Cabarrus Tech - Course Information Sheet
Course Name: Honors Biology
Teacher Name: Jessica P. Parker
Course Description:
This course is an in-depth study of biology which involves research and individual laboratory work. The topics include: energy of life, cell structure and function, reproduction, genetics, adaptation, classification, psychology, environment and ecology, dissection and comparative anatomy. Honors Biology is designed to develop the student’s ability to observe and understand the living world. (Cabarrus County High School Curriculum Guide)
Major Projects:
Major projects will be assigned throughout the course. These projects will relate to the current topic of study. Major projects will require group and individual work, will be completed in and out of class, and will require use of creative thought and/or technology to demonstrate a student(s) understanding of the course.
Availability for Extra Help:
I am available in the afternoons until 5:00 PM. If you need to stay later, please make arrangements at least one day in advance.
Grading Policy:
Assignments will be graded out of 100 points, and rated on the NC 10 Point Grading Scale. A student’s quarter grade in the course will be comprised of 70% Major Assignments, and 30% minor assignments. Major assignments include tests, projects, labs, and Level 3 and 4 Choice Assignments.
Minor Assignments include warmups/exit tickets, Level 1 and 2 Choice Assignments, Notebook checks, review quizzes and some classroom work.
Late Work:
You will have until the day of the Unit Test to complete work for an instructional unit. Tests will be made up during AL time and in conjunction with your AL needs for other teachers. In the event there are extenuating circumstances around a student’s makeup work, the teacher may contract an alternate timeline for submitting assignments.
Supplies Needed:
§ 3 Ring Binder (1”)
§ Loose leaf Paper
§ Pen (Blue or Black)
§ Pencil
§ Colored Pencils
§ Highlighter
Contact Information:
(Email is the BEST way to contact me!)
Planning: 4th Period – 2:30 – 4pm
Website Information
My website is linked from the Cabarrus Tech Home Page. Click “Faculty and Staff” and “Parker, Jessica”
Additional Course Information
Ms. Parker
Course Format
· For each unit, students will be given a unit outline and vocabulary list (aka – The Orange Sheets)
· Student learning will be assessed in the following ways for a unit of study:
o Notebook - collection of all notes, written assignments, quizzes, and tests for the unit that requires students to extend their knowledge into application and synthesis of larger ideas that drive living systems.
o Warmups – activities that will prepare you for skills to become scientifically literate citizens, prepared students, and to facilitate continuous cumulative review throughout the semester.
o Choice Assignments – Each unit will be accompanied by a choice board, where students can choose from various assignment options. Assignments will be grouped by levels of thinking so that some are more challenging than others. Individual students may receive different assignments based on learning needs, but all students will work so that they achieve success and growth in each unit!
o Quizzes –these will guide student and teacher communication about the learning process for a unit. Learning checks will often carry no grade, but rather give the student feedback to help them master content.
o Unit Exam – these will be short assessments in the form of the traditional test to determine overall mastery of the learning material.
· Students should study at least 30 minutes every night by discussing objectives, completing homework assignments, or discussing with parents, siblings, or peers what they learned in class.
Graduation Requirements and Biology
§ This course is required of all students who receive a High School Diploma in North Carolina.
§ The final exam will be a North Carolina End of Course (EOC) Test. No teacher made exam is offered.
Course Pacing
Unit / Length of StudyIntroduction to Biology / 7 Days
Ecology / 10 Days
Biochemistry and Transport / 5 Days
Cell History and Structure / 5 Days
Cell Processes / 10 Days
Inheritance / 7 Days
Unit / Length of Study
Molecular Genetics / 12 Days
Evolution / 7 Days
Diversity - Classification / 5 Days
Diversity -Structure and Function / 12 Days
EOC Review / 5 Days
Classroom Expectations
Follow the Cabarrus Tech Rules to Live by:
Be WHERE you are supposed to be,
WHEN you are supposed to be there,
doing WHAT you are supposed to do!