MHS BIOLOGY
2015-2016
Instructor: Bonnie B. Baugh
baugh.bonnie@meridianschools.org
350-4160 x1131
Rm.131
Textbook: Prentice Hall Biology
Textbook web: PearsonSuccessNet.com
Name: MHSwarriors
FIRST SEMESTER:
Password: blue&gold15
2015
SECOND SEMESTER:
Intro Unit Scientific Method and Measurement
Unit 1: Biochemistry
Unit 2: Cells and Cellular Energy
Unit 3: DNA and RNA
Unit 4: Genetics
Unit 5: Evolution and Taxonomy
Unit 6: Ecology
Basic Classroom Rules
Discipline Procedures
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

SAFETY FIRST (Do No Harm)
2016

1. Verbal warning *If behaviors are covered in the rules
Do not disrupt my ability to do my job
and handbook you don’t need/get another verbal warning.
NO sleeping
2. Detention to complete notification home
NO foul/disrespectful language
or parent contact
NO food or drink (water is recommended)
3. Discipline referral to administration
NO cell phones, iPods, electronics, etc.
*Any student observed using technology for non academic or personal communications will be subject
to disciplinary actions and/or academic deductions for daily participation of relevant coursework.
Grading Policy
Final Cumulative Grade based on overall percent
A
=
90 %
B
=
80 %
C
=
70 %
D
=
60 %
F
=
below 60 %
Weighted Grades
25 % Tests / Quizzes
25 % Labs / Projects
40 % Daily Participation
(classwork/homework/stamps…)
10 % EOC (End of course exam)




