Honors Biology Honors Biology Course Description Course Description

and Expectationsand Expectations

Mr. WelmanMr. Welman

Room 126Room 126

As you walk in…As you walk in…Turn in your “student survey” (Turn in your “student survey” (wire basketwire basket))

Pick up the following handouts:Pick up the following handouts:– Assignments and ActivitiesAssignments and Activities– Scavenger Hunt (Scavenger Hunt (and one strip of newsprint in the boxand one strip of newsprint in the box))– Binder DescriptionBinder Description– Course Description and ExpectationsCourse Description and Expectations

Pick up a textbookPick up a textbook

Take your seat, and put the following on your desk Take your seat, and put the following on your desk (everything else on the floor, please):(everything else on the floor, please):– Pen/pencil, binder/notebook (if you have it)Pen/pencil, binder/notebook (if you have it)– All handouts, textbookAll handouts, textbook

Follow along…Follow along…

First, update assignment sheet (daily)First, update assignment sheet (daily)

Use a pen/pencil/highlighter to Use a pen/pencil/highlighter to underline/highlight important parts. underline/highlight important parts.

You are responsible for ALL info presented You are responsible for ALL info presented today.today.

Fill out the “Green Sheet” Fill out the “Green Sheet”

Ask questions!Ask questions!

Who’s that guy teaching you?Who’s that guy teaching you?

Mr. WelmanMr. Welman– Bachelor of Science in biologyBachelor of Science in biology

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire

– Masters in TeachingMasters in TeachingSeattle UniversitySeattle University

– 5 years in ecological research5 years in ecological researchLab site: Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New YorkLab site: Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New York

Field site: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (acid rain)Field site: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (acid rain)

– 1212thth year of teaching – bio, chem, phys science year of teaching – bio, chem, phys science

BiologyBiologyBiology is the science that seeks to understand Biology is the science that seeks to understand the living worldthe living world

Passing Biology - required for graduationPassing Biology - required for graduation

Passing the Biology “End of Course” exam Passing the Biology “End of Course” exam (EOC) - required for graduation(EOC) - required for graduation– 65% of students in the state passed June 201465% of students in the state passed June 2014– Nearly all honors students pass; those who work Nearly all honors students pass; those who work

hard “exceed” standard (matters for college?)hard “exceed” standard (matters for college?)Two honors students did not pass in 2015 (out of 95)Two honors students did not pass in 2015 (out of 95)

Most hard-working students “exceeded” standardMost hard-working students “exceeded” standard

Course OutlineCourse OutlineFirst semesterFirst semester

•• Nature of science, characteristics of lifeNature of science, characteristics of life

•• Biochemistry, nature of matterBiochemistry, nature of matter

•• Ecology, ecosystems, populations, env. scienceEcology, ecosystems, populations, env. science

•• Cells (structure, processes, growth)Cells (structure, processes, growth)

•• DNA (genetics, biotechnology, protein synthesis)DNA (genetics, biotechnology, protein synthesis)

Second semesterSecond semester

•• DNA, continued (or started, depending on timing)DNA, continued (or started, depending on timing)

•• Biological evolutionBiological evolution

•• Classification of lifeClassification of life

•• Microbiology (bacteria, viruses)Microbiology (bacteria, viruses)

•• Animal BiologyAnimal Biology

Expectations of StudentsExpectations of Students

Give this class your best effortGive this class your best effort

Be respectfulBe respectful

Be an active learner – Be an active learner – – Participate and ask questions!Participate and ask questions!– Participation is 10% of your gradeParticipation is 10% of your grade

WebsiteWebsite

Link on syllabusLink on syllabus

Links to all staff websites on the MTHS Links to all staff websites on the MTHS website website ((http://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/mths) )

Class activities and homework are posted on Class activities and homework are posted on the website daily. the website daily. – If you are absent, check the website at home for If you are absent, check the website at home for

homework and classwork - homework and classwork - before you returnbefore you return!!

HomeworkHomework

Expect homework 3-5 nights per weekExpect homework 3-5 nights per week

On days assignments are due:On days assignments are due:– Some assignments will be Some assignments will be collected collected and graded; and graded;

you may not turn these in late (a few exceptions…)you may not turn these in late (a few exceptions…)– Some assignments will be Some assignments will be stampedstamped; keep them in ; keep them in

your binder until it is collected. your binder until it is collected. Homework in your Homework in your binder without a stamp will earn partial credit.binder without a stamp will earn partial credit.

Late workLate work

Late work is not accepted, with two exceptionsLate work is not accepted, with two exceptions– Excused absences (verified by Skyward)Excused absences (verified by Skyward)– TWO late assignment passes per studentTWO late assignment passes per student

I’ll give these to you in a moment…I’ll give these to you in a moment…

GradingGrading

Your semester grade is comprised of the Your semester grade is comprised of the following:following:– 55% tests and quizzes55% tests and quizzes– 35% homework, labs, binder, projects35% homework, labs, binder, projects– 10% participation and attendance10% participation and attendance

Electronic equipmentElectronic equipment

Except for calculators, all electronic devices must be Except for calculators, all electronic devices must be kept in your backpack or purse at all times kept in your backpack or purse at all times – Unless being used in a classroom activity with permissionUnless being used in a classroom activity with permission

