SANKOFA FREEDOM ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL: Keystone Biology Course

2016-2017 School Year

Instructor: Bro. Alfonse BowmanM.Ed.

Room: 219

Email:

Teacher Bio:

Degrees:

Bachelor of Science (Biology): Virginia Union Univ.

Masters in Education (Special Edu): Arcadia Univ.

Life:

Hello, my name is Alfonse Bowman and I’ll be your child’s Biology teacher for the 2016-2017 school year. I am a proud Chicago native. I havetaught Biology and various scientific subjects for 13 years. My wife Tameka and I have 3 amazing children. I have passion for Science (Biology, Geology and Astronomy) that I will cultivate into your child.

Course Description:

Biology is the Study of Living Things. Throughout this course your student will be provided instructions and practice on various Biological topics to help prepare them for the Biology Keystone Exam. This course is also designed to stretch the limits of your child’s knowledge and enhance their understanding of the Sciences

Keystone Biology students are expected to:

  • Explain how genetic information is inherited
  • Explain the process of protein synthesis
  • Explain how genetic information is expressed
  • Compare the Mendelian and non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance
  • Develop effective solutions to scientific problems and projects
  • Present solutions to problems effectively
  • Employ multiple critical and creative thinking strategies using scientific reasoning and problem solving
  • Demonstrate a knowledge and appreciation of how Biology is used in everyday life and in the classroom

Classroom Materials:

You are required to have the following items with you in class daily:

  • Pens, Highlighter
  • Composition Book (Lab), Spiral Notes or Section of your Binder designated for Biology(Class notes)
  • Internet (Home)

Classroom Resources:

Textbook: Holt Biology

Pearson Online Textbook

Home/Classwork Resource

Schoology Website:

10A – Activation Code:D3VMX-TKG3D

10B- Activation Code: RBJZS-76HT9

9A- Activation Code: H3H9H-2C5Q5

9B- Activation Code: RBJZS-76HT9

Important information will be posted on the Biology Schoology Account website at Homework for the class, resources for the class, and assessment dates will be posted at The homework will be updated on a weekly basis. Remember, I can be reached by email or direct message through Schoology if you have any questions.

Student Expectations:

  • Responsibilities of students:
  • Come to class on time, prepared and ready to learn.
  • Treat all people in the classroom with common courtesy and respect
  • Participate in class to the best of your ability
  • Remain quiet and in their seats until they are dismissed by the teacher at the end of the class
  • Maintain a personal standard of academic ethics
  • Communicate with your parents/guardians about your progress in this course weekly.
  • Aim for success!!! Do your best to successfully complete the course and aim for an “A”!

Daily Classroom Procedures

Before Entering the Classroom:

  • Use the restroom: Please use the restroom before class. Students will not be allowed to use the restroom while the lesson is being given (unless there is an emergency: which needs to be accompanied by a note rom a parent)
  • Make sure you have all required materials daily such as: binder, composition book, pencils, calculator and completed assignments (you will not be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve your items)

When you First Enter the Classroom:

  • Stand behind your chair and complete protocol procedures (Students will recite the Student and/or Afrocentric Creed and the elder of the class will ask for permission to be seated)
  • Place homework on the desk
  • Sit in assigned seat
  • Begin “Do Now Work” in your perseverance book while attendance is being taken.

When You Leave the Classroom:

  • Make sure you have written down the homework
  • Turn in your exit ticket
  • Leave your area clean

Grading Policy

Your grade consists of tests, quizzes, homework, class work, labs and projects which are assigned a point value. Each category is a percentage of you quarter and semester grade.

Grading Categories

Tests (20%) (Units)

Quizzes (15%)(Chapters/Anchors)

Homework (20%)(On-time, accurate or to the best of your ability, neat)

Classwork (15 %) consist of (Do Now, Independent Practice, Exit Tickets, Notebooks)

Projects/Labs (25%)

Participation (5%)(Engagement in class, Answering questions scholarly,)

Notebook: You are advised to keep a well-organized notebook with 5 sections:

  • Section 1 –Do Now
  • Section 2- Class Notes
  • Section 3- Class work
  • Section 4 -Homework/ /Projects
  • Section 5- Biology Vocabulary and Resources

All materials should be neat anddated and each section of your notebook should be in chronological order.

Quizzes and Tests

  • Anchor Test – Generally, short (20-30 minutes) /6-8 per quarter / Covers selected sections.(pointsvary).
  • Domain Tests – Full Period – 3 or 4 per quarter / Covers a Unit.(points vary).
  • Projects/: points vary

Projects

Throughout the semester there will be projects and research papers, many of which will require a computer. (There are computers in the classroom and the library, which are available during study periods and before and after school, if one is not available at home.) These projects will require class work and home work and will be assigned a numerical value from 25 to 150 points. Projects will be posted on my Internet homepage.Projects should be typed and double spaced.

