General Information
Teacher: Ms. Rozema
Location: Room 602
Hours: 3rd-6th hours with A Lunch
Duration: Year Long Course
1st Semester Outline
*Please note that the below dates may change according to student and curriculum needs.
(9-9 thru 9-18) Prefixes, Suffixes & Intro to Biology
(9-21 thru 10-9) Characteristics of Life & Biochemistry
(10-12 thru 11-3) Intro to Cells: Structure & Function
(11-4 thru 11-25) Cell Energetics: Photosynthesis & Respiration
(11-30 thru 12-18) Ecosystems: Matter, Energy & Relationships
(1-4 thru 1-19) Ecosystems: Population Dynamics
(Week of 1-25) Final Exam
Necessary Materials
It will be expected that each student has the following materials by the first Monday of Class. The below materials can be purchased at a Dollar Store, Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target or Drug Store. Typically office-supply stores are more expensive; however the purchasing location is not of focus. Notice some of the supplies have (*) next to them because they can be homemade!
ÿ *5 Dividers (Vocab & Notes, Do Now, Class Work, Homework, Quizzes & Grades) / ÿ Pencil Sharpener
ÿ Lined Paper / ÿ Pens
ÿ *Pencil Case / ÿ Markers
*All Materials, including Binders, will be checked in for Homework credit. These items will be checked in without any notice, for completion and organization.
Classroom Expectations
These expectations are guidelines for Ms. Rozema’s classroom. These expectations are in addition to the “Eagle Way” and the “12 Non-Negotiables”.
Students are to respect all aspects of learning within the classroom. These include: All Materials, All Routines and All People (Teacher, Peers, and Themselves).
When students are not respecting all aspects of the classroom they will be asked to think, change and move on. If a student cannot think about their actions, change their actions, and move on, they may be asked to go to the SRC or their administrator.
A) Entering:
1- Read & Follow the Directions.
2- Sit in your Assigned Seat.
3- Have your Materials Ready.
4- Begin the Starter (quietly).
B) During:
1- Focus.
2- Listen to & Follow Directions.
3- Respect….yourself, your peers, your teacher, and all materials.
C) Leaving:
1- Listen to & Follow Directions.
2- Check the Board.
3- Tidy Up.
4- Stay Seated in your Assigned Seat.
D) THS Code of Conduct: All content within the THS Code of Conduct will be adhered to within this classroom. For a refresher on Thurston’s policies please see your student handbook.
Activities
Participation—[5% of overall grade] In order for students to fully benefit from the classroom experience, it is expected that they will pay attention, both answer and ask questions, engage in activities, complete homework, and collaborate with both their peers and their teacher. Students will receive 2pts/class period for participating appropriately. Students may lose points when they do not participate as described above.
Class Work—[10% of overall grade] Students are expected to engage in “bell work”, open discussions, note-taking and lectures, demonstrations, peer-collaboration, projects, simulations and labs and other activities during the class period. During these activities students may be asked to converse with their peers or teacher, answer questions, take notes, etc. Students will receive 2pts/class period for engaging in class work appropriately. Students may lose points when they do not engage in and complete class work.
Homework—[10% of overall grade] Students will be given tasks to complete at home, in their own time. Students will be graded purely upon completion and genuine effort. IMPORTANT NOTE: NO LATE WORK. Late work will not be accepted. Homework will be considered “late” when it is not brought to the necessary class period and ready to turn in. Students will not be given passes back to their lockers, and may not turn in at the end of the day or after class. Students will receive 5pts/homework assignment for full completion. Students may lose points when homework is not turned in, late, or not completed.
Quizzes—[25%] Students will be given in class quizzes on a weekly basis. Students will not be allowed to use any notes or additional resources on the quizzes. Students will be given one chance to re-take each quiz, during Flex or After School, any time before the end of the given unit. The highest quiz grade will be the final record grade. Quiz re-takes may be different from the original. Students may want to come in for Flex or After School prior to the re-take to discuss errors, misunderstandings, and general problem-areas.
