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    Honors Biology 

    Clayton High School

    2024-2025

    Instructor: Mrs. Susan Murray

    Email: susanmurray@claytonschools.net

    Course Description, Requirements, Grading, Rules, & Expectations

     

    Course Overview:

    This course introduces important concepts of biology while applying these concepts to the students’ everyday lives and experiences.  It will also help students use principles of biology to think more intelligently about current issues they will encounter involving science and technology.  Students will develop a lifelong awareness of the potential and the limitations of science and technology.  

    Honors biology uses a molecular approach to the study of biology and topics include:  

    1st Semester: The chemical foundation of life; Proteins (enzymes); Cell structure and function; Lipids and membranes; Photosynthesis; and Cellular respiration.

    2nd semester: DNA and the cell cycle; RNA and viruses; Genetics; Evolution; Paleobiogeography; Ecology; and Biotechnology.

    Activities will include reading, writing, discussion, laboratory activities, laboratory reports, and student projects. Students will frequently work together in partner pairs, small groups, or teams. Critical thinking (the ability to carry out systematic thought processes in making decisions and solving problems), inquiry (solving problems through scientific investigation), and the nature of science are stressed in this class.

    Textbooks and Materials Needed:

    Textbook: OpenStax Biology 2e (web based). Some hard copies are available for students that prefer a hard copy book.

    1. A three-ring binder with some filler paper and a 2-pocket folder(s) for returned papers for use as a classroom notebook (at least 1”).  Or 4 prong folders.

      1. Hard copies of note guides will be provided to students that wish to note take on paper. These will be punched with three holes to add to their binder or prong folder.

    2. Writing utensils 

    3. Access to a basic scientific calculator.  A scientific electronic calculator and batteries (if needed) may be required on a test or quiz when access to the chrome book would be denied for use. (graphing calculators are not required). Phones are not permitted to be used for calculators.

    Grading: 

    • Each student's semester grade will be determined according to the Clayton High School grading scale.

    • These grades will be based on scores received on summative and formative classwork/homework and summative: lab reports, projects, quizzes, tests, and the final exam.

    Grade calculation & PowerSchool:

    • The grade average is determined by total points earned for classwork/homework, lab reports, and quizzes that combined, are worth 50% of the average. Tests are worth 50% of the average.

    • At the time of the final exam, the grade will be recalculated whereby the average the student has earned up to that point will be worth 83% and the final exam will be worth 17% of the final grade for the semester.

    • End of Course (EOC) exam. The state issued EOC for Biology will be given in late April. All students must take this exam. The score earned on the EOC will be worth 20% of the final exam score for the course.

    • Most assignments 10 points or under are formative and will be designated with “Form'' in front of the assignment description. Most assignments of 11 points or more will be summative and will have “Sum” in front of the description. 

    • All “Sum” (summative) work can be resubmitted one time by the student after reading feedback for up to full points, except for tests. Formative work may not be resubmitted for more points.

    • A second, new unit test can be administered to any student that did not make an “A” on the first attempt, only if all unit work is turned in the day before the first test and after test review and corrections have been completed.

      • Any student wishing to take a “retake” must have all unit work turned in before taking a retake.

      • Any student wishing to take a “retake” must first make test corrections on the first test attempt. Test corrections alone can earn up to an extra 10%, not to exceed 80%

        • Retake test score is capped at 80%. 

        • The student must have scored lower than an 80% on the 1st attempt to retake a new unit test.

      • A legitimate attempt must be made on the unit test in order to earn the test corrections, or retake opportunities to do better.

        • A legitimate attempt, means nothing is left blank on the unit test.

        • If questions are left unanswered on the unit test, then the best score possible for that portion is 50% after it has been answered and scored to be 100% correct during open note test corrections, and/or a retake.

    • Semester grades are calculated as a running total. Not an average of Q1 and Q2. 

    • PowerSchool grades are updated usually every week to 10 days if not sooner.

    • Constant grade checking and monitoring can cause undue stress and anxiety! Especially early on in the year or second semester.  REMEMBER the grade is an average of many different pieces and it takes time to see the big picture.  

     

    Summative and Formative classwork/homework: 

    • All classwork/homework are to be submitted on the assigned due date, if the student wishes to align their learning, practice, and feedback in a timely manner for the content pace.

    • Assignments (and due date) will be posted on Google Classroom, announced in class, and written on the board. 

    • Student work will be graded for completeness and accuracy.

