Telephone: 366-7788 ext 6826 • email: nicole_dellasantina@fuhsd.org

Welcome to Biology! As we explore the science of biology, our course goals will be to:

Engage in the scientific practices outlined in the Common Core Standards;
Develop into more self-directed learners;
Critically examine Biology in order to make informed decisions about scientific issues in our lives;
Gain valuable inquiry skills through designing, implementing, and analyzing labs;
Communicate effectively with through speech and writing;
Participate actively and work cooperatively with one another in a positive classroom community.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Biology seeks to understand and explain the living world around us. During this course, we will emphasize the common themes that unite all living organisms and the ways in which living things impact one another. Through hands-on activities, lab investigations, discussions, homework assignments, and exams, students will gain a clearer understanding of how scientific knowledge is acquired, analyzed, and supported in the fields of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, physiology, and genetic engineering.

COURSE MATERIALS

Textbook: Biology. Miller and Levine, Prentice Hall, 2002 (to be kept at home).
Daily Supplies: Bring to class every day an 8.5” X 11” notebook 100 + pages. This notebook will be kept for the entire school year. It is also recommended to come to class with pens and pencils, highlighters or colored pens, colored pencils, a metric ruler, a calculator, and a glue stick.

HOMEWORK

Homework is assigned during each class meeting Monday-Thursday and is due at the start of the following class period. Often homework is not assigned on Friday.
Assignments must be handwritten and completed in your biology notebook.
Homework assignments are designed to introduce/practice/review our course content and should take about 30 minutes of effective effort.

PARTICIPATION

· Each grading period students start with 9/10 points in participation. Constructive participation will raise this score. Any violation of class expectations (use of personal electronic devices, bathroom visits beyond one per semester, lack of participation, failure to abide by our classroom Rights and Responsibilities, etc.) will result in a deduction of participation points. Each tardy will result in the loss of 1 point.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is essential for successful mastery of the sequential concepts of a science course. One day builds on the next. Please make every attempt to schedule dentist and doctor appointments at times that do not conflict with class.

ASSIGNMENT POLICY

All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day of the deadline.
Assignments turned in up to one class day late will earn a maximum score of 50%.
In the event that a day is missed, students are expected to check the class website www.msdellasantina.com or contact a classmate for assignments and class notes. After a student returns from an absence, they have the same number of class meetings as they missed to turn in assignments for full credit.
If absent on the day of an exam the make-up test will be taken within one week of the missed exam. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the teacher and attend the scheduled make-up exam.
If you are absent on the day of a lab or activity see the teacher the day you return for the assignment or alternative.
If you know you will be absent ahead of time (i.e. for sports, field trip, etc.), find out in advance what you will miss in class by checking with the teacher and asking for any handouts or due dates.
Students will not have the opportunity to make up work or exams for unexcused absences.
If you have a question about how an assignment was graded speak with the teacher within two weeks of the grade being posted to our website. Grade inquiries will not be granted after this time.
Your assignments must always be kept in your possession. Copied assignments are considered academic honesty violations for all participants involved. The acceptable way to help or receive help from another student on an assignment (including homework and labs) should involve a discussion where no writing takes place followed by time for all participants to work independently on the assignment.
When scantron (bubble sheet) forms are used for the multiple choice section of a test, your score will not be altered when sloppy marks/erasures lead to an inaccurate machine generated score.

GRADING POLICY

Grading Scale

90-100%        A

80-89.9%       B

70-79.9%       C

60-69.9%       D

59-0%             F

Grading Categories

Tests and Quizzes                                                              40%

Homework                                                                           15%

Class Work/Projects/Notebook/Participation            25%

Final Exam                                                                            20%

Cumulative Grade                                                           100%

Course grades are determined by the total number of points earned divided by the total number of possible points in each of the following weighted categories. Grades are rounded to the nearest tenths place, 89.818% becomes 89.8% = a letter grade of B.

WEBSITE: www.msdellasantina.com

You may use our class website to monitor your progress in our class, check the assignment list, or to use a recommended link. I will do my best to update your grade every day after school. ID: lastname, PW: LHS ID # (plus a letter from the alphabet)

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Exemplary student behavior is extremely important. Four broad Rights and Responsibilities are listed below which students have defined and agree to abide by. RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES in the classroom include:

Use academic language
Respecting others
Arrive to class ready to succeed
Taking care of my school environment

CONSEQUENCES

Failing to abide by the above Rights and Responsibilities will result in a written reflection of the incident by the student, parent contact, and or administrative involvement. In cases of dishonesty, cheating, falsification, theft, etc. the FUHSD Academic Honesty Policy will be followed.

After reviewing the Course Description and Expectations, please sign the half sheet and return it to your teacher. Keep this course description in your notebook for future reference.

I look forward to helping you develop into a strong student as we explore the field of Biology!

Sincerely, Ms.Della Santina

BIOLOGY – Course Description and Expectations

Lynbrook High School 2016-2017 Ms. Della Santina

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