AP Biology

Summer 2010 Assignment

So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

~Willy Wonka

Welcome to AP Biology! This course is an intensive voyage through the many facets of life: the chemical, molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological. So, just when you thought you could “chillax” this summer, here comes the AP Biology Summer Assignment.

This assignment is designed to give us a great start for a year of hard, yet rewarding, work. There are five parts to this assignment; each part will be due at different times throughout the summer, so be sure to pay attention to the due dates! Assignments may always be turned in early, but points will be deducted if they are turned in late. If there are any extenuating circumstances that may prevent you from completing an assignment on time, please let me know (but remember – every city you would visit has a mailbox!). I want you to start the year with strong grades already on the books!

Contact Information

Teacher Name: Bethany Crotts

E-mail:

Phone: 859-940-8469 (this is a long-distance number!)

Class Website:

Schedule of Assignments

Here is an overview of the assignments and due dates. Details for each of the assignments will follow.

# / Due Date / Assignment
1 / Monday, August 23rd /
  • Adopt-a-plant Show and Tell

2 / Friday, June 18th /
  • Send an introductory e-mail to Mrs. Crotts at
  • Check out our class website. Remember, it’s a work in progress!

3 / Friday, July 9th /
  • Complete Mini-unit on Introduction to the AP Biology Exam and submit assignment to Mrs. Crotts. Mini-unit assignment will be posted on the class webpage by June 18th.

4 / Friday, July 30th /
  • Complete Self-directed Learning Unit and submit associated assignments to Mrs. Crotts. Self-directed Learning Unit and assignments will be posted on the class webpage by June 18th.

5 / Friday, August 13th /
  • Independent Reading assignment will be the nonfiction bookSurvival of the Sickest by Sharon Moalem. You must read and complete a reading guide. The reading guide will be posted on the website by June 18th.

Assignment #1: Adopt a Plant!

Due Date:Monday, August 23, 2010

Hopefully you remember from your introductory biology course that biology is the study of livingthings. Throughout this summer, I want you to experience caring for a living thing and to realize that plants, just like all living things, are living, growing, and responsive organisms. To that end, you will be the proud parent of one of two types of plants: a coleus or a begonia. Both of these plants are considered to be annuals and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Some examples are shown below:

Coleus: Begonia:

Your assignment is to nurture your plant. Give it sun, water, and fertilizer if it needs it. You want it to be big and bushy!

On Monday, August, 23rd, you will bring your plant to class for a “Show and Tell” session. The following prizes will be awarded:

  • Coleus: Biggest, bushiest, Coleus. (Hint: You don’t want this plant to bloom!)
  • Begonia: Biggest, bushiest, blooming Begonia. (Hint: You do want this plant to bloom!)

For this assignment, students often have many questions about the care of these plants, such as:

  • How do I take care of a Coleus or Begonia?
  • How do I transplant a Coleus or Begonia?
  • How do I stop my Coleus from blooming?
  • How do I get my plant to branch and get bushier?
  • Do these plants like lots of sun or do they need some shade?

My answer to all of these questions is the same: Look it up! The Internet contains a huge amount of information, and some of it is even useful. You can also check in with your local nursery for some sage advice (get it? – plant humor!) on caring for your new little charges. Do your research and you could walk away with a prize for your plant.

Already looking for extra credit?

Propagate your Coleus and Begonia. At the Show and Tell, bring in offspring from your Coleus or Begonia that you created through the process of vegetative propagation. Experience the joy of becoming a grandparent!

Assignment #2: Introductory E-mail Communication

Due Date:Friday, June 18, 2010

Over the next year, we will be spending a lot of time together, so I would like the chance to get to know you as soon as possible! To facilitate this, draft an introductory e-mail using the guidelines below. This will also get you used to electronic communication, as we will be using this throughout the course.

For your e-mail, be sure to follow these directions. In your letter, you may include additional information, if you choose, but this is the minimum that I expect.

  1. This is a formal, written communication to me, your teacher. Remember, then, to use full sentences, proper grammar, correct spelling, and no abbreviations (like those for instant messaging or texting)
  2. Send the e-mail to my school e-mail address: . Please send the e-mail from an e-mail address that you check regularly, as I may send out additional communications throughout the summer.
  3. The subject of the e-mail should be “AP Bio: Introduction <Insert Your Name Here>”
  4. Begin your e-mail with a formal salutation, such as “Dear Mrs. Crotts” or “Mrs. Crotts”
  5. In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and tell me a little about you.
  6. What do you like to do in your free time?
  7. Do you have a job?
  8. What about your family?
  9. Do you have any pets?
  10. In your second paragraph, tell me about what science courses you have completed in high school. You may or may not choose to tell me what grade you received in the course.
  11. What was your favorite science class? Why?
  12. In your third paragraph, tell me about why you chose to take AP Biology.
  13. What do you hope to learn in this course?
  14. What are you looking forward to the most in this course?
  15. What do you want to learn about or do in this class?
  16. What are you most anxious about?
  17. In your fourth paragraph, tell me what I can do to help you learn best.
  18. How do you learn best (lecture, labs, activities, field trips)?
  19. What do you expect from a teacher?
  20. Is there anything special that I should try to do for you to help you be successful?
  21. What do you not want me to do?
  22. End the e-mail with a formal closing, such as “Cordially”, “Sincerely”, “Warm regards”, etc. and add your name. In e-land, this is the same as signing your name at the end of a letter.

*Assignment may be submitted early, but points will be deducted if the assignment is turned in late.

Assignments #3-5

The remaining three summer assignments, the Introduction to the AP Biology Exam, Self-directed Learning Unit, and Independent Reading will be posted to our class website by Friday, June 18th.

If you have any questions about these, or any of the other assignments, please let me know!