2009-2010 BIOLOGY

MR. K. EINSPAHR

Room 207

SCHOOL PHONE:  682-4061

EMAIL:  einspahrk@chelanschools.org

School website:  www.chelanschools.org

 

SHORT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: 

Biology the “study of life” will cover three major themes (WA EALR 4):  LS1)Structures & Functions of Living Organisms (the complex internal structure and functions of cells—how life functions and how life forms are able to replicate themselves); LS2)Ecosystems (focusing on energy flow through ecosystems and the factors that maintain or disrupt an ecosystem’s long-term stability); and LS3)Biological Evolution (factors that drive changes, the molecular basis for inheritance & mutation, and classification of organisms).

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  1. Concepts, Principles, and Understandings

The student who has completed this course is one who:

  1. Has an understanding of the structure and functioning of living organisms.
  2. Recognizes the limitations of science particularly in discovering the origin of the living world and in determining ethical and moral judgments which affect life.

 

  1. Attitudes, Interests, and Appreciations

The student who has completed this course is one who:

  1. Has developed, through understanding, an attitude of respect for living things.
  2. Has developed a cooperative attitude toward conservation of natural resources.

 

  1. Habits, Conduct, and Skills

The student who has completed this course is one who:

1.  Is familiar with the variety and similarity of all living things.

2.  Is able to apply biological principles and information to other fields of learning and to daily living in the home and community.

3.  Is able to help our general standards of health through a better understanding of ourselves and problems of disease.

4.  Has become familiar with some of the reliable sources of information in the field of biology.

5.  Has gained an understanding of the interrelations and interdependence of living organisms.

 

GRADING:Percentage Conversion            Breakdown of your grade

A    100 – 93%                   Per Semester

A-   92 – 90%                    67% Tests

          B+   89 – 87%                    33% Homework/Quizzes

B    86 – 83%                   

B-   82 – 80%                   

C+   79 – 77%                   

C    76 – 73%                   

C-   72 - 70%

D+   69 – 67%                   

D    66 - 60%

F    below 60%                  

 

SUPPLIES:  Bring your textbook to class every day; I encourage you to keep a 3-ring binder with loose-leaf paper with all (dated) lecture notes, assignments, and handouts for the semester.  DON’T MIX other subject notes or assignments with this subject, and vice versa.  Expect and come prepared (book, paper, pen/pencil) to take notes or work on problems each class period.  If you do not come to class prepared with these materials, including assignments, you will be given a TARDY if you have to go to your locker during class time to get these items.

 

                                       Food at the Beijing Summer Olympics 2008

HOMEWORK: 

Homework is a key part in the learning process - which is what you are here for.  If you want to pass this class, you will have to do homework.  You can expect homework every night from this class.

For written assignments, label your paper in the UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF YOUR PAPER with your NAME, the SUBJECT, and the PG. # OF THE ASSIGNMENT.  Homework will be worth 1/3 of your grade. Complete sentences will be expected on ALL written assignments and tests.  There is to be NO USE of red, pink or similar shades of ink on homework or tests--save those shades for correcting papers!

 

Homework will be considered "late" if not handed in when requested (usually at the beginning of class).  Any homework turned in later that same day will be marked 20% off; if you turn in the assignment the next day, it will be counted as 30% off.  No homework will be accepted after the next day.

 

ATTENDANCE:

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL IS ALSO OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT.  From past experience, those who miss school have a much more difficult time of being successful.  If attendance becomes an issue (10 or more absences), a meeting with you and your parents will be necessary where we will determine what the best course of action is for you. Class credit may be lowered or withheld (with possible removal from class).  If you have 10 absences in a row, you will not be able to receive full credit for the class.

 

Tardies will be dealt with in the following manner:  your first in a semester is a “freebie”—no penalty.  After that, for each quarter of classes, the first tardy is 15 min. detention, the second is 30 min. detention, and beyond that you will be referred to the office for consequences.  Classroom detention is served at the teacher’s convenience, usually after school that day, or before or after school the next school day.  Missing a scheduled detention may also result in additional time and/or a referral to the office.

Anyone with perfect attendance at the end of the semester may request and receive extra credit points for having done that (points to be determined).

EXCUSED ABSENCES & TARDIES:  Tests and homework will be allowed to be made up within the same amount of time as was missed, with the exception that if something was due "the next day," it will still be due "the next day" that you are in class.  This includes tests.

 

PLANNED ABSENCES/TARDIES:  These occur when you know ahead of time that you will be gone because of sports, clubs, doctor appointments, family trips, etc.  Check with the office to get the proper paperwork.  Get any new homework prior to being gone.  It will be expected to be turned in when it is due. Often this means handing it in before you leave.  Hand in previously assigned homework before leaving.  Not following these directions will result in work being considered "late" (see above).  PLEASE ASK IF YOU ARE UNSURE WHAT “PLANNED ABSENCE” MEANS....

