Life Science

May 02, 2024

We will be learning about DNA structure, transcription and translation in Chapter 12.  We will be taking notes next week and reading over sections one and two.  If there is time, we will start section 3.

Plenty of time is given in class to complete assignments.  If you were absent, please turn in your missing assignments.  The grades will cut off Wednesday, May 07th for this last progress report.


Thank you!


 



April 29, 2024

We will have our chapter 11 test on both Tuesday and Thursday of this next week.  

We will also start chapter 12 with notes and vocabulary.  This will be the final chapter before the final exam.  As by the nature of the subject matter, the central dogma is the core concept of all of biology.  The material is difficult, so I will be keeping the concepts to a minimum.  It will be important for students to be here so that they can take advantage of all of the lessons in class.


Thank you!




April 22, 2024

Tomorrow we will be practicing for a test, which will occur next week on Tuesday, April 29th.

There will be a second test on Thursday, May 01, 2024.

Any work that you do not finish in class must be completed at home.  If you do not know what work you are missing, please look on the gradebook.  If you see a zero, then you are missing that work.  I will be cutting grades off on May 07th for the next progress report.


Thank you!




April 09, 2024

Welcome Back!


Students were given the module today to complete page 258 # 27, #29-33.  If this assignment is not completed, then it will need to be finished at home and will be due on Tuesday, April 10, 2024.


We will be introduced to Gregor Mendel and chapter 11 on Thursday of this week.  Notes will be started for this chapter.

Thank you!




March 25, 2024

We have had a few make-up days for students, who have not been here or who needed extra time.  All work needs to be turned in by tomorrow.


We will begin chapter 10.  The test will be on Thursday, April 18th.  Notes will be allowed.


Have a safe and peaceful week off.

Thank you!

  



March 07, 2024

Today, students engaged in a photosynthesis lab.  They measured the rate of photosynthesis using spinach leaves.  

We went over the formal lab report in class.  This lab needs to be shared with me via Google Docs.  However, you may print it out if you prefer.  

Students were shown an example and how to type the report.  Also, a rubric was given for the expectations.

This lab report will be due Tuesday, March 12, 2024.  Students are being given time in class with the Chromebooks to work.

Also due on Thursday, March 14 is page 225 #1-6 questions.  Students were given time in class to complete these questions.  We had started them on March 05.

Thank you!





March 01, 2024

We will be having a formal lab on Thursday, March 07, 2024 on photosynthesis.  This will require a formal lab write up.

There will a cellular respiration lab the following week.

Notes are being given in class over chapter 9, Cellular Respiration.

If students do not complete work in class, then they must complete the assignment at home.

We will be doing the vocab, diagrams, and questions for chapter 9 in class.


Thank you!






February 27, 2024

Students were given 3 full classroom days to complete the DNA packet.  They also were given the information on Monday on what to write for their essay that can be used on the Thursday's test.  The photosynthesis open note test is this Thursday, Feb 29th.

We began taking notes for chapter 9 today.  I will start teaching chapter 9 on Cellular Respiration on Friday.


Any work that is not completed in class has to be completed at home or during study skills.


Thank you! 




February 16, 2024

Students were given a packet on photosynthesis today.  We will finish it next week.  

The test is on Thursday, Feb 22, 2024.

A good video to watch to review for the test is on YouTube called Bozeman Photosynthesis.

Thank you!





February 07, 2024

The chapter 8 test is scheduled for Thursday, Feb 29, 2024.  Please keep up with all assignments.  Any work that is not completed in class must be finished at home.


Thank you!




January 20, 2024

Due Monday, Feb 05, 2024 - Lab p. 187

 We will finish chapter 7 next week and the test will be on Thursday, Feb 08.

We will begin to learn about photosynthesis from page page 200 later in this week.

Thank you!


January 26, 2024

This week we will be working on chapter 7 up through chp 7 section 3.  On Thursday, we will have a lab for cell permeability as found on page 187 of the textbook.  

We will continue to take notes in class.  Make sure that you have both the plant and animal cells drawn on page 175 and that you have all of the vocab done for chp 7 on page 196.  This should all be completed.

The chapter 7 open note test will be on Thursday, February 08, 2024.


Thank you!





January 16, 2024

Study for your finals!  :)


Thank you!



