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Biology

Subject: Biology

Grade: 10th

Teacher: Miss Rice

Length of Course: Full year @ 5 days/week for 1 credit towards graduation

Textbook: Holt McDougal Biology (available online at HMDScience.com) you will be given a user name and password to access

Course Description and My Philosophy

Biology is a science that is basically looking at nature and asking questions about it. Much of our work this year will focus on making good observations, asking good questions and being able to understand why things work the way they do. As you gain this understanding, we will also focus on effective ways to communicate what we learn through writing and speaking with peers for review.

Once a scientist can do this then they can come up with ways to make things work better; this is how new medicines are developed or cures for diseases are discovered. There are many branches of biology and you will be introduced to many topics throughout the year as we progress through. At the end of the course students will participate in the Keystone Exam for Biology. This class will include a final exam.

 Below I’ve listed the major topics and with the correlating chapters I plan on covering:

1. We will begin our year with Science as Inquiry as this will be revisited with each topic we cover.

Areas of interest will be

  • The Nature of Science
  • Scientific Inquiry
  • Biology in the 21st Century

Most of this is covered in Chapter 1 and ongoing throughout the year with each new topic. We will explore basic science techniques/procedures and observe where we are now in the field of biology.

2. Next, we will cover Cells and Cell Processes.

Areas of interest will be

  • Organic Molecules (Carbon) and Water
  • Enzymes
  • Cell Structure and Organization
  • Homeostasis and Transport
  • Cellular Energy

Most of this is covered in Chapters 2, 3, 4

3. Our biggest topic will be Continuity and Unity of Life.

Areas of interest will be

  • Cell Growth and Reproduction
  • DNA and Genetics
  • Heredity
  • Mutations and Genetic Variability
  • Biotechnology
  • Theory of Evolution
  • Mechanisms of Evolution

Most of this is covered in Chapters 5, 6,7,8,9,10,11,12

4. Finally, as we wrap up the end of the year we will focus on an overview of Ecology. Much of this material will be a review of basic concepts covered in Environmental Science.

Areas of interest will be

  • Ecosystems and Biomes
  • Energy Flow in Ecosystems
  • Organism interactions and Population Dynamics
  • Earth’s Cycles
  • Environmental Change

 Most of this is covered in chapters 13,14,15,16

The topics selected are quite extensive and I expect a busy year. Many resources will be used to enhance your learning…in addition to the 16 Chapters used from the textbook; we will also be using Study Island Biology Program (Keystone Prep), Current Science & Science World magazines, and other current resources.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

  1. Attend class regularly.
  2. Be on time and in your assigned seat when class is scheduled to begin, if you are late please have a pass from the staff member you were with.
  3. Be prepared with what you will need for class.
  4. Participate to the best of your ability in all classroom activities.
  5. Maintain safety at all times, please remember at times you could be working with expensive equipment
  6. Make-up work is to be turned in within 3 days of absence**see homework policy below
  7. Laptops and iPADS are a privilege and you will be expected to use them in our classroom, please review the student handbook for rules about computer usage.
  8. And finally, be respectful to yourself, classmates, staff, and our classroom.

My expectations of you mirror our school’s policy, which are stated clearly in your student handbook.  If you chose to break these rules part of my job is to refer you to Mr. Stackhouse with a disciplinary form.

**HOMEWORK POLICY:

No late work will be accepted. If you are present on the day the assignment is given but absent on the day that it is due then it is expected that you will turn in the assignment the day of your return. If you are absent on a day that an assignment is given, your work will be placed in a folder in the classroom. You may pick up the missed work at any time and at that point you have a maximum of 3 days to turn the completed assignment in for full credit. Of course the quicker you get it to me, the less you will feel behind in our lesson.  In the case of an extended absence or special circumstances individual accommodations may be considered at my discretion.

 

 

GRADING SYSTEM:

A point system will be used.  Tests, quizzes, labs, projects, participation, class work, and homework will be assigned a maximum number of points.  To determine your grade simply divide the number of points you’ve earned by how many points the assignment was worth and change the fraction to a percent. Your grades will be posted on ProgressBook

A=100-92% B=91-83% C=82-76% D=75-70% F=69-0%

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