Instructor: Mr. Streng

E-mail: bstreng@mail.badinhs.org

Room: 208

Subject: CP Biology

Course Syllabus

Course Description:

This course will be an introduction to biology covering a broad range of themes. We will cover the state standards for years nine and ten life science and all the benchmarks and grade level indicators that are included in this standard. These standards that can be found on the website will be the baseline that we will work from. Anticipate going well beyond these standards and exploring the material in depth. This is a challenging course that will require students manage work both individually and acquire group working / management skills. There will be a lot of cooperative projects and chances for students to demonstrate what they know not only to the instructor but to their peers as well. Communication of knowledge will be another skill set that will be worked on in this course. 

Course Objectives:

It is hoped that through this course students will come to

• an understanding of the Ohio Earth Science academic content standards
• an appreciation the complexity of the world around them
• an understanding of biology and scientific literacy within the discipline
  

This course will also provide students with the opportunity to improve

• Communication skills
• Comprehension of academic literature
• Group and collective learning processes

Text:

Biology; Principles and Explorations by Holt, Rinehart, and Wilson

Assorted other texts provided  

Website:

This website has been created for your convienence. Note that I will do my best to keep it as up to date as possible. This is where you should go to receive handouts, assignments, and other documents pertaining to the class. In the event that you are absent, you can use this site to catch up on work that you may have missed. Missed documents will also be located on the hallway side of the room for your convenience. Check here if you did not see anything on the site.

Class Calendar

This is located on the front bulletin board for your benefit. If you have a school sanctioned athletic event or extracurricular, or a major test or paper due in another class I encourage you to write it on this board. I will do my best to take these events into account when schedule due dates and test dates, but will not hold up academic progress.

Class Expectations

Your primary responsibility in this class will be to put forth your best work possible. No less will be accepted from you. At Stephen T. Badin High School you are expected to make your academics your primary responsibility. There is nothing that will reward you more over your lifetime than a quality education.

• Late Work
• It is expected that you turn in your assignments on time. If you fall more than three assignments behind at any point a letter will be sent home for a parent to sign. This letter will outline what assignments you are missing. As a class we will have to hold a steady academic pace to ensure that we cover material. If you fall behind it puts you in the difficult position of having to catch up, and your situation can snowball very quickly.
• Grades
• Every student is expected to achieve excellent academic achievement. However, if your grade falls below a C during the course of an academic quarter, a letter will be sent home. This letter will encourage parents to check Edline and sign saying they understand. Parents are welcome to meet with me at any point, and I encourage parental communication via e-mail.

Assessments

Student progress will be monitored through a variety of assignments. Students can expect to have some sort of homework most nights. Major assessments will take to the form of tests, quizzes, projects, presentations and papers. During the course of the year I will attempt to tailor the assessments to suit students learning styles.

Projects

Throughout the semester you should expect to see a large number of small projects that will relate to what is currently being studied or what will be studied. These small projects will vary in size and present a way for you to show what you know in generally nontraditional ways.

Grading Scale and Policies

This class will follow the same grading scale as is outlined in your student handbook. Penalties for late work will also follow those policies as outlined in the student handbook.

Your grade in this course will be from a collection of tests, quizzes, projects, papers, and other sources. I intend on taking a large number of grades and do not anticipate the chance for extra credit. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities that are provided to you.