January 09 2024

We have been reviewing for the final exam daily.  We have talked extensively about study habits and the need to take time to learn the material well.


Grades will cut off this Wednesday for work up to this point.


Thank you!







December 15, 2023

I am attaching your study guide for your final exam, which will take place on Thursday, January 18th (mods 3/4).

Please start gathering your notes.

Study Guide

Final Exam Study Guide for Semester one (January 2023)

Added:  December 05, 2022:  I will be adding to this over the next few weeks to cover all 60 multiple choice questions on your final exam.  In class, we talked about how to take notes on these questions and to find the page numbers for each questions.  Studying well takes time.

1.  You need to know the particles of an atom.  page 35

2. You need to know the macromolecules: names, monomers and the functions.  pages 45-48

3. You must know all of page 21.  The levels of organizations.   Know the levels in order and know the definitions along with examples. 

4.               You need to know the definitions and be able to give an example of the following:  producers, consumers, heterotrophs, and decomposers. pages 67-69

5.               Know the three factors that can affect population size.  page 120

6.               Know the characteristics of a population. page 119

7.              Know the definition of density in regards to populations. page 119

8.              Know the definition of a food web. page 70

9.              Know how carbon is stored.

10.           Once again, you will get a question about page 21.

11.           Know what an abiotic factor is and give an example. page 90

12.           Know the three ecological pyramids. pages 72-73

13.           Know which biomes are terrestrial and which biomes are aquatic.  Terrestrial means land and aquatic means water.  pages 100-109

14.           Know how carbon cycles in the biosphere. page 77

15.           Know primary succession page 94

16.            Know what an enzyme is and understand what enzymes do. page 51

17.           How are molecules formed by polymerization?  page 45

18.           Know these words and give an example for each:  Mutualism, parasitism, commensalism, and predation. page 93

19.           Know about the greenhouse effect and what gasses are increased. pages 87-88

20.           Know what limiting single nutrients are called. page 80

21.           Know the water cycle, carbon cycle, phosphorus cycle and the nitrogen cycle. pages 75-79

22.            Know these words in definition and by what they do:  Homeostasis, metabolism, evolution, and genome. pages 16-20 the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell 

23.           Know the main source of energy of life on Earth.  page 67

24.           Know these words and be able to give an example:  detritivores, carnivores, herbivores, and autotrophs. page 67 and page 69

25.            What does the S shape on a curve represent? page 122

26.           Know the definitions Demography,  logistic growth, immigration, and emigration.  page 120, page 122, page 130

27.            Know what a scientific theory is and the process of an experiment. page 13

28.           Know about the process of an controlled experiment. page 09

29.           Know about the parts of a hypothesis. page 05

30.           Know these words:  carrying capacity, logistic growth, exponential growth, and population density. page 119, page 121, page 122

31.           Know what a density dependent and density independent limiting factor is and give an example. page 125 and page 127

32.           Know the definitions of immigration and emigration. page `120`

33.           What happens if a population exceeds its carry capacity? pages 122 and 124

34.           What factors increase the size of a population? page 120

35.           What is a biome? page 98 

36.           Know these words:  Ecology, economy, recycling, and modeling. ecology-page 63,  economy-the wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services. -Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects   A scientific model is a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes.  

37.           Know these terms and examples: first-level producer, first -level consumer, second-level consumer and third-level consumer. pages 70-71

This ends the study guide for your final exam.  You may use notes that are yours and that are hand written.  Please remember to watch YouTube videos for extra help and ask me questions!  Please study!  The final is 20% of your grade.  :)




 




December 12, 2023

Students have been given the last two class modules and the materials to make brochures based on the nine boundaries of the Documentary, Breaking Boundaries, on Netflix.

The brochures are due on Tuesday, Dec 13, 2023

We will read pages 150-155 in the textbook.

Due Monday, December 18th page 196 chapter 7 vocab.  There are 40 words.  Ninty minutes will be given in class to do the vocab.  If you do not get done, then you will have to finish them at home.

Thank you!





December 05, 2023

We have spoken extensively about a brochure that will be due on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.  Some time will be given in class for the students to work on this brochure.  We will watch the documentary called Breaking Boundaries found on Netflix that covers 9 realms of ecology and the environment.  Students will pick 1 boundary and make a brochure.  Each student was given a rubric to follow.  I have most materials here.  I asked students to bring in a stick of glue and colored pencils if they want to use those. 

