BIOLOGY
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
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Course Description
This course provides students with a rigorous introduction to the biological sciences. We will take a constructive approach to learning, where students construct their own knowledge from scientific investigations, multimedia lessons, internet research, and in-depth class discussions. Students will strengthen their inquiry skills by designing experiments and communicating their results. As we move towards a project-based proficiency curriculum, students will be the drivers of their education and given choice on topics and presentation styles that best fit with their learning style. Students will become reflective learners that understand how they learn best thus promoting life-long learners. We begin the year with a unit on Nueroscience where students gain insight about how their adolescent brains work and then choice a research topic to further explore. We next move outside for our Botany and Classification of Life units. As the weather cools we move inside and explore topics such as Evolution, Geologic Time, Heredity, Genetics, Human Body Systems, Disease and Medicine, Human Development, Ecology, and Natural Resource Management. Stay tuned for a complete course outline and assignments Course Materials Students should bring the following materials everyday: Composition notebook Pen/pencil Folder to hold loose papers Course Texts and Media: Biology, Weston house (Edition 4) Various multimedia sources including online science journals, magazines, newspapers, videos, and movies). **Our understanding of the world is constantly changing so we try to keep up on the most current information out there** Grading/Assessment Grading breakdown 50% Labs/projects/assignments 25% Quizzes/Tests 25% Habits of work - Participation/attitude/preparedness/organization Students are given ample time to complete class assignments, however some students work better at home or after school, so homework will be relative to each student and how they learn best. Students are always encouraged to resubmit work till proficiency is reached. Grades are posted weekly on Web2School and available to view at any time. (Grades from the previous week are usually posted on Monday of the following week.) Parents can get log-in information from the office. Assignments are posted daily on the classroom board. I encourage students to use a planner but a quick picture on their phone is another strategy that works for students. Extra Credit/Enrichment Extra credit is always available for students that are putting forth effort and want to bring up their grade or explore a scientific topic for enrichment. Extra credit is not available for students with incomplete classwork, or for those who are not putting forth effort in class. Gain teacher approval before beginning your extra credit project. Assistance I am always available to students and parents before, during, or after school. Due to various school meetings and personal obligations, prior arrangement is the best way to guarantee a face to face meeting, however I can always be reached by email or school phone. |