Pre-AP BIOLOGY
Mrs. Nydia Herzog
(281) 245-2232 ext.4656
nherzog@alvinisd.net (preferred method of communication)
Room B202
Parent-teacher conferences may be scheduled by appointment only during 1st period between 7:30-8:15am or by appointment
after school Monday – Thursday.
Welcome to biology, the study of life! It’s going to be an awesome year as we walk through the science of life, from the tiny cell to how those
cells fit into an ecosystem!
Course Overview: Biology is the study of living organisms, their origins, how they survive, reproduce, change over time, and interact with
each other and their environments. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern
biology and scientific processes. Laboratory investigations play a more prominent role in the Pre-AP course. Labs are more complex than in
the regular curriculum and students are expected to design and carry out experiments using appropriate methods and resources. Pre-AP
Biology students will be required to participate in and produce an out of class science project.
Students enrolled in 9th grade in this course are required to take and score a minimum grade on the STARR Biology End Of
Course (EOC) assessment as part of their graduation requirement.
The following includes important information about my classroom policies and procedures.
I. Classroom policies
Student Expectations:
1. Students will enter the classroom prepared and ready to work when the bell rings.
2. Students will respect themselves, other students, teachers, staff, guests, classroom tools, substitute teachers, and the school
building.
3. Students will abide by expectations and guidelines in the Student Handbook.
Classroom and laboratory rules:
1. Follow directions.
2. Do not disrupt the learning of others.
3. No eating or drinking in class (water allowed)
4. Do not spray perfume, hair spray, or body spray in class.
5. All laboratory procedures and safety guidelines will be followed at all times
Individual Corrective Action:
1. Warning/Reminder
2. Stand in the hall during class and stay after to talk to the teacher
3. Parent contact
4. After school detention with parent contact
5. Office referral
Please note that a severe infraction or frequently repeated offense will result in immediate office referral and parent contact.
Detentions must be made up within one week or an office referral will be given.
II.
Materials & Supplies Must Have List
 2 1-subject Spiral notebooks (1 notebook will not be used until the 2nd semester)
 Pencils & erasers
 Pens (blue or black ink, NOT red, purple, pink or neon green. If you want to color code notes, feel free, but all papers turned
in must be blue, black or pencil. Points will be deducted from all papers not following this request.
 1 box of tissues to contribute to the classroom for the year
 Colored pencils or markers
 Loose leaf notebook paper
III. AISD Grading policies
 Please refer to the Grading Guidelines section of the student handbook for more detailed information about grading policies.
 Biology is a 1year, 1 credit course. The semester grade is an average of the two 9-week grades and the semester exam. The
two semester grades will be averaged at the end of the year for the course grade.
 Each nine week grade is computed based on the following:
Grade percentages:
Tests:
40%
Labs:
40%
Daily work: 20%
Tests: There will be two to three major test grades per nine weeks. Calculators may be used for tests when mathematical computations
are necessary. Calculators may not be shared or borrowed during tests. Sharing will result in a grade of zero. Re-teaching and
retesting will be offered if 50% or more of the students in a period do not score at least 70% on a test or assessment.
Quizzes: There will be quizzes, announced and unannounced. Prepare yourself by doing your homework, paying attention in class,
and during lab exercises. Some quizzes will count as daily grades, while others will count as lab grades. Whining about pop quizzes
only encourages more 
Labs: Lab grades are based on participation during the lab, adherence to safety regulations, lab cleanliness, and the written report. The
only information that may be shared or copied for lab reports is DATA. A signed lab safety contract is required for participation in all
labs.
Lab Reports: Lab reports are to be professional quality, typed or hand written, and in the format provided by the instructor. They
are due the beginning of class usually within one week after the lab is completed. Approximately 4-6 labs will be formally written.
Other labs and investigations may only have data, conclusions, and analyses. Guidelines for the formal lab reports, including a
grading rubric, will be given prior to the first formal lab report.
