Biology
Mr. Joshua Lord
Biology Teacher
Sunset Ridge Middle School
Dear parent/guardian, welcome to our biology course!
In our course, your son/daughter will learn about a variety of topics in the life sciences, all of which are based on centuries of scientific evidence. It is an exciting time to live in and think about the nature of life. The entire human genome has been revealed. Yet, new decisions need to be made by the public, and our children need to be prepared to make those decisions in order to improve the quality of their lives, and to preserve the environment.
I know that we will share communications often so that your child will be putting her/his best efforts into the challenging study.
In the following pages you will find information about the course curriculum, the class rules and procedures, as well as my grading policy. Attached are also a safety contract and consent forms. Please sign them and return as a packet with your child.
I am looking forward to teaching your child this year!
Respectfully,
Mr. Lord
Contact Information:
Prep Period: None
- You may reach me by phone at 412-2475 during school and leave a message in the office or have them connect you to my voicemail. I will return your call as soon as I can. Please keep in mind I don’t have a prep and might not be able to get back to you the same day.
- Email or
Biology Mr. Lord
Course Outline
The following are the topics we will learn this year. Please keep this list with you as we go along.
Changes may take place, according to need.
TopicsEcology
Cells
Genetics
History of Biological Diversity (Evolution)
Plants
Viruses & Bacteria
Invertebrates/ Vertebrates
Human Anatomy
What supplies do I need?
* You are expected to bring: a separate 3-ring binder with dividers, two pocket folders to hold handouts and other materials, lined paper, pens (blue or black ONLY), #2 pencils and eraser, ruler, colored pencils (24 pack minimum), a composition notebook, flash drive, daily access to the internet and Microsoft Word programs(Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Assignments and Grading:
Approximated Values:
Lab Reports: 10% (25-100 points each)
Daily Journal Entries: 10% (20 points each)
Participation: 15%
(Contribution to discussion, proper behavior, assistance in classroom management)
Quizzes and Tests: 20% (20-400 points each)
Homework / Class work Assignments 20% (25-50 points each)
(Homework – at least twice a week)
Final Exam and Research Projects: 25% of the grade.
Check your Grade On-Line! Passwords will be given at the beginning of the year.
EXTRA CREDIT NOT GIVEN SINCE ITS AN HONORS CLASS
CHEATING IS AN AUTOMATIC 0 AND U IN CITEZENSHIP
Specific Rules
Class Entry:
a. Enter the classroom only when you are ready to work and learn, even when you arrive early.
b. Check for given handouts on the table.
c. Check for the journal entry activity: on the white board, and / or on the screen.
End of Period:
a. Return to your seat. Do not leave the class even after the bell rings, unless the teacher clearly dismissed the class. Any failure to do so will result in the delay of the entire class beyond the dismissal bell.
b. You are held accountable for leaving your desk area clean above and under the desk.
c. Make sure to return all class materials to their place.
Irrelevant belongings:
a. Food and drinks are not allowed at any time in the classroom.
b. Irrelevant belongings such as cell phones, CD/MP3/IPods, headphones, make-up, magazines, games etc. will be confiscated without warning if seen by the teacher (even when turned off).
Participation:
a. Keep quiet while the teacher or another student is addressing the class.
b. You are encouraged to participate in class discussions, ask for clarification or adding relevant comments. Raise your hand to get the teacher’s permission to talk.
c. Collaborative group tasks are a critical part of our course. Your contribution to your groups’ success is extremely important.
Forbidden areas in the class:
a. Teacher’s Area is absolutely out of your reach at any time, including during labs.
b. Storage/Preparation Room – forbidden access at any time for any purpose.
c. All shelves and tables, unless they are clearly part of the lesson.
.------Please sign, and return the slip to your folder. Thank you ------
I read the course guidelines and will follow them in class.
Student’s Name: ______Student’s signature______
I read the course description and behavioral guidelines. I will guide my son/daughter to follow them for the benefit of his/her success.
Parent’s Name: ______Parent’s signature ______
Student Science Laboratory Safety Contract
I agree to:
• Act responsibly at all times in the laboratory.
• Follow all instructions given, orally or in writing, by my teacher.
