Clayton Valley Charter High School
Ms. Robin Soto
Subject:
Rm:
Office Hours:
Phone:
Cell Phone:
Email (preferred)
School Website:
Biology
E-3
Tuesdays 3:00 – 3:30, Thursdays 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
(925) 682-7474 ext. 2648
(925) 698-4300
robin.soto@claytonvalley.org
http://www.claytonvalley.org
Required Books:
Prentice Hall Biology and Student Workbook
The Next Generation Science Standards went into effect in California in 2013.
The textbook manufacturers are currently working on a standards-aligned text
specific for California. The Textbook this school is using still contains similar and
valuable information, but is not aligned to the new standards. We will use parts
of the text that are similar to the new standards. The text book may be kept at
home for occasional assigned reading homework. Sometimes, students will be
asked to bring their test book to class—several days’ notice will be given if this is
the case.
About the Subject:
We will cover 8 units (2 per quarter) on the following topics from the Next
Generation Science Standards:
Unit 1: Scientific Inquiry
Unit 5: Natural Selection
Unit 2: Cell
Unit 6: Human Body Systems
Unit 3: DNA
Unit 7: Ecosystems
Unit 4: Genetics
Unit 8: Populations
Materials:
1 3 in Binder
o
o
Binder Paper or 3 70 pg. Notebook
Dividers (to put corrected papers in
 Warm-Ups (May use Composition Notebook)
 Paperwork (Syllabus, Class Rules, Class Logs, Projects, Tests,
Study Guides)



Notes (Vocabulary and basic notetaking)
Worksheets (teacher-generated for classwork and labs)
Workbook
Classroom Guidelines:
In addition to the Clayton Valley Charter High School Rules (see Student
Handbook or website), there are several additional guidelines that must be
followed in this classroom:
 No gum. (Check the underside of the tables for the reason why and
thank previous generations of students for the removal of this particular
privilege.)
 No spraying perfumed products. (Many people are sensitive to strong
smells—spraying perfumes or similar products in a room full of people
may trigger an asthma attack. Please do this outside of the classroom
instead.)
 No food in table trash bins. (Bins are provided for each table for paper
and wrapper trash. Food should be thrown away I the larger classroom
trash can or outside.)
 Keep phones or other electronic devices put away. (Phones or other
electronic devices should be kept out of sight and not in use except for
when the teacher specifically allows it. Phones used out of turn will be
confiscated until the end of the period. Repeat offenders will have their
phones sent to the office to be picked up by a parent or guardian.)
 Bathroom passes. (All students will be required to sign out and sign in
to use the bathroom. Please use this privilege wisely.)
Dismissal Guidelines:
1.
2.
3.
4.
When the bell rings, follow this procedure:
Stay seated – or get to your seat ASAP.
Tidy up your area – pick up any trash and deposit it in the bins
Check your group bin – make sure the bin for your group has all of the
required contents (pens, pencils, sharpener, eraser, highlighters, white-out
and any additional items for that day’s assignments
Wait for dismissal – teacher will release the class when the above items have
been completed. Additional time may be added for classroom discipline
purposes (see below).
Discipline Procedures:
1. Classroom-Wide Discipline: If more than one or two students are being
disruptive, Ms. Soto will ask the class to be quiet – for every 5 seconds of
time that the entire room does not become quiet, a Tally mark will be added
to that period’s count. For each tally mark at the end of the period, the entire
class must stay in for 10 seconds AFTER the bins have been checked.
2. Individual Student Discipline: If only one student is being disruptive or
breaking any of the school rules, the guidelines given by the school will be
followed in order:
 Warning (unless severe)
 Detention (with parent contact)
 Referral (to administration with possible removal from classroom)
The Digital Classroom
Subscribing to the class website:
 Go to the school website at http://www.claytonvalley.org
 Use the Staff Directory and search for Robin Soto, click on my name.
 This takes you to the main page for this class. Choose your period from the list.
 On the right, you will see: +Subscribe. Use your student e-mail account to subscribe to
updates from this page as a student.
 Each evening, you will receive updates for homework and copies of assignments.
 IF YOUR ARE ABSENT – you are responsible for checking the class website and knowing
what you need to do/complete when you return. If there is homework assigned, you are
still responsible for what you have missed.
Student E-mail accounts:
<last name>.<first name>@cvchsstudent.org
Office 365 – Use for Microsoft
Word, Power Point, Excel, and more!
Use for your regular e-mail contact
with teachers and classmates.
<last name>.<first name>@cvchschrome.org
Google – Use for sharing documents
and slides and collaborating with
classmates on Google drive.
Websites we will be using:

ACHIEVE 3000 – you will create an account with your English teacher.

Turnitin.com – you create an account using your School Office 365 account and your
own chosen password.
Period
Class/Section ID
Enrollment Password (lowercase)
2

p2rs
KAHOOT! – download this free app onto any mobile device you will be bringing to class
(or bookmark I in your browser. We may be using this – and other classes will be using it
as well.)

Other websites – As they are introduced to the class.
Grading Scale for Biology
Tests &
Quizzes
30%
There are quizzes at the end of each unit. Benchmark
tests happen three times per year – schedule
determined by school administration
Labs &
Projects
30%
Classwork
Homework
20%
10%
Labs happen on most block days.
Major projects and presentations are at the end
of each Semester
Daily activities and work done in class
Occasional work, study guides, and notes may be
assigned as homework.
Other
10%
Extra Credit opportunities and special projects
(see teacher for details.)