General Biology is a two-term course worth a total of ten credit hours. Biology is usually taken by sophomores to fulfill requirements for lab science classes for graduation. Biology covers a variety of life science concepts organized into the following major units: Basic Concepts, Biochemistry, Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Ecology, Microbiology, Plants, Animals, Behavior, Diversity, and the History of the Earth..
Course Description
GRADING FOR LEARNING
Course Correlation to Nebraska State Standards 12.2.1 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
12.4.1 THE CELL
12.4.2 MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY
12.4.3 THE THEORY OF BIOLOGICAL
EVOLUTION
12.4.4 INTERDEPENDENCE OF
ORGANISMS
12.4.5 MATTER, ENERGY, AND
ORGANIZATION IN LIVING
SYSTEMS
12.4.6 BEHAVIOR OF ORGANISMS
12.5.3 ORIGIN OF THE EARTH SYSTEM
LONG TERM MEMORY STRATEGY
2
LEARNING STYLES VIA LAYERED CURRICULUM
2
COURSE MATERIALS 3
DISTRICT GRADING SCALE 3
MRS. MENGHINI 3
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
4
COMMUNICATION PRACTICES
4
BIOLOGY UNITS PLANETEENS/INFO
4 5
Inside this issue:
Newsletter Date
2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus
School: North Platte Senior High
Educator: Tammy Menghini
Textbook: Modern Biology by Holt, Rinehart & Winston
Welcome to Biology! The purpose of this course is to give students a strong foundation in Life Science. This knowledge base will
lead to student success on our National Standards, both at the state and local level. Many concepts taught apply to future science
courses and everyday life. I am available most mornings from 7:45-8:00 AM and after school until 3:45 PM. Students can make
appointments after school for longer help sessions if needed. Communication will be instrumental for success. I can be reached at the
high school at 535-7105, extension #4134 or at [email protected]. I look forward to a successful and rewarding year with
YOU!
In recent years I have critically examined my grading routines and have made modifications to
produce sound practices that yield prosperity to all students. Below you will find a description of
how I will conduct evaluations in Biology.
Grade Groups: Grades will be given in three different groupings: Behavior,
Formative and Summative. Behavior and formative marks will not be included
in the grade point average but will be tracked for parent communication. Sum-
mative grades constitute a student’s percentage and include major projects, select
labs, quizzes and tests.
Behavior grades will be a reflection of student’s preparedness, effort and behavior. Behavior grades will
be used primarily as a communication tool for parents.
Formative grades include initial drafts/attempts, homework, labs, notebooks, journals and questions dur-
ing instruction. They are assessment tools designed for providing direction for improvement and/or ad-
justment to a program for individual students or for a whole class (e.g., quizzes, ). Students will soon find
the value in completing their own daily work consistently, as success will come much faster to those who
diligently complete their own assignments.
Summative grades are assessments designed to provide information about a student’s achievement and
progress. Summative grades include tests, quizzes, final drafts/attempts, assignments, lab papers, pro-
jects, and performances. Summative assessments not completed on time will be recorded as incomplete
for two .
Test scores recorded on Infinite Campus will be based on the latest evidence or most recent score, in other words, students may retest to get their desired grade. I don’t care when “they get it,” as long as they “do get it” by the end of a grading period.
REQUIRED DAILY
Text: Postlethwait & Hopson’s Biology, Copyright 2006 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston (provided by NPHS)
Three Ring Binder
Black or Blue Pen
Paper
Pencil
Any summative grade will be required to be done in black/blue pen or pencil or it will not be accepted.
Students are responsible for the care of their textbook.
All textbooks are required to have a book cover.
OPTIONAL
Calculator
Markers
Rulers
Composition Journal
Effort grade may be given on prepared-ness for class without warning.
