Clayton High School

Honors Biology 

Clayton High School

2025-2026

Instructors:

Mrs. Susan Murray (susanmurray@claytonschools.net)

Mr. Adam Bergeron (adambergeron@claytonschools.net)

Course Overview:

This course introduces important concepts of biology while applying these concepts to students’ everyday lives and experiences. It will also help students use principles of biology to think critically 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 study the biology of living systems.

Topics addressed:  

Learning activities will include reading, writing, discussion, laboratory activities, laboratory reports, and student projects. Students will frequently work together in partner pairs, small groups, and/or teams. Critical thinking (i.e 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 emphasized in this course.

Textbooks and Materials Needed:

Textbook: OpenStax Biology 2e (web based). Some hard copies are available for students that prefer to read on paper.

Materials

1. Class notebook: A three-ring binder (at least 1”) with some college-ruled filler paper and a 2-pocket folder(s) for returned papers. Or a spiral notebook and a folder for returned papers.

2. Writing utensils 

3. Access to a basic scientific calculator.  A scientific 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 as 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 from formative classwork/homework as well as summative assessments including unit tests, lab reports, and a final exam. 

Grade Calculation & PowerSchool:

• Your semester grade will be determined as follows:

  • 40% - Unit (summative) tests 

  • 30% - Lab (includes data collection, data analysis, and long/short-form lab write-ups). 

  • 15% - Formative assignments (includes classwork, quizzes, notebook checks, etc.) These types of assignments are typically worth <10 points) 

  • 15% - Final exam 

• Completing test corrections will allow you to move from your original grade to the next highest grade on the grade scale. See table on the next page for examples:

• If a student earns less than a 60% on an exam then they are still expected to make corrections. However, upon completing corrections, the student’s grade is adjusted to 62%. 

• 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.  

Unit Tests (40% of semester grade): 

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

• 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 day he/she/they return to school. Tests should be completed during Greyhound time unless the student has contacted the instructor and arranged to complete the exam at a different time.

Lab Reports (30% of semester grade): 

• One of the most important aspects of this course are laboratories.  

• 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 on a lab activity.  

• Your report will be graded for completeness and accuracy. 

• Lab reports range in value from 20 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 the instructor 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 the instructor 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.

Formative assignments (15% of semester grade): 

• All formative assignments (e.g. classwork, quizzes, notebook checks, etc.) are to be submitted on the assigned due date.

• 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.

• Assignment value ranges from approximately 3 to 10 points.  

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

• Some assignments will be submitted as a hard copy only. Others may be submitted electronically on Google Classroom. Assignments should not be “shared” electronically (Google docs) or emailed to your instructor.

• Quizzes: Both announced and unannounced, will be given periodically. Quizzes may not be retaken or corrected.

Final Exam (15% of semester grade): 

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

• This will count for 15% of the 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.

• 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.

Late classwork/homework:  

• I will not accept work that is due at the start of class after the first 5 minutes of class.

• If a student wishes to make test corrections for more test points, all missing ( “M”) work must be attempted and turned in before corrections are allowed to be completed. The “M” grade will stand for these assignments after they are completed = 49%.

• After a unit test has been corrected (usually 1 week allowed for this), all “M” grades for that unit will turn into “FM” (48%)

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 after 4:00 pm. 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 a copy. 

• 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 their return to school.

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

• Communication is key. If you are absent for more than 2 consecutive days, I would expect an email from you so important information can be shared directly and plans for making up work / labs / tests etc can be established.

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 or notebook, 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. In compliance with Missouri Senate Bill 68 and SCD Board Policy JFCD, students are prohibited from displaying or using personal communication devices during the school day (bell to bell). This is inclusive of lunch, Greyhound Time, passing period, and free periods. Personal electronic devices include cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, headphones, earbuds/headphones, and other similar devices. For the 25-26 school year, personal laptops (not iPads/tablets) are allowed for student use on campus. All other personal electronic devices will need to be put away (not visible) during the school day. 

The expectation is that all students will have personal electronic devices put away, in a backpack or locker, during instructional time unless the teacher has given approved permission for use in specific instructional activities. Students who violate the personal electronic device expectations will be subject to progressive disciplinary consequences including, but not limited to, loss of privileges, detention, parental conference, and in school suspension. Exceptions to this rule may apply based on accommodations included in a student’s 504, IEP or health plan. Exceptions to this rule may also apply in case of emergencies.  As a reminder, students should only access the internet through district-provided networks during the school day. 

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. 

8. Academic Integrity

UNLESS INSTRUCTED OTHERWISE, ALL LAB REPORTS AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED INDEPENDENTLY. ANY ASSIGNMENTS THAT APPEAR TO BE COPIED, PLAGIARIZED, AND/OR GENERATED WITH THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL NOT BE GRADED AND WILL REQUIRE A CONFERENCE WITH MR. BERGERON / MRS. MURRAY. THIS INCLUDES COPYING AND/OR PARAPHRASING FROM AN ONLINE SOURCE. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT CHEATING/PLAGIARIZING ON A TEST, QUIZ, HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, OR LAB ACTIVITY YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist in day-to-day tasks when one uses AI as a tool, not a substitute. Learners who use AI are expected to use it to supplement their own knowledge and ideas. AI should not be used as a substitute for critical thinking or original work. To do so risks violating our academic integrity policy and may result in consequences aligned with our academic misconduct policies. 

• Always acknowledge the use of AI: If using any AI tool, students must clearly acknowledge their use of the tool. It must be cited as an outside source and the student must include a paragraph that explains what they used the AI for and what prompt(s) they used to get their results. This paragraph must be written by the student, not the AI.

• Ensure accuracy: AI is a powerful tool, but it is not perfect. Students are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of any information or responses generated by AI. They should assume numbers and facts are wrong unless they have checked them for accuracy. Students will be responsible for any errors or omissions.

• Avoid plagiarism: Using AI to generate content that is identical or substantially similar to another source without proper attribution is considered plagiarism. Students must ensure that any material generated by AI is properly cited, and that any paraphrasing is done in accordance with academic standards.

• Follow the course objectives: Students who use AI must do so in a manner that is consistent with the course objectives. Assignments should be completed in a way that demonstrates an understanding of the course content and learning objectives, with AI serving as a tool to aid in that process, not as the main tool for completing the assignment.

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 daily by 4pm; 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.