Biology Syllabus Fall 2009

Instructor:       Mrs. Sara Lepkofker     Phone:  770-497-3844

                        Mrs. Kathie Stasko (2^nd and 3^rd) 

E-mail:              lepkofkers@fultonschools.org   Room:  206, staskok@fultonschools.org   Room:  538

Text:                Biology by Desalle, Heithaus, Holt, Reinhart & Wilson  

Website:           http://www2.fultonschools.org/teacher/lepkofkers/

Course Description:

This course includes the study of the methods of science, ecology, cell structures, functions and processes, basic organic chemistry, and genetics. Emphasis is placed on scientific inquiry and critical thinking. A variety of instructional methods will be used including computer-based instruction, learning centers, projects, discussions, and laboratory investigations.

There will be an End Of the year Course Test covering material from both semesters. 

Units of Study:

Behavioral Expectations

1. Enter the classroom in an orderly and timely manner. When the tardy bell rings you should be in the classroom and go to your seat so that role can be taken.  Tardy guidelines are in the student handbook and will be enforced.
2. Bring required materials to class daily.  This includes textbook, notebook, and something to write with to class every day.
3. Do not put away your class materials or “pack-up” until you are completed with your assignment or the bell rings.

4.       Refrain from touching any equipment unless instructed to do so by the teacher. Please keep the classroom neat and orderly.  This includes proper lab clean up and putting chairs back.

5. Absolutely no food, candy or drinks (including flavored water and drink mixes) in the classroom. Water is the only thing that is permitted in the classroom.

6.       There are no bathroom privileges during lecture or instructional time.  Please take care of this before you come to class.  You must have a restroom pass in order to leave the room. Be expected to remain in class the entire period. Absolutely no one is allowed to leave the room the first or last ten minutes of class.

7. Be responsible for your own property and behavior. ANY behavior that is inappropriate or disruptive to my teaching and/or the learning of others WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

8.       Above all I expect a daily display of good manners.  Be courteous and respectful to the teacher and your classmates.  Every student in the classroom is entitled to a safe and respectful environment.  This will be adhered to without exception on a daily basis.

Consequences for failure to follow behavior policy

If any disrespectful or disruptive behavior occurs, you may be sent directly to your grade level principal for disciplinary action. OTHERWISE, the following steps will be taken.

a)      1^st offense:  Warning given and private conference with teacher and E-mail or phone call to parents

b)      2^nd offense:  Public Detention 

c)      3^rd offense:  Discipline referral to grade level principal who will assign Saturday School, ISS or OSS at their discretion.

Absence from Class—Makeup Work is Your Responsibility

1. If you are absent, you must present an admit slip to your teacher upon returning to class. Students are not to be admitted to class unless they produce an admit slip.
2. Students are responsible for make-up work and turning it in a timely manner. Students are given the same number of days to complete make-up work, as the absence, not including the day of return. (handbook)
3. I will be available for scheduling of make-ups and expect students to schedule the make up work promptly. A student who fails to appear for scheduled makeup work will receive a zero. 
4. If a student is absent on any day before a test (including the day before the test) the student is still required to take the test on the given day. If absent on the day of the test, the test will be taken during the next class period the student is present. Exceptions will be made only at the discretion of the instructor.

Academic Information

1.  Late Work

      All work is due at the beginning of class on the date it is due.  Students will not be allowed to go to their lockers to get work that is not in their possession at the beginning of class.  Labs and projects will receive 20% off the grade for each day that the work is late.  Other nightly homework will be worth 50% of the grade when one day late and 25% when two days late.  If nightly work is later than two days than it will be given only 1 point.  Excused absences will be allowed to turn in work as per school policy.  

2. Notebooks

Organization is essential.  Notebooks will be checked periodically for a grade.  A separate sheet explains notebook organization.

3. Assignments

All questions from the book or labs MUST BE IN COMPLETE SENTENCES in order for you to receive credit for the assignment.  All sentences must be grammatically correct and legible.

3.  Openers

    Every class will begin with an “Opener”.  The students will be expected to read the board and begin the opener immediately when the bell rings.  The openers will be kept in a separate      section of the notebook.  Periodically, quizzes will be given based on the openers.  Students          will       be allowed to use the openers to answer the questions on the quizzes.  If the notebook is not      brought to class, the student will not be allowed to go to the locker and get it.  They will have to           take the quiz without the use of the openers.

4.  Lab Expectations

When observing with the microscope, a formal drawing must be completed in a 7.7 cm (3 inch) circle.  You need to cut one out of a piece of manila folder and keep it in your notebook all year.

a)      All lab drawings must be in PENCIL and labeled with magnification power, name, and appropriate structures.

b)      You may be assigned a lab partner with whom you will work in each lab.  Working together in an appropriate, cooperative manner is part of your lab grade.  Cleaning your lab space is a must when you are finished.

c)      For safety purposes, goggles and aprons must be worn in lab.

d)      Many labs will require a formal typed lab write-up.

5.  Cheating

Cheating of any nature will not be tolerated.  I will adhere strictly to the school Honor Code Policy in this regard.  There is a difference between working with a partner and copying another student’s work.  It is expected that all work you complete in class is a product of your own effort. 

6.  Final Exam

At the end of the semester you will be given a comprehensive final exam based upon all of the unit tests for that semester.  This test is worth 15% of your final grade for the course.

Parent Connect:  All parents may access student grades at any time using Parent Connect.  Please visit the school web site www.northviewhigh.com and go to parent information to register for Parent Connect.  A few days after you register you may come by the school office to receive your password and begin accessing student grades and attendance.

 7. Grade Determination:
            Fulton County Grading Scale will be used.
            A = 100 - 90          B = 80-89         C = 79-70        Below 70 is failing

·         Tests                                        35%

·         Quizzes/Notebook                    15%

·         Labs                                         25%

·         Homework/Class work              10%

·         Final Exam                               15%

8. Extra Credit

Extra credit will be available throughout the semester at the discretion      of the teacher and will not be given to individual students.   Please take advantage of this opportunity throughout the semester as there will be no late opportunities near the end of the semester.

Fulton County Policy – Provision for Improving Grades

Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.

Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities.  Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester.  All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

 Honor Code: 
            As explained in the student handbook, cheating is defined as “the giving or receiving, in any form, information relating to a gradable experience.”  Violations of the honor code will result in a zero for the assignment, plus an honor code violation form placed in the student’s disciplinary file.  Read the handbook carefully to fully understand what constitutes a violation.

          .Finally let me say, I expect you to be successful in my class.  I have very high expectations for my students both behaviorally and academically and I’m very confident that you will meet or exceed those expectations.                                                                                      

                                    Sincerely,Mrs. Sara Lepkofker