Download The Game Plan: Ottolini`s Biology SOL Review

The Game Plan: Krouse’s Biology SOL Review
Osbourn Park High School, 2015-2016
Throughout the months of April and May, we will be preparing for the year-end
cumulative Virginia Biology Standards of Learning (SOL) exam. My 4th period students’
SOL will be given on Thursday, May 19th during the afternoon session (11:15-2:10).
My 6th period students’ SOL will be given on Monday, May 23rd during the afternoon
session (11:15-2:10). As a class, we will take the following steps to prepare for this
exam:
1) Jefferson Lab Online Assignments: Prior to the SOL (due dates still to be
determined), students will be required to complete sets of questions on an online SOL
site (Jefferson Lab). The questions are multiple choice (like the SOL) and will be given in
random order (not arranged by unit). Directions are given on the “J Lab – Online Quiz
Log” document, which will distributed in class.
2) Daily Multiple Choice Quizzes: Each class day, the students will begin class with a set of 10 questions that correlate
with specific SOL objectives. Five of the ten sets will be collected as a quiz grade, and five will be collected as a
classwork grade. Students will not receive notice as to whether a specific set will be a quiz or classwork grade, so they
should come prepared to demonstrate knowledge of the particular content. On the previous class day, students will be
directed to a particular section of their SOL review packet to prepare for the upcoming class period. The content covered
in each question set is given below.
Set #
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Topic
Introduction to Biology (Experimental Design, Microscope Use,
Graph/Chart Analysis, and Characteristics of Life)
Biochemistry (The Molecules of Life)
Cell Structure and Function
Cell Membrane and Transport
Cell Metabolism (Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration)
Cell Cycle and Division
Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
Genetics and Genetic Engineering
Evolution and Classification
Ecology
3) SOL Review Packet: In early-mid April, the students will be given a large SOL review packet. It is not expected that
students complete the packet all at once. We will complete certain sections in class and students will be required to
complete certain sections as homework to prepare for the daily multiple choice quizzes. The packet will be stamped each
day that pages assigned for homework are due. The whole packet will be collected on the day of the SOL for a total of 2
unit work grades. Portions of the packet that are completed but not stamped will only receive half credit. Students will
also receive an SOL “Spark Notes” Packet that contains a nice overview of all the content from the year. Reading
associated sections of the SOL Spark Notes Packet (in addition to notes given in class during various units) may help
students to complete the pages of the SOL Review Packet.
4) SOL Review Sessions: After school review sessions are being held on Tuesdays and select Saturdays from now until
the exam. Each week, a different teacher will lead the review session and the session will focus on specific content from
a particular unit of instruction. Students will receive 5 points of extra credit towards a quiz of their choice for each review
session that they attend. To receive the extra credit, students will need to ask the “host teacher” of the particular session
to sign their attendance document, which was handed out in class.
5) Interactive SOL Review Activities: In early-mid May, we will focus much of our time
on preparing for the SOL. During this time, in addition to working on their SOL Review
Packet, students will engage in interactive review activities.
***Of course, the most important thing before any test is to get enough sleep (AT LEAST
EIGHT HOURS) and eat a healthy, filling breakfast!***