Course Syllabus
Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to welcome you to biology class. I look forward to teaching this class and hope you will gain much useful information from the lessons and lab activities. In the following paragraphs, you will find information that will be useful during the course of the trimester. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.
Course Description:
This course is a comprehensive biology course which includes the study of taxonomy, bacteria, viruses, protists, fungi, plants, and the various phyla of animals.
Instructor:
Jackie Donaldson
Room: C-1102
Phone: 734-3923 (work) or 739-5679 (home)
E-mail: jdonaldson@cullmancats.net
Planning: 1st period (8:00-9:16)
Course Objectives:
Course Content:
- Course lectures/notes with each unit of study.
- Bell-work.
- Class discussions.
- Quizzes involving terminology/labeling/concepts from each unit of study.
- Tests on material from each unit of study.
- Possible notebook quizzes.
- One comprehensive final exam covering material from all units of study.
- Lab activities and/or dissections for specified units of study.
- Computer and library research/projects for selected units.
Course Requirements and Evaluation:
Grades will be determined based on the points system. Each assignment, quiz, test, etc. will be worth an assigned point value. Students may calculate averages by dividing the points earned by the points possible. Trimester exams are worth 20% of the final grade, while each six-week average constitutes 40% of the final grade. Progress reports will be sent after the first three weeks of each six week period. Report cards will be sent out at the end of each six week period.
(90%-100%=A. 80%-89%=B, 70%-79%=C, 60%-69%=D. below 60%=F)
Materials:
1. one 3-ring binder (~1”)
2. pencil and black or blue ink pen
3. notebook paper
4. colored pencils (for artwork and lab activities)
5. one small box of latex or vinyl gloves (for dissections)
6. two large packs of index cards (for the final exam)
*Required text will be provided for student use.
Absence Policy:
Students are expected to attend class regularly. Any class session missed reduces the academic opportunities of the student and may adversely affect the grade achieved in the course. Students are responsible for all material covered during the class and lab sessions. Make-up exams and labs should be arranged with the instructor. Labs provided by Science in Motion are often not available for make-up, so students who are absent on lab days may be given an alternate assignment.
*The attendance and tardy policies of Cullman High School will be followed in this course.
Responsibilities:
1. Enter the classroom or laboratory quietly and respectfully. No loud talking
2. Be in assigned seat with required materials, working on bell-work when tardy bell rings. Bell work assignments are short assignments to be completed when the student enters the classroom.
3. Follow all guidelines regarding classroom and laboratory procedures (these will be discussed in detail during the first days of school). Horseplay in the lab will not be tolerated.
4. Respect yourself, others, and all materials and equipment.
5. Do your very best.
1st offense-warning
2nd offense- conference
3rd offense- 15 minute detention
4th offense- 30 minute detention and parental contact
5th offense- office referral
* Severe behavior such as profanity, fighting, damaging property, or any behavior that is determined to be dangerous to the student or their peers will result in an immediate office referral.
Restroom:
Each student will be allowed three restroom visits per six weeks. If you feel your child needs more allowed visits, please contact me or send a note. This policy is to maximize class time as in most cases students will have time for restroom breaks between classes, at break, and after lunch.
Accommodations:
Requests for accommodations are welcomed for students whose personal characteristics require specific instructional and testing conditions. Please make certain the instructor is aware of any special needs such as seating requirements, medical conditions, etc.
Once again, I am very excited about this course and hope each and every student has a successful year. Please fill out, sign, and return the attached page as well as the lab safety contract. I truly hope everyone has an outstanding year and please let me know if I can help you in any way.
Sincerely,
Jackie Donaldson