Biology
Mr. Cline
Classroom: 209
Email: andrew.cline@wchcs.org
Obligations:
Textbook: Biology, Prentice Hall
Lab fee: $5.00
This is to be taken care of within the first week of school.
Required Materials:
3-ring binder or folder
Notebook paper
Pen/Pencil daily
Safety glasses (we will discuss this in class)
Laptops are only to be used on specific lab days (students will be given notice before these days). They
are not to be used for taking notes or any other daily classroom activity.
Classroom Procedures:
1. Assignments will be posted in the classroom. It is each individual student’s responsibility to stay
informed about expectations and deadlines.
2. Lab groups will be assigned by the teacher. Lab equipment and materials must be used
responsibly and treated carefully. Points will be deducted from the lab grade if equipment is not
cleaned or stored correctly, or if chemicals are not disposed of properly. Intentionally damaged
equipment will be repaired or replaced by the student.
3. Safety procedures are crucial during laboratory investigations. Any student found practicing
unsafe behaviors (such as not wearing goggles or disregarding teacher instructions) will receive a
grade of zero for the lab and will have to make it up at their inconvenience.
4. Each lab group member is responsible for recording their own data and writing their own lab
reports. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
5. The school dress code will be strictly enforced. Inappropriate dress is not only unsafe in the lab,
it makes others feel uncomfortable.
6. The use of cell phones and listening devices (such as ipods) is not permitted in class. If cell
phones or listening devices are visible or audible at any time, they will be confiscated.
7. Students will receive four hall passes for each semester. These are to be used for emergencies
only and only at my discretion. You will not be permitted to leave the classroom if you have used
all of your passes.
8. Individual and or group help sessions are available after school upon request with 24 hours’
notice.
9. The grades for this class will be broken down per the following:
10% Homework/Classwork
20% Quizzes/Labs
40% Tests
15% Mid-term Exam
15% Final Exam
Behavioral Expectations:
1. Be inside the classroom, sitting in your assigned seat before the bell rings.
2. I will dismiss you when class is over. Do not just get up when the bell rings. This is to ensure
that you receive all relevant clean u or homework instructions for that night.
3. Remain in assigned seat unless working on labs or gathering equipment.
4. Come to class prepared to work.
Have a pen or sharpened pencil, your binder/folder, and textbook ready before class begins.
5. Communicate with others in a positive, respectful, and meaningful manner.
Speak carefully, intelligently, at an appropriate volume, and without interrupting others.
6. Treat equipment and classroom with care. Writing on any surface or damaging equipment is
unacceptable.
7. Food or drinks (plain water in a container with a lid is fine) are not permitted in a science
classroom. It is against the law and just too dangerous.
Consequences for not meeting behavioral expectations include, verbal warning, detention,
parent conference, and/or removal from classroom.
Academic Expectations:
1. Be prepared to learn.
Read your textbook, complete assignments, and study for tests and quizzes.
2. Participate in class.
Devote full attention to instruction, contribute to discussions, actively engage in labs and
activities, and be aware of due dates.
3. Maintain academic honesty at all times.
Students must always complete their own work individually, even if data or information was
obtained as a group. Research papers and projects must be correctly formatted and sources must
be cited. Cheating on a test or quiz, or plagiarizing an assignment (copy calculations or not citing
sources) will result in immediate disciplinary action.
4. Make up missed work on time.
It is the students’ responsibility to make up their work, not the teacher’s.
Testing Policy:
Students will be allowed to take a “second chance” test for up to two tests every semester if they are not
satisfied with their initial grades in order to prove mastery of material if, and only if they meet certain
requirements;
1. Students must have all assignments for that unit finished.
2. Students must make me aware of their intentions at least 24 hours before the second chance test is
administered.
3. Students must take the ‘second chance’ test on the designated day, and there will only be one
designated test day per test after school. I will not schedule additional sessions if one is missed
by a student.
The “second chance” test will not be easier or harder than the original, but it will contain more short
answer questions to allow the student to explain their level of comprehension (over the same material). If
a student takes a “second chance” test, the grade they earn on that test will replace the grade from the
original test. I only encourage students to take me up on this option if they feel that they have really
studied the material and are ready to redeem themselves because the grade they earn will be their grade
for that test even if they score lower than the original test.
Dear parents/legal guardians:
I welcome you and your student into my classroom, and I look forward to a great year!
Please read and sign this syllabus with your child to ensure that you understand the
expectations for my class. If you have any concerns or questions, PLEASE contact me.
Student Signature__________________________________ Date:_________________
Student Email:____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature___________________________ Date:_________________
Parent/Guardian Email:_____________________________
Phone Number:___________________________________