If you are absent, please watch the documentary and take the appropriate notes for your brochure.

Thank you!

 




November 27, 2023

Welcome back!

Today, we practiced dimensional analysis for the open note test tomorrow.

Tuesday:  Open note test

Thursday:  We will read chapter 6 section 1 and answer the questions in class.  Afterwards, we will do one ecology worksheet and start the vocabulary

Friday - We will finish up Thursday's assignments.

Thank you!




November 20, 2023

Your open note test for chapter 5 will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

Please make sure that all of your notes are together.

You will have one dimensional analysis math problem on the test.  Please review and you can watch YouTube videos for clarification and extra help.  You can also come to me for extra help during study skills.


Thank you!





November 11, 2023

This week, we learned how to use the microscope.

Next Monday and Tuesday, we will finish the notes needed for the chapter 5 test.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with family and friends.

Thank you!



November 09, 2023

We are learning about populations and about human age structures.  

On Thursday, November 16:  Students will be graded on a microscope test.  This will take place over the next week.  They will be required to tell me the parts and demonstrate mastery of focusing a microscope.

The chapter 5 test will be on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

I wish you all a very happy thanksgiving!!!!  

Thank you!






November 06, 2023

We have started chapter 5 on populations.  Notes are being taken in class.  We will have a lab on Wednesday, November 15th.

Thank you!



October 18, 2023

If you have not taken the vocab test for chapter 4, please have this completed no later than Tuesday, October 24th.  

Students will have an ecology lab on Thursday, October 19, 2023. 

The open note exam for chapter 4 will be on Thursday, November 09, 2023.

Please make sure that you have all of your notes in order and ready to go for your test.

Have a safe and fun break!

Thank you! 



October 11, 2023

Oct 12- Vocab test chapter 4.  If you have turned in your vocab, you will be able to take the test.  If you have not turned in the vocab, you will not be able to take the test and will receive a zero until the vocab is completed and the test is taken.  You are allowed to use the vocab on the test. 

Students will have a lab on Thursday, October 11, 2023.  A packet will be given out that needs to be turned in by the end of the module.

Thank you!




October 10, 2023

I have stressed the importance for students, who have done done their chapter 4 vocab, to turn them in by Thursday.  The vocab was due on Oct. 06.  If you have a zero for that assignment that means that I did not get it.  :) 


There will be a vocab test on Thursday, Oct. 12.  This is an awesome opportunity to get grades up!  The students are allowed to use their vocab on the quiz.

Thank you!


  

October 4, 2023

Students were given 3 days in class to work on the vocab on page 114 for chapter 4.  This vocab will be due Firday, October 6, 2023.

Next week, we will begin reading and taking notes for chapter 4 in the textbook.  There will be a vocabulary quiz on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

Thank you!





September 27, 2023

Reminder that your chapter 3 test is on Thursday, October 05, 2023.  Students were told exactly what they needed to know for the exam.  We also took notes, which can be used on the exam.  Please study effectively and spend enough time studying.  Review daily to keep the information fresh in your memory.  Know where your notes are located.

We will be finishing chapter 3 this week and will begin Chapter 4, which is about Ecosystems and Communities.  We will be learning about biomes and the roles of organisms in those biomes.

Please check the grade portal to see if there is any missing work.

Thank you!

 




September 20, 2023


We will finish up our food webs and turn these in by Tuesday, October 03, 2023.  You may have to finishe them at home.  Students were given over 2 hours in class. 

Basic Plan for the week of September 25, 2023:

Monday:  Read pp. 72-73, Notes  Read pp. 74-75 Notes with discussion and explanations with video clips.

Tuesday: Check homework.  Be sure to turn in 6.5 and your food web poster.  Go over next week's homework that will be due on Oct. 03rd.

Wednesday:  We will spend a lot of the module learning how to take proper notes from a video.  We will go over the Nirogen Cycle.

Thursday:  Block schedule

Friday:  Go over the Phosphorus Cycle on page 79

Chapter 3 test will be on Wednesday, October 04, 2023. You may use your own hand written notes.



A huge part of your test will be on the biogeochemical cycles.  I will let you know exactly what you should be paying attention to while learning about these cycles.

Thank you!



