Biology I

2017-18

Cindy Ferrara [email protected]

Office hours: Monday (room 219) and Tuesday (room 308) 3:30-4:30
Or by appointment

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
“Students are expected to improve their academic skills by participating in an atmosphere which stresses
productivity, cooperation, independence self –discipline, and responsibility.”

BRING WHAT YOU NEED TO CLASS

 A pen or pencil (PLEASE NOTE: All labs MUST be completed in pencil)

 A 3-ring binder which you will use to organize all your materials: notes, handouts, homework, labs,
projects.

CATEGORY WEIGHTS FOR PowerSchool GRADING

Classwork: 10%
Exam: 25%
Homework: 10%
Quizzes: 20%
Tests/Labs/Projects: 35%

COURSE TOPICS

The textbook is optional. A class set is available. Students may “check out” a text at anytime with
permission from me.

Each unit listed below comes with a detailed “Learning Targets” document, located on my web page at
cindyferrara.weebly.com. There is also a full Biology 1 Honors course outline located on the home page
which outlines the course of study for this year, textbook page references, and a list of topics within each
unit.

Semester 1:
Unit 1 – The Science of Life
Unit 2 – Cell Structure and Function
Unit 3 – Homeostasis and Cell Transport
Unit 4 – Cell Growth and Reproduction
Unit 5 – DNA & RNA & Protein Synthesis
Semester 2:
Unit 6 – Genetics
Unit 7 – Taxonomy
Unit 8 – Evolution
Unit 9 – Viruses
Unit 10 – Bacteria
Unit 11 – Kingdom Fungi and Kingdom Protista

PUT AWAY DISTRACTIONS

 Enter the room keeping in mind that materials and equipment may be out and may not be used until
instructions are given.
 Keep counter top space as a work area. Please place purses, book bags etc. on the floor out of the way.
 Snacks and water are permitted during class. If you spill please clean it up. Use wastebaskets to properly
dispose of trash. Please DO NOT dispose of trash in the lab tables. NO GUM!
  If you have fidget spinners, stress balls, cell phones, tablets or other technology please store it in your
backpack. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis. There will be many times throughout the year
where technology is required. Laptops will be provided, or you may use your own device.

RESPECT CLASS TIME

 Students are expected to be prompt for class. Do everything you can in order to arrive to class on time.
 If you are absent, I expect an email with a plan for how work can be made up. Many assignments can be
attached in an email.
 If using the restroom, do so as quickly as possible.
 Class will end only when I dismiss you.

PROJECT PRIDE
BE KIND
School rules apply in the classroom including dress code policies. Respectful behavior is expected of every
student. Negative commentary will not be tolerated.

Please do not sit on the tables. At no time are students to write on the tables or deface any furnishings or
equipment in the lab. Including inside the drawers!

Obligations and due dates are discussed and agreed upon by both teacher and students. Always be attentive
to due dates and test dates. Because ample time is allowed to prepare for tests and quizzes students should
not expect to be excused without a valid reason discussed well in advance by the student and teacher.

CODE OF ETHICS
The Lusher High School community values honesty, fairness, and respect for others. We expect members
of our community not to lie, cheat, or plagiarize. As a valued member of this community, I pledge that my
work is original, that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this assignment, and
that I have neither seen or am aware of any cheating related to this assignment.

The following guidelines are to promote fairness and consistency for all students.

 Discussion or sharing of information on tests and quizzes with regard to content should not take
place. This includes verbal communication as well as internet.
 Copying from another student on homework or labs is considered cheating.
 If quoting someone else (class notes, the internet, instructor, or another student) it is necessary to
provide the proper citations.
 Even though students work together in groups copying another student’s answer in discussion or
short answer questions is not permitted.
 On lab reports exceptions might occur with regard to data that is collected by a group (graph,
charts, and tables) or yes or no answers. Collaboration does not mean copying. Originality and
interpretation is encouraged.

When work (tests, labs, homework, quizzes, projects, and activities) is returned, a student has 24 hours in
which to appeal points taken off, corrections, or comments. Using another student’s work to state a case
such as “you took off points on my lab but not hers” is not valid. The instructor may ask the student to
make corrections on her own before awarding points. Thus a student should always be prepared to defend
and discuss his or her work.
Students are encouraged to look over work for teacher mistakes in calculating points. In my haste to get
work returned to students the next class period I sometimes make errors. I am happy to correct any
miscalculations on my part.

LUSHER HIGH SCHOOL LATE WORK POLICY

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TURN WORK IN AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS.
 Work that is not collected at the beginning of class is considered late. Students
with accommodations are expected to present work on the designated due date
whereby the student and teacher will negotiate how the work can be completed on
a timely basis.
This policy defines consequences for late work as well as supports offered to students for submitting work
on time. The policy aims to:
 Increase the amount of work students submit on time.
 Improve the quality of instruction by encouraging students to come to class prepared.
 Facilitate the development of students’ time management and organizational skills.

Consequences
Lusher High School has a school-wide major assignments late work policy and department specific policies for
minor assignments. Teachers will clarify the specific category and value of assessments when they are assigned.
 Major or culminating assignments (school-wide policy)
These larger assignments are more definitive opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery of skills and
content. Major assignments are due at the beginning of class or at a time designated by the teacher. Work
not completed by this time is considered late. Major assignments submitted late will receive a letter grade
penalty for each school day they are not turned in. For example, a paper due on Monday that is turned in on
Friday can earn no higher than 60% in the grade book.
 Minor or daily assignments (department-specific policies)
These smaller assessments are considered practice. They are used by students to show their progress and by
teachers to provide ongoing feedback for improvement. Homework policies for minor assignments vary
from department to department. Department specific late work policies must be explained clearly stated on
course syllabi and shared with the high school principal.

These consequences do not apply to students with excused absences, who are allowed to submit work for up to
full credit within 10 school days after absence. Missing assignments due to unexcused absences are handled
according to the above late work policies. Participation in school sponsored activities does not constitute an
excused absence. Unless students make specific agreements with teachers in advance of school sponsored
activities the original due date stands and the above policies apply.

These consequences also do not apply to students receiving accommodations. These students will submit work
within the time frames documented in their IEPs and 504 plans.

Supports
The spirit of this policy is to support students’ growth rather than to punish their development. Therefore,
teachers are expected to provide extensive support for all students in planning and decision making around
homework. These supports include, but are not limited to:
 Explicit instruction of time management skills
Teachers should reserve some instructional time for discussing upcoming assessments, but also
organizational expectations (i.e. using a planner), study skills (i.e. appropriate approach to and amount of
time spent on various assessments), and strategies for getting support (i.e. Academic Resource Center).

 Prior notice of major assessments

Given that the policy aims to promote students’ development of time management skills, teachers are
expected to give students at least two weeks prior notice for major assessments. This should be done
verbally in class and on the appropriate grade-level Major Assessment Google Calendar.

 Effective communication and formal supports

Teachers are expected to post grades bi-weekly and to communicate consistently with students and parents
in response to late work difficulties. Students and parents should have a plan in place for improving
timeliness by mid-quarter progress reports at the latest. Teachers will organize formal supports for
struggling students such as scaffolding due dates, mandatory office hours, consistent communication with
coaches and parents, and, if necessary, referring students for SAT planning meetings.