9th Grade Biology Syllabus 2012-13
Mr. D. Lamar MEd. /Biology Instructor/ Room 1
Palmetto Scholars Academy
School phone: (843) 300-4118
e-mail: dewitt.lamar@palmettoscholarsacademy.org
Dear Parent/Guardian and Students,
I had the pleasure of welcoming your student into my Biology class. I hope that
he/she will find this class both interesting and enjoyable. The following information has
been written so that you and your student may better understand the routines of this class.
Please review this syllabus with your son/daughter, and have him/her return it to school
signed on the lines provided by Aug 31st. Students will keep this copy of the syllabus in
their Biology notebook (bio-log). If you would like an additional copy for your future
reference, I can easily provide you with one.
Course Description:
Biology is a course designed to develop an understanding of living things. Our class will
have multiple lab activities and explorations using research based inquiry skills,
presentations, science fair projects, scaffolding, socratic seminars, field trips, and guests
from the Biology field. The scientific method is emphasized throughout the year. The
biology standards provide students with a basic knowledge of living organisms and the
interaction of these organisms with the natural world. The standards establish the
scientific inquiry skills and core content for all biology courses in South Carolina
schools. Biology courses should serve as the foundation for higher-level science courses
and should give students the science skills necessary for life science–related technical
careers.
Teachers, schools, and districts should use these standards to make decisions concerning
the structure and content of Biology 1 and Applied Biology 1 and 2. Educators must also
determine how all biology courses in their schools, as well as individual classes, may go
beyond the standards. These decisions will involve choices regarding additional content,
activities, and learning strategies and will depend on the objectives of the particular
courses. All biology courses must include inquiry-based instruction, allowing students to
engage in problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, and applied learning. All
biology courses are laboratory courses (minimum of 30 percent hands-on investigation
SEPUP/Issue -Oriented Science).
Biology laboratories will need to be stocked with all of the materials and apparatuses
necessary to complete investigations. The standards in the biology core area will be the
basis for the development of the items on the state-required end-of-course examination
for Biology 1 and Applied Biology 2. The skills and tools listed in the scientific inquiry
sections will be assessed independently from the content
knowledge in the respective grade or high school core area under which they are listed.
Moreover, scientific inquiry standards and indicators will be assessed cumulatively.
Therefore, as students progress through the grade levels, they are responsible for the
scientific inquiry indicators—including a knowledge of the use of tools—in all their
earlier grades.
Methodology/Instructional Design:
All biology students will conduct a comprehensive and deductive inquiry based
course which challenges the mind. Conceptual knowledge will be a key focal
point in attaining the ideals within all subjects areas in Biology. This course is
designed to utilize hands on activities, deductive reasoning, on-sight learning,
shadowing, class discussion, lecture, and presentation skills.
Delving Deeper
Language of the discipline: Students will learn key terms through investigative inquires
with in the discipline of Biology. Investigations will include, diseases, cancer
research, microbial transmission, and evolutionary inquiry.
Rules: Students will learn the principles of scientific inquiry through investigations
designed by Sepup Biology.
Ethics: Students will exercise the ability to have ethical conversations when working with
lab partners during deductive reasoning and socratic seminar activities on topics
such as: The Evolution of Man and The Creation of Life.
Trends and Details: Students will connect real world scenarios to the classroom.
Example: The spread of the H1N1 virus and its containment/prevention strategies.
Supporting Complex Thinking and Interdisciplinary Connections
Multiple Perspectives: Students will conduct experiments and create modifications to
expand knowledge.
Across Disciplines: Students will use strategies from all disciplines to input and output
information to the classroom within inquiry based lessons. Computer Skills,
English skills, and STEM recognition are some examples.
Habits of Mind:
Creating, imagining, innovating: Students will use these skills to complete and expand
on experiments, investigations, science fair projects, and in lab reports.
Striving for accuracy: 100% factual information is to be utilized for lab reports, tests,
inquiries, article readings, and socratic seminars.
Questioning a posing problems: Socratic Seminars will be used to provide investigative
question and answer sessions to clarify topics before testing or closing a
unit.
Thinking flexibly: Students must think outside of the box to expand their knowledge of
discussed topics. Redesigning experiments to attain a different perspective
is paramount.
Outcomes:
KNOW: All Biological standards and key terms.
UNDERSTAND: Biological concepts such as genetics and evolution
DO: Students will work independently and cooperatively to complete inquires and
experiments.
Learners are expected to:
• Complete all assignments.
• Participate and actively engage in discussions with fellow learners while contributing to
the social
construction of knowledge.
• Be self-directed and self-motivated.
• Ask for assistance when they need it.
Technical Requirements
• Word Processor
• Internet service provider
• E-mail
Biological Science Scope and Sequence Unit Themes (subject to change):
* biodiversity/classification
* genetics
* cells & cellular processes
* ecology & evolution
* biochemistry
* microbiology
Required Materials:
* Students should come to class with their textbook, planner, Biology Notebook,
loose-leaf paper, and a pencil each day.
