Biology

Mrs. Poirier

Room # C219

Course Description and Classroom Policies

Course Description

Students will explore and learn about living things, develop an understanding about the relationships between living organisms and the environment, conduct labs, and investigate the commonality and classification of organisms. Students will investigate specific topics related to cell structure and function, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, organisms in their environment, genetics, and evolutionary trends.

Classroom Expectations and Procedures:

1. Materials Needed

   1. 3 ring binder 

   2. Paper 

   3. Chromebook (bring every day!)

   4. Headphones (recommended)

   5. pen or pencil 

2. Be Prompt and Prepared for Learning

   1. Be on time and in your seat when the bell rings

   2. Check the board and begin warm up when the bell rings

   3. Class does not end before the bell so do not pack up your belongings before given permission (no standing near the door for dismissal)

3. Behavior Expectations

   1. Use appropriate language

   2. Be respectful to everyone and everyone’s property

4. Limited Passes out of the room

   1. Travel log must be signed and red pass obtained before leaving class (one person at a time)

   2. Please refrain from going to the bathroom during the first or last 10 minutes of class

   3. Leaving the room should be avoided while the teacher is instructing the class (lecturing, going over warm-ups, assignments, explaining labs, etc.)

5. Absences

   1. Homework: You will have one block day for every day absent to make up the work (school policy)

      1. It is YOUR responsibility to pick up the work and questions about make up work will only be answered before or after school (do NOT interrupt class)

      2. Please check my website during your absence, check google classroom, and check the absent folder upon your return. 

   2. Tests: You will be given plenty of notice before a test and therefore will be expected to make up the test ASAP!

1. It is YOUR responsibility to schedule a time to make up the test 

2. You may be required to take an alternative essay test if you are unable to make up the missing test within a week

3. Failure to make up tests in a timely manner will result in a zero 

6. Late work policy

Unless previous arrangements have been made, all work not turned in on its due date is considered late if the student was present in class.

1. Late work turned in one class day late will receive up to 75% of the total possible points for the assignment.

2. Late work turned in to the teacher by the end of the unit, or within two weeks of the original due date (whichever is shorter) will receive up to 50% of the total possible points on the assignment.  After that, a zero is recorded for the assignment.

3. There may be exceptions to this policy if the student emails the teacher before the assignment is due and explains any extenuating circumstances causing the student to miss the due date.  

4. Regarding long-term projects or assignments, given three or more weeks before the due date, late work will not be accepted.

7. Cheating/Copying will not be tolerated (School policy)

   1. Cheating, copying assignments, plagiarizing from books or the internet, etc. will result in a maximum score of 25% on the assignment, a call home to parents/guardian, and a note on your record

   2. Allowing others to copy your assignments will also result in the same consequences

8. No Food or Drink (water only!)

9.  No cell phone use unless permission granted by teacher

   1.  No cell phones out during Teacher led instruction (lecturing, going over warm-ups, assignments, explaining labs, etc.)

      1. Cell phone should be kept in backpack and not out on desk

   2.  If the teacher has given permission for cell phone use, students should not be watching unassigned videos or playing games during this time.

   3. The expectation is that students use their Chromebooks for assignments that require technology. If the need to use your cell phone arises, please ask permission first.

10. Tardy Policy

    1. School Wide Policy consequences will be followed

Grading Scale

 100-90% = A    89-80% = B    79-70% = C    69-60% = D    59% and below = F

Grading Distributions

Classwork/Homework = 20%

Labs/Virtual Labs = 10%

Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Projects) = 50%

Final Exam = 20%

I look forward to having you/your student in my class.  Any questions or concerns please contact me (the best way will be email). 

Email: rpoirier@esdk12.org

School Phone: (303) 646-1856

Voicemail Extension: 8032

Google Site: https://sites.google.com/a/esdk12.org/poirier-science/

School Website: https://www.elizabethschooldistrict.org/Domain/163