September 15, 2023

Basic Plan for the week of September 17, 2023

Monday:  Read through to page 71.

Tuesday: Explain/Review and take notes for pages 67-71.  Grade check.

Thursday: Watch animated movie for students to make a food web.  The movie will be chosen by Tuesday.

Friday:  Work on poster.  This is due Tuesday, September 26th.

Thank you!




September 12, 2023

Students were given the entire module to do the vocabulary on page 82.  There are 32 all together.  More time will be given on Friday, which will be the due date for all 32 words.

This Thursday is the chapters 1.2 test.  Students may use their own notes on the test. 

If you were absent, please have ALL labs and other work completed by this Friday, Sept 15th.


Thank you!



September 04, 2024

Basic plan for the week of September 11, 2023

Monday:  Laboratory Skills Packet

Tuesday: Review Monday's work, Last review for chapters 1/2

Math practice

Grade-review homework

Wed-Thurs:  Testing Days Chapters 1/2 student's own notes allowed

Friday:  Introduction to chapter 3

We will start Chapter 3 vocab and notes in class on Friday.  We will continue to work on the vocab for part of Monday.  If students do not finish the vocab in class, then it will be homework and will be due on Tuesday, Sept 19th.

Thank you!


August 30, 2024

Basic plan for week of Sept 04, 2023

Monday:  Holiday  Labor Day

Tuesday:  

Start on chapter 2 section 3 on page 44.

Watch Amoeba sisters macromolecules and Bozeman macromolecules

Thursday:  Continue on with the macromolecules and taking notes from teacher

Friday:  Finish up with macromolecules.


Chapter 1/2 open note test will be on Thursday, September 14, 2023.






August 25, 2024

Next week's plan:

Monday- Benchmark exam

Tuesday- Grade the homework that is due today.

Chapter 1 section 2 Finish up on the scientific method and taking notes.

Wed/Thurs - Lab:  Detecting Starch.  Finish any left over information from section 2.  

Fri- Go over page 21.  This will be on your first test.



August 24, 2023

Students were given most of the module to do their vocabulary on page 20.  There are 23 words total.  

Reminder:  Parent signatures for the syllabus are due tomorrow.  Students who turn in the signature on time will receive full poionts. Those who do not turn in the signature at all will get a zero and late signatures will earn a 5/10.

Thank you!



August 23, 2023

Welcome Back!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homework/classwork assigned  and is due on Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Some time will be given in class, but if you do not finish it in class then it is homework.

1.  Chapter one vocabulary (all four sections) p. 30  Please be sure to number each word. We will discuss other ways to do the vocabulary such as using index cards.  I will be teaching/reviewing how to develop good study habits and going over ideas for organization and time management throughout the school year. 

2.  Draw, Color, and Label Fig 1-19.  You must know this for your test.  The levels of organization will appear frequently over the year and will be on multiple exams.  


Acknowledgement that the syllabus has been read is due by Friday, August 25, 2023.  

Thank you!


College Prep Biology

Life Science

Instructor:  Kathy Paul

Textbook:  Prentice Hall Biology (Dragon Fly 2008)

 

Web Site: https://sites.google.com/a/lfcsinc.org/kathypaul/

E-mail:   Kathy.paul@lfcsinc.org

Course Description:

Biology is a laboratory science course that covers the study of living things and is designed to meet the UC (D) laboratory science entrance requirements. Biology focuses on the study of life by examining the five fundamental concepts of cellular biology, genetics, ecology, evolution and physiology. The scientific process and laboratory skills are emphasized along with biology’s connections to other scientific disciplines. Students learn scientific writing skills and also examine current biological issues. The foundation of this class is based upon the standards developed by the California Board of Education. 

A grade of “C” or better in biology fulfills the life science year of the ‘D’ requirement for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) Cal-State A-G entrance pre-requisites.   Most top colleges recommend at least three years of science. Also, this course meets the life science requirement for high school graduation.  

A grade of “C” or better in the life science class fulfills the requirement for junior colleges and some private colleges. 

Liberty High School Themes and Emphasis:

The three themes of Liberty Charter High School focus on literacy, leadership, and technology. Literacy does not just refer to the ability to read and write, but also to the literary, mathematical, scientific, historical, and cultural knowledge necessary to communicate.  This course addresses mathematical literacy by developing students that can communicate effectively in science.  This course will focus on conceptual and concrete understanding, as well as application of science in the real-world.  It will also include technology and lab work to develop scientific literacy by incorporating the use of various computer programs as found on smartboard exchange, virtual labs, and hands on tools.

