Welcome to Biology!  Biology is the study of LIFE, and learning the basic concepts of biology is the first step to appreciating the complexity and beauty of living organisms (including yourself!) in our world.  You will learn many of the amazing ways that living things work and understand more about important issues related to biology, such as environmental problems, biotechnology, and personal health.

• identify evidence, explanations, or examples in a text to help strengthen a point,
• identify important ideas in a passage,
• draw conclusions based on evidence,
• and summarize the most important ideas from a text or lecture in your own words.

COURSE OUTLINE: Introduction to Biology, Scientific Methods, Ecology, Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, DNA, Heredity and Genetics, Evolution, Organ Systems (including a dissection).

CURRICULUM MATERIALS

• Textbook:  Biology, McDougal Littel, 2008.  One textbook is checked-out to student for home use. (Replacement cost is $85)
• Science Notebook:  Students are required to purchase a separate spiral notebook or binder in which notes will be taken and class hand-outs will be collected.
• Online Grades:  Students and parents can access grades by going to https://summitprep.powerschool.com/public/.  Students and parents must register online as soon as powerschool is set up.
• Supplies: Students should bring pencils, pens, and paper (notebook/binder) to class each day.

ASSIGNMENTS: 

• Keep up with the reading assignments from the textbook.  This will help you gain a better understanding of the subject and be more prepared for class.
• Keep up with class assignments.  Assigned work is designed to help reinforce the material you learn.  The more effort you put into your assignments, the more you will get out of them.
• All assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise stated by the teacher.  Assignments not turned in (or stamped) at the time it is collected will be considered late.

ATTENDANCE & MAKE-UP WORK: MAKE -UP WORK IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT!  Absenteeism is the primary reason for low grades in science. 

For the days you are absent:

1. check the biology section of powerschool to see what activities or assignments you missed during class
2. try to do as much of the work outlined on the calendar as you can so that you are not behind when you return

On the day you return:

1. copy class notes from absent days from a good note-taker or from the class notes binder in the front of the room
2. turn in all work assigned prior to the absence and mark the date of absence on the assignment
3. see the teacher to schedule lab, quiz, or exam make-ups
4. you will have the same number of days you were absent to turn in work assigned on the days of your absence

*An uncleared absence (CUT) will result in a loss of all credit (ZERO) gained for the assignment(s) done, in progress (eg. lab work) or to be handed in on the day of the unexcused absence.

TARDIES:  When you come tardy to class it is disruptive to everyone’s learning.  Please make every effort to be on time to class.  If you are not present when assignments are collected at the beginning of class it WILL be counted as one day late!  If tardiness becomes a pattern (more than 3), your parents may be contacted and other consequences may also result.

LATE WORK:  Assignments turned in one-day late can earn a maximum of half-credit. 

GRADING POLICY:  All work is assigned a point value.  Grades will be determined by the following scale:   90% = A        80% = B       70% = C            70% and below = F      

Mastery Assignments = 60%, Work to Support = 30%, Class Participation =10%

Students should keep all assignments in their notebook.  If there is an error, the student will need to provide the returned paper to correct a recorded score.

CLASS RULES:  In order for learning to occur, the classroom must be a safe haven for all students. Put-downs, racial slurs, or derogatory comments about ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.   

• Students are expected to be respectful of self, instructor, classroom materials, and others.
• Behavior should be appropriate at all times.

SCHOOL RULES:  All school rules are enforced in my classroom. 

• Cellular phones are not permitted in class.  Their use is solely permitted outside of class (and not during classtime), and so should not be used when entering or exiting class.  If a student is discovered with a cellular phone in the classroom, it may be confiscated and returned ONLY to that student's parents/guardians.
• Dress Code:  Students with inappropriate attire will be asked to go to the administration office to change or go home.

Teacher office hours:   Wednesdays 3:20 – 5 pm                      

E-mail address:              phajjarian@everestphs.org

Attachments:

1st Microscope Lab

Carnivores Worksheet

Biomagnification Worksheet

Carbohydrate Lab

Cell Analogy Project Rubric

Cell Functions and Analogies

Characteristics of Living Things

Concentration Problems

Day 2 Homework

Day 3 Homework

Diffusion Powerpoint notes

Ecology Study Sheet

Enzymes Worksheet

Grouptime Worksheet

Intro to Bio homework

Microscope Parts

Nucleic Acids Worksheet

Population Worksheet

Practice Test (Unit 2/3)

Proteins and Lipids Worksheet

Rollie Pollie Lab

Sea Otter Article.doc

SF Bay Worksheet

So Far in Bio Worksheet

The Green Project

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