Glendale High School

2014-2015

BIOLOGY SYLLABUS

Teacher: Ms. Gervea Ornopia Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: 9:00-10:00 am, 1:00-2:00 pm Phone: 538-2727

Days: Mon-Fri
Time: 10:30- 11:20
Location: Room 207
Course Description:
Biology is devoted to the study of living things and their processes. It is designed for experimental
discovery and everyday applications of biological principles. Understanding the application of biology will
show how essential the knowledge of biology is to our society and how much it has improved our lives.
Throughout the year, this course provides an opportunity for students to develop scientific process skills,
laboratory techniques, and an understanding of the fundamental principles of living organisms. The course
will emphasize knowledge in the following 4 areas: MOLECULES & CELLS, HEREDITY & HISTORY
OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, ORGANISMS & POPULATIONS, AND THE HUMAN BODY. This
course aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills
necessary to deal with the rapidly changing science of biology.

Course Plan:
This course will combine a multitude of teaching and learning strategies in order to provide the
student with numerous opportunities to master the concepts taught. These strategies may include detailed
lectures, concept demonstrations, experiments, and group work.

Content Standards: (Michigan)
STANDARD B1 Inquiry, Reflection, and Social Implications
STANDARD B2 Organization and Development of Living Systems
STANDARD B3 Interdependence of Living Systems and the Environment
STANDARD B4 Genetics
STANDARD B5 Evolution and Biodiversity

Objectives/Goals:
Teach students practical scientific skills, which they can use to investigate, study and explain the
world around them.
Give students a deeper understanding of the how biology impacts their daily lives.
Encourage the spirit of scientific investigation and with it the attitudes of accuracy in thought and
work.
Develop the students scientific approach to reasoning with exercises in practical application, and
experimental discovery.
Improve each students scientific note taking ability.
Enhance the students appreciation of Gods creation, His laws for life, and His love for us.

Classroom Expectations:
Students are expected to be in their seat and ready when the bell rings. TARDINESS is
unacceptable unless excused.
Materials (textbook, pencil, paper, and notebook) must be brought to class each day. If you do not
bring needed materials to class you will be sent to your locker to get them and will also receive a
tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings.
The laboratory or room must be clean at the end of the period before leaving.
Treat everyone with respect.
Follow the instructions gives by teacher or lesson.
All school rules will be followed as stated in the student handbook.
All safety rules as stated in the Flinn Science Safety Agreement must be followed. You must sign
and return in order to participate in labs.
Materials Needed:
Textbook: Biggs, Alton (2012). Biology. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill Education.
Notebook or Binder to keep assignments organized with tabs separating notes from labs
Lined notebook paper
Pen or pencil
Colored pencils, metric ruler, & calculator
Positive attitude for learning!

Class Policies:
Late homework is not accepted.
I will drop two low daily grades each nine-week period.
Makeup Work:
o If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain any assignments you missed while you
were gone.
o Approved absences you have one day for each excused absence to make up your work.
This includes daily grades and test.
o Missed exams must be taken before or after school within the time allowed.
o If you are absent during a lab you must make special arrangements to come in before or
after school to make up the lab or get an alternative assignment.
Cheating/ Plagiarism
o Cheating on a test or assignment will result in a grade of zero for all involved.
o Data for lab reports must be taken during lab. Copying of lab data after lab is not
allowed. Each student is responsible for individual lab reports unless specifically stated
by teacher.
Attendance and Behavior:
o ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL! This is a lab-oriented class, so if days are missed that
were spent in the lab those are experiences that you cannot make-up very easily. Before
and after school is the best way to make up any labs that are missed. There is very
limited time to make-up days missed so it is essential not to miss any class days. The
school attendance policy will be strictly enforced. Tardiness will not occur in this class
since instruction starts immediately when class begins and SWEEP is in effect. If you are
late to class and sent to sweep, you must come and see the teacher that day to receive the
missed work. If an assignment is due the next class, you are responsible for this deadline.
o Behavior should not be an issue in this class. You are young adults and I expect you to
act accordingly. RESPECT is the key word in this class. Respect yourself, others and
their property and their opinions; we will not engage in putting people down.