• Perform only those activities assigned and approved by my teacher.
• Protect my eyes, face, hands, and body by wearing proper clothing and using protective equipment provided by my school.
• Carry out good housekeeping practices as instructed by my teacher.
• Know the location of safety and first aid equipment in the laboratory.
• Notify my teacher immediately of an emergency.
• NEVER work alone in the laboratory.
• NEVER eat or drink in the laboratory.
• Handle living organisms or preserved specimens only when authorized by my teacher, and then, with respect.
• NEVER enter or work in a supply area unless instructed to do so and supervised by my teacher.
[This portion of the contract is to be kept by the student.]
------
[Return this portion to your folder.]
I, ______, [print name] have read each of the statements in the Student Science Laboratory Safety Contract and understand these safety rules. I agree to abide by the safety regulations and any additional written or verbal instructions provided by the school district or my teacher. I further agree to follow all other written and verbal instructions given in class.
______
Student Signature Date
I acknowledge that my child/ward has signed this contract in good faith.
______
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
CLASSROOM POLICIES and PROCEDURES
· All Student Code of Conduct Policies will be enforced.
· All cell phones/electronic devices must be turned off / out of sight during school hours based on SRMS Student Code of Conduct. Disciplinary action may ensue.
· Students entering the classroom after the tardy bell rings will be marked tardy.
· Passes to lockers/ bathroom will not be issued during passing time/prior to the tardy bell
· Passes are required to leave an area- use your hall pass form and sign out.
· Passes will not be given out the first and last five minutes of class.
· If the student is out of the area shown on the pass, disciplinary action will result.
· Passes to guidance, attendance and using the phone will not be issued.
· Excessive use of hall passes will result in disciplinary action- have a medical note on file in the clinic if you need to use the bathroom frequently.
· Prior to the tardy bell, enter the classroom prepared, be in your assigned seat, have your required materials out and get started on posted assignment.
· Unless specified otherwise, turn in homework in your period’s “To Be Graded” tray by the time the tardy bell rings. Work turned in after this time period will be “late.”
· Have your pencil ALREADY sharpened before the final tardy bell rings.
· Have only required materials on your desk-keep personal items in your backpack.
· No personal items, textbooks, etc. should be left in the classroom.
· Eat, drink soda, chew gum elsewhere-only clear water bottles with water in them are OK.
· Groom in the bathroom.
· When working in collaborative groups, be respectful and follow appropriate procedures.
· Follow lab safety and clean up as instructed.
· Stay in student designated areas – teach areas are off limits to students.
· Be respectful of the classroom, its contents, and living organisms.
· When all announcements come on, stop what you are doing and QUIETLY listen.
· The TEACHER dismisses the class-unless specified, remain seated until dismissed.
· When the teacher raises her hand, stop talking, pay attention and listen.
· One person at a time talks. Raise your hand for recognition.
· In order to qualify for a field trip, you must not have any referrals for this class, no OSS, NO LATE WORK and have a grade of a B or higher.
· Do makeup work at home, not during class.
· Follow SRMS’s Emailing Policies and Procedures. Only use .rtf or .doc file extensions on emailed documents. Other formats will not work. If I cannot open the document, a zero will be issued.
· It is expected that students will have individual access to functioning computers and functioning printers on their own time. However, you may use classroom computers and printers only if you plan in advance. Waiting until the due date of the assignment to use classroom computers and printers is unacceptable and will not be allowed.
· You should always do two things when emailing an assignment: 1. Attach the appropriate file to your email. 2. Copy and paste the information onto the email itself.
· Follow guidelines for completing Global Biology News assignments. Only typed summaries are acceptable – handwritten are unacceptable – see teacher if this is a problem ahead of time!
· Stay caught up from absences.
· Be respectful and cooperative with substitutes
· Stay with the class during fire drills, bomb drills and during auditorium presentations. Anything else will result in disciplinary action.
· Keep graded notebooks for exam review purposes.
STEPS FOR BREAKING RULES/NOT FOLLOWING POLICES & PROCEDURES:
1st step = warning 2nd step = parent contact 3rd step = detention 4th step = referral
LAB SAFETY VIOLATIONS RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE REFERRAL!