RL III BIOLOGY SYLLABUS
Ms. Reed - A122
Mr. Graham 1st semester/Mrs. Groy 2nd semester– B103B
2012-2013
General Information:
Phone number: Ms. Reed (610) 627-6297, Mr. Graham (610) 627-6360
Mrs. Groy (610) 627-6360
E-mail address: hreed@rtmsd.org (school) or msreedpenncrest@verizon.net (home)
1st semester: segraha@rtmsd.org, and 2nd semester: lgroy@rtmsd.org
Homework hotline: 8097
Web-site: Access through district web site – www.rtmsd.org (See Ms. Reed’s page)
Textbook: Biology, Holt, Rinehart, Winston (2008 edition)
Course Content:
Introduction to biology
Cells
Characteristics of life
Functions and life processes
Importance of biology
Cellular organization
Biochemistry
Cellular respiration
Properties of atoms & molecules
Photosynthesis
Organic molecules
Taxonomy
pH and enzymes
Characteristics of kingdoms of organisms
Genetics
Characteristics of phyla of invertebrates
DNA and protein synthesis
Structures and functions of organisms
Cell growth and division
Life processes of organisms
Patterns of inheritance
Ecology
Evolution
Field study to Ridley Creek
Charles Darwin & natural selection
Speciation
Grades:
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Participation/classwork - Presence and active participation required (15%)
Homework - Given approximately three times a week (15%)
Quizzes - One per chapter (5%)
Tests - Approximately three per marking period (30%)
Labs and Laboratory reports – Approximately 2-3 labs per chapter, and 1-2 formal lab
reports per marking period (30%)
Projects – If given, one per marking period (5%) (if not given, more lab activities will take
the place of projects)
Mid-term exam and Keystone exam - Each accounts for 10% of the course grade. Keystone
exam is a state exam given in May that replaces the final exam.
Grading practices and progress reports:
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Approximately 25-30 grades per marking period; 400 points per marking period.
Student grades are available online anytime. It is the student’s responsibility to
keep track of any assignments due.
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Assignments labeled with a “Z” can be made up (student is absent when collected, for
example); those labeled with a “0” cannot (homework assignments not done on time, labs
past 5 days late).
Expectations:
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Treat everyone with respect. This creates a climate conducive to learning.
Arrive to class before the bell. If lateness becomes an issue, disciplinary action will be taken.
Arrive to class prepared. Have with you your folder with current packet and lab papers,
homework, and a functional pen or pencil.
 Textbooks: Textbook is available online for students with computer access at home.
Students without computer access will have a book signed out to them that they are expected
to keep at home. A class set of books will be available for use in class, so students do not
need to bring a book to class.
 Notebooks: You will receive a packet for each chapter that will include notes, classwork and
homework – keep this in a folder. No need to keep a separate notebook. Notes will be given
in PowerPoint format, which we will highlight and underline..
 Before you come to class, use the lavatory, water fountain, phone, and go to your locker.
 Turn in your work on time. You will not receive full or partial credit for homework left at
home or in your locker. You will not be permitted to leave class to get it. Late
homework is not accepted. Each homework assignment is worth 5 point unless told
otherwise.
 Lateness policy for major assignments (labs, reports, projects, etc.). For each day that an
assignment is late, you will lose one letter grade for that assignment. After 5 days, the
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assignment will no longer be accepted.
If you are absent. You must make up your work. See us about deadlines for doing so
immediately upon return to school.
Website: All notes and worksheets are available on Ms. Reed’s website.
No food or drinks. Place trash in trash can or recycling bin. Do not write on the desks. Do
not touch the computers, printer, gas, faucets, shower, eye wash, lab equipment, my desk,
etc., unless we tell you to do so.
Neatness counts. Turn in work that is neat, legible, and shows your best efforts. If it is not
legible, grade = 0.
Follow directions. This is especially important concerning lab safety.
Talking. This is permitted only after raising your hand and being recognized by the teacher.
Do not call out.
Hints for success in biology:
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Pay attention. Listen and participate in class. Highlight and underline the notes during class
time, and add to them. If you need something repeated, raise your hand.
Study outside of class. Review the material covered in class each day. This will make it
much easier to study for tests.
Stay organized. Keep the packet and any lab sheets for the current chapter in a folder. Once
a unit has been finished, we will keep the packets in a folder in the classroom so that you can
study from them for your final exam.
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Set priorities. Don’t wait until the last minute to start a major assignment or to study for a
test.
Seek out help when needed. Ask questions during class. See us after class if you still don’t
understand. We are available after school most days for extra help. If you’d like to stay
after, see us to arrange a time.
Use your teacher’s website, your textbook website, and read your textbook. There are many
resources available in both to help you understand the material better.
To use online biology textbook:
 Go to http://my.hrw.com
 Enter the username and password provided by your teacher
 Select “Go to Interactive Online Edition”
 Select the current chapter from the drop down menu, and click “Go”
 To read the book, select the “Book pages” tab at the top of the page
 Select the “eActivities” tab to do any of the following:
o Visual concepts – shows multimedia presentations
o Textbook audio – have textbook read aloud
o Concept map
o Lab videos
o Virtual investigations
 Select the “Student resources” tab to do any of the following:
o “Chapter resources” tab
 Online resources
 Worksheets (some of your packet pages come from here)
 Labs and activities
 Assessments
 Spanish resources
o “Section resources” tab
 Click on the “+” in front of each section to see worksheets, labs and
activities, and SciLinks
*****In Chapter 1, if eActivities tab or Student resources tab does not work, go back to the
Book pages tab, and forward to pages 4-5*****
Extra credit policy: RL 3 Biology
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Find an article on something related to the science of biology (it need not be something we
are currently studying). If you are unsure whether you can use a particular article, we will be
more than happy to look at it first for you.
Read the article, and write a one-page summary of the article. In other words, tell us in your
own words what the article was about. Then, turn in a copy of the article with your
summary.
Summaries must be typed, using a 12 font and 1-inch margins
Article summaries can earn you anywhere from 0-5 points, depending on the length and
quality of your work. Anything less than one full page will not earn you 5 points.
Summarize the article in your own words. Do not copy from the articles. Plagiarism will
result in 0 points.
You can do as much extra credit as you wish to do, however your extra credit can add no
more than 5 percentage points to your grade. In other words, your extra credit can bring you
from a 55% to a 60% and no higher.
Extra credit can be done until the last day of the marking period.
We will not grade extra credit until after the marking period ends. Plan accordingly.
Other extra credit opportunities may arise throughout the course of the year, so listen for them!