    • Assignments range from approximately 5 to 40 points.  

    • Feedback will be given on all work. It is important to the student’s learning to read and use the feedback.

    • Any work that is considered “Summative” and worth more than 10 points may be corrected and resubmitted for more points (only once per assignment).

    • Some assignments will be submitted as a hard copy only. Others may be submitted electronically on Google Classroom. Assignments should not be emailed to me. Unless specific permission is given.

     

    Late classwork/homework:  

    • Work that is past the due date yet still within the current unit of learning, will be accepted up through the first 5 minutes of class on the day before the unit exam is scheduled for up to full points. 

    • Only work turned in on or before its original due date is allowed to be corrected. 

    • I will not accept work after the first 5 minutes of class on the day before a unit exam. This work earns an “FM” (final missing) grade of 48%. Or an INS if it is a required element of the course.

    • Timely feedback can only be given to work submitted on time or within a couple of days of the due date.

    • A grade of "M" (missing) will be entered for any work that is not turned in on time. “M” (missing) assignments may be made up during that unit’s work and once accepted and graded, the “M” will change to points earned. M = 49%.

    • If a student wishes to make test corrections for more test points, all “M” and “FM” work must be attempted before corrections are allowed to be completed. The “M” grade will stand for these assignments after they are completed = 50%. Then test corrections and a retake may be completed.

     

    Lab Reports: 

    • One of the most important aspects of this course is the lab portion of the course.  

    • You will learn what is expected in a lab report and will write your own lab report even if you worked in a group or with others for the lab.  

    • Your report will be graded for accuracy, and neatness. 

    • Lab reports range in value from 25 to 45 points depending on complexity.

     

    Late Lab reports or projects:

    • Lab participation, certain lab reports and projects are required elements for completion of the honors biology course.

    • If a lab activity is missed, the student should arrange a time with me to make up the lab activity within the same unit of learning.

    • If a lab report is missing on the due date a grade of “INS” (insufficient) will be entered into the gradebook. INS = 0%. INS may be entered even if the student was absent for the lab activity.

    • A student must make up missing lab activities and lab reports unless it is determined by me that an alternative activity could replace the learning objectives, or an exemption may be given in rare instances.

    • Projects are subject to the “INS” grade if it is not turned in on time.

    Quizzes: both announced and unannounced, will be given periodically. Quizzes may not be retaken. 

     

    Unit Tests: 

    • A test will be given at the end of each unit.

    • Tests vary in length, depending on the unit information. All tests are entered into the gradebook as 100 points.  

    • Unit tests are a required element of this course and missing one will result in “INS” (insufficient) in the gradebook until it is made up. INS = 0%

    • If absent for a test, it is expected that the student will take the missed test on the next day of return to school during Greyhound time unless the student has contacted me and arranged a different time with me.

     

    Final Exam: 

    • Each semester will conclude with a cumulative final exam for that semester only.

    • This will count for 17% of the grade.  The 2nd semester final exam grade will include the EOC score as 20% of the exam grade.

    • There is a possibility that a final project may be offered in place of a final exam. Students would be notified of the opportunity if and when it exists.

     

    Absences:  

    • If the student is absent, it is the students’ responsibility to obtain missed notes and assignments, make up the work, contact me for help, and get caught up.  

    • I will keep Google Classroom (GC) up to date by the end of each school day by 4:00pm. 

    • An absent student should check GC for new assignments or directions at 4:00 pm or later.  If hard copies of papers were given out in a class while absent, you may obtain them when you return to class, print your own copy from the e-copy posted on GC, convert the e-copy into a writable pdf, or have a friend /sibling bring you one. 

    • Notes that are missed will be posted on GC by the end of the day or early the next day. It is the absent students responsibility to stay caught up with new material and ask questions by email or in person upon return.

    • If absent for a test or quiz, it is expected that the student will take the missed test or quiz on the next day of return to school during Greyhound time or another arranged time with me.



    Classroom Behavior Expectations:

    The purpose of school is to receive an education.  Anything that interferes with that purpose will not be tolerated.  The following rules have been established because all students need to know what their boundaries are, and what the consequences of exceeding those boundaries are.  As your teacher, I have the right and the authority to discipline whenever necessary in a fair, firm, and consistent manner.  Please note that all rules outlined in the student handbook will be observed in this classroom.

