring binder
- Dividers
- Loose leaf notebook paper
- Colored pencils (12 pack)
- Index cards
- Highlighter
- Pencils and pens (blue or black ink only!)
Additional Supplies (Not required, but helpful):
- Hand Soap
- Paper Towels
- Hand Sanitizer
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the nature of the relationship between structures and functions of living cells.
- Analyze how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
- Derive the relationship between single-celled and multi-celled organisms and the increasing complexity of systems.
- Assess the dependence of all organisms on one another and the flow of energy and matter within ecosystems.
- Evaluate the role of natural selection in the development of the theory of evolution.
Course Schedule:
Units/Topics for Semester 1 |
Units/Topics for Semester 2 |
Science of Biology |
DNA and RNA |
Ecology |
Overview of Genetic Engineering |
Biochemistry |
Overview of Human Genome |
Cellular Structure |
Evolution |
Cellular Transport |
Classification |
Photosynthesis/Cellular Respiration |
Bacteria and Viruses |
Mitosis |
Protists and Fungi |
Introduction to Genetics |
Plant Diversity |
*Note* - Schedule is subject to change at teacher’s discretion.
Grading:
Daily Grades (Homework,
Classwork, Quizzes, Notebooks, and Labs) |
45% |
Tests |
55% |
EOCT |
20% |
Late Work Grading Policy:
Late daily grade assignments can only receive a maximum of 75%. Make it a priority to turn in your assignments on time.
Late daily grade assignments can only receive a maximum of 75%. Make it a priority to turn in your assignments on time.
Attendance and tardiness:
Once the tardy bell rings, you are not to be permitted into the classroom without a tardy slip. If you know you are late, please make your way to the attendance office to receive a tardy slip. Do not disturb class. Any student out of class without permission for more than 10 minutes will be considered cutting class and appropriate discipline will apply
Once the tardy bell rings, you are not to be permitted into the classroom without a tardy slip. If you know you are late, please make your way to the attendance office to receive a tardy slip. Do not disturb class. Any student out of class without permission for more than 10 minutes will be considered cutting class and appropriate discipline will apply
Classroom Expectations - The 5 P's (Golden Rules)
1. Be Prompt – Arrive to class on time every day and be in your seat working on the warm-up activity or notes when the bell rings.
2. Be Prepared – Come prepared for class every day with all of the necessary materials (notebooks, pencils, notes, and an agenda – no agenda, no pass!)
3. Be Productive – Remain on task in class at all times, follow directions, and stay seated unless you have been given permission to do otherwise. No bathroom breaks during lecture!
4. Be Patient – Quietly raise your hand if you have a question or comment and wait calmly for the teacher to respond. When the bell rings you are dismissed so do not pack up early or line up at the door.
5. Be Polite – Respect yourself, classmates and the teacher with your words and actions. Do not vandalize or destroy other people’s personal belongings. Respect the classroom environment by keeping it free from trash and litter! No food is permitted in the classroom.
2. Be Prepared – Come prepared for class every day with all of the necessary materials (notebooks, pencils, notes, and an agenda – no agenda, no pass!)
3. Be Productive – Remain on task in class at all times, follow directions, and stay seated unless you have been given permission to do otherwise. No bathroom breaks during lecture!
4. Be Patient – Quietly raise your hand if you have a question or comment and wait calmly for the teacher to respond. When the bell rings you are dismissed so do not pack up early or line up at the door.
5. Be Polite – Respect yourself, classmates and the teacher with your words and actions. Do not vandalize or destroy other people’s personal belongings. Respect the classroom environment by keeping it free from trash and litter! No food is permitted in the classroom.
6. Cell phones are permitted but it should be used for educational purposes only. Extensive use of this will result in no phones at all for the whole class. Charging is not permitted in the classroom.
7. You are NOT permitted to sit on the counters. These are for laboratory experiments. They are not seats.
7. You are NOT permitted to sit on the counters. These are for laboratory experiments. They are not seats.
Make-up Work:
When a student is absent from class, it is their responsibility to make sure they make up their assignments. Please see the hanging bag that says make up work. You will find all missing notes, worksheets, or activities in your corresponding class folder. Make sure to check for the correct day of the week. It is the student's responsibility to get this work. Zeroes will result in assignments not made up by the student.
The copy of the assignment in the make-up work folder is the only copy you will receive. If you lose this copy, it will be your responsibility to go to my website to print out another.
Per WHHS handbook, students shall be permitted to make up all work missed, except for absences caused by out-of-school suspension, with the exception of tests and major assignments. All make up work must be completed within 5 days of the student’s return to school unless the principal or designee allows the student additional time for completion.
If a student is absent, on the day of a test or on the day an assignment is due and has been notified of the assignment in advance or was aware of the assignment then the student will be expected to make up the test on the date of return.
When a student is absent from class, it is their responsibility to make sure they make up their assignments. Please see the hanging bag that says make up work. You will find all missing notes, worksheets, or activities in your corresponding class folder. Make sure to check for the correct day of the week. It is the student's responsibility to get this work. Zeroes will result in assignments not made up by the student.
The copy of the assignment in the make-up work folder is the only copy you will receive. If you lose this copy, it will be your responsibility to go to my website to print out another.
Per WHHS handbook, students shall be permitted to make up all work missed, except for absences caused by out-of-school suspension, with the exception of tests and major assignments. All make up work must be completed within 5 days of the student’s return to school unless the principal or designee allows the student additional time for completion.
If a student is absent, on the day of a test or on the day an assignment is due and has been notified of the assignment in advance or was aware of the assignment then the student will be expected to make up the test on the date of return.