Biology Syllabus - Bloom Trail High School
Biology Syllabus - Bloom Trail High School
Biology Syllabus - Bloom Trail High School
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Email: hschwarz@sd206.org <strong>Bloom</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> phone #: 708-758-7000<br />
Welcome to Freshman <strong>Biology</strong>! During this exciting year we will be learning about and studying a<br />
variety of topics. The purpose of this handout is to inform you about this course and how I will<br />
handle different areas. This is an outline and I may make changes where necessary during the year.<br />
Classroom Requirements:<br />
Students will be expected to complete work both inside and outside of the class. Student work is<br />
used to demonstrate mastery of the subject. Work will consist of written work, projects, notes,<br />
folders / binders, labs, and assessments. Students must bring their supplies to class daily in<br />
order to be successful and complete their work. Students will be evaluated at the discretion of the<br />
classroom teacher and the work a student completes (or does not complete) will impact their grade.<br />
<strong>Bloom</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>s Behavior Management Plan:<br />
We will review, learn, and follow the behavior management plan used and supported by <strong>Bloom</strong> <strong>Trail</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. I will implement the behavior management plan beginning the first day of school. All<br />
of the information is posted within the room and we will review the plan periodically during class.<br />
Rules:<br />
1. Follow all directions and District 206 behavioral policies.<br />
2. Wear ID at all times.<br />
3. Use inside voice, keep hands and feet to yourself, no swearing, no name calling, harassing or<br />
bullying.<br />
4. No food or drink allowed in the classroom, except water.<br />
5. Demonstrate positive interactions with your teacher and classmates at all times.<br />
Class supplies (required daily):<br />
1) <strong>Biology</strong> Textbook<br />
2) three-ring binder for this class only and one package of three-ring binder<br />
dividers<br />
3) no. 2 pencils (for tests only) and pens - blue or black ink only (for all other work)<br />
4) 1 – 3 subject spiral (or larger) - for this class only (or several smaller spirals)<br />
5) 1 – 70 sheet spiral – for this class only<br />
5) folder<br />
6) loose –leaf notebook paper<br />
Additionally students will benefit by having: highlighters, colored pens, and colored pencils.<br />
Written Work Essentials<br />
1. All answers are to be written in complete sentences, unless otherwise stated.<br />
2. Spelling is correct.<br />
3. Punctuation is present and accurate.<br />
Labs and Lab Safety:<br />
Attached are two copies of the General Lab Safety Contract. This needs to be signed by you and<br />
your parent / guardian and returned. We will go over this contract during class. A copy is to be kept<br />
in your folder / binder at all times. Before you are able to participate in labs you MUST<br />
complete the following two requirements:<br />
1. You and a parent / guardian must both read and sign the lab safety contract.<br />
2. Before you are able to participate in labs you must take and pass a lab safety test with an<br />
80 % or better. If your score is below an 80 % you will have to retake the test, after
school, and you will receive a zero on all labs until you pass the safety test.<br />
Attendance / Make-up Assignments for Absences:<br />
Good attendance will lead to good grades and poor attendance will lead to poor grades. I will review<br />
the process for obtaining absent work in class during the first week. It is your responsibility to<br />
obtain and complete absent work. Some work may need to be made up after school, such as tests,<br />
quizzes, or labs.<br />
Grading information:<br />
Grading will be done using point based system. You will be able to monitor your grades on-line, on<br />
your own time. Late work will be accepted, but there are rules. Late work is worth only 80% of the<br />
student’s original score. Once an assignment has been graded and returned it will no longer be<br />
accepted (approximately 1 week or less). Incomplete assignments may result in partial credit or a<br />
zero based on the assignment. Tests will be announced in advance and quizzes will be both<br />
announced and surprise. Expect 1 or 2 quizzes each week, including vocabulary, definitions, content,<br />
prefixes and suffixes.<br />
All assignments are to be written in pen. When the assignments are completed using loose leaf paper<br />
a heading is required or your assignment will not be graded. The heading needs to be in the top<br />
right corner either in the white area or on the first four lines. You are to skip lines between<br />
numbered questions, definitions, etc. Sample heading below:<br />
First and Last Name<br />
BIO Period _____<br />
Due Date<br />
Name of the assignment<br />
__________________________________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________________________________<br />
Students are required to have a three-ringer binder with dividers for this class only. Having a binder<br />
and using it correctly is part of the student’s grade and it will help students to be and remain<br />
organized during this school year. Binders will periodically be graded.<br />
Your final grade is a combination of tests, quizzes, binder, various assignments (written work<br />
including vocabulary, questions, practice problems, worksheets, film activities, computer work, class<br />
notes, quarterly projects, group work, folder / binders, notebooks, etc.), labs and various other<br />
required assignments (including projects, written reports, visual reports and group activities). You<br />
will also have cumulative exams.<br />
Grading Scale: 90 - 100 = A; 80 - 89 = B; 70 - 79 = C; 60 - 69 = D; and 0 - 59 = E<br />
Substitute Teachers:<br />
If I am out and there is a substitute teacher, I expect that you will complete the assignment that I<br />
have left for you. The assignment will be graded and absolutely no late assignments will be<br />
accepted. Rules and policies do not change just because I am not here.<br />
Remember to take responsibility for your education and remember not to<br />
interfere with another student’s education. Cheating of any kind will result in a<br />
zero for all students involved. Take responsibility for your grade today, the end of<br />
the quarter is too late.
