Biology Class Information
Mr. Buck / Room 214
What is Biology?
Biology is the study of living things. This is a survey course, meaning that we will learn about many different aspects of Biology.
What Specific Topics will we Learn about in Biology?
Scientific Method
Genetics and Heredity
Biochemistry (the chemistry of life!)
Evolution
Cell Structure
Classification of Organisms
Cell Physiology
Microbiology (bacteria and viruses)
Cell Division
Botany (the study of plants!)
DNA
Zoology (the study of animals!)
Biotechnology
Animal Behavior
Genetics and Heredity
Ecology (the study of the biological environment) and the Human Impact on that environment
How will we learn about biology?
Standard daily procedures:
1. Come in, take your seat, and begin working on your designated warm-up activity (displayed on either the Promethean board or the side screen). Please be in your seat and working at the bell!
2. Take out homework / classwork as instructed. You will be graded on accuracy and completion of your assignments.
3. Prepare for instruction on new material. You will use your student handbook EVERY DAY, so make sure you bring it!
4. Engage yourself in your learning of new material by reading, independent work, or group/lab work.
What you will need for class EVERYDAY:
Biology Handbook
3-ring binder (at least 1½ inch)
Notebook Paper
Colored Pencils
Pencils (for exams/quizzes)
Mini Stapler (strongly suggested)
What is expected of you?
You are expected to know and adhere to the behavior standards in the CMS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior can not be tolerated. Everyone here has a RIGHT to their education and no student or teacher has the right to deny you that. If a verbal warning is not sufficient to correct behavior, consequences will include a parent contact, after school detention, or a referral to your administrator. My specific classroom rules are EASY:
Be Respectful
Be On Time
Be Prepared
Be Honest
I am required to enforce the Butler dress code, cell phone, and ID badge policies! This is a teacher obligation and is nothing personal.
How you will be graded:
Tests and other formal assessments make up 70% of your course grade. Informal assignments make up 30% of your course grade.
Formal Assessments:
Module Exams/Quizzes
4 Major Exams (Benchmark I, Midterm, Benchmark II, Mock EOC)
Informal Assessments:
All assignments, completed modules.
Per the CMS grading policy, students who score 79% or lower on any formal assessment may request a retest. You will need to contact me for your review assignment. You will then have 7 days to complete the review assignment and take the retest.
Per CMS policy, I am required to accept late work, but I am allowed to determine the grade. I will grade late work for only 50% down to 1% of the possible credit, depending upon how late it is. In other words, turning in an assignment that is 2 days late will earn you more points compared to an assignment that is 4 weeks late.
Other Frequently Asked Questions!
o When is tutoring? I am available for tutoring on Thursday afternoons from 2:15pm - 3:00pm. Other days can be used for tutoring – please see me to make an appointment.
o What should I do if I’m out sick/on a field trip/etc? CMS policy is that you have 5 school days to complete make-up work. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get make-up work, complete it, and turn it in when due. Students are welcome to come to tutoring for assistance with make-up work/instruction.
o Is food or drink allowed? I will permit drinks or snacks (NOT MEALS) in the room (as long as they are not consumed during labs). However, students are expected to remove all trash when they leave. I will revoke privileges for the whole class if this becomes an issue. All students should be good stewards of our classroom environment and pick up trash if they see it.
o What is the personal technology policy? Technology is only permitted to be used when I indicate it is okay. All technology (phones, music players, headphones/ear buds, etc.) is to be OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT unless I have otherwise stated it is okay. I will confiscate phones, music players, headphones, ear buds if they are seen or in use at inappropriate times. Be responsible!
o Can I leave class to go to the restroom/my locker/ the nurse / etc? Students will be given individual hall passes and will be responsible for filling out passes prior to leaving the classroom. Each student receives 6 hall passes per quarter. Any unused hall passes left at the end of the quarter can be redeemed for extra credit points.
o What happens if I do not pass Biology? Biology is a “Gateway” course. You must pass the course AND the End of Course (EOC) exam in order to graduate. If you don’t pass biology, you don’t get a diploma. Bottom line – it’s important.
