Dear TIGER Parent:
Welcome to Biology! My name is Ms. Meagon Morris. It is a pleasure to work with your child
this year. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to partner with me to ensure your child’s
success this year. My classroom expectations are that ALL students conduct themselves in a
manner that is conducive to learning. If you need to contact me for any reason, please feel free to
email me meagonmorris@lancasterisd.org or you may call me at 972-218-1800.
Classroom Expectations-The TIGER Way
Attend class and be on time
Be prepared to learn and perform your best
Be respectful at all times
Address all teachers and peers appropriately
No use of profanity
NO Eating, Drinking, Cell phone use or Headphones
Rewards
Bonus Points (homework only)
Great Day email to parent
Display of High Quality work
Consequences
Teacher/Student conference
Removal from group
Phone Call to parent
Teacher/Student/Parent conference
Referral to Administrator
Thank you,
M. Morris
Biology/Anatomy & Physiology
Lancaster High School
Course Syllabus
Instructor Name:
Course Name:
Room Number:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
M. Morris
Biology
C130
972-218-1800
meagonmorris@lancasterisd.org
Course Description: Biology is an introductory course in biology designed to cover structures and
functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms, cells,
tissues and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy;
metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms and living systems;
homeostasis; ecosystems and plants and the environment. Students will be
expected to develop scientific models that show an understanding of the natural
world and how systems work. There will also be an emphasis on process skills,
organizing, interpreting and communication of data. This course is part of the
recommended high school plan.
Instructional Resources:
Textbook-Holt Biology
Internet sources:
 www.LiveBinder.com
 www.Explorelearning.com
 www.Studyisland.com
 http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobooktoc.h
tml
Tutoring Schedule: Monday – Thursday
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Required Resources:

1 roll paper towel

1 bottle hand sanitizer

1 box Kleenex

1 glue stick

3 ring binder -optional

5 package dividers-optional

1 2 subject spiral notebook-Must Have!

Notebook paper (as needed)

Map pencils or Crayons
Grading Policy:
See page 12-14 of Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Attendance Policy: See page 4-6 of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Student Dress Code: See page 23-25 of the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct
Student Expectations- The TIGER Way
Attend class and be on time
Be prepared to learn and perform your best
Be respectful at all times
Address all teachers and peers appropriately
No use of profanity
NO Eating, Drinking, Cell phone use or Headphones
Tigers Design Process:
Throughout the school year we will utilize the Tiger’s design Process to help students
solve real world problems.
TIGERS’ Design Process
Biology Syllabus
1st Six Weeks
Unit 1: Science Safety and Evidence Based Thinking
4 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 1.Scientific processes. The student, for at least 40% of instructional
time, conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and
ethical practices.
Unit 2: Ecology
14 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 7 Scientific Concept: The student knows that interdependence and
interactions occur within an environmental system.
Unit 3 Biochemistry part One
5 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 9 Science concepts. Know the significance of various molecules
involved in metabolic processes and energy conversions that occur in living organisms.
Common Formative Assessment Window # 1: 9/24-28/12
End of 1st Six Weeks: 10/5/12
2nd Six Weeks
Unit 3 Biochemistry part Two
5 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 9 Science concepts. Know the significance of various molecules
involved in metabolic processes and energy conversions that occur in living organisms.
Unit 4 Cells
14 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 4 Science Concepts. The student knows that cells are the basic structures
of all living things with specialized parts that perform specific functions and that viruses are
different from cells.
Unit 5 Cellular Processes: Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
8 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 9 Science concepts.. The student knows the significance of various
molecules involved in metabolic processes and energy conversions that occur in living
organisms.
Common Formative Assessment Window # 2: 10/22-26/12
End of 1st Six Weeks: 11/16/12
3rd Six Weeks
Unit 6 Cellular Processes: Cell Cycle
12 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 5 Science concepts. The student knows how an organism grows and the
importance of cell differentiation.
Unit 7 Cellular Process: Protein Synthesis
13 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 6 Science concepts. The student knows the mechanisms of genetics,
including the role of nucleic acids and the principles of Mendelian Genetics.
Common Formative Assessment Window # 3: 11/12-16/12
Benchmark Window: 1/14-17/13
End of Six Weeks: 1/18/13
4th Six Weeks
Unit 8 Genetics and Heredity
15 days
TEKS Strand: Biology 6 Science concepts. The student knows the mechanisms of genetics,
including the role of nucleic acids and the principles of Mendelian Genetics.
Unit 9 Evolution part One
7 days
TEKS Strand: Biology Science concepts. 7: The student knows evolutionary theory is a
scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life.
Common Formative Assessment Window # 5: 2/11-15/13
End of Six Weeks: 3/1/13
5th Six Weeks
Unit 9 Evolution part Two
6 days
TEKS Strand: Biology Science concepts. 7: The student knows evolutionary theory is a
scientific explanation for the unity and diversity of life.
Unit 10 Classification
7 days
TEKS Strand: Biology Science concepts.8: The student knows that taxonomy is a branching
classification based on the shared characteristics of organisms and can change as new discoveries
are made.
Unit 11 Viruses and Bacteria
7 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts.4: The student knows that cells are the basic structures
of all living things with specialized parts that perform specific functions and that viruses are
different from cells.
Unit 12 Plant Structures and Adaptations
6 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts. 10: The student knows that biological systems are
composed of multiple levels.
Common Formative Assessments Window # 6: 3/4-5/13
End of Six Weeks: 4/19/13
6th Weeks
Unit 13: Body Systems
10 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts. 11.The student knows that biological systems work to
achieve and maintain balance.
Unit 14: Experimental Design
10 days
TEKS Strand Biology Science concepts.3: The student uses critical thinking, scientific
reasoning, and problem solving to make informed decisions within and outside the classroom
Final Exam Window: 6/3-5/13
End of Six Weeks: 6/6/13