Download Biology A - California State University, Northridge

SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL
“Building on Excellence”
Biology A
FALL
Ms. McKenzie
It is a pleasure to assist you in the education of your student. The emphasis of biology is to
provide the basic experiences in the basic principles of the life sciences, the requirements of plants and
animals in the environment, the variety of life in our surroundings, cell theory, heredity, environmental
concerns and personal group behavior. This year stress is on active student participation in laboratory
investigations. The development of critical thinking and effective communication skills will be
emphasized through the California State Standards and the Expected School-wide Learning Results.
Biology is a year long course and counts toward credit for high school graduation as well as
fulfilling the university requirement for lab science.
At the beginning of the semester, I teach and review my standards, expectations and operating
and grading procedures. Please review these classroom expectations with your son or daughter.
Reviewing these standards will help you to understand what is requires to be successful in this course.
I look forward to this semester. I hope your son or daughter will be more actively involved in
his/her learning, have fun with science, and grow intellectually. If you would like to talk with me, please
call the school and leave a message and I will gladly return your call, or feel free to email me.
Course Syllabus
Representative California
Standards
Scientific progress is made by asking
meaningful questions and conducting
careful investigations.
The fundamental life processes of plants
and animals depend greatly on a variety
of chemical reactions that occur in
specialized areas of the organism’s cells.
Genes are a set of instructions encoded in
the DNA sequence of each organism that
specify the sequence of amino acids in the
proteins characteristic of that organism.
Unit
Investigation
and
Experimentation
Cell Biology
DNA
The genetic composition of cells can be
altered by incorporation of exogenous
DNA into the cells.
A multi-cellular organism develops from
a single zygote and its phenotype depends
on its genotype, which is established at
fertilization.
Genetics
Instructional Focus
Laboratory experimentation
Cumulative Unit Project
Vocabulary Building
Writing Laboratory Reports
Microscope Activities
Laboratory Investigations
Vocabulary Building and Spelling
Direct Instruction
Cumulative Unit Project
Multimedia Visuals
Direct Instruction
Laboratory Experimentation
Vocabulary Building and Spelling
Cumulative Unit Project
Reciprocal Teaching
Current Events
Audio/Visual Presentations
Direct Instruction
Laboratory Experimentation
Vocabulary Building and Spelling
Supplemental Readings
Reciprocal Teaching
Pedigree Project
Biology A
Fall
Ms. McKenzie
Grading: Each assignment may be assessed on one or more standards using the following scale; 4(Advanced),
3(Proficient), 2(Basic), 1(Below Basic), 0(Far Below Basic). Report card grades are calculated as an average of
scored standards achievement using the following scale:
100
__
90 %
B=
89
—
80 %
C=
79
—
70 %
69
—
60 %
59%
&
Below
A=
D=
F=
Late/Missing Work & Exams: If for any reason the student is absent or misses an assignment, they are responsible
for making up that assignment. Each assignment loses one point for every day that it is late. Therefore, once the
assignment is no longer worth points, it cannot be turned in. If the student is absent on the day an exam is given, the
exam must be taken upon return (lunch/after school). If not taken on the day of return, the student will lose this
make up opportunity.
School Policies: All school policies regarding student attendance and behavior apply to this class. Students are
expected to behave in a manner conducive to learning. Students are required to adhere to the school dress code.
Students found cheating on tests or assignments will be subject to the school’s cheating policy. Students are
expected to be in class daily and on time. Students are expected to bring necessary learning materials (notebooks,
pens, paper, etc.), and any assigned textbooks to class each day. Textbooks must be covered and maintained in the
condition in which they were issued.
Required textbook: Holt; “Biology: Visualizing Life.”
Student Materials: Each student is expected to come to class daily with materials for that day. I require that each
student have a bound notebook where they can write out lecture notes. Typically, each student should carry a threeringed notebook with dividers and paper. A writing utensil (pencil or pen) is always required.
How to help your child succeed: Help your child set a consistent block of time aside each day to work on
homework and other class assignments. Provide a quiet study area in which your child can study uninterrupted.
Encourage him or her to form study partners or study groups with other students in his or her classes. Should your
child fall behind in one or more of his or her classes, encourage your child to attend the after school tutoring that is
available in the Sylmar School Library. Please feel free to contact the school or instructor should you have any
questions or concerns about your child’s educational progress or learning needs.
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______________________________(Student Signature)
______________________________ (Parent Signature)
When necessary, Please call me at:
______________________________ (Phone Number)