Welcome to Biology!
Hi – I am Mrs. Silber and will be your biology teacher for this year. I am very excited to
have the opportunity to share my love for science with each of you. This year we will
explore the amazing world of living things through a wide variety of experiments and
activities. I am passionate about making biology relevant to each of you in your daily
life and helping you to better understand the world around you. To accomplish this
there are few ideas I want to share with you.
Class Expectations:
RESPECT –Everyone (including myself) will respect each other and our ideas. To
make our class an open place where each of you can feel comfortable asking
questions and sharing ideas we will respect each other.
Attendance – You are an important part of our class and you need to be
present (and on time) in order to contribute. I follow the HPHS attendance
policy.
Preparation – Everyone is expected to come to class ready to learn. This
means bringing the appropriate materials, an open mind, and completing the
required assignments.
Communication – I will relay to you information regarding deadlines, your
progress in class, and any concerns I have. I also expect you to come to me
with concerns or questions you have in a timely fashion. I am here to help each
of you succeed this year.
I am looking forward to our adventures together!
This year we will be covering many interesting and current topics in biology.
Below is a list of the units we will cover and the learning targets for each
unit.
Evolution:
1. Discuss how chemical evolution proceeded from atmospheric gases to small
organic molecules to macromolecules to protocells.
2. Describe how continental drift explains patterns of past and present distribution
of life forms and may have contributed to episodes of mass extinctions during
the history of life.
3. Explain the Darwin-Wallace Theory of Natural Selection.
4. Discuss examples of natural selection resulting in the adaptation of a species to
the environment.
Cell:
1. State and explain the Cell Theory
2. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
3. Hypothesize how the shape (form) of a cell is related to its function.
Cell Membrane Structure and Function:
1. Describe the processes of diffusion, osmosis, active transport and facilitated