Mrs. Schwarz’s Freshmen <strong>Biology</strong> Class 2011 - 2012<br />
Student Name:<br />
_______________________________ BIO Period ______<br />
Due Date: 1 st and 2 nd on Thursday, September 1 and 4 th on Friday<br />
September 2 nd .<br />
Do you wear contacts? ________<br />
Are you color blind? _________<br />
Glasses? ________<br />
Do you have any allergies? _________ If yes, please list: __________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
___________________________________________________________________________<br />
Student Questions:<br />
1. Tell me what you learned about during your 8 th grade science class.<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
2. What was the name of your 8 th grade science class? ___________________________<br />
3. What is the “scientific method”?<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
4. Have you dissected? __________ What? ___________________________________<br />
5. Do you know how to graph? __________ Can you tell me what the “independent<br />
variable and dependent variable” are? ________ What are they?<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
6. List any lab equipment you have used (microscope, beakers, etc.).<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________
7. Will you bring your supplies to class and be prepared for class on a daily basis?<br />
________________ Why is this important to bring all of your supplies daily?<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
______________________________________________________________________<br />
8. Do you have all of your supplies? ____________ Is your binder set up? _________<br />
I may take class pictures during the year and display them in the room or on the internet.<br />
Please read and sign below: I give permission for my students name and image to<br />
be on the internet.<br />
SIGNATURE<br />
DATE<br />
Parent / Guardian: _____________________________________<br />
(print)<br />
_____________________________________<br />
________<br />
We have read / reviewed the attached information for Mrs. Schwarz’s Freshmen <strong>Biology</strong> class<br />
and retained the sheet titled “reference”. Please print and sign your name.<br />
SIGNATURES<br />
DATE<br />
Student: __________________________________________ ________<br />
home phone number: __________________________________<br />
Parent / Guardian: _____________________________________<br />
(print)<br />
_____________________________________<br />
(sign)<br />
________<br />
Parent / Guardian email: _____________________________________________________<br />
Parent / Guardian home phone number ___________________________________________<br />
Parent / Guardian cell phone number ____________________________________________<br />
Parent / Guardian alternate phone numbers: ______________________________________<br />
(Please state whether the alternate phone numbers are work or other.)
REFERENCE: Parents / Guardians please keep this sheet for your reference.<br />
Mrs. Schwarz’s Freshmen <strong>Biology</strong> Class 2011-2012<br />
Due Date for signature sheet and lab safety contract: 1 st and 2 nd on Thursday, September<br />
1 and 4 th on Friday September 2 nd .<br />
Please take this information packet home and go over the information carefully with your parents /<br />
guardians. When finished, please sign and return the required pages to me, on or before the due<br />
date. This is a grade; all pages must be returned at the same time. You will keep your copies<br />
in your folder / binder all year.<br />
Lab Safety Contract and test: The lab safety contract must be signed by students and their<br />
parents / guardians. The guidelines in the contract must be followed at all times. Students MUST<br />
also take and pass a lab safety test with an 80% or higher in order to participate in labs. Until all<br />
safety requirements are met students will not be allowed to participate in lab and they will receive a<br />
zero on each lab they miss.<br />
Grades: You may view your daughter / sons grade on-line by going to the school’s web page at:<br />
www.bloomtrail.org. You will then click on grades followed by parent access. You will need your<br />
daughter / sons ID number and the phone number used during the school registration process. Once<br />
you have done this you will be able to monitor your daughter/ sons progress all year long. When<br />
viewing grades if you see an NTI this means an assignment was not turned in and the grade is a<br />
zero (this may include assignments that were not made up from an absence). If you see an NPC this<br />
means that the assignment was not properly completed, needed to be re-done, and had a new due<br />
date. This grade is a zero unless turned in correctly by the new due date. If you see ABS this means<br />
the student was absent and needs to make up the assignment. This grade is a zero until it is made<br />
up. If you see REF this means the student stated they would not complete the assignment or<br />
participate, they refused. This grade is also a zero. Lastly, if you see an “X” this means the<br />
assignment was excused.<br />
Phone Numbers: Please keep your phone number current with the school by making any changes<br />
through the registrar’s office.<br />
<strong>Bloom</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>s Behavior Management Plan: We will review, learn, and follow the<br />
behavior management plan used and supported by <strong>Bloom</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>. I will implement the<br />
behavior management plan beginning the first day of school.<br />
Class supplies (required daily): <strong>Biology</strong> Textbook, three-ring binder (for this class only), one<br />
package of three-ring binder dividers, 1 – 70 sheet spiral, 1 – 3 subject or larger (or several smaller)<br />
spirals, no. 2 pencils (for tests only), pens - blue or black ink only (for all assignments /written<br />
work), folder, loose leaf notebook paper. Additionally students will benefit by having: highlighters,<br />
colored pens, and colored pencils.<br />
Parent / Guardian Involvement in Class: Periodically I may send a brief activity home that will<br />
require your signature or comments. This is meant to keep you informed as to what is going on in<br />
class.<br />
Parents / Guardians please feel free to contact me at anytime. You can access my email through the<br />
school web site. Please include daughter or sons full name in the subject line of the email.<br />
Thank you,<br />
Mrs. Schwarz - hschwarz@sd206.org