Mrs. Lookabaugh
preAP Biology
Classroom Guide /Syllabus
2015-16
Course Description
Pre-AP Biology is a preparatory course for AP Biology. The course includes study of the cell, molecular
basis of heredity, biological diversity, interdependence of organisms, organization of living systems,
matter and energy flow in living and nonliving systems, and the behavior of organisms. The course will
use more of the scientific nomenclature and cover topics in greater depth than the regular Biology class.
The labs will be more intricate to prepare students for the required labs in AP Biology. AIDS prevention
education will be taught in this course as mandated by state law. Students will participate in the Biology I
End-of-Instruction Test upon completion of the course
Main Concepts covered during the year
1. The Nature of Science and Safety in the Science Classroom
2. Biochemistry
3. Cells: Structure, Transport, Growth, Organization, Processes
4. Genetics: DNA Structure, Inheritance, Mutation
5. Evolution: Natural Selection, Classification
6. Energy: Regulation, Homeostasis, Exchange
7. Ecology: Populations, Behavior, Development, Reproduction
Five Basic Classroom Rules
1. Follow Directions Quickly.
2. Raise your hand to SPEAK.
3. Raise your hand to LEAVE your seat.
4. Make SMART choices.
5. Keep your Teacher HAPPY.
***To maintain the Five Basic Class Rules You should actively conduct yourself using
the following guidelines.
General Guidelines
1.
Respect the teacher, fellow students, lab equipment, classroom materials and living animals and
specimens at all times.
2.
Be prepared to do work every day. Register online and use your textbook, bring notebook
paper, a 3 ring binder, a writing utensil and LAB notebook every day;, plans may change
without notice. You will need a pencil and pen in here for and colored pencils.
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3.
Be on time and wear your I.D. Do NOT be tardy. 2 tardies = 1 absence. 11 absences and you
fail the course per the student handbook. Be prompt and seated in your assigned seat, ready to
work when the bell rings. Without an I.D. you are not allowed to attend classes.
4. Do NOT disturb or play with lab equipment or any materials in the room until told to do
so and do so only under the instructor’s directions.
5.
No food or drinks will be allowed in class with the exception of water. On days that we
are doing experiments, it is imperative you do not have any food or drinks out in the laboratory.
Any student with food or drink will have it taken away.
6.
No cell phones, ipods, or electronic devices allowed unless given permission during a
specific lab/class activity. Always remember to turn these off when you come to school each
day. They may NOT be in clear view during the class.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: these apply to everyone!
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Handing in papers, please write your name, the date and the class period in ink in the
upper right hand corner. Make a habit of putting your name on papers when they are
initially handed out. Place completed work in the assigned CLASSROOM FOLDER.

Taking TESTS or Quizzes, When a quiz or test is completed, please bring this up to the
front with answer sheet and original test. Do not leave these laying on your table. Return
to your seat, and work quietly on the next task given.

Make up work from Absences, After an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to
obtain notes, assignments, and re-schedule tests, quizzes, experiments. One make-up day
is allowed for each day missed. Please contact me about this ASAP when you are absent
or email me so I can give you missing work. Typically before or after class is best but I
find that during bellwork, students can get missing work at the time.
tamaralookabaugh@mooreschools.com

Clean up your workspace EVERY DAY. Throw away trash, clean off your desk, wash
and dry all equipment or materials used thoroughly and put back neatly in the proper
place.
Semester Exams
A comprehensive semester examination will be included in the semester grade. The examination shall
count no more than 15% of the students’ final semester grade.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments that are handed in on time have the potential to receive full credit. Assignments that are
handed in late, without good reason, will be worth a maximum of 50% credit or less.
Remember that it is the STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to ask for make-up work when he/she is
absent. If a student is to be absent for a school activity, he/she should find out about any make-up work
before leaving for the school activity. Extra worksheets are available at the front of the classroom.
****Students that miss an announced test may be given a different test from the rest of the class. Makeup tests may be in fill-in-the-blank or short answer form.
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Discipline Policy
As a consequence of inappropriate behavior, the teacher may assign detention, send a referral to the
office, and/or contact the parent(s). Detentions will be held in the mornings or afternoons only (based
upon individual circumstances). Failure to serve assigned detentions will result in added detentions
&/or referral to the office. Please make smart choices and think before you act. We all have bad days but
as a young adult you must accept responsibility for your actions. Do your best to choose wisely.
Grading Policy
The grading system in Biology is based on a total point system. Assignments will be worth a varying
number of points based on difficulty level and importance. The categories however are weighted as you
will find in college and technical/trade schools. As you will notice, quizzes and tests weight heavily so
make sure you develop your test taking skills and study each night:
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Daily Work ( 20%)
Laboratory activities and projects/reports (20%)
Chapter tests, quizzes and lab practicals (45%)
Semester Test/Quarterly tests – (15%)
extra credit may be offered not to exceed 5% of grade
(Online assignments are included above.)
MATERIALS REQUIRED:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Biology online textbook (registration by student)
Writing instruments: Pencil for tests, ink pens for writing names on papers, colored
pencils
ring binder ( 2 to 21/2 inch)
writing paper – college or wide ruled
dividers with labels to separate units
Lab notebook (Spiral suggested or a composition book)
Contact Information:
Tamara Lookabaugh
Email: tamaralookabaugh@mooreschools.com
MHS Ph # 735-4700
Conference period – 4th hour (approximately 12-1:00 pm)
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT:
Students are expected to be in their seats and ready to learn when the bell rings. Students will
not be allowed to interfere with the learning process of individuals or the class as a whole. The
school discipline policy as outlined in the student handbook will be implemented as required.
Students are expected to follow all rules and procedures as outlined in this document. If
reckless behavior occurs during an experiment, the student will receive a zero and be barred
from further labs for the remainder of the school year.
__________________________________
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Printed Name
Parent/Guardian Signature
__________________________________
__________________________________
Student Printed Name
Student Signature
PHONE Number/ContactNumber for Parent:______________________________________Best time to call:_________________
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ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEEDED:
Though the district does its best to provide materials for our class, these disposable
items are often in short supply or not available when needed.
If you are able to provide any or all of the materials listed below for our class it
would be GREATLY appreciated. As an alternate for obtaining extra credit a student
may choose to read a short one page scientific article on a current event (provided by
the teacher.) and write a short summary.
You may earn up to sixty points.
Any of the following equal 20 points extra credit:
1 box of Kleenex (100+)
1 box of colored pencils (24+)
1 hand pump soap/hand sanitizer
2 rolls paper towels
Any of the following equals 30 points extra credit:
1 spray bottle of cleaner/sanitizer for tables
1 box gloves (small only 50+)
1 can air freshener (no febreeze or cinnamon please)
****Larger packs or Refill sizes are double points.
1st , 2nd hour Biology may BRINGALL except: NO Colored pencils and NO gloves
3rd and 6th hour Biology may BRING ALL except: NO Kleenex and NO air freshner
5th hour AP Biology may BRING ALL except: NO Paper towels and NO sanitizer/cleaner
Alternative extra credit: (If unable to bring an item(s) above, you may do the
following instead.) To receive 10 points of extra credit you will need to read a science
article I will provide and summarize this in two paragraphs. You can read up to 3 articles for
60 points. These are SHORT articles so they will be comparable to going out and purchasing
an item regarding time spent doing the activity.
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