The Study of Living Things
Mrs. Johnson’s Class Guidelines
Show Low High School
RebeccaJ@show-low.k12.az.usCourse Description This course is an introductory class into Living Systems, Environment and the process of science. Biology is designed to address Arizona State Standards 1 and 4 for Life Sciences. Major areas of focus will include: cell structure and function, genetics, heredity, body systems, classification, natural selection, variation within a species, and the interactions of all levels of biology in terms of world and regional ecology.
Graduation Fulfillment Passing this course earns you one credit towards your high school graduation and fulfills a lab science requirement for college entrance.
Grading Grades will be determined by the total points possible. There is no extra credit. Late homework will not be accepted. See page 18 of the student handbook for make-up work for excused absences.
A = 90 – 100 %
B = 80 – 89.9 %
C = 70 – 79.9 %
D = 60 – 69.9 %
F = Below 60 %
20% Tests
20% Friday Quiz
20% Homework
40% Classwork, labs,
and notebook
Attendance:
Be in class. Be on time. There is a school wide 5-absence “Audit” rule. This means you will be audited after five absences. School activities do not count as an absence. Excused absences will count toward the 5-absence rule.
Classwork:
Students will use the Cornell note-taking system in Biology. They should use a pencil for notes and labs. They will have a quiz every Friday, and a 6 unit tests. Students will be allowed to create a 3 x 5 note card with formulas or information as a “cheat sheet” for tests (except the AIMS).
Movies:
Most movies shown in Biology are unrated because they are produced for science classes. I will be showing several IMAX videos (G-Rated) and one PG movie “Osmosis Jones”.
Discipline Plan:
I prefer to handle discipline in my own classroom, using humor and positive reinforcement. Since this is a science class I expect students to practice lab safety and will immediately dismiss a student from a lab if they do not adhere to the safety rules. I value respect and will model this quality for your students. I expect the same from them. My discipline plan uses a three-dimensional approach suggested by Curwin and Mendler.
Prevention: What can be done to minimize problems.
Action: What is to be done once problems occur.
Resolution: What can be done for the chronic misbehavior.
If a student causes classroom disruptions they will be offered a choice, to stop the behavior or choose a consequence related to their behavior. For chronic offenders I will assign the student a detention and a written referral, which will result in a parent contact. This consequence is typically given after all other methods have failed.
My goal with students is to promote responsibility for their actions and help them develop long-term control over the course their life takes.
Bathroom Pass:
Students are expected to take care of personal needs on their own time. Students receive two 10-point bonus slips at the beginning of the semester. The bonus slips may be used as a free-pass for a homework assignment or surrendered if used to leave class for personal needs.
Electronics:
See page 22 of the Student Handbook. If you need to contact your child immediately I would suggest going through the office.
Online:
There are many good websites related to Biology. I encourage you to look at them with your students. Some of my favorites are “Science Spot”, “How Stuff Works”, and “Biology Junction”. Even YouTube has some excellent tutorials on science topics.
Thanks for supporting me in my endeavor to teach your child. I appreciate the opportunity to get to know them; they are great kids with lots of energy and enthusiasm!
