Botany Syllabus
JLMann Academy
Title: Botany
Prerequisite: Biology I
Personal Information:
Instructor: Michelle Jensen
Voice mail: none; leave message at front office 864-355-6300
Email: mjensen@greenville.k12.sc.us
Daily Schedule

Botany/Zoology: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th

Honors Biology: 7th

Planning: 3rd and 6th
Course Description:
Botany is a semester science elective and carries a credit value of 0.5 units. This semester we will
study plants and look at their interaction with life on earth. As a semester class, we will look at an
overview of the plant kingdom, with emphasis on the physiology of plants, plant ecology, evolution,
and classification. Vascular and nonvascular plants will be covered as well as plant tissues, organs,
reproduction, and responses. The ecological and economic importance of plants will be discussed as
well.
Required Materials:

3 ring binder note book with tabs and paper

colored pencils and/or markers

3x5 note cards

pens (black or blue for assignments)

#2 pencils (mechanical or manual)

Optional: highlighters, post-it notes
Lab Fees:
No lab fees are charged but we do accept donations to help us with the cost of expendable items
(reagents, specimens, etc.) used for our labs. Cash or checks are accepted. Please make checks
payable to J.L. Mann High School. Other items that can be donated and are much appreciated
include Kleenex, hand sanitizer, hand soap, paper towels, poster paper, colored pencils, and markers.
You will receive a receipt for your donation. This will be such a great help to us as we plan exciting
labs for the students.
Grading Plan
 Major Assessments count 60% of the grade and include tests, formal lab reports and
projects.

Minor Assessments count 40% of the grade and include quizzes, daily grades, labs, and
homework.

This is a semester class with a cumulative final exam at the end of the 1 st semester. The
final exam counts 20% of the 1st semester grade.

A 93-100; B 85-92; C 78-84; D 70- 77; F below 70.
Homework Policy:
Full credit is given for homework assignments turned in on time. Late homework will not be
accepted and is defined as work not completed by the due date. A grade of “0” will be given for
late homework. Students who are absent on the day a homework assignment is due are expected to
turn in that assignment on the day of their return. For projects five points per day (up to five
days) are deducted for late projects.
Absence/Make-up Work:
For work assigned during an absence, students have up to five days or until a graded assignment is
returned (usually within three days) to complete that assignment. No assignments are accepted
after graded work has been returned. This does not include assignments, tests, or projects that
were assigned before the student’s absence. In other words, an absence does not give them a free
pass to gain extra time on assignments. Projects and homework are expected to be turned in on
the day of return to school or will be subject to late credit. Missed tests and laboratory work will
be made up after school (at teacher discretion) within three days of the absence. Parents will be
notified if students abuse this policy.
Expectations:
 Students are expected to visit the restroom during class changes. Any students entering
class after the bell without a note will be counted as tardy. Two “out of class” passes will be
given per quarter to assist with emergencies. Any medical needs should be brought to my
attention.

Students should ask permission to get out of their seat during instructional time. I will
dismiss the class when the bell rings.

Students are expected to enter the class in an orderly manner and go to their assigned
seat.
Extra Assistance Policy:
I am available after school on Monday from 3:50-4:30. Other times can be scheduled by
appointment.
Attendance and Tardy Policy:
According to district policy, students are allowed ten days of missed school for year long classes
and five days for semester classes. Day’s in excess of this must have a doctor’s excuse or
administrative approval. Any of the ten days can include parent, medical or OSS. Please review the
student/parent handbook for a more detailed explanation of our policy.
Rules for Student Behavior
 Students are expected to be in their assigned seat and ready for class by the tardy bell.

No food or drinks are allowed in class. Students should keep unopened drinks out of sight in
their backpack.

No cell phones are allowed to be out at any point during the class day. Cell phones that are
seen by me WILL be confiscated and given to the grade-level administrator. NO
EXCEPTIONS. Please see the student handbook for details.

Do not interrupt the instructional process by talking out of turn to other students in class.
Communication with Parents:

Parents that provide an email address will be emailed periodic progress reports. Please email
me at mjensen@greenville.k12.sc.us and provide your name, your child’s name, the class and
period they are in.

I also have a personal website at www.schoolnotes.com where you can view class
assignments and sign up to receive email updates for homework assignments and important
messages. I will also be placing assignments here so students can sign up as well. This link
will also be available on my website.

Parents will be contacted when students fail to perform to individual expectations.
Conferences will be scheduled as needed for student achievement and behavior. My
preferred method of communication for minor infractions is by email. I do need
confirmation so please remember to email me back or check that the email has been read.
Pacing Guide: The time span and order of topics are tentative and subject to change.
Units of
Instruction
Chapter
References .
Intro to Plants
22-1
7-2
8-2
Bryophytes
22-2
Seedless Vascular
Plants
22-3
Seed PlantsGymnosperms
22-4
AngiospermsFlowering Plants
22-5
Specialized Tissues
In Plants
23-1
Roots
23-2
Stems
23-3
Leaves
23-4
Transport in Plants
23-5
Reproduction of
Seed Plants
24-1
Seed Development
And Germination
24-2
Hormones and
Plant Growth
25-1
Plant Responses
25-2
Plant Adaptations
25-3
Major
Topics
What is a plant?
What do plants need to survive?
How did the first plants evolve?
How do plant cells use sunlight to make carbohydrates?
What are bryophytes?
What adaptations of bryophytes enable them to live on land?
What are the 3 groups of bryophytes?
How do bryophytes reproduce?
What is a seedless vascular plant?
How is vascular tissue important to ferns and their relatives?
What are the characteristics of the 3 phyla of vascular plants?
What are the stages in the life cycle of ferns?
What is a seed plant?
What adaptations allow seed plants to reproduce without standing
water?
What are the 4 groups of gymnosperms?
What are the characteristics of angiosperms?
What are monocots and dicots?
What are the 3 categories of plant life spans?
What are the 3 principle organs and tissues of seed plants?
What are the 3 main tissue systems of plants?
What specialized plant cells make up vascular tissue?
How does meristematic tissue differ from other plant tissue?
What are the 2 main types of roots?
What are the main tissues in a mature root?
What are the different functions of different roots?
What are the 3 main functions of stems?
How do monocot and dicot stems differ?
How do primary growth and secondary growth occur in stems?
What is the difference between a simple leaf and a compound
leaf?
How does the structure of a leaf enable it to carry out
photosynthesis?
How does gas exchange take place in a leaf?
How is water transported throughout a plant?
How are the products of photosynthesis transported throughout a
plant?
What are the reproductive structures of gymnosperms and
angiosperms?
How does pollination differ between gymnosperms and
angiosperms?
How do fruits form?
How are seeds dispersed?
What factors influence the dormancy and germination of seeds?
What are plant hormones?
How do auxins, cytokinins, gibeberellins and ethylene affect plant
growth?
What are plant tropisms?
What is photoperiodism?
How do deciduous plants prepare for winter?
How are plants adapted to different environments?
How do plants obtain nutrients from sources other than
photosynthesis?
How do plants defend themselves from insects?
Approx.
Time
5 days
3 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
4 days
3 days
3 days