This course can be academically challenging. Even at only 10% the EOC has the potential to change your grade if you
do not perform well on this single test. This test is not subject to test corrections. It especially has the ability to
impact a student who is very close to the cut off of any grade. You should save your unit study guides for EOC
review and you should take the time to complete the semester reviews for the semester EOCs. Good luck/hard work.
WISH LISTS:
hand sanitizer
kleenex
paper towels
If you can provide any of the following items I am grateful.
wipes
plastic cups
paper cups
pencils
colored markers
composition notebooks
notebook paper
glue sticks
more kleenex
Classroom Behavior Expectations
Welcome Students and Parents
I hope for a great year in science. Here are some of the most important things to know and expect about me and this
course. Please read through this and KEEP A COPY IN YOUR 3 Ring Binder that you bring to class.
Behavior:
The biggest thing I need all students to understand is why we are in class together – education. You need to
make sure your behaviors reinforce this and not disrupt the educational process. I expect all students to be kind and respectful
to each other in class. No one wants to be in class with mean people. We are like a small community and we have to be together
for months. I want all students to feel safe and be happy to be in school. I expect all students to treat MHS school property
respectfully. Tax payers have put lots of our hard earned income into the materials you have the privilege of using in school.
Besides – it is a crime to deface or destroy property; public or personal. Criminal behavior is definitely not acceptable in class.
Your work ethic is more important than a grade. Make sure you do your own work. I will mark all papers observed being copied
including the persons paper being copied. Both students will lose points on the assignment. If you are observed copying or
cheating on a test it will automatically be an academic disciplinary issue. Be honest and do your own work or have the integrity
to take the loss if you didn’t do it. Talk to me and ask for more time but don’t get caught up in the thinking error that it is OK
to copy and cheat. It is not OK. Cheating is not an option. Get help if you need it. Use a pass or phone a friend but don’t cheat.
Grades:
Your grade is mainly daily class work and participation in labs and projects. Your work ethic is an important
part of you future success in school and goes way beyond academics like supporting your family, maintaining a job or a successful
career. Your tests and formal assessments will make up less than half your grade. Most units will have a workbook grade, a lab
activity or project grade, one-two quizzes and unit test. Workbook grades will be entered at the conclusion of each unit. Your
workbook is roughly equivalent to a test grade.
Late Work:
Late work can be turned in up until the unit test or the end of the quarter. All late work will be automatically
reduced by 30%. That can really hurt your grade so please try to get your work done on time. Be on time. It will make a
positive difference everywhere. Talk to me if you need a time extension. If you have good reason not excuses then I will likely
give the extra time.
Test:
You will have 6 unit tests and the EOC Final Exam. You will be allowed to make test corrections on the unit
tests only if you come in on your own time within one week of the tests. Test corrections will be for partial credit only if you
simply choose a new answer. You can get full credit if you look up and justify the new answer. More details after the first unit
test.
Materials:
You will need pencils, a 3 ring binder (paper), and a composition notebook.
Label your name, the date, and period at the top of all your papers. N/D/P – it costs points if you don’t label.
Tardies:
You do not have to be in your seat but you do need to be in the classroom by the end of the bell. I know how
important it is to be on time so I will record every tardy unless it is excused by faculty or staff only. I will not make any
excuses for any student unless I am responsible for you being late. If you are hanging out in the hallway when the bell rings you
are late. When you are late you will need to sign in on the clipboard by the door when you come to class. This sign in record
proves you came to class so please sign in every time.
Absences:
All absences will affect your grade. Make up work is a personal issue, so please take care of it on your own
personal time. I can’t catch you up on 90 minutes of missed class time while instructing class or working with thirty or more
students. See my web site and calendar to get the daily assignments you missed. If you can’t access the web then see me or a
classmate at the beginning of the day, lunch, or immediately after school to get information or class work from your absence.
You have two (2) class periods to make up work from excused absences, including labs, tests and quizzes. Please let me know if
you need more time before the two days are up.
Passes:
You get two (2) passes per quarter. Administration wants students in the classrooms during class, not roaming
the halls, the restrooms or other places. This means you need to come to class prepared with your materials. You have six
minute passing periods that allows you enough to time use the restroom and get to class on time. I will give you a new sheet of
passes each quarter. You will have 2 passes you can use for that quarter only, two for the restroom/locker. Use your passes
wisely but use them if you need them because it is Use it or Lose it.
Good luck this year. Please come see me if you need help with any issue in class or if I request you for Intervention.
MHS Biology 2015-2016
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome to science at MHS. Please sign to indicate that you have received and read the MHS Biology course syllabus and
expectations. If possible, I would really appreciate all relevant signatures for record purposes and to confirm parent signature
and notifications.
I will have assignments posted on my teacher’s calendar page and I hope to link up assignments in Powerschool to make it easier
for you to view, download and/or copy. Many assignments will be placed in Powerschool as a check () .
If your student completes the assignment and turns it in on time they will be checked () off.
If your student did not complete the assignment it will listed as missing (M).
If your student turns it in late it will be marked as late (L).
Checked assignments will be given points at the end of each unit and listed as unit classwork or homework. All checks will be
given full value, late work will be given half value, and zero for missing assignments. I will have class folders for all students
where I will keep student work. Some assignments will be returned that should be placed in their 3 ring binders. Students
should keep all assignments and necessary handouts in their science binder.
I have asked your student to get a limited number of supplies. I know school supplies can be
Composition Notebook
expensive for eight classes. I can help if there are any issues with binders. Nearly all class, lab, and
activity materials will be provided for your student. Occasionally I may send a request home with
your student for supplies we don’t have for an activity. I have asked for a composition notebook for
this class. Please look at the graphic if you are unsure what it is. Almost all of the designs I have
seen actually say Composition Notebook and are smaller than a traditional notebook and can be
purchased at the dollar stores. I will occasionally instruct your student to bring this home to share
their work with you. I will periodically request your signature for grade confirmations and may
request your participation or comment on your students work.
Parents, please assist with the technology issue. The cell phones and IPODS/MP3s can and have been a major disruption in
classrooms. Please be a good example by not texting your student during the day if you know they will be getting on their phone
to see who is texting them. If you need to contact your student right away please use the proper method which is the office.
They will get a message to your student the old school way – it still works. If your student gets to the DR step I will
recommend a NO TECH contract for your student for the balance of the semester.
Please complete the attached Science Safety Contract and return both papers the first week of school. I will start off the
gradebook with these two checked assignments. If you have any concerns or questions at any time please contact me through
voicemail or district email. Please leave voicemail if you need to make contact as soon as possible and I will reply at the earliest
possible opportunity. I look forward to the new school year and hope for a successful one for us all.
Thank you for your time.
Student name: ________________________
Bonnie B. Baugh (B3)
short signature: B.Baugh
Student signature: _________________________ Period: ______
(print)
(cursive)
Parent name: _________________________
Parent signature: ________________________________________
(print)
(cursive)
Phone: ______________________________
email: _________________________________________________
Parent name: _________________________
Parent signature: ________________________________________
(print)
(cursive)
Phone: ______________________________
email: _________________________________________________