 

QUIZZES: 

There will be both announced and unannounced ("pop") quizzes.  ANY assignments previously given, reading or written, will be material for a quiz—this means that you could have a quiz over an assignment given the previous day.  Quiz grades will be recorded as homework grades.

 

SPELLING:  Because correct spelling is an important part of being "educated," I may deduct for misspellings on homework and tests.  You may use a dictionary freely on all homework assignments.

 

TESTS: 

I will offer a retake on a test for up to one week after the test is first taken by the class.  It is up to you to schedule a time outside of normal class time to take a retake on a test.  Please realize that in most instances it will be a different test covering the same chapter material.  I will record the BEST grade that you earn.

 

SEMESTER GRADES: 

Overall test grade % will be 2/3 of your grade (worth twice as much as your homework grade %).  You may also have a final exam at the end of the semester which would count as part of your test grade %.

 

ARTICLE REVIEWS:  See separate page of information.

 

EXTRA CREDIT POLICY: 

Extra credit is not normally assigned - the extra time you spend on extra credit should instead be spent on studying the assigned materials!  The retests can be considered a form of extra credit—TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM!  Several opportunities may be given with normal homework/tests for extra credit.

 

TEXTBOOK CARE EXPECTATIONS: 

The following guidelines regarding textbooks, which are school property and not personal property, will be enforced.  All textbooks need to have a bookcover, be kept off the floors, and not to be written in, highlighted, or underlined.  Damages to any books checked out to students will be charged to the student.

 

CHEATING/ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: 

First offense—zero on test or homework; referral to office.  Second offense—zero and referral; possible “F” for class and possible permanent removal from class.

 

ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES:  See student handbook – these rules will be followed in my classroom.  Please don’t complain when they are.

 

 

SCIENCE CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE

 

I have one classroom rule:

 

STUDENTS WILL BE

RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, AND RESOURCEFUL.

 

 

Here are some applications of this rule:

 

1.  In seats with all necessary materials, and ready to begin class.

2.  Quiet attention when I am talking or when someone has been called to talk.

3.  Turn in assignments on time.

4.  Responsibility for cleaning up your area and equipment after labs.

5.  Broken materials replaced at breakee's expense.

6.  DOING YOUR OWN WORK.  When helping others, teach them to understand a problem or question rather than giving them the answer.

7.  Being excused from class when I excuse you (not when you see others in the hallway).

8.  Not saying "I can't," but saying "I will try my hardest."

9.  Asking for permission to use or borrow anything that does not belong to you - this includes anything your neighbor has or anything that is on/in the teacher's desk (with the exception of Kleenex, stapler, and tape).

 

LIFE IS FULL OF POSITIVES…

PLEASE DO show up to class on time, with your materials, ready to work.

PLEASE DO listen carefully and follow directions.

PLEASE DO maintain a healthy attitude and courteous manners.

PLEASE DO ask lots of questions when you don’t understand.

PLEASE DO your best and strive for quality in all of your endeavors.

PLEASE DO respect the property and equipment of others.

PLEASE DO obtain permission and a pass if you must leave the room.

PLEASE DO maintain a safe and clean working environment.

PLEASE DO treat others like you wish to be treated.

PLEASE DO come to class dressed in line with the school dress code.

PLEASE DO respect the teacher’s desk area and property.

PLEASE DO turn in high quality work with excellent craftsmanship, on time.

PLEASE DO keep working at your tables until the bell rings.

PLEASE DO conduct yourself like a responsible, young adult.

PLEASE DO try to be role-models to peers and underclassmen.

PLEASE DO practice random acts of kindness.

PLEASE DO show school spirit with unprompted involvement.

PLEASE DO study and review class subject info/notes nightly.

PLEASE DO use clean, acceptable language at all times.

PLEASE DO respect other’s beliefs, traditions and culture.

PLEASE DO refrain from checking unmonitored email or other sites.

PLEASE DO leave your ipods, CDs/CD players at home to minimize distractions.

PLEASE DO take these positive expectations with you everywhere.

PLEASE DO make the most of your school career.

 

TO THE PARENTS/GUARDIANS:

Please do not sign this until you have at least looked through this document, and read the SUPPLIES, HOMEWORK & ATTENDANCE, and the PLANNED ABSENCES/TARDIES sections.  It would also be helpful if you read about how the grade will be calculated.

 

 

By my signature, I signify that I have read the above sections:

 

 

Student:________________________  Date:__________

 

 

 

Parent:_____________________________  Date:__________

 

Parent Email(if you have one):___________________________________

 

ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, OR OTHER INFO for Mr. Einspahr:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the student:

Turn in this sheet to Mr. Einspahr.  KEEP THE PREVIOUS INFORMATION SHEETS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS CLASS (semester or year) in the front of your science notebook/section.