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Ms. Stockton’s Contact Info & Links:
Barrow High School: www.nsbsd.org/Domain/8
Class Website: www.nsbsd.org/Domain/677
email: [email protected]
School Phone: 907-852-8950 I will respond as soon as possible.
Remind101: Receive class reminders via text message. Instructions located on
back.
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WELCOME TO BIOLOGY!
Today marks the first day of a wondrous journey. This year, you will discover
your own unique abilities to achieve new heights as a student of Biology. It is
my hope that you will be personally rewarded as you learn the tools to give
you success in this class. My name is Ms. Stockton and I am looking forward
to leading you into new territories of scientific learning and enrichment.
Throughout the upcoming months, through exploration, we will travel to
sights unseen by the naked eye, and investigate the many wonders of the
living world. As a class, we will allow each scientific experience to penetrate
our minds and to become a part of the way we understand the world we live
in. On this journey we will have the rare opportunity to appreciate our
complex planet Earth and the mysterious processes that make life unique.
But, like every great explorer, you must approach this upcoming adventure
with careful preparation and planning. You will need to take some “survival
items” along with you. Through the development of reading, writing,
mathematics, technology, speaking and observational skills, you will have a
chance to reflect and share your unique thoughts about our scientific
adventures. By the end of the year, this quest will have taught you how to
appreciate and think critically about the amazing world you live in and the
incredible living being that you are– a very rare and valuable skill!
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CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
I have high expectations of you and for your success in Biology. It is important to
remember that on our journey you are one part of a larger team. In order for our team to
function at its best we need to establish a few classroom expectations:
- Be on time and prepared for class.
- Follow directions and stay on task.
- Be respectful of people talking and wait your turn.
- Always follow proper lab safety.
- ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK IN THE LAB.
- No whining!
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COURSE STRUCTURE
For each unit, there will be vocabulary, warm-ups, Cornell notes, activities, homework,
laboratory investigations, quizzes/tests, projects, an ISN check, etc. in which students
will demonstrate their mastery of the science objectives determined by NSBSD.
Units as currently planned: Nature of Science, Ecology, Cells & Homeostasis,
Biochemistry, DNA & Cell Division, Genetics, and Evolution
Textbook (Modern Biology, by Holt, Rinehart and Wilson)-A class set of
textbooks will be used in the classroom. The textbook is available on digital copy and will
be placed on the students assigned school laptop within the first week of school. (It is
imperative that you do not have your laptop rights revoked so you have access to your
materials!)
Differentiation:
Much of the course work will be designed in a “layer system.” This is a process intended
for all students to be successful in learning Biology. For instance, there will be an
opportunity for you to chose whether to take a Layer A, Layer B, or Layer C quiz. As one
would expect, the Layer A quiz would be harder and the maximum points would earn an A
where as a Layer C quiz would be less difficult but the highest points earned would be a C.
I want all students to be successful both in the academic setting and in extra-curricular
activities. This helps ensure that they have that opportunity.
Materials
Bring required materials with you to class and be mentally prepared to work. Each
student is expected to have the following items everyday in class:
1. Interactive Science Notebook (ISN) and computer.
2. Pens (blue, black, red, etc.)
3. Pencils with erasers
4. Addition materials as required throughout the course.
All other materials will be available in class for your use.
Evaluation:
Application of Content - through Analysis/Critical Thinking/Communication
(used for lab/data analysis or writing about what was learned, what could
be improved, future applications, etc)
Demonstration of Independent Thought (used for projects, warm-ups, etc)
Demonstration of Proficiency (used for quizzes and tests)
Demonstration of Cooperative Learning (used for group projects - working
well with others to get the project accomplished)
Effective Data Collection (used for correct data collection and data
techniques)
Effective Use of Resources (used for research papers, notes, and general
daily class preparation)
Practice of Content (used for worksheets or calculations)
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
D: 60-69%
*U: 0-59%
C: 70-79%
*Students that earn in U in Biology must retake it during the next school year.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
1 Arrival & Dismissal – students are expected to be sitting in their assigned seats and
quietly working on the warm-up activity when the bell rings. Teacher dismissal will occur
when students are seated, quiet, and the classroom is clean.
2 Homework- is expected to be completed by you and turned in at the beginning of class
the day it is due. If you do not have your work, you will fill out a homework card to be taken
home, signed by parents and returned the next day with the completed assignment.
3 Behavior Consequences - this class will be conducted in a laboratory setting. Lab safety
rules in addition to our class policies and procedures must be followed at all times. Failure to
conduct oneself in a safe and respectful manner will result in immediate and appropriate
consequences in accordance with the BHS Discipline Plan such as but not limited to: (1)
Warning, (2) Refocus Time (3) Detention/Call Home (4) Removal from Room, (5)
Administrative Referral.
4 Absences - It is the student’s responsibility to identify assignments that need to be
made-up. All class assignments and handouts are available to pick up in class or print out
from our class website. See the teacher to arrange to make-up any quizzes, tests, or lab
activities. Assignments, homework and tests previously announced and due the day of the
absence will be due the day the student returns to class. Absent work must be turned in
within the number of days according to the Board Policy outlined in the student handbook.
5 Late work – will only be accepted within 3 weeks of the original due date ONLY if it is
fully completed. The maximum score possible for late work is 70%.
6 Test Retakes- may be negotiated with the teacher on a special “as-needed” basis. There
must be extenuating circumstances to warrant a retake.
7 Cheating- including copying, failing to appropriately reference a source, passing someone
else’s work off as your own or ANY other form of plagiarism is not allowed. Plagiarism,
copying and cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a zero for the assignment and
administrative referral. (See the student handbook.)
8 Additional Policies and Procedures will be discussed in class.
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*This syllabus is subject to change. Any changes will be announced in class and posted on the class
website.
Remind 101
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All students are required to enroll in Remind 101 to receive class messages.
Parents are encouraged to sign up as well! To receive messages about your
Bio class, text the following code to 81010:
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Biology Period 1 use:
@stockton-1
Biology Period 2 use:
@stockton-2
Statistics Period 3 use:
@stockton-3
Biology Period 4 use:
@stockton-4
Biology Period 5 use:
@stockton-5
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