 A cross curricular approach with mathematics is a requirement of biology/chemistry.    Mathematics plays a vital role in the advance of science and technology. As our society leans more and more heavily on science and technology, it is important to have leaders who understand mathematics and its application to science and technology.  Therefore, a goal of this course is to develop leaders who understand mathematical based science concepts and its application to the world around them.  

 

Expected School Wide Results in Science:

Literate Citizen- Joshua Chamberlain

Defined as fluency and skilled ability with the written and spoken word as well as technology, mathematics, science, media, history, the arts, and contemporary cultures.

Responsible Community Leader- Harry Truman

Defined as ethically sound participation in school functions, clubs, and committees as well as voluntary community service that contributes to the success of others.

Effective Communicator – Abraham Lincoln

Defined as effective communication in distinct situations, solution-and-results-driven involvement in community service, and informed participation in the democratic process.

 Self- Directed Learner – Harriet Tubman

Defined as informed and responsible decision making, successful integration of multiple uses of technology in various contexts, foal-oriented personal pursuits adaptive to a wide array of professional and cultural settings through exposure to events outside the immediate community.

 Values Conscious Thinker – Anne Frank

Defined as the ability to analyze the accuracy and context of information and make decision consistent with one’s analysis and values in order to successfully contribute to family, community (local, national, international), and career.

Content and Performance Standards:

State of California Standards will be addressed in this course.  Please visit the website of the California State Board of Education for a list of applicable standards.  Go to:  http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/sciencestnd.pdf . 

Student Responsibilities:

Take responsibility for learning.

Complete all homework problems with a thorough understanding of the concepts covered. Homework will normally be assigned every week.

Take detailed notes and use the notes as "guidelines" when completing homework.

Identify "trouble" areas or concepts they do not understand and get help immediately.

Maintain an organized notebook/binder.

Keep all work and use old work to better understand current work.

Be a self-advocate: ask questions in class; seek tutorial help in a timely manner.

Use persistence in problem solving when faced with a difficult assignment.

 

Late Work and Make-up Policy:

Neither late work nor make-up work is accepted unless due to absences verified by the office as excused.  The due date of absent make-up work will be equal to the number of excused days absent plus one additional day from the date of return to class. 

Classroom Procedures and Policies:

Honor all school rules and behavior policy as listed in student handbook.

Be prepared daily, have all supplies each day. 

Never give up, work diligently.

All work must be legible.  Always put your first and last name at the top left corner of paper, along with date and assignment information. 

Have integrity, be honest and do your own work. 

Daily Course Supplies:

1.      Three subject Spiral bound notebook

a.       Used to organize and store lecture notes, exams, quizzes, classwork, and homework. 

b.      Keep everything organized and keep everything!. 

2.      Pencils/one grading pen

3.      Colored pencils 

4.      Eraser

5.      Ruler (I have these in class)

6.      Paper both lined and graph

7.      Graphing Calculator- TI-84 Plus Silver Edition (Also used in math)

Homework:

Save all assignments in spiral notebook.

Homework is generally assigned weekly.

Assigned homework will be due the following week.  You will be given due dates.  No late homework is accepted unless due to an excused absence.

 It must be completed in pencil. Only a pen is allowed out during correcting time.   You must show all of your work on all computation problems.

Most homework will be graded on a 10 point percentage scale.  For example:

10 all homework completed properly.

 5 half of the homework was completed properly.

0- assignment not attempted

Citizenship and Class Conduct:

Attendance:

Attendance in all classes for which a student is registered is an essential part of meeting the requirements to pass each course. Students will not receive credit for a registered course if they have more than 7 excused or unexcused absences within any one semester. Course absences can be made up by completing the missed course work through an independent contract provided the missed course work is completed within 2 weeks of the due date or by completing the missed course work during Friday-Saturday school (if available on school calendar).

Grading Policy:

A 94%-100%     A-   90%-93%

B+   87%-89%     B    84%-86%        B-   80%-83% 

C+   77 %-79%           C    74%-76%         C-   70%-73%       

D+   67%-69%          D   65%-65%

F      64%-0%



Thank you!