This week in Science – Extra Credit

Any time, that your grade on a quiz or test is below a 75%, you may do “This week in Science to earn up to 5 extra credit points.This is the only opportunity that you get to get extra credit! You can access the by researching something interesting in Science of the week and a blank answer sheet via my Internet homepage. Extra Credit will be due anytime before the next quiz or test. The research is no less than 250 words with a reference page.

Make-up Work

If you miss a test, a quiz, project or a significant class work assignment (or a homework assignment (posted on my homepage) for any reason, you are expected to make it up. Generally, you will be given up to one week from the day you return to make up that assignment. For example, if you are out of school on Monday and return on Tuesday, you have until the following Tuesday to make up your work.Incomplete work, for any reason, will count as a 0. Quizzes and tests may be made up, before school, after school or during study periods.

Homework Policy

Homework is an important part of learning Biology and will be assigned daily. Homework should be done in Pen in order. Every assignment should be well thought-out. It is permissible to discuss problems with other students or relatives. It is not permissible to copy another student's work. Do your best to think through the assignment and understand why things work the way they do. You will not receive credit for homework that is turned in without work for EVERY question. There may be questions that are unusually difficult that I have not prepared you for. Doing homework may make you frustrated. That is ok. I am hoping that the homework will challenge you to think. Thinking is part of learning! If you are having difficulty with your homework, keep the following in mind:

  • Write down what you know.
  • Write down what the Question is asking you to do.
  • Look through your notes for examples.
  • Re READ the current section of your textbook, your notes and possibly other sections.
  • This implies that you are already reading each section.
  • THE EXAMPLES IN OUR TEXTBOOK ARE EXTREMELY GOOD. USE THEM AS A GUIDE.
  • Get familiar with the glossary and index of a book these can come in handy when you
  • are searching the book for a topic.
  • It you are still lost, please come and ask questions

Working together on classwork and homework is encouraged but copying is prohibited. Be careful when you ask another student for help. Make sure that YOU UNDERSTAND the solution. Putting an answer on your paper means that YOU understood these question and could explain it to the entire class. Remember that there are school policies about copying. At any time during the year that you score 84% or above on a test or quiz you earn ahomework-pass, which gives you full credit for one homework assignment. This pass is only valid until the next quiz or test. You must use pencil to get full credit.All homework must be done on loose leaf paper. Please label your homework with your name, the date, page # and problem #’s in the top right hand corner of each assignment.

Failure to bring any completed assignment to class will result in the following disciplinary action.

  • 1st Offense – Verbal Warning
  • 2nd Offense – Parent/Guardian Contact
  • 3rd/4th Offense – 30 Minute Detention;Monday- Thursday: 3:45-4:15 PM (Parent/Guardian Contact)
  • 5th/7th/9th…Offense – Saturday School (9:00am- 12:00 pm) and Parent/Guardian Contact

Note: Failure to attend any assigned detention will result in disciplinary action for insubordination. Work completed during a detention or Saturday school is for practice and will NOT be worth points.

Tardy Policy

On your first unexcused tardiness to class you will be given a warning. After two unexcused tardies, you will be required to stay after school the following day to make up the time that you have missed in class from 3:58-4:30. If tardiness becomes a repeat offense, you will be referred to the dean’s office for Saturday School recentering.

Mandatory Office Hours Policy

Students who are not keeping up will be required to stay after school for mandatory help. This includes students with a grade of less than a C and students not completing assignments. If you are having trouble with any material, you are expected to seek extra help from me. I will be available after school in the Senior Suite from Monday to Thursday and before school by appointment on any school day.

Electronic Device Policy

Cell Phones, IPADs, IPODs, laptops, or other electronic devices should remain unseen and unheard. If a student is seen using an electronic device when not permitted or if the device is heard disrupting class, it will be confiscated* and taken to the deans office. If any devices are seen or heard before, during, or after a homework check, quiz, or test, the student will be assumed to be cheating. That student will be given a 0 on the given assignment

Please sign and return only this page of the syllabus. If you do not return this page signed within one week, you will receive a zero for a quiz grade and your parent will be contacted.

This semesters Algebra 2 class will not be the same as it has in the past. The state has adopted more stringent standards known as the Common Core Standards. The rigor and pace of the class will be much different that what students may be accustomed to. It is very important that students take notes, do their homework, and participate in class!

I have read all of the information in the course syllabus and agree to abide by all of the items listed. I agree to take notes in class, participate in class, complete the classwork, and to do all homework assigned to me. I understand that failure to do my work will result in a failing grade in this course.

Students SignatureDate

I have read all of the information in the course syllabus. As a parent/guardian, I understand that it is my responsibility to motivate my child in putting his/her best effort into the Keystone Biology course.

Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

Contact Number (Cell Phone or Landline)Parent Email Address