Course Title: Modern Biology
Description: The Biology course is the study of life. Thorough “hands-on” activities and
cooperative classroom work it seeks to develop in students an understanding of cell physiology,
biochemistry, genetics, ecology and evolution. The course will develop in students the ability to
scientifically solve problems, organize and apply information and formulate questions based on
observations.
Few areas of human knowledge are expanding at a rate comparable to that in the biological
sciences. This course is intended to prepare students to formulate their soon-to-be adult opinions
and practices on accurate and current information. This course is also intended to help prepare
students be successful in higher level high school and college science courses
Instructor: Ms. Valinda Makar
E-mail address: valimakar@paps.net
Expectations
My expectations for a successful year are as follows:
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Come to class on time. Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell will be
considered tardy.
Bring require materials every day unless otherwise directed. Everyone will come to class
prepared to learn. This means with books, notebook, pens or pencils and anything else that
may be required of you. I do not supply writing utensils.
Attend to personal needs before coming to class. I have been instructed to limit passes to
lockers, so please do not ask unless it is an true emergency
Remain in your seat until the end of class. I will dismiss the class when the bell rings and
not before. Class will not be dismissed if there is anyone standing. I do not give out late
passes.
There is no eating, drinking and applying make-up in class. This is a serious health and
safety issue.
Everyone will be respectful to your fellow students and me. This is important especially
when myself or another student is speaking. There can only be one person talking at a time.
There is a lot of information in this course and very little time.
Do not cheat. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the
student who shares his work for an independent assignment and the person who copies it will
suffer the same consequences.
Please listen to the instructions carefully the first time. At this level of high school, I
should not have to repeat things over and over. This especially applies to any Labs we may
be doing. If you have a question, please raise your hand, and I’ll get to you as soon as
possible.
The keyword for this class is RESPONSIBILITY. You are responsible for the grade you earn. (I
don’t give grades; you get what you earn.)
GRADING POLICY
Remember the keyword…RESPONSIBILITY
I have four areas for determining what grades you have earned.
They are:
Homework
Laboratory assignments
Tests and Quizzes
Class Participation
A) HOMEWORK =10%
1. Assignments will be posted in the classroom. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to write it
down.
2. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure it is handed in on time. If you are absent,
you can e-mail it (valimakar@paps.net) to me.
3. No homework will be accepted after we have completed a chapter or unit. This
means you can’t hand in Chapter 1’s assignments at the end of the marking period
when we are studying Chapter 4.
4. Expect long-term projects, reports and assignments. These will be given in addition
to already assigned homework. These are to be done independently of class. You
will be given 2-3 weeks to complete these exercises.
5. I will give you opportunities for extra credit work. Extra credit may not be used to
make up for missed assignments. It is to be used as grade booster.If you want extra
credit please see me. If you have an idea for an extra credit work, please write your
idea down and explain how it relates to what we are learning in class. (a contract) My
approval is needed before you start any work. Ideas can be found in a book in the
front of the class. The name is ”400+ Ways To Show What You Know”.
6. Due dates for long-term projects or reports will be strictly enforced. You will have
been given enough time to get all the work done. Extensions will be given if I am
notified at least 1 week in advance. There will only 1 extension given per project. Any
late projects/reports will have 10 points deducted for every day that it is late. No
Exceptions.
B) LABORATORY ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES = 15%
1. Laboratory work is essential to the course. If you are absent, it is YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY to make up the work. It will most likely mean staying after school.
I will ask only once, it is up to you to ask when you can make up the missed lab.
2. All Lab assignments will be due by the following Lab Class. Only exception is if there
was an absence, it will be due as soon as the lab has been completed.
3. Labs are traditionally conducted in a group of students. These groups will consist of
no more than 2 people. Each person in the group will hand in separate report. I have
the option of assigning people into any group that I feel is necessary. This is not an
excuse for socialization.