Mr. Buck / Room 214
What is Biology?
Biology is the study of living things. This is a survey course, meaning that we will learn about many different aspects of Biology.
What Specific Topics will we Learn about in Biology?
Scientific Method
Genetics and Heredity
Biochemistry (the chemistry of life!)
Evolution
Cell Structure
Classification of Organisms
Cell Physiology
Microbiology (bacteria and viruses)
Cell Division
Botany (the study of plants!)
DNA
Zoology (the study of animals!)
Biotechnology
Animal Behavior
Genetics and Heredity
Ecology (the study of the biological environment) and the Human Impact on that environment
How will we learn about biology?
Standard daily procedures:
1. Come in, take your seat, and begin working on your designated warm-up activity (displayed on either the Promethean board or the side screen). Please be in your seat and working at the bell!
2. Take out homework / classwork as instructed. You will be graded on accuracy and completion of your assignments.
3. Prepare for instruction on new material. You will use your student handbook EVERY DAY, so make sure you bring it!
4. Engage yourself in your learning of new material by reading, independent work, or group/lab work.
What you will need for class EVERYDAY:
Biology Handbook
3-ring binder (at least 1½ inch)
Notebook Paper
Colored Pencils
Pencils (for exams/quizzes)
Mini Stapler (strongly suggested)
What is expected of you?
You are expected to know and adhere to the behavior standards in the CMS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior can not be tolerated. Everyone here has a RIGHT to their education and no student or teacher has the right to deny you that. If a verbal warning is not sufficient to correct behavior, consequences will include a parent contact, after school detention, or a referral to your administrator. My specific classroom rules are EASY:
Be Respectful
Be On Time
Be Prepared
Be Honest
I am required to enforce the Butler dress code, cell phone, and ID badge policies! This is a teacher obligation and is nothing personal.
How you will be graded:
Tests and other formal assessments make up 70% of your course grade. Informal assignments make up 30% of your course grade.
Formal Assessments:
Module Exams/Quizzes
4 Major Exams (Benchmark I, Midterm, Benchmark II, Mock EOC)
Informal Assessments:
All assignments, completed modules.
Per the CMS grading policy, students who score 79% or lower on any formal assessment may request a retest. You will need to contact me for your review assignment. You will then have 7 days to complete the review assignment and take the retest.
Per CMS policy, I am required to accept late work, but I am allowed to determine the grade. I will grade late work for only 50% down to 1% of the possible credit, depending upon how late it is. In other words, turning in an assignment that is 2 days late will earn you more points compared to an assignment that is 4 weeks late.
Other Frequently Asked Questions!
o When is tutoring? I am available for tutoring on Thursday afternoons from 2:15pm - 3:00pm. Other days can be used for tutoring – please see me to make an appointment.
o What should I do if I’m out sick/on a field trip/etc? CMS policy is that you have 5 school days to complete make-up work. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get make-up work, complete it, and turn it in when due. Students are welcome to come to tutoring for assistance with make-up work/instruction.
o Is food or drink allowed? I will permit drinks or snacks (NOT MEALS) in the room (as long as they are not consumed during labs). However, students are expected to remove all trash when they leave. I will revoke privileges for the whole class if this becomes an issue. All students should be good stewards of our classroom environment and pick up trash if they see it.
o What is the personal technology policy? Technology is only permitted to be used when I indicate it is okay. All technology (phones, music players, headphones/ear buds, etc.) is to be OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT unless I have otherwise stated it is okay. I will confiscate phones, music players, headphones, ear buds if they are seen or in use at inappropriate times. Be responsible!
o Can I leave class to go to the restroom/my locker/ the nurse / etc? Students will be given individual hall passes and will be responsible for filling out passes prior to leaving the classroom. Each student receives 6 hall passes per quarter. Any unused hall passes left at the end of the quarter can be redeemed for extra credit points.
o What happens if I do not pass Biology? Biology is a “Gateway” course. You must pass the course AND the End of Course (EOC) exam in order to graduate. If you don’t pass biology, you don’t get a diploma. Bottom line – it’s important.