Syllabus

Grading

10% DAILY

30% LAB & Quizzes

60% MAJOR - Tests

Required Class Materials

• iPad, charged and up to date with the following apps:

  • Google Classroom (using your eanes email)

  • Nearpod (using your eanes email)

  • Notability

  • EdPuzzle (using your eanes email)

  • Koma Koma (stop motion app)

  • Skyward (with your login)

• notebook to take notes

• pens / pencils / highlighters 

Course Overview

Honors Biology Course Outline (subject to change)

Semester One

Quarter One

Unit 01 – Chemistry of Life

Unit 02 – Biomolecules

Unit 03 – Cells & Cellular Transport

Quarter Two

Unit 04 – Cellular Energy

Unit 05 – DNA Structure

                 Protein Synthesis

Unit 06 – Cell Cycle & Meiosis

Unit 07 – Genetics

Semester Two

Quarter Three

Unit 08 – Evolution

Unit 9 – Bacteria, Viruses &

                Biotechnology

Unit 10 – Plants

Quarter Four

Unit 11.1 & 11.2 – Human Body Systems

Units 12 – Ecology

Unit 13 – Dissections 

Learning Targets

Each student will receive a copy of the learning targets at the start of each unit. This document outlines the objectives of the unit and will also serve as a review sheet for the unit. All assessments (quizzes and tests) are designed with content from the unit’s learning targets.

Helpful Hints

• All materials are posted on Google Classroom

• Learning Targets should guide your studying

• Practice Vocabulary Daily! make quizlets or flashcards and do daily review of the bold words in the learning targets 

• Read through the slideshow/class notes

• Handwrite your notes in class and read over them

• Attend tutoring as needed 

• Daily work is not accepted late

• You may retest any test up to an 70% (within 3 days of tests being returned)

Test Access Policy

Unit tests are reviewed in class 2 days after taking the test. Test grades will be released after students have viewed the graded tests. Tests are NOT to be removed from the classroom. Parents wishing to view the test after student completion of the test may schedule an appointment with the instructor to view the test. Formative assessments (learning checks) will be returned to students 2 days after taking the quiz and may be kept with the student.

Makeup Policy

As outlined in the WHS Student Handbook (page 25), for every one day a student is absent, the student will have one school day to make up assignments. The student is responsible for getting the assignments that were missed. School related activities are known in advance and therefore we request the assignment to be due before the absence occurs, if possible.

Late Work Policy

All assignments are designed to lead the student to success on assessments. Late work in the Daily Grade (10%) category and Quiz/Lab Grade (30%) category will be accepted up until the unit assessment with a 10 point reduction for each missed day. 

Makeup Work Policy (due to school absences)

For every one day a student is absent, the student will have one school day to make up assignments. The student is responsible for getting the assignments that were missed. 

School-related absences are known in advance and therefore we request the assignment to be due on time, if possible. Tests need to be made up the day a student returns to school. 

Retest Policy

• Student may retest any or all unit tests.

• Student may retest any unit test ONE time.

• The maximum score a student can receive on a retest is a 70.

• Upon retesting, the original test grade is forfeited and the final grade is recorded.

• The retest format will be selected response and short answer.

• In order to be eligible to retest, the student must have ALL unit labs turned in.

• The student must notify the instructor if he/she chooses to retest.

• The student must complete the retest before or after school within three school days after classroom review of the unit test.

Personal Electronic Device Policy

In grades 9-12, students are not permitted to display, turn on, or use a personal device, during instructional class periods. For grades 9-12, an instructional class period is the time from the tardy bell to the dismissal bell for a class period, and does not include lunch, passing periods, and off periods. With specific teacher permission, students can access personal devices to listen to music during independent study or self-paced time. 

Academic Honor Code

Please familiarize yourself with the Academic Honor Code as outlined in the WHS Student Handbook. (pages 28 – 29). Any student who is caught violating the Academic Honor Code will be given consequences as outlined in the code.

Laboratory Safety Contract

A student will be removed from the science activity area by the teacher if:

• the student is behaving in such a manner that he/she can cause injury to themselves or to other students.

• the student is not following the prescribed safety rules for the biology activity area or the particular biology activity being conducted.

• the student is going beyond the limits of the biology activity into areas that may lead to an unsafe situation.

• the student has not completed the pre-experiment activities that will allow them to work in the laboratory situation.

Google Classroom

Westlake High School utilizes the Google Classroom platform to share classroom resources, many assignments, and assessment preparation materials to students. WHS students will receive a classroom code to access these materials, submit assignments, and track any missing work.