Grading Procedures

Grading Policy:

During each semester you will receive a large number of class work and homework assignments to complete. Lab work will consist of data collection, completion of hands-on laboratory investigations and  activities, and lab reports. Homework will consist of textbook readings, note summary paragraphs, and book assignments. All questions are to be answered in complete sentences. Reading Journals consist of an outline of each chapter and all vocabulary words defined. Quizzes will be given out every week. These are designed to make sure students are keeping up with assignments, reading, and vocabulary.  Keep up with your reading

Plan to devote an average of one hour every night to Biology - for reading the text, studying notes, and/or working on assignments and projects. 

Minor Assessments

Completion and accuracy of in-class assignments, homework, reading journals quizzes, short labs and projects=50% of the grade.

Major Assessments

Tests, projects, long labs =50%

Tests will be given out after several chapters that have been presented.  They will consist of multiple choice questions, short answers, and free response questions. 

Grading scale

A+ = 98-100 A = 95-97 A- = 92-94 B+ = 89-91 B = 86-88 

B- = 83-85 C+ = 80-82 C = 77-79 C- = 74-76 D+ = 71-73 

D = 68-70 D- = 65-67 F = 64 and below

Getting Extra Help:

Help sessions will usually be held by appointment after school. Please contact me to arrange something. It is sometimes a good idea to gather a group of students to stay after for extra help if it is needed on the same subject. 

Cheating Policy: 

Cheating will not be tolerated.  Looking at another students’ paper, talking during exams or quizzes, having an electronic device out, and allowing other students to see his or her paper will be considered cheating which will result in a zero for that grade. Repeated offenses will be dealt with more strictly. Students under suspicion of cheating may be subjected to an investigation including, but not limited to, questioning of parties involved and an oral or written re-test based on the same material. The students involved may be given a zero pending the outcome of the investigation. Please note where appropriate for virtual learning, copying and pasting others answers or copying and pasting and NOT citing your source will also be considered cheating and will be graded as such.

Make-Up Work:

All work needs to be completed promptly (1 day out = 2 days to make up work.). 

If an absence is planned, I expect you to see me beforehand to get your work and it will be due on the class due date. 

If you are absent unexpectedly check the course website, ask another student, and then see me with any questions after or before class. Please do not interrupt me when class has already started. 

Missed tests/labs must be made up within ONE WEEK, OUTSIDE OF CLASS TIME. In some instances an alternate assignment may be given in place of a lab. It is your responsibility to make arrangements.

All assignments will be posted to google classroom. No extra hard copies will be held in class.