8th Grade General Biology 2012-2013 Course Syllabus

Miss Coder

Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life. The following information is a general description of the course and common class conduct. Please read it over carefully and also have a parent or guardian read the provided information. Your first assignment is to bring back the attachment properly filled out and signed. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

West Liberty-Salem Science Department has adopted the Holt Biology by Johnson and Raven for all offered Biology courses. This resource will be used along with other materials to help provide science information according to WLS curriculum and Ohio Education Standards. Students will participate in hands-on experiments, OAA practice, and study of current information pertinent to today’s society.

The goals set for this year are to: utilize the basic scientific method, research, investigate and draw inferences through science labs, and strengthen comprehension and writing skills. One third of this course will be hands-on in a cooperative working/learning environment. This course will also serve as prep for higher-level science classes and skills needed for the 8th grade OAA and the high school OGT.

BASIC TOPICS TO BE EXPLORED

Lab Skills – microscope, dissection, virtual labs, organisms ID and classification

Change in Gene Frequency – heredity, genetic structures and functions, mutation, adaption, extinction

Form and Function – animal, plant, singles/simple celled organisms and viruses

Interactions of Life – symbiosis, biomes, environmental issues and health

CLASSROOM POLICY

1. Respect each other, yourself, school property, and authority.2. Everyday be prepared with book, paper, writing utensil, journal

and any other needed materials.3. No Eating and drinking will be permitted.4. Immature and foul language or writing will not be tolerated.5. Refrain from grooming products and makeup usage in class.6. Horseplay and rowdiness is unacceptable.7. Cheating or suspicion of cheating will result in a ZERO.8. All grades and course outcomes are a result of YOUR personal

choices.

DISCIPLINE PRECEDURES

1. verbal warning2. after school detention3. removal from class4. parental notification5. referral to the Dean of Students

* Please note that any of these procedures can be use at any time.*

GRADING POLICYGrades will be based upon a total point system of scored work over a nine weeks grading period. Students and guardians can keep easy track of current grade by calculated points earned by total available. Assignments will be updated on the WLS website once per week. Late work will not be accepted. All assignments are late if not handed in during class on the date due at the time of collection. Each student will be given a homework pass at the beginning of each 9-week grading period to account for the fact that papers do get lost, printers run out of ink, and life gets busy! A homework pass does not replace an assignment but will allow students an extra day on an assignment (Note: can not be used on Tests or Projects). Students will fill out and staple the homework pass to their assignment and turn it in the following day the assignment is due for the opportunity of receiving full credit. Extra credit assignments will NOT be given at the end of a grading period, so please do not ask. Students have a full nine weeks to make good study choices. The only extra credit offered will be for assignments that are offered to all students throughout the quarter and for unused Homework Passes. Questions concerning assignment or grades are welcomed. Email me at rcoder@wlstigers.org. All grades will be posted within a week of a due date. Parents should make all assignment and or grade clarification first with their student before emailing concerns. Confusion results when assignment due dates are extended, students failed a test/quiz due to poor study choices or students did not turn in an assignment. Please clarify all concerns first between student and parents/guardians before voicing concerns.

WLS GRADING SYSTEM WILL BE USED

A 96-100 C 77-79A- 92-95 C-74-76B+89-91 D+71-73B 86-88 D 68-70B-83-85 D-65-67

C+80-82 F 64 and below

ABSENTEEISMAbsenteeism only puts students at a disadvantage for all of their classes. In the case of a valid excuse from school, students are personally responsible for all notes, lecture, and make-up work. Labs are very difficult to make up. Same labs may not be made up and some may be made up through an alternative assignment available. Students will be permitted days absent plus one to turn in all work. The student and teacher will individually discuss test and quiz make-ups. Be aware that tests and quizzes are announced two class days ahead of time (except in the case of a pop quiz) so if a student misses the day before or the day of a test or quiz they will be expected to take it on the day of return. With all the after school activities, students can access their lockers during after school hours and or parents/ guardians can request all book/assignments sent home. In the case of extended leave or extreme circumstances, special considerations will be made.

BEINING AN ADULT

The best way to survive this class is to be an adult and communicate any problems or concerns you may have before they affect your grade. Teachers are only human therefore they cannot read minds. Be upfront and communicate any questions or concerns. Utilize before school, study halls, gym class, lunch, after school, and email to ask questions, get tutoring, or to gain access to class lab materials or computers. For desperate situations, even a phone call in the late evening is acceptable. Good communication is key to all classes, college, job training, jobs, marriage, and overall success in life.

I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR 8TH GRADE BIOLOGY.

PRINT STUDENT NAME________________________________________________________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE_________________________________________________________________

PARENT/GURADIAN SIGNATURE_______________________________________________________

DATE______________________________________________________

CIRCLE THE BEST TIME TO CALL

MORNING AFTERNOON EVENING

Home Phone____________________________(alternate)______________________________

Work Phone_____________________________________________________________

Cell Phone_______________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Email_____________________________________________________

Student Email____________________________________________________________