Course Expectations

Welcome to Biology.  This course is important, not only to meet NC graduation requirements, but also for its relevance to educating you about the science of life. This is an EOC course and your score on this assessment will count as 20% of your final grade.

You will be given every opportunity to be successful in the class and if you use these opportunities, you will successfully complete this course.  Consistent attendance and positive participation are necessary to ensure success!

Course Objectives

The biology curriculum focuses on the areas of ecology, cellular mechanics, the central dogma of biology, genetics, and evolution.

Class Materials

2"-3"    3-Ring Binder Notebook Paper Graph Paper

Notebook Dividers Index Cards 3-hole Zipper Pouch

Earbuds

Assessments

Each unit will be assessed in a variety of ways.

Formative Assessments:  You will be given a number of opportunity to work on concepts and receive feedback before tests.  Classwork and homework, also called formative assessments, are integral parts of the learning process.  If you maintain a B average on all projects and tests (summative assessments), I do not require you to turn in work assignments (classroom and homework).  If, however, you do not maintain a B average, you are required to turn in all assignments.  Failure to turn these assignments in, may result in a parent contact.

Summative Assessments:  All quizzes, tests and projects (also called summative assessments), will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the standards you are learning.  These assessments WILL be graded.

All assessments, both formative and summative will comprise 80% of your final grade for this course.

Late Work

All unit work is due on the day of the unit exam.  Work submitted by this day will receive full credit.  Work turned in after this time will receive no credit.

Absences

When you are absent due to illness you will be given a grace period to make up the work you missed equal to the number of days you were absent.  If you were absent for 2 days, you will have 2 extra days to turn in work with no late penalty.  If you are absent for a family vacation during regular school days, you will be expected to check in and keep up with your daily assignments including daily work submissions.  If you are absent for a quiz or unit exam, the same rules apply.  If you are absent for 2 days due to illness, you have two additional days to prepare and complete the tests.  If you are absent for vacation reasons, you will be expected to take the tests on the first day back at school.  All makeups will be done during FLEX time and will be a different version of the test that was missed.

FLEX Tutoring

Students who maintain a D or F average will be required to attend FLEX time tutoring until their grade raises to a C average.  Students with a C or higher average can voluntarily attend FLEX time tutoring.

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be on time to class.  The number of times a student is late to class will be monitored.  When a student is late more than two times, it will be officially documented and a parent call may be made.

Cell Phone Policy

Brunswick County Schools states that no phones may be used during instructional time.  This includes when a student leaves class to go to the bathroom.  To better manage this requirement, all phones will be placed in the phone holder by the door upon entry into the classroom.  They may NOT be accessed for any reason.  Phones may be retrieved on exiting the classroom or when checking out early.  If a cell phone is found out during class, it will be confiscated, turned into the office and may be retrieved at the end of the day. At the next instance, school administration will be notified and a student may lose phone privilege's at school.

Ear Bud Policy

Ear buds are not allowed.  Ear buds will be confiscated and turned into the office when found.  Where ear buds are required for educational purposes, they will be provided.

Academic Dishonesty

All work is expected to be of the students own creation.  Copying other students class/homework will be considered plagiarism.  At the first instance, the student will be given a warning and an opportunity to redo the work during FLEX tutoring.  At the second instance, an official warning will be issued and a parent conference required.  Before turning in any written papers, it is highly recommended and you are encouraged to use any of the online plagiarism checkers BEFORE turning in your work.

Computer Use

Students are expected to use their computers in responsible ways.  Any student found playing computer games, surfing non-class related websites, shopping, and ANY social media, during class will be in violation of the computer use policy.

Students are required to bring their school issued laptop to class every day.  The use of personal computers is not allowed. 

Classroom Time

Students are expected to arrive on time for class, place your phone in the holder, and complete the bell ringer. During class you are expected to participate and keep socializing to a minimum.  You are expected to remain in your seat until I dismiss you.  DO NOT line up at the door waiting for the bell to ring.