Masters Degree work at UNL in Ecology and Evolution
Taught Biology, Environ-mental Science and Physical Science at Norris H. S., Firth, NE
Left Teaching to be At Home with Children
Taught A & P, Biology, Prac-
Graduated from Maxwell years ago :)
Attended Mid-Plains
Attended UNK
Bachelors in Biology and Chemistry
Taught Physical Science at North Platte H. S.
tical Science and Physical Science at Malcolm H. S.
Currently at N P H S to Teach Biology
FAMILY
Husband Treverr and Four Daughters-Michaella, Allexis, Gabrielle and Hillary
Course Materials
Mrs. Menghini
Grading Scale
93-100% = A 86-92% = B 78-85% = C 70-77% = D 0-69% = F Total points earned will come from summative grades only. Students will be
allowed to retest to improve their scores. Retesting must take place outside of class time and before the end of the grading period. Set a goal on the grade you want today!
Grades will be tabu-lated on a point system. Each grade taken will have a point value. Percent-ages will be deter-mined by dividing points earned by points possible.
Page 3
2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus
The job of an
educator is to
teach students to
see the vitality
in themselves.
-Joseph Campbell
“I WILL NEGO-
TIATE MY
TEACHING, BUT
I WILL NEVER
NEGOTIATE
YOUR
LEARNING.”
“From your parents you learn
love and laughter and how to put
one foot before the other. But
when books are opened you dis-
cover that you have
wings.” Helen Hayes
Late work will be accepted until the end of the unit, defined by the date the
unit exam is given, no later. There will be a 30% deduction on all late work.
The only exception for late work will be excused absences. Extension will be
the number of days absent plus one. It is the student’s responsibility to come
in outside of class to get missed work.
Often times, we as adults teach kids for the moment. For example: vocabulary tests. A student may be given a science unit vocabulary list to be tested on at the end of the unit. When a parent asks what did you miss on the unit test? A student will more than likely tell you. But if a parent probes farther and offers to help them restudy those words and maybe even quiz then over, they may meet resis-tance. Student’s may respond, “It’s okay, we are in a new unit and I have new words to learn. I don’t need to study
the words from last unit.” Sound familiar? This style of learning is for short term mem-ory. What if a student knew at any given time in the school year, they could be tested over any of the vocabulary words from the entire year? Would the way they study look different?
This year in Biology students will be introduced to a learn-ing strategy called L to J. Students will revisit the key concepts of all units throughout the whole year. A number of questions will come from the current unit of study and the
rest will be randomly selected from all the other units. This method will teach kids to learn versus memorize key concepts. I am excited to see kids gain study skills that will have a significant impact on their fu-ture study and careers. Feel free to call if you have any questions.
Mrs. Menghini
(308)535-7105
Testing to Lay Down Long-Term Memory
Learning Styles through Layered Curriculum
AUDITORY
Chooses to listen to tapes
Follows verbal directions while not appearing to listen
Has a preference for music or singing
Reads aloud to self
Sounds out words
Talks to self
TACTILE
Touching objects on shelves
Fiddling with items
Carrying small objects around
Like to work with hands
Playing with writing utensils
KINESTHETIC
Hard to sit for periods of time
Standing while working at desk
Getting out of seat often
Body movements for expres-sions
Loves sports/PE/movement opportunities
Volunteers to run errands or to demonstrate
Acting and playing out roles **************************
We will determine pre-ferred learning styles in Biology and students will be given voice and choice on their assign-ments in some units. Stay tuned to hear more on this topic.
LET’S GO FISHING!!!!
Students tend to fall into four main types of learners: Visual, Auditory, Tactile and Kinesthetic. These learn-ers will do better when offered activities that allow them to use their preferred learning style. Look through the follow-ing descriptions and see which behaviors apply to your situation.
VISUAL
Organized/colored/highlighted notes
Drawing or doodling
Prefers pictures
Needs eye contact
Likes to read
Closely examines objects and pictures
Comments on visual aspects
Page 2
“TEACHING
SHOULD BE SUCH
THAT WHAT IS
OFFERED IS
PERCEIVED AS A
VALUABLE GIFT
AND NOT AS A
HARD DUTY.”