     

    Classroom Rules:

    1.  Mutual Respect -- We want to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect toward peers and the teacher.  Treat others the way you would like to be treated.  This includes:

    a.  Respect others property (teacher's, student's, or school's)

    b.  Respect others opinions

    • When other students are sharing their ideas, our job is to listen and develop a critical opinion in favor of or against their opinion or idea.  Our job is not to talk at the same time. 

    • When I am speaking, your job is the same. I would encourage you to share your critical opinion or understanding with us. Raising your hand will indicate to us that you have developed a critical opinion or have a misunderstanding.

     

    2.  Be on time.

    When the bell rings every student is expected to be present in the classroom.  Promptness is a habit that is necessary in this and all future phases of life. Being on time indicates that you are committed to your learning and that you respect the importance of your classmates' and teacher's time and ideas.

     

    3.  Be prepared--This includes:

    a.  Learning materials

    • At every class meeting students should bring appropriate learning materials—pen, pencil, binder, three-hole punched loose-leaf paper, and a charged chromebook.

    b.  Assignments

    • Assignments are expected to be turned in by the assigned deadlines to best enhance learning. When circumstances arise and deadlines can not be met, please communicate (email or otherwise). See “Late classwork/homework” above for details.

    c.  No food or drink, except water, in the classroom during class time.

    d.  No food or drink including water in the lab area unless special permission is granted.

     

    4. Be Safe.

    All rules for your safety and the safety of other students will be followed in class and lab. Specific safety rules as pertains to lab experiments will be instructed before beginning the lab. If at any time you or another student accidentally injures themselves, you should notify me immediately. If at any time you accidently break glassware or other lab equipment you should notify me immediately. No “horseplay” will be tolerated in the classroom or lab.

     

    5. Personal Electronic Devices

    Our goal at Clayton High School is always to maintain a distraction free, academic environment. With this in mind, the use of electronic devices such as (but not limited to) cell phones and earbuds is prohibited during instructional time. Smart watches and similar wearable devices should be placed in airplane or school mode. The expectation is that all students will have these devices put away during instructional time unless I have given permission for use in a specific instructional activity. Students who violate the personal electronic device expectations will be subject to progressive disciplinary consequences including, but not limited to, loss of privileges. Exceptions to this rule may apply based on accommodations included in a student’s 504, IEP or health plan. As a reminder, students should only access the internet through district-provided networks during the school day. For more information, please reference this document. 

     

    6. Attendance

    A student will not be allowed more than EIGHT (8) absences per semester, excused or unexcused. On the ninth absence, “No Credit - Absences” (NCA) will be issued for the class. Students will need to serve a Greyhound Time detention to mitigate a class absence (One detention served will count for one class absence removed). If the student is failing the course at the end of the semester, an “F” will override the “NCA.” If the student is passing the class, an “NCA” will appear on the grade report to indicate that a passing grade was earned but credit was not awarded for that course due to lack of attendance in the class. For more information, please reference this document. 

    *Please note, Religious Observances, while excused, do not factor into the count of 8+ absences. 

     

    7. Greyhound Time

    Clayton High School provides a common time each day to support the academic and personal growth of students. This time may be used in a variety of ways such as academic support (tutoring, reassessment, conferences), club meetings, LINK Crew meetings, exercise and mental wellness activities.  While students are encouraged to be proactive in meeting their academic needs, I may require students to come to office hours for additional assistance. The expectation is that students will prioritize their academic needs during this time.  Failure to comply with teacher requests may result in a loss of privileges until their academic obligations are met and/or appropriate disciplinary action. 



    Enforcement of Policies:

    All interventions are aimed at modifying unacceptable behaviors. Once again, my ultimate goal in this course is for you/your student to learn Science. Excessive time spent addressing unacceptable behaviors will take away from this goal. The interventions that follow describe typical courses of action if a rule is broken.

     

    Absences and/or tardies will be dealt with according to school policy. 

     

    Disrespect directed toward peers or the teacher will be addressed according to severity of the infraction and number of occurrences. Typical interventions include: verbal warning, conference with teacher, conference with parent, and referral to an administrator. These interventions will be administered relative to the severity of the infraction.



    Google Classroom: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS:

    I will make every effort to keep Google Classroom up to date; students should get in the habit of checking Google classroom for assignments and copies of handouts from class as well as copies of notes we go over. If a parent wishes to be able to view my Google Classroom (where I post everything), please email me with your child's name as the subject line and a note requesting to join the Google Classroom. Please use your preferred email.