A persons true character is revealed when others are not looking.

o Follow school rules for I-pods MP3 players, beepers, and cell phones; basically any
musical or communication device. No cell phones allowed during class times. Phones
will be taken away when seen, delivered to the office, and waiting for your parents to
pick them up!
Grading Scale:


100 90 % A
89 80 % B
79 70 % C
69 60 % D
59 0 % F





Item Weight
Tests & Exams 40%
Labs 10%
Classwork/Homework 20%
Quizzes 15%
Notebook 5%
Final 10%
TOTAL 100%
Methods of Evaluation:
Composition Lab and Notes Book:
Your composition book is a significant part of your grade. There are several times in which your
comp book will be collected and graded for points. Without this required material your grade will be
affected! Your composition book will contain all of your notes that we take in class. Please take care of
your composition book and do not lose it, it is your best study tool. Neatness and organization are worth
big points! The folder/binder is for you to keep your quizzes and homework. They will come in handy
when you are studying for the final.
Examples of assignments are things such as information packets, lab practical's, lab write-ups,
quizzes, unit tests, and 9-week projects. Study skills and time management are extremely important in this
class. If time is wasted, you will fall behind in class and class work will become homework. All
assignments must be turned in on time!! Points will be deducted for any late assignments; no assignments
will be accepted after THREE days! If you are absent, you have several options to get the missed
assignments: call a classmate, use the Internet (web page), and come in before or after school. If you are
absent the class day before a test, you still must take the exam the day you return. Think of all that time
you had at home to study.
1. Make sure all assignments are turned in before the end of every unit.
a. Homework will be assigned on a daily schedule.
b. All assignments are to completed by the next school day and are to be handed in at the
beginning of that class period (unless told otherwisesuch as projects, portfolios,
presentations)
c. If homework is not turned in on time, half credit will be given for late work.
d. Students are responsible for making up homework missed due to excused absence.
e. Work must be completed neatly and in the proper format. Follow directions!
2. Notebooks are due at the beginning of class before every test.
a. Tests will be administered periodically, which is usually after each chapter. Students will
be informed of the test date at the beginning of that chapter.
3. Tests must be taken on the day it is schedules UNLESS (1) your parents write a note excusing
from school due to serious illness or personal issue or (2) you are on an official school field trip (it
is your RESPONSIBILITY to pre-arrange test-taking time with me)

Keys for Success in Biology:
Have a positive attitude!
I am here to help you succeed, so feel free to ask me for help. I am available before and after
school in my room
Ask lots of questions. If you are unclear about something from the textbook, lab, or from
discussion, ask.
Make sure that you understand how the lecture, homework, and labs interrelate. Labs and
homework are designed to reinforce significant ideas from the text. Make sure that you see these
connections.
Start studying for tests early. By studying and reviewing each night you are not only helping to
prepare for the test more effectively, you are also more prepared for class each day and any
quizzes that may be given.

Accommodations:
If any student has any special learning needs or documented disabilities, arrangements must be
made with the teacher as soon as possible to ensure an optimal learning experience for each student.



Bibliography:
Anderson, T.H., and B.B Armbruster. 1986. The Value of Taking Notes During Lectures. Cambridge, MA:
Bolt, Beranek, & Newman.

Brandford, J.D., et. al. 2000. How people learn: brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, DC:
National Academy Press.

Buehl, D. 2001. Classroom strategies for interactive learning. Newark, DE: International Reading
Association.

Cooper, H. 1989. Synthesis of research on homework. Educational Leadership 47:85-91.
Hitt, A., and S. Townsend. 2004. Models that matter. The Science Teacher 71:29-32.


SCHEDULE FOR ASSIGNMENTS
Date Classwork Homework
Aug. 22 Introduction to Course Biography
Aug. 23 Video- Organization of Life and
Intro
None
Aug. 24 Intro to Unit 1- Chapter 2 Scientific Method Handout &
Study for Safety Test
Aug. 25 Safety Test and Chapter 2 Vocabulary Review
Aug. 26 Chapter 3- group project on
communities, biomes and
ecosystems & Lab
Finish group project-due Monday
Aug. 29 Chapter 3- make a chart Vocabulary Review
Aug. 30 Chapter 4-population ecology Research assignment
Aug. 31 Chapter 4- Lab & group activities Vocabulary Review
Sept. 1 Chapter 5- biodiversity and
conservation
Brochure- due Tuesday
Sept. 2 Chapter 5- Lab Vocabulary Review
Sept. 5 Labor Day- No Class
Sept. 6 Unit Test 1 Review Test 1 Review Handout
Sept. 7 Unit 2- Chapter 6 chemistry in
biology

