Biology 1 Pre-AP Survival Guide 2014-2015
Mr. Zimmerman
(713) 251-2702
jason.zimmerman@springbranchisd.com
CLASS INFORMATION
 The objective for the day, activities, and homework assignments will be on the
board each day when you arrive in class. Always record assignments in
your student planner.
 My class website is located at http://mhs.springbranchisd.com/ When you
arrive at the school website, click on the faculty link, followed by the teacher link.
GRADING FOR BIOLOGY
 40% - Tests
 30%- Labs, major projects
 20% - Quizzes, small projects, some group activities
 10% - Daily Work, Homework
MATERIALS
 Notebook paper
 Binder (large 3-ring)
Suggested binder setup - 5 Dividers (class notes, syllabus questions/answers,
hand-outs/practice worksheets, and labs)
 Pens/Pencils/Highlighter
 Map pencils
 Scissors/glue (optional – class set available)
 Box of Kleenex for the classroom (optional)
 Computer/internet/printer access – check with librarian if you do not have
access at home!
EXPECTATIONS:
1. Check the agenda and homework messages on the board every day.
2. Have your planner and homework on your desk when the bell rings. Do not get
behind on your homework assignments. Do your own homework.
3. Don’t cheat. If you are not sure what this means, then please ask. It is NOT
acceptable to share your work with others for them to copy or to receive work
from others for you to copy.
4. Work hard, pay attention during class, and ask questions as needed!
5. Enjoy the journey. Biology is important and relevant to your life!
LATE WORK POLICY:
 Homework: Only accepted on due date at the beginning of the class period.
No late homework is accepted!
 Labs: One day late only = 50% OFF after assignment grade
Over…
MAKE-UP WORK:
 When you return from your absence, please see me about missed assignments
and arrange a make-up date and time.
 The number of days missed is equal to the number of days that you have to makeup your work.
RETESTING:
 Retests in science are given on Wednesday mornings at 6:50AM.
 If you fail a TEST, you have 2 days to turn in a retest request form after you are
notified of the failing grade. The retest must be taken within 3 days of
notification, or the first Wednesday morning following notification. The retest
will be different from the original test. A tutorial is required before retesting.
 The retesting policy does not apply to quizzes.
TUTORIAL DATES/TIMES:
 Please let me know when you are planning on attending tutorials so
that I will be in my room at that time!
 Tuesday 7:10-7:45AM; Wednesday 3:00–3:30PM. If these times don’t work for
you, let me know!
STUDY QUESTIONS FROM SYLLABUS:
Study questions are found in the syllabus and have a capital letter next to
them. This is your study guide for the test. The syllabus questions are due
on the day of the test and should be handwritten! Check the assignment
board in class for due dates. Don’t get behind! These questions are designed to
help you process class information and review for your test. To complete the study
questions, you should, first, read the section indicated on the syllabus. Next, check your
understanding by answering the syllabus questions for that section. At times, you may
need additional resources to help you answer the study questions, for example, the
Internet.
TESTS
Your tests will cover syllabus questions, handouts, labs, and class discussion notes.
Many of the questions will require higher level thinking. We will test on even numbered
days. Typically, one week notice is given before a test. Check the assignment board!
LAB WORK:
Some lab activities will be turned in on paper. More instructions will be given soon
about this procedure. All missed labs must be made-up!!!
COLLABORATION: Another important aspect of scientific work is collaboration with
peers. When people form a group, each member of the group sees things in a slightly
different perspective, thus stimulating creativity and speeding up the scientific process.
In fact, no matter what career you pursue, being a productive member of a peer group
will be vital to your success. For these reasons, many of your activities will be done in
groups where each person is a contributing member. Part of your grade will be based on
your group participation.
When working on a lab activity, you will most likely have the same data as your
members. However, your lab conclusion and analysis of the data must be
your own!! Do not copy another group member’s conclusion!
Part of your grade will be based on your constructive participation and
positive attitude during the activity.
CHEATING POLICY (from student handbook)
Cheating shall be defined as:
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Giving or receiving information or help on a test
Possession of any unauthorized material during a test
Copying another student’s assignment
Knowingly allowing another student to copy from his/her assignment
Submitting duplicate work or having someone else complete an assignment on
behalf of the student.
Plagiarism, the use of another’s ideas or products as one’s own, is also defined as
cheating
Cheating Examples: sending others your homework answers or labs so they can copy
your work, receiving another person’s homework or lab to copy, copying another
person’s lab report conclusion, taking an image of your work and sending it to others,
taking images of quizzes or tests and sending to others, discussing specific questions or
essay prompts that are on a test or quiz with others, using unauthorized information
during a test, etc. Do not do this!
The penalty for cheating will be a zero for work involved and the student
will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action in cheating offenses.
Biology Pre-AP Class Policies Form:
I have read and understand the policies, procedures, laboratory
expectations/collaboration, grading scale, late work policy, cheating policy,
tutorial options, and materials needed for Pre-AP Biology 2015-2016.
Student Name: ______________________________________________
Student signature: ____________________________________________
Parent signature: ______________________________________________