* Students should bring completed homework when assigned.
* Students should keep all their science papers in a 3-ring notebook with
dividers which they will need to have in class every day.
* Students will need a jump/flash drive/memory stick for computer work.
Materials Provided from PSA: SEPUP Lab Aids and Biology Textbook.
Classroom Expectations:
• Students are expected to be in their seat and ready when the bell rings.
• Materials (textbook, pencil, paper, and notebook) must be brought to class each day.
If you do not bring needed materials to class you will be sent to your locker to get
them and will also receive a tardy if you are not in the room when the bell rings.
• The laboratory or room must be clean at the end of the period before leaving.
• Treat everyone with respect.
• Follow the instructions gives by teacher or lesson.
• All school rules will be followed as stated in the student handbook.
• All safety rules as stated in the Science Safety Agreement must be followed.
You must sign and return in order to participate in labs.
Keys for Success in Biology
• Have a positive attitude!
• I am here to help you succeed, so feel free to ask me for help. I am available before
and after school in my room
• Ask lots of questions. If you are unclear about something from the textbook, lab, or
from discussion, ask.
• Make sure that you understand how the lecture, homework, and labs interrelate.
Labs and homework are designed to reinforce significant ideas from the text. Make
sure that you see these connections.
• Start studying for tests early. By studying and reviewing each night you are not only
helping to prepare for the test more effectively, you are also more prepared for class
each day and any quizzes that may be given.
Requested Materials:
* Package of loose leaf paper and #2 pencils for your student to keep at home or
in his/her locker
to use as needed.
* Package of color pencils/markers, small school scissors, ruler, glue, red
checking pencil/pen etc.
to be brought to class when requested.
Daily Work, Homework, Exams:
* Daily work is very important. If a student comes to class regularly, and
honestly attempts to complete all assigned work, he/she will not fail this class.
* Bio-Log: Notes, activity sheets, observations of experiments and
demonstrations, homework assignments, quiz and test papers, etc. are to be kept
organized into the student's biology notebook. All pages should be titled and dated
and the Biology notebook is to be kept organized at all times.
Students will be asked to turn their log in periodically for a grade.
* Homework will be assigned frequently, but not every night. You may read from
your book/on-line text, or listen to the reading at the website. Note-taking is
STRONGLY encouraged!
* Projects: Students will be given ample notice and sufficient time to complete
larger assignments such as the insect biodiversity collection, research projects, or other
larger projects, as well as the quarterly Biology Current Event Reports and E.O. Wilson
Projects.
* Tests: Quizzes will be given periodically and an exam will be given at the end
of each unit. Should your student do poorly on an exam, he/she may correct it for
additional credit. See Q & A sheet for details.
Absences:
A student with an excused absence will be allowed to make up missed
assignments without penalty. However, he/she will only be granted time to complete
make-up work equal to the number of days absent, and it is the student's responsibility
to request and complete make-up work. If you miss Biology due to a school related
activity, but are at school for part of the day, work will be assigned/due with the rest of
the class. Please see me before/after school to turn in work/ pick up assignments.
Those students with UN-excused absences are not eligible to receive credit for make-up
work.
Late Work:
All assignments must be completed and turned in on time. If a student fails to
turn in an assignment on time, he/she is still required to complete the work in order to be
eligible for any extra-credit points, but limited or no credit will be given for late work.
Progress reports will be sent home 2 or more times each quarter and any incomplete
assignments on a given progress report not completed and submitted with an excuse
form with-in one week will be recorded as a zero.
Labs and Group Activities:
Science labs and activities can be very exciting, and so everyone will want to
participate. Safety is a top priority in a science classroom, and for this reason
participation will be based on proper behavior (following directions, exercising caution
and good judgment, etc.). For safety reasons, all student materials and belongings must fit
on or under their desks not in the aisles. Safety equipment will be provided by PSA.
Grading Procedure:
Students will be graded on a total points system. Letter grades will be assigned
according to the following scale:
93 - 100 = A
85 - 92 = B
77 - 84 = C
70 - 76 = D
69 and below = F
Final grades will be determined by the total number of points earned by the
student divided by the total number of points possible. Again daily work will count
heavily in your student's final grade.
Students are expected to do their own work. Copying or plagiarizing someone else’s
work, or letting someone copy yours, will result in a zero on that assignment and
could lead to further disciplinary consequences. You are to behave in a way that
demonstrates respect for yourselves, others, your environment, and your teacher.
Please cut and return to Mr. Lamar
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read and understand the Biology Syllabus that has been provided to me:
___________________________
Parent phone #
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Mr. D. Lamar M.Ed.
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Parent/Guardian Signature
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Student Signature