Rockmart High School

HONORS BIOLOGY 2016-2017 Course Syllabus Teacher: Mrs. Nikki Worrell

Phone: 770-684-5432 (school), 470-330-2074 (cell)

Room: 210

Email: [email protected]

Remind: Text @rhshonbio to 81010 Online Resources: http://www.worrellchemistry.weebly.com (password: worrellscience) Online Classroom: http://www.polk.k12.ga.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=911 Course Description: The Biology curriculum is designed to continue student investigations of the life sciences that began in grades K-8 and provide students the necessary skills to be proficient in biology. This curriculum includes more abstract concepts such as the interdependence of organisms, the relationship of matter, energy, and organization in living systems, the behavior of organisms, and biological evolution. Students investigate biological concepts through experience in laboratories and field work using the processes of inquiry. Textbook:

Biology by Stephen Nowicki (McDougal Littell—Georgia Edition)

Supplies:  3-ring binder  Notebook paper  Pens/pencils Class Expectations (Four Be’s): 1) 2) 3) 4)

 

Ipad Ear buds

Be respectful of all people and equipment. Be responsible by following all school policies. Be mature by coming prepared to class and staying focused during class time. Be safety conscious by following all rules in regards to the science laboratory.

If a student chooses not to follow these expectations, the consequences will be as follows: 1) Verbal warning 2) Call to parent/guardian

3) After school detention 4) Discipline referral to administration

Evaluation: Tests/Lab Write-ups Daily/Quizzes

60%

Tests/Lab Write-ups

60%

Daily/Quizzes

20%

End-of-Course Exam (EOC)

20%

40%

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class, unless otherwise stated. All work turned in after this time will receive 10 points off per day.

Students must take the Georgia Milestone’s End of Course exam in May, counting 20% of the overall grade. Assignments:    

Bellringers → Review questions will be given at the beginning of each class to assess understanding of the previous class period. A daily grade will be awarded weekly Quizzes → Short quizzes (5 questions) will be given almost every Tuesday or Thursday, based on announced topics. Vocabulary → A collection of important vocabulary terms with their definitions will need to be turned in before each unit exam. Unit Exams → At the end of each unit, an exam will be given, composed of multiple choice, short answer, and/or matching questions.

Makeup Work: Students whose absences are excused have the opportunity to make up work missed. However, it is the student's responsibility to get with the teacher to find out what work was missed within three days of returning to school. No late work, assignments, tests, or projects will be accepted after 2 ½ weeks of each progress report (sent home every four weeks) per the Polk School District Handbook. Retesting Policy: Retests are allowed in every subject. Students wishing to re-test must attend two remediation sessions before a retest will be given. Any student may retest, including students that passed the test. Students will receive the higher of their two grades. EOC, SLO’s, research papers, and projects do not qualify for retest. Exam Exemptions: Students will take a midterm first semester, and a final exam worth 20% for second semester in non-EOC courses. Students meeting the following criteria may exempt the midterm and/or the final exam. No student is exempt from state mandated tests such as the SLO or EOC. There will, however, be a final exam in these courses weighted as a regular test that students may exempt. Students meeting the following criteria may exempt the midterm and/or the final exam: 1) 2) 3) 4)

The student must have an 85+ in the course they wish to exempt. No more than five excused or unexcused absences per semester. No more than three tardies per semester. No administrative discipline referrals for the entire year.

Tentative Schedule: Unit

Chapters Covered

Standards

I: Introduction to Biology

1.1-1.4, 2.1-2.5

SCSh1-4, SB1b-d

II: Cell Structure & Function

3.1-3.5

SB1a, d

Major Topics Characteristics of Life, Scientific Method, Microscopes, Basic Chemistry, Properties of Water, Macromolecules, Enzymes Cell Theory, Types of Cells, Cell Organelles, Cell Membrane, Cell Transport

Estimated Classes* 16

18

III: Energy of the Cell

4.1-4.6

SB3a

IV: Cell Cycle & Cell Division

5.1-5.5, 6.1-6.2

SB1a, SB2e, SB3

V: From DNA to Protein

8.1-8.7, 9.1-9.6

SB2a-b, d, f

VI: Genetics/Heredity

6.3-6.6, 7.1-7.4

SB2c

VII: Evolution

10.1-10.4, 11.111.3, 11.5-11.6

SB2d, SB5a-e

VIII: Taxonomy, Classification, and Survey of Kingdoms

17.1-17.2, 17.4, 18.2-18.6, 19.119.6, 20.1-20.3, 21.1-21.4, 22.122.5, 23.1-23.6, 24.1-24.4, 25.125.2, 25.4, 26.126.4**

SB3b-d, SB4e-f

IX: Ecology

13.1-13.6, 14.114.5, 15.1-15.5, 16.1-16.3, 16.5

SB4a-d

Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration Cell Cycle, Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis Structure of DNA, DNA vs. RNA, DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, Gene Expression & Regulation, Biotechnology Mendel’s Law, Inheritance of Alleles, Punnett Squares, Complex Inheritance, Gene Linkage, Pedigrees History of Evolution, Darwin, Evidence for Evolution, Microevolution, Macroevolution/Speciation Classification System, Cladistics, Domains/Kingdoms Overview, Virus, Characteristics of Prokaryotes, Characteristics of Protists, Characteristics of Fungi, Types of Plants, Plant Structures, Plant Reproduction, Environmental Response, Classification of Animals, Characteristics of Animals Biotic vs. Abiotic Factors, Energy in Ecosystems, Cycles of Matter, Ecosystem Interactions, Populations, Successions, Biomes, Human Impact

19 15

18

21

15

24

12

*All time periods are subject to change ** A survey of information from these chapters will be taken to meet the Georgia Performance Standards Communication: Please feel free to email me at [email protected] or call me at 470-330-2074. Also I utilized Remind to send reminders about class assignments and upcoming due dates. For Honors Biology, you need to text @rhshonbio to 81010 **Material in this syllabus is subject to modification by the instructor if deemed necessary. (These changes will verbally and written on the board)**