Tests—[50%] Students will be given a larger test at the conclusion of ever unit. Units typically extend between three to five weeks, but vary depending on the content and student needs. Students will not be allowed to use any notes or additional resources on the tests. Students will NOT be given any chance to re-take the tests. Therefore, students are encouraged to learn from unit quizzes, homework, class work, and additional help in order to successfully prepare.
Grading
A’s / B’s / C’s / D’s / FailingA 93.0 and up
A- 90.0-92.9% / B+ 84.0-89.9%
B 83.0%
B- 80.0-82.9% / C+ 74.0-79.9%
C 73.0%
C- 70.0-72.9% / D+ 64.0-69.9%
D 63.0%
D- 60.0-62.9% / 0.0 – 59.9%
*Grades will not be curved, amplified, bumped, or adjusted under any circumstances. For instance, if a student receives a 59.9% they will fail the class. If a student receives a 89.9% they will receive a B+ and will not be bumped up to an A-.
Marking Period Grades:
5% Participation
10% Class Work
10% Homework
25% Quizzes
50% Tests
Total = 100%
Tid-Bits
Hall Passes--- Students will be allowed to go to the bathroom/hall by writing out a detailed hall-pass (Full Name, Date, Time, Teacher’s Signature, Destination). Students may only go to the bathroom or into the hall one at a time. Students may not use the passes during the first or last ten minutes of any class period. *If any individual student abuses this policy, their “hall pass freedom” may be constricted, in order to increase their time within the classroom.
Tardies--- Students will be considered “tardy” when they are not at their seat at the time of the bell ringing. Students speaking with the teacher, an administrator, or turning in homework will be excused. Please see the Thurston Student Handbook for tardy-policy details and procedures.
Absences--- When students are absent they are still responsible for understanding any class work completed, and must complete any homework received upon their absence. If a student is absent during a Quiz they have until the end of the unit to complete it. If a student is absent during a Test they have until the end of the marking period to complete it. IMPORTANT: Students will not receive credit for homework, quizzes or tests if the absence is NOT excused! Please see the Thurston Student Handbook for absent-policy details and procedures.
Cell Phones--- If students are seen “using” their phones (as according to the Student Handbook) it will be confiscated and taken to the front office. If students are seen “carrying” their phones (as according to the Student Handbook) it will be confiscated and taken to the front office. Please see the Thurston Student Handbook for cell phone policy details and procedures.
MP3’s & Such— Students are not permitted to have electronic devices (aside from calculators) in class. Please see the Thurston Student Handbook for details and procedures.
Food & Beverages--- Because this is a science classroom where chemicals are used, with adjacent chemical labs, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY that students do not eat within the classroom. Students may be allowed to drink only water during class, and should not cause any sort of distraction or disruption.
I Am NOT Office Max--- As stated earlier it will be important for students to bring the necessary materials with them to class, every single day. Spare pencils, markers, paper, Kleenex, etc. will not be supplied for the students. If students know that they need something (Kleenex, hand sanitizer, lotion) it will be important for them to pack this themselves. J
Help
ÿ After School (2:45-3:30 M, W, Th)
ÿ Flex
ÿ Leave a Note
ÿ Email: or
ÿ Zangle: I will update grades weekly. Please check regularly for received grades and missing assignments/tests.
*Parents, email is the most efficient and effective way of contact. I am able to respond with up to date grades and details best this way.
Biology Syllabus Contract
Fall 2009: Marking Period 1
Student’s Name (Print Neatly):
*You may write EMAIL addresses next to your name.
______
Hour/Class Period: ______
Parent/Guardian’s Name (Print Neatly):
*You may write EMAIL addresses next to your names.
______
______
My student and I have both read all components of the above syllabus. By signing this we are acknowledging our understanding.
Student Signature: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______
Date: ______
Student Concerns & FYI’s / Parent Concerns & FYI’s4