If Mr. Welman sees an electronic device or If Mr. Welman sees an electronic device or headphones/earbuds in your earsheadphones/earbuds in your ears– First time: confiscated for periodFirst time: confiscated for period– Second time: given to office for student pickupSecond time: given to office for student pickup– Third time: given to office for PARENT/guardian pickupThird time: given to office for PARENT/guardian pickup

Please see me individually if you would like to Please see me individually if you would like to use an electronic device to record assignmentsuse an electronic device to record assignments

Attendance and tardy policyAttendance and tardy policyClass is more interesting when everyone is hereClass is more interesting when everyone is hereBe in the room by the time the bell rings. Be in the room by the time the bell rings. – More than one unexcused tardy = detention after schoolMore than one unexcused tardy = detention after school– 44thth tardy – referral to administration (school policy) tardy – referral to administration (school policy)– Tardy, late, bathroom passes (passed out now)Tardy, late, bathroom passes (passed out now)– Popsicle sticks – nickname on these in penPopsicle sticks – nickname on these in pen

If you are absent, you must make up ALL missed work. If you are absent, you must make up ALL missed work. If your absence is unexcused, you may not make up If your absence is unexcused, you may not make up missed work; a 0 grade will be given.missed work; a 0 grade will be given.

After an absenceAfter an absence

Visit my website before returning to classVisit my website before returning to class– Copy assignment sheet informationCopy assignment sheet information

When you return:When you return:– Pick up handouts from bins by doorPick up handouts from bins by door– Look for returned assignments by doorLook for returned assignments by door– See me during PASS or after school with See me during PASS or after school with

questions or to make up class/lab work. questions or to make up class/lab work. – Do NOT see me right before or after class.Do NOT see me right before or after class.– Look at the board now. Upper left.Look at the board now. Upper left.

Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty

MTHS students should not cheat, and MTHS students should not cheat, and should not tolerate those who doshould not tolerate those who do

Copying answers to assignments/exams is Copying answers to assignments/exams is unacceptableunacceptable– Those who copy and those who Those who copy and those who allowallow their their

work to be copied will receive quick, serious work to be copied will receive quick, serious disciplinary actiondisciplinary action

Plain and simple: Plain and simple: DO YOUR OWN WORK.DO YOUR OWN WORK.

Contact and extra helpContact and extra help

Email me with questions!Email me with questions!

I am available in Room 126 I am available in Room 126 – Most days (Most days (usually not Wednesdayusually not Wednesday) until about 2:30 ) until about 2:30 – See boardSee board

ACTIVITY BUS – 4:00 every day!ACTIVITY BUS – 4:00 every day!– In the morning from 7:05 – 7:15In the morning from 7:05 – 7:15

I like helping students after school! I like helping students after school! – I will work very hard to help you make up missed work or I will work very hard to help you make up missed work or

understand difficult topics.understand difficult topics.– Remember student advice from the surveys?Remember student advice from the surveys?

Binder InfoBinder Info

Honors – read for HW Honors – read for HW – EverythingEverything goes in it (handouts, notes, etc.)goes in it (handouts, notes, etc.)– CLIP IN handout! (not in pocket)CLIP IN handout! (not in pocket)– Organized by dateOrganized by date– Assignment sheet goes firstAssignment sheet goes first– Your responsibility to read binder description, Your responsibility to read binder description,

BIG part of your gradeBIG part of your gradeCarefully read it tonightCarefully read it tonight

MiscellanyMiscellanyRecycling in blue bin at front of roomRecycling in blue bin at front of room– Paper, glass, plastic (no tops, rinsed)Paper, glass, plastic (no tops, rinsed)

FoodFood– No food or drinks allowed (safety issue). No food or drinks allowed (safety issue). – Leave food/drink in your backpack.Leave food/drink in your backpack.– Gum IN YOUR MOUTH is ok. If I see it, you spit it out.Gum IN YOUR MOUTH is ok. If I see it, you spit it out.

Hall pass – white pipe at front of roomHall pass – white pipe at front of room– 4 bathroom passes per semester. Plan ahead. 4 bathroom passes per semester. Plan ahead. – If you use all of them, see me for a nurse referralIf you use all of them, see me for a nurse referral

Binders may be stored in side cabinets. Binders may be stored in side cabinets. Hole punch, tape – by side cabinets; stapler up frontHole punch, tape – by side cabinets; stapler up front2 hand washing sinks –up front, in the back2 hand washing sinks –up front, in the backPlease do NOT pack up earlyPlease do NOT pack up early

Books!Books!Interested in online book only?Interested in online book only?– Tell me when you come up to check outTell me when you come up to check out

Record the book number (4 digits) somewhere safe (e.g. Record the book number (4 digits) somewhere safe (e.g. insider binder cover)insider binder cover)– You will probably need this later!You will probably need this later!

Check the condition right nowCheck the condition right now

Do scavenger hunt Do scavenger hunt ALONEALONE while I check out books while I check out books – Check out: tell me first 5 letters of last name, then first nameCheck out: tell me first 5 letters of last name, then first name

Note: you may leave your book at home most of the time. Note: you may leave your book at home most of the time. I will tell you the day before if you need it in class (you do I will tell you the day before if you need it in class (you do NOT need it tomorrow).NOT need it tomorrow).