Most teachers waste their time by asking questions which are in-tended to discover what a pupil does not know, whereas the true art of questioning has for its pur-pose to discover what the pupil knows or is capable of knowing. -Albert Einstein
Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. ----Chinese ProverbChinese ProverbChinese ProverbChinese Proverb
� Be Present. Attendance is essential for success. Regular attendance will be acknowledged by Mrs. Menghini.
� Be prompt, punctual, and prepared for class and complete class tasks thoroughly and on time.
� Bring necessary items to class daily.
� Be courteous and respectful to others around you, to property and to ideas.
� Actively participate in class.
� Listen to others, wait your turn to talk and be patient.
� Maintain open com-munication with Mrs. Menghini.
� Complete your own work so you can use it as a tool to boost your sum-mative scores.
� Prepare and review for tests and quizzes.
� No electronic devices other than calculators out during school.
� No food, candy or pop.
� EXPECT THE BEST!
Unit I Basic Biology Concepts Unit VII Microbiology
Unit II Biochemistry Unit VIII Plants
Unit III Cells Unit IX Classification
Unit IV Genetics Unit X Ecology
Unit V Evolution Unit XI Animal Behavior
Unit VI History of the Earth
Classroom Expectations
Biology Units
Communication
Students, feel free to stop by my room at anytime for help. I will maintain an open door policy to help you get the grade you want. Remember it is you who sets the vehicle in motion. It is hard for me to get mo-mentum from a parked car. Meet me in the middle...I will go the distance with you.
Parents feel free to contact me anytime. I will return your message ASAP. I would love to have you stop by to visit about your stu-dent’s progress. E-mail seems to be the way of the land now. My address is [email protected]. Please start the communica-tion by sending me a note soon. We will be more effective working united.
Watch for these Communi-cation Methods from this Direction:
Progress reports
Phone Calls
E-Mails
Notes
Letters
Please share with parents.
Page 4
2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus
Careful when looking out your rear-view mirror. You will miss much that could have been gained if you would of only focused on your windshield view. Dare to look forward and to not focus on the past.
If you were absent from your job, you would not get paid. If you are absent from your learning, you will not get your grade. Those who show up, GO UP!
“COMMUNICATION IS
A TWO-WAY STREET.
IT KEEPS INFORMATION
FLOWING. WHEN
INFORMATION FLOWS,
PEOPLE FEEL MORE IN
TOUCH AND BOTH
PARTIES GET BETTER
RESULTS. RESULTS
PRODUCE
SATISFACTION.
SATISFACTION
REDUCES STRESS AND
ANXIETY.
Optional Activities Outside of Class
Page 5
Your mind will be like its ha-
bitual thoughts; for the soul
becomes dyed with the color of
its thoughts.
— Marcus Aurelius
"A HUNDRED YEARS
FROM NOW IT WILL
NOT MATTER WHAT
MY BANK ACCOUNT
WAS, THE SORT OF
HOUSE I LIVED IN, OR
THE KIND OF CAR I
DROVE . . . . BUT THE
WORLD MAY BE
DIFFERENT BECAUSE
I WAS IMPORTANT IN
THE LIFE OF A
CHILD."
- KATHY DAVIS
I feel character development today is more important than
ever to our youth. I work to foster this by forming a
group of students to do various volunteer work and acts
of kindness for our community. Our group is called the
Planeteens and our mission is to serve our community
and to protect our environment. Projects will include
participation in the Rail-Fest, Lake Maloney clean-up,
mentoring elementary students in science and being
positive partners in the Washington
Science Fair.
Web Address Go.HRW.com
Select thinkcentral
Select Science
Select Online Textbook
User name: rtatman
Password: turkey
Select Go To the Online Textbook
TARDIES
Detentions will be given for tardiness to class, defined
as entering class after the second bell. Detentions
need to be made up within three school days or it will
become an office referral. The real problem
is not whether
machines think
but whether men
do!
- B. F. Skinner
ONLINE TEXTBOOK
Additional Information