Zoology

This course is designed to increase a student's understanding of the natural sciences by exploring the Kingdom Animalia, from Porifera to Chordata.

Students taking this class should be prepared to delve into topics ranging from review of the scientific method, Darwin and natural selection, to more in depth study of animals through classification/ identification/ structure, genetics, evolution/speciation, populations studies, habits/behavior, and distribution of animals, both living and extinct, along with how they interact with their ecosystems.  The course will conclude with conservation strategies.   Students should have a dedicated notebook for this course and be willing, and able to spend time outside of class, to learn the material presented in class.  

Zoology  [SY 2023 - 2024]                            Course Outline                                                        Stringer

Science is nothing without the Scientific Method

Starting Out:  The Scientific Method review

• Learning to observe critically and ask questions
  
  

Part One: History   

• What is the study of Zoology?

• Ancient History to Darwin

• Post Darwin- what we know now
  
  

Part Two: Animal Identification and Classification 

• Phylogeny and Organization

• DNA evidence yields surprises
  
  

Part Three: Speciation- with focus on the Class Mammalia 

• Natural Selection and Adaptation- How Evolution Occurs

• The Environments that Drive Natural Selection

• Genetics-sources of variation 

• Evolution and Gene frequency
  
  

Part Four: Population Studies  

• Social Behavior
  
  

Part Five: Conservation 

• Biodiversity and Extinction 

Zoology [SY 2023-2024]                                      Grading Policies                           

Google Class Sign-in:   TBA
1. Classroom Grade:  Each student has the opportunity to earn 25 classroom credit points per
      week. That is five points a day.

               Points are earned by:

• Entering the class on time.

• Having any assignments due and handed in on time.

• Showing good judgment by being respectful of class and teacher.

• Participating when appropriate. 

• Being prepared for the day’s activities
  
  

2. Assignments:  All assignments will be posted in Google Classroom.

It is up to every student to check Google Classroom for the week's schedule and assignments, posted Sunday by 3 PM

If low grades are received for any project, activity, or quiz, students will be given the opportunity to correct the assignment for half credit back, calculated from the original grade.
  

2. Project/Activity Grade:  There will be several research projects and numerous activities assigned during the year.  Projects and Activities may be worth from 25 to 100 points depending on the complexity of the assignment.
   
   

4.  Quizzes:  The vocabulary and facts of science are important and quizzes will be given
      throughout the semester.  Quizzes are worth between 35 – 65 points, and are open-
      notebook, reflecting the quality of note-taking and the ability to use the notes once taken.  

5.  Tests: will be given throughout the semester and reflect the effort taken to learn the material
      presented in class. Test grades are final.

6.   Final Project will be counted as a Final Exam.       

7.   Pre-Test: The Pre-Test is an evaluation of prior knowledge and is not calculated into a class
        average but will be posted into School Tool.  This evaluation will be used later as a benchmark
        to help gauge yearly progress.

 Your Final Grade is the number of the points that you earn compared to the total number of points that could be achieved. 

Behavior Expectations:  All Classes   [SY 2023-2024]                                         Ms. Stringer

• Students are expected to follow all policies and procedures stated in the Student Handbook.
  
  

•  Students expected to be in their seats, ready for class when the second bell rings.
  
  

• Once class starts, students will be in their seat, and remain in there, unless directed otherwise by the teacher. 
  
          Plan to have all the materials you need for class BEFORE the start of the period. 
          Laptops charged and ready to use.  Notebooks open and dated.  Working pens and
          pencils at hand.
  
                      

Follow the  Class Code of Conduct:

• Be respectful to yourself and others.
  
  

• Put yourself in charge of your own actions.
  
  

• Choose wisely how you spend your time.
  
  

• Commit random acts of kindness.
  
  

• Set out to have a good day.
  
  

This follows the SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT:

• Be Safe

• Be Responsible

• Be Respectable
  
  

Cell Phone Use:

This classroom is a RED zone.  If at any time a student is asked to relinquish their phone for inappropriate use- they must DO SO IMMEDIATELY.  The phone will be returned at the end of class.  Failure to hand over phone will result in automatic referral.

Any student causing a disruption that destroys the learning environment for the class will be removed from class. 

• Repeated disruptions will require a conference with the parent/guardian before student can return to class.

Students will be responsible for missed work.