Sept. 8 Writing assignment & present
brochure

Sept. 9 Unit Test 1 Turn in notebook
Sept. 12 Chapter 6- Lab & worksheet Problems/Vocabulary Review
Sept. 13 Chapter 7- cellular structure &
function
Cell drawing/model
Sept. 14 Chapter 7- Lab 7 interactive
activity
Vocabulary Review
Sept. 15 Chapter 8 cellular energy
Sept. 16 Chapter 8- group work Vocabulary Review
Sept. 17 Chapter 9- cellular reproduction
& Lab

Sept. 20 Chapter 9- Lab continued Vocabulary Review
Sept. 21 Unit Test 2 Review Test 2 Review Handout
Sept. 22 Unit Test 2 Review
Sept. 23 Unit 3- chapter 10
Genetics

Sept. 24 Unit 2 Test Turn in notebook
Sept. 27 Chapter 10- Lab & Video Vocabulary Review
Sept. 28 Chapter 11- complex inheritance
& human heredity

Sept. 29 Chapter 11- Lab & group work Vocabulary Review
Sept. 30 Chapter 12- Molecular Genetics
& Lab

Oct. 1 Chapter 12 group work Vocabulary Review/Worksheet
Oct. 4 Chapter 13- Genetics &
Biotechnology Outline

Oct. 5 Chapter 13- Lab & Charts Vocabulary Review
Oct. 6 Unit 3 Test Review Test 3 Review Handout
Oct. 7 Writing Assignment
Oct. 8 Unit 3 Test Turn in notebook
Oct. 11 Unit 4- chapter 14
History of Life

Oct. 12 Chapter 14- Lab & game Vocabulary Review
Oct. 13 Chapter 15- Evolution (KWL
Chart)
Oct. 14 Chapter 15- Lab & group work Vocabulary Review/ Research
assignment
Oct. 15 Chapter 16- Primate evolution
video

Oct. 18 Chapter 16- Lab & models Vocabulary Review
Oct. 19 Chapter 17- organizing lifes
diversity

Oct. 20 Chapter 17-Lab Vocabulary Review
Oct. 21 Presentations
Oct. 22 Presentations Test 4 Review Handout
Oct. 25 Unit Test 4 Review
Oct. 26 Unit Test 4 Review
Oct. 27 Unit Test 5- chapter 32
Integumentary, skeletal, and
muscular

Oct. 28 Interactive Activity
Oct. 29 Unit 4 Test Turn in notebook
Nov. 1 Chapter 32- Lab
Nov. 2 Chapter 32- group activity Vocabulary Review/Handout
Nov. 3 Chapter 33- nervous system video
Nov. 4 Chapter 33- Lab Vocabulary Review/ Drawing
Nov. 5 Chapter 34- circulatory,
respiratory, and excretory
systems

Nov. 8 Chapter 34- Lab
Nov. 9 Chapter 34- charts & diagrams Vocabulary Review/Handout
Nov. 10 Chapter 35- digestive and
endocrine systems

Nov. 11 Chapter 35- Lab
Nov. 12 Chapter 35- group work Vocabulary Review/Handout
Nov. 15 Chapter 36- Human Reproduction
& Development Video

Nov. 16 Chapter 36- Lab
Nov. 17 Chapter 36- Worksheets Vocabulary Review/ Handout
Nov. 18 Chapter 37- immune system
Nov. 19 Chapter 37-Lab
Nov. 22 Chapter 37- diagrams Vocabulary Review/Handout
Nov. 23 Review all the systems Review Sheets
Nov. 24 HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Nov. 25 HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Nov. 26 HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Nov. 30 Dissection Portfolio/Lab book
Dec. 1 Dissection
Dec. 2 Dissention
Dec. 3 Dissection
Dec. 6 Unit 5 Test Review Test 5 Review Handout
Dec. 7 Writing assignment
Dec. 8 Unit 5 Test Hand in notebook
Dec. 9 Group Activities
Dec. 10 Fun Lab
Dec. 13 Presentation of Portfolios
Dec. 14 Presentation of Portfolios
Dec. 15 Comprehensive Review
Dec. 16 Comprehensive Review
Dec. 22 FINAL
Dec. 23 MERRY CHRISTMAS
I have read this syllabus and agree to the schedule and
procedures stated therein.
Print name: __________________________ (Signed)
________________ Student ID: ______________
Date: ___________