BIOLOGY COURSE SYLLABUS

Dunwoody High School / Science

Teacher: Anne Prodgers Phone Number: 678-874-8582

Email: Anne_Prodgers@dekalbschoolsga.org
Room Number: 1302/1303/1304
Website:
Semester: Spring 2017
http://www.dunwoodyhs.dekalb.k12.ga.us/AnneProdgers.aspx

Textbook: Biology: Principles and Exploration Tutorial Hours:

Monday-Friday mornings from 7:30-8:00
Textbook Price: $ 71.70
After school by appointment

Department Philosophy: The science department will promote high academic standards using best teaching practices to
provide a comprehensive curriculum to help students understand the process of scientific inquiry.

Course Description:
Students will be introduced to biology as a process and identify methods for its study. The course will include an
overview of the ecosystems and the role of humans in the biosphere. They will identify properties of life, study cells,
relate energy acquisition to use, identify the role DNA plays in daily cellular activities and reproduction, and study
heredity. Students will identify evolution as a solidifying theme in the study of life on Earth. During the course, students
will look at ways of grouping organisms for their study. Fungi and plants will be explored with an overview of the major
groupings and structures. An overview of invertebrates of the animal kingdom continues the study of organisms.
Students will complete their look at animals by studying vertebrates and comparative human anatomy and physiology.

GPS Standards/QCC Objectives: Additional components of the standard may be found online at
www.georgiastandards.org/

Integrated throughout the semester:

Habits of Mind
SCSh1. Students will evaluate the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism
in science.
SCSh2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
SCSh3. Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.
SCSh4. Students will use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment
and materials.
SCSh5. Students will demonstrate the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and
developing reasonable scientific explanations.
SCSh6. Students will communicate scientific investigations and information clearly.
The Nature of Science
SCSh7. Students will analyze how scientific knowledge is developed.
SCSh8. Students will understand important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
Reading Standard Content
SCSh9. Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas by:
Read technical texts related to various subject areas.
Georgia Performance Standards Biology DeKalb County School System 2012-2013

Unit 1: Unit 2: Cellular Processes Unit 3: Energy Unit 4: Growth & Unit 5: Culminating
Organization & Transformations Heredity Equilibrium Authentic
Evolution Assessment &
Unit Unit Understanding: Unit Understanding: Unit Unit End-of-Course
Understanding: Cells contain a variety of Energy can be neither Understanding: Understanding: Test
As a result of specialized molecules and created nor Organisms must Survival and
evolution, life structures that carry out all destroyed but can be be able to grow stability require
is organized at essential life functions. transformed as it and reproduce to that all living
all levels from flows through ensure species things maintain
cells to organisms and survival. biological
biosphere. ecosystems. balance at all
levels.

Concepts & Concepts & Standards: Concepts & Concepts & Concepts & Students
Standards: Cell Structure & Function Standards: Standards: Standards: demonstrate an
Structure & (SB1a) Relationships Sexual vs. Homeostasis integrated
Function of Viruses (SB3d) among organisms, Asexual (SB1a) understanding
Six Kingdoms Chemistry of Life populations, Reproduction Natural of biological
(SB3b) o Macromolecules communities, (SB2e) Selection concepts and
Evolutionary (SB1c) ecosystems, & Mendelian (SB5d) scientific inquiry
Basis of o Water (SB1d) biomes (SB4a) Genetics Plant through
Modern o Enzymes (SB1b) Photosynthesis & (SB2c) Adaptations projects,
Classification Cellular Transport (SB1d) Cellular Respiration DNA, RNA, & (SB4e) investigations,
(SB3c) (SB3a) Protein Animal etc.
History of Matter & Energy Synthesis Adaptations &
Life (SB5b) Flow (SB4b) (SB2a, SB2b) Behavior
Evidence of o Food Chains & Chromosome (SB4f)
Evolution Webs & Mutations Successional
(SB5c) o Energy Pyramids (SB2d)4 Changes (SB4c)
History of o Nutrient Cycling DNA Human
Evolutionary Technology Impacts on the
Theory (SB2f) Environment
(SB5a) (SB4d)
Biosphere Biological
Structure Resistance
(SB4a) (SB5e)

Grading Percentages:

The calculated grade total comprises only 80% of your final grade. The EOCT is 20% of your final grade.
A - 90-100 B - 89-80 C - 79-71 D 70 F - 69-below

Required Materials:
Composition notebook
Index cards
Pen or pencil
Colored pencils and sharpener
Highlighter
Clear tape or glue stick
Classroom Supplies Donations:
Paper Towels/Kleenex Hand soap/Hand Sanitizer

Classroom Expectations: Always be 1. PROMPT 2. PREPARED 3. POLITE 4. POSITIVE

Grading System:
The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning shall be conducted
by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A variety of
approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each students
opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the students academic
achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the
electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.

GRADING CATEGORIES *GRADE PROTOCOL

Formative Assessment - 0% A 90 100 ~P (pass)
Formal or informal pre-assessments B 80 89 ~F (fail)
Assessment During Learning 25% C 71 79
Classwork D 70
Quizzes
Skills assessment (warm-ups) F Below 70
Homework

Guided, Independent, or Group Practice 45%

Projects
Performance (Labs)

Summative/Alternate Assessment 30%

Formal- Post Test assessment
Culminating project of performance
Final or culminating exam

Weekly Quizzes:
Students will have a quiz every Tuesday. These will be based on the material covered during the previous week.

Late Assignments:
Department policy states that no late assignments will be accepted unless an excused absence is provided.

Make-up Policy:
You will have the same number of days as you were absent (excused) to make up any missed assignments. Test or labs
must be made up after school during tutorial. This policy may be modified at my discretion.

Remediation:
Students are expected to keep up with the pace of the class by putting forth effort on each assignment.
Struggling students may arrange after school tutorial with their teachers.

CHEATING POLICY:
Cheating will not be tolerated. Those who have been caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment or test, an
administrative referral will be completed and the parent(s) will be notified regarding. Any student who is suspected of
cheating will re-do assignment or re-take the test.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to monitor their childs progress. Progress reports are issued every 4.5 weeks. You may also
monitor your childs progress using Infinite Campus via the DeKalb County Web site. Final grades will be mailed at the
end of the 18th week

MS. PRODGERS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ADJUST ANY SECTION OF THIS COURSE RESUME AT ANY TIME
DURING THE SEMESTER TO MORE ADEQUATELY MEET THE NEEDS, ABILITIES & INTERESTS OF THE STUDENTS.
I have read and understand the syllabus for this class and will adhere to the guidelines as outlined above.

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