Homework: Homework will be assigned sporadically. It is expected to be finished and turned in on time. Recording this on your
calendar will make it easier to remember. Sports, jobs, church, social outings, etc. are all good things, but are NOT good excuses to not
do homework.
Projects: Projects will be assigned that will require work in class and at home. Some projects will be individually assignments and
others will be group work. Projects will either count as a test or lab grade.
Late work: Late work in Pre-AP course will be accepted with penalty during the first nine weeks of the course following the Alvin ISD
Grading Policy. Students and teachers should discuss any extenuating circumstances that may allow for extensions.
The table below reflects the maximum percentage of the possible grade a student is to receive for late assignments.
One day late
80%
Two days late
60%
Three days late
no credit
Make-up work: You should avoid absences on test days and lab days. If you are absent for a test or lab, it is your responsibility to
make up the work at the next available time before or after school. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. If
you need extra time for completion of make-up work, please speak to me and make arrangements for an extension prior to the due date
for your assignment.
Tutoring: My scheduled tutorial days are Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2:55 to 3:40pm. Other tutoring times may be made by
appointment only. A tutorial schedule for the Science department will be posted in each science classroom and on the MHS Science
website. I encourage all students to take advantage of tutoring but especially if they are having difficulty in class.
Notebook: To pass this course you will need to keep a notebook. This should include any handouts you get in class, lab notes, and
daily lecture notes.
IV. Tardiness: You should be in your seat getting started on the warm-up when the bell rings. If you are walking
standing outside the door, or sharpening your pencil for 5 minutes you will be tardy.
around talking,
V.
Absences: In the case of planned absences due to school business, trips, functions, etc., arrangements for assignments should be
made prior to the function. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed due to absences. The number of days
allowed for makeup work will equal the number of days absent.
How do I find out what happened in class while I was absent?
It is your responsibility to ask Mrs. Herzog for your make-up work. Please remember to get homework/make up work turned in on
time after an absence. If you know you will be absent for an extracurricular activity, it is best to ask Mrs. Herzog for your make-up
work prior to being absent.
VI. Cheating: Sharing answers during assessments (tests, quizzes, lab reports, worksheets, etc) is strictly forbidden. Talking in general
during quizzes and tests is considered cheating. Anyone caught doing this will be awarded a grade of zero for the assignment as a
consequence for cheating and an office referral.
VII. To leave class: Do not ask to leave during a lecture, quiz, test, or lab. If we are working on individual work, you may go as long as you
obtain permission. If you abuse this privilege (leave regularly or not go where you have asked to go) you will not be allowed to leave
again.
VIII. BYOD: Bring Your Own Device (technology). The following procedures will be enforced in Mrs. Herzog’s classroom at all times. If a
student is not following these classroom procedures, consequences will follow.
1)
2)
3)
4)
During class time when devices are not being used as part of classroom instruction, devices should not be out or used for
other purposes.
When devices are being used, only website, apps, etc that are appropriate for the lesson will be used.
If a student is abusing their device by not following these procedures, the device will be taken up and turned in to the office
according to MHS campus policies.
If a student does not have a device, he/she will not be penalized.
Textbooks
IX. Textbooks: Pre-AP Biology students are encouraged to have access to a Biology textbook at home. You may request a textbook from
MHS or you may use the online version of the textbook (which is recommended). If you choose to use the online textbook, you must be
certain you will always have access to the internet.
A note from Mrs. Herzog:
It is my goal to keep open communication with both my students and their parents. If you have any questions or would like to talk with me,
please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. I will do my best to reply as soon as possible. To better meet the needs of all
students, this course outline can be modified at the teacher’s discretion.
Stay informed of reminders, tests, and major projects by signing up for Remind101. Remind101 is a one-way text messaging and email
system. With Remind101, all personal information remains confidential. Visit www.remind101.com to learn more.
To sign up for my text message alerts, text: @haploid to 469-643-4531
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