Mrs. Covey McConnell
National Board Certified Teacher
e- mail : cmcconnell@kgcs.k12.va.us
Course Description:
Genetics is a life science, and a branch of biology, so there will be some overlapping material from students’ previous biology classes. We will have a lot of interesting topics to discuss in this class, and you will find it very interesting. I will issue a warning that this should not be taken as an “easy ‘A’” class, because the material we will learn about is complicated at points, and the reading is advanced.
The main areas of study in class include:
Materials Needed:
Assignments & Homework: A student may be assigned classwork/homework every day. Some assignments are due during class and some assignments will be due on test day. Keep up with assignments. Make sure that you are capable of doing all types of problems and know what questions to ask. There will be a list of work that is due on the test day written on the board. Be sure to turn this work in before the test that day.
Journal/Warm Ups: At the beginning of class most days, student will respond to the journal topic or questions. You are responsible for all journals, even when you are absent.
Makeup/Missed/Late Work Policy:
Unit Agenda: This information is available on my website.
Late Work: Very few assignments can be turned in late. Late work will not be accepted once I review the answers in class or on work that I check at the beginning of class. Late work will not be accepted unless complete. 20% of the possible score will be deducted for work not handed in on time. An additional 20% will be deducted for each day after the due date.
Excused Absences: Students will use the unit agenda (website of bulletin board), which lists classwork and homework, to identify any work they need to complete. The unit agendas, worksheets, and notes are also usually available on my website. Students are responsible for getting any notes they missed from another student or my website. Students will complete make-up tests during Flex period. Work from an absence must be completed within 1 week.
King George High School HONOR CODE:
Anyone cheating will receive a zero for that assignment/test, a referral to the office, and parents will be notified. Copying another student’s work is considered cheating!
All students are expected to adhere to the KGHS Honor Code:
“As a member of the student body of King George High School, I pledge that I will strive to be morally honest with myself and with others in thought, word, and deed. I will not participate in, encourage, or condone cheating in any form.
Electronic Device Policy:
· Absolutely no electronic devices without my permission.
· This Classroom will primarily be a RED LIGHT ZONE. This means that cell phones and other electronic devices will be silent and stowed away. Chemistry is a difficult subject. Multitasking is not an effective way to learn.
o If your phone is out, it will be collected and turned into administration and a referral will be written.
· There are times when this classroom is a YELLOW LIGHT ZONE. I will let you know when this is the case. This means that you can use your phone for an educational activity that we are doing as a class, or that you can listen to music while doing individual work.
· This classroom is only a GREEN LIGHT ZONE in between class times and during IE.
Classroom Rules:
STUDENT COMMITMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
I WILL:
…do my own work.
…do my best at all times and follow the teacher’s directions promptly.
… follow all safe laboratory practice.
… be respectful to everyone in the room, including the teacher and myself
….keep up with assignments and arrange for help during Flex if I need it.
…study & make flash cards for tests.
… not abuse the textbooks or other equipment in the classroom.
… be on time to class and in my seat when the bell rings.
… abide by the honor code, dress code, and other regulations as listed in the student handbook.