4. As the materials for some labs are delicate and deteriorate quickly, if you are absent,
in lieu of doing the laboratory, you may be asked to do report of 4-5 pages on a topic
selected by me that relates to the general lab.
5. Please listen and follow directions carefully the first time they are given and obey the
safety rules.
C) TESTS 60%
1. Tests will be announced ahead of time. If you are absent, you be expected to take the
test as soon as you return to class. Quizzes will be unannounced. If you are absent,
you will be given a make-up when you return to class. If you cut the class, you will
not be allowed to make up the quiz and a “zero”(0) will be averaged into your
grade.
2. Quizzes may come in any form: homework assignments, or worksheets, collected DO
Now’s and even open book formats. If you arrive to class on such a day when an
open book quiz is being given and you don’t have your book…oh well such is life. In
other words, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, to make sure you bring your book to
class every day.
3. All quizzes will counted as one (1) test grade, to be averaged in with you’re other test
grades.
4. Some of the long-term assignments will be graded as a test or as a double test (it will
equal 2 test grades) You will be notified of this when the assignment is given. In this
case, the due date will be strictly enforced.
5. I do not give out writing utensils. You will need a #2 pencil for all tests.
D) CLASS PARTICIPATION 5%
1. Just showing up to class prepared to do work is all that is required.
2. The school just bought new textbooks, please make sure that the books are covered
at all times.
3. At the end of class, you will need an exit pass. This will be piece of paper with your
name on it and at least three things you learned that day.
4. This area will be helpful if you are in between to grades, it could help.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is essential to learning to any subject. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to arrive to class
on time. If you arrive late, please be courteous to your fellow students and go quickly and quietly
to your seat after you have given me your pass. If you don’t have one, make plans to spend some
quality time with me after school. If this becomes a constant problem, administrative action will be
taken. By this I mean, you will have an official detention and the possibility of being dropped from
the class with the loss of all course credit.
If you come to school late, a late slip will be issued. If you miss the first half of a lab class, a cut
slip will be issued regardless of a pass or not.
If you are on a class trip you are RESPONSIBLE for all work covered and due date. This means
going on a trip means you need to hand in the work BEFORE you go. Points will be taken off all
late work without prior notice.
CONSEQUENCES
1. First offense: Verbal warning
2. Second offense: After school detention with me, a late slip and an Action Plan form for you to
fill out and your guardians to sign.
3. Third offense: Administrative detention and a call home.
4. If you don’t show for detention, a cut slip will be issued and administrative action will be
taken.
Again…You will take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions.
MISCELLANEOUS
I should not have to mention this but:
1. Cheating will not be tolerated. You are only hurting yourself. Anyone caught doing
this, will share his or her grade with the other person or receive a zero for the grade
with no chance of a make-up along with a call home and admistrative action.
2. I know that life can be full of surprises and difficult situations. If you are having a
personal, family or other type of problem, please talk to me before the stituation
becomes detrimental to your grade I am not that cold-hearted, together maybe we
can work out a solution.
3. If you decide you are going to take an extended vacation, don’t forget to take your
textbook with you. I will supply you with work to do. You will be expected to make all
the missed work.
4. If you become sick and will be out for a length of time, please call in or e-mail me to
get your homework so you will not fall too far behind the group. I have a web pageb
page that I will have all the homework posted on it.
5. My e-mail address is posted on the board. If you are having a problem, let me know.
You can also e-mail your homework to me.
6. If you are to spend time in ISS or OSS, you are responsible for all missed work.
NAME____________________ ID #_________ DATE_______________ PERIOD_________
Student Responsibility statement: parents/guardian should verify the following statement by
the student.
I,___________________________, have read, understand and agree to abide the classroom /
safety regulations as set forth in this discussion, also any additional printed instructions provided
by the teacher and/or school district. I further agree to follow all other written and oral instructions
given in class.
Date
Student signature
Date
Parent/guardian signature
Please sign, date and return, for a quiz grade.