Class Details

Materials

Every student is expected to come to class prepared to learn. Basic materials include pens and pencils, paper, and a school issued Chromebook with sufficient charge to maintain use throughout the class period. It is also recommended that each student keep a separate three-ring binder, or simply a section in a binder. It is a benefit to your learning to keep work that has been handed back.

Homework/Department Expectations

Students must learn a core of knowledge as well as laboratory techniques, and they must apply these using the processes of analysis and deductive reasoning. For this reason, students that are used to memorizing all the facts in a particular unit may still find this a challenging course as they are frequently asked on tests to analyze an experimental design and graphs of data within the context of questions that require them to apply their knowledge.

All teachers of Biology are in close communication and in the past have followed the same sequence of chapters and use the same core questions on tests. This has resulted in a consistent approach and rate through the course, regardless of instructor. However, as we are always striving to progress and new materials are often piloted by various teachers to explore its worth in the classroom.

Textbook

The biology teachers at Torrey Pines will be piloting the textbook, Experience Biology: The Living Earth authored by Miller and Levine. Students entering Biology are expected to complete a minimum 45 minutes a night of homework, 5 nights a week. This consists of reading, viewing curated videos through Edpuzzle, textbook related online activities ("Interactivities"), completing lab reports, and exam preparation. Some in-class assignments not due by the end of class become homework assignments if not completed during the period.

Students will have access to an online textbook that they will be able to access offline as well. Students will also be able to access labs, worksheets, and activities through this online platform (SAVVAS Realize) available through google classroom.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom will be used for class communication as well as for turning in assignments. Students will be able find and access all materials necessary for the course: including classwork, homework, announcements, meeting links, and due dates. I will be using this medium almost daily to post messages to the class regarding assignments, important due dates, and any other announcements. Students are expected to use Google Classroom as an essential classroom resource. Parents/Guardians are also welcome to be added to the Guardian View of Google Classroom.

Make-up Work and Late Work

If the student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the missing assignments. The student must take responsibility to speak with the teacher about make-up work via email, before or after class. The teacher is under no obligation to grant requests for make-up work for students who have been truant or who have an unexcused absence.

Make-up class assignments: Make-up class work must be completed within one class period of student’s return to class. (extensions for longer absences)
Make-up labs: Alternatives to in-class labs may be available for specific assignments, but students are expected to have the same understanding of the materials missed and complete any missed lab quizzes.
Make-up exams: Students must schedule to make up any exam (students may utilize any free periods in the schedule or may have to complete the exam during class upon return)
No credit for late assignments under the “class assignments/homework” category of the class grade.
Late labs and projects are penalized 10% per school day late. If the assignment is more than four school days late, then the assignment receives maximum of 50% credit.

Test Correction Policy

Objective multiple choice exams will be given for each unit covered this year. Exams are considered proficient above 70%. If a score is below 70% students can take the opportunity to reflect on misconceptions for a small extra credit value. By doing test corrections, students who score 60-69% on the multiple choice section of a test may earn one extra credit point. If the original score is less than 60%, students can earn 2 points of extra credit for the completion of the test correction sheet.

*Test corrections can be done independently outside of class. Please check with me to confirm eligibility and to obtain a physical test correction sheet. Test corrections should be done within the 2 weeks following a test.

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