Biology

Community Harvest Charter School 5300 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91411 Teacher: Mrs. Tiffany Wada Contact: (818) 528-1470 Email: tchu@communityharvest.us Website: http://hyperosmoticbrain.blogspot.com Course DescriptionHello! Welcome to Biology class with Mrs. Wada. Biology is the study of living organisms and how they interact with the environment. The course will be educational as well as practical, challenging but fun. We will be covering a lot, such as cellular biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, evolution and biotechnology. Each unit can include the following: experiments, demonstrations, activities, written work, reading, assessments and occasional projects. Please keep the syllabus with you throughout the year as we will be referring back to it for important dates and progress tracking. The syllabus is interactive and will be counted for work habits points.

Course Objectives- I hope to promote more than textbook learning in the

classroom. All of our work will center on these goals that I intend to develop with you: The students will understand the nature of science- to write lab reports, model and provide evidence for their thinking about theories of the natural world. The students will apply the different aspects of science to their personal lives (ie: nutrition, physical health, genetics, interrelation of the world/ecology) The students will have the ability to question the world and utilize available resources to develop educated conclusions.

Textbook: Modern Biology: A Harcourt Classroom Education Company, Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. MATERIALS NEEDED - Please have these supplies ready for use everyday in class.
Materials Check will be taken periodically by the teacher for Participation points. Loose leaf College Ruled paper 2 Blue and Black Pens Binder/Folder/Divider for Class Thumb Drive Coloring Materials: crayons/marker, etc Dry-Erase Marker 2 pencils Highlighters (2 colors) Scientific Calculator Book Cover (for take home copy) HW Planner Composition Notebook

Classroom Expectations- These are some of the daily routines that I will be teaching and expecting from
the students in my class. These routines are crucial for success and learning in my classroom and will benefit the students as lifelong learners even outside of my class. Students are responsible for turning in their homework at the beginning of class on the day it is due without prompting. Every period will have a designated box for turning in class work and homework. Composition notebooks will contain an archive of notes, Warm-Up Activities, Objective, Word of the Day and Standards every day. A neat portfolio will be kept in class at all times. Packets will be stapled with a table of contents for each unit we cover. Portfolios will include all the assignments for each unit. A Study Log will be checked before every quiz or test. Guardians will sign their initials after observing the student following the different procedures of studying in preparation for an assessment. Homework will always be copied in a planner before leaving class. D and F students are responsible for coming to class for tutoring during Nutrition or Lunch. Written work will be done in blue or black ink only. Names must be on each assignment with the date and class period or it will be returned ungraded.

Absence Protocols- In the case that a student is absent, these are the procedures for making up work.
Check the assignment sheet in the classroom. Look for missing handouts and worksheets in the Missing Work Box in class. Check the blog for due dates and assignments. Students have 2 days to finish and turn in the assignment unless its the weekend and the HW is due on Monday. o Copy the notes and lectures from a Carbon Copy journal in class. o o o o

Academic Honesty- The following are academic rules that all students must abide by to maintain the
integrity and hard work of all students: Students are responsible for any missing work due to absences. Late work will not be accepted after the due date unless notified and agreed upon by the teacher before the due date. Late work will only be accepted on the last week of each month, for that month only, and only for a maximum of 60% of the possible points. Students may not use or borrow another students work on individual assignments that may include class work or homework and assessments. Taking responsibility for another persons effort results in an automatic 0% on the activity. Students may not cheat or cause any disruptions during tests, quizzes or any other designated activities. Cheating includes, but is not limited to communicating in any way with another classmate, using unauthorized notes, and use of cell phones or other electronic devices. Violation of this rule results in an automatic 0% on the activity. Students may not copy work online unless it is for a research project and must include a citation. This is plagiarism and any work that is plagiarized will result in a 0%. Refer to the plagiarism handout for more information.

 All work will be graded against a rubric that includes not only the evaluation of the assignments completion but also quality. Refer to rubric in the following pages. A grade can be challenged by turning in a written explanation of why you deserve a different grade based upon the rubric. Only the student may give this to the teacher, and must be turned in no later than a week upon receiving the grade. Students must sign their names and write the date to show that they understand the work policy of the class. __X_____________________________________________________________________

Classroom Rules- Structure and understanding is key for a well-balanced classroom. Here are the
expectations that I have for the students so that we can all be successful in keeping an orderly environment. Be on time- tardiness prevents the teacher from teaching the class. Do not bring electronics (iPods, MP3 players, etc.) to the classroom and keep cell phones OFF and in a secure location- when in class you need to be ready to learn physically and mentally and not be distracted. Be respectful with your actions, words and choices- there is no tolerance for immature and inappropriate behavior towards classmates, the teacher, staff or material property. The act of digesting food, gum or other materials is prohibited in the classroom- there is no need for other distractions in the classroom Maintain the neatness and completion of your Science Folders- they will contain notes, class work, homework, quizzes and other assignments.

Management- It is crucial for outstanding students to be recognized for their achievement and the
following will take place: 1. Good phone reports home or encouraging notes in the portfolio. 2. Tutoring privileges 3. Extra credit on tests and quizzes or prizes. 4. Achievement is showcased on the classroom wall. 5. Rewards Box

Discipline- In the case that the student does not comply with classroom/school rules the following can
occur in order or to the degree of offense: 1. Withdrawn from class activities for textbook assignment. 2. Sent outside to a table to work without distractions. 3. Receive a phone call home. 4. Sent to the office with a referral. 5. Other privileges taken away (field trips, etc)

Course Outline and Major Events- These are the units and course topics we will be learning throughout
the year. The order and topics may be subject to change. The teacher will keep the students and parents posted on the syllabus as the event arises. Units: Unit 1: Ecology Unit 2: Natural Selection Unit 3: Hardy-Weinburg Theory Unit 4: Mitosis Unit 5: Central Dogma Unit 6: Cell Biology Unit 7: Meiosis Unit 8: Genetics/Punnett Squares Unit 9: Physiology Unit 10: Medical /Disease Awareness Unit 11: Experimentation Major Events: Ecology Research Paper Midterm 1 Speciation Booklet Final 1 Long Beach Aquarium Cell Model Project Cell Growth Lab Midterm 2 CST Animal Dissection Medical Profession Day Final 2 Dates: Grade Average:

Dates: November November December January January February March April May May June June

Evaluations- Students will be evaluated by the following modalities:

Warm-Ups and Exit Slips Competition games such as Jeopardy, Password definitions and Brain Bees Projects Teacher/Student Question and Answering Reviewing homework questions Formal Tests and Quizzes

GRADED ACTIVITIES- Students grades will include the following

GRADING SCALE 90%-100% 79%-89% 68%-78% 57%-67% 0% -56% A B C D F

components.

1. Exams, Quizzes, Assessments 2. Homework, other at home deadlines 3. Class Work, Lab Reports, Projects 4. Group Work/ Warm-ups & Exit Slip 5. Materials/ Notes 6. Portfolio & Participation Total

25% 25% 25% 10% 5% 10% 100%

Participation Points- The following items constitute as having good work habits. Students start every
class with a total of 10 points. Students will comply with the following to maintain their 10 points lest they are deducted. o Punctuality to class o Completion of homework on time o Being on task o Participation in asking relevant questions o Participation in answering teachers questions o Productive effort in activities and games or work in class

Extra Credit & Privilege Policy- I believe in hard work from beginning until the end of school. But, there
are times when students need an extra boost. These are my rules for receiving these privileges. Extra Credit work must be completed with accuracy for full amount of points. Extra Credit is only available for students with less than 8 incomplete assignments per semester. There are a limit to 4 E.C. assignments that I give per semester. Field Trips are for E and S in behavior and cooperation in class. Students must have at least 4 other teachers approval for field trip privileges.

Resources Available- These are some classroom norms that I have structured for my students
convenience. This is also structured to help the parents keep their child accountable for their work. All assignments are posted in the classroom for students. All assignments are posted on the class blog daily with due dates. All worksheets and handouts are kept in a Missing Work Box for a week. Students are allowed to use their written notes during a test unless told otherwise. I check my email and blog for comments and questions everyday before 8pm. Guardians are required to check the monthly progress of the student by signing a Grade Report at the end of each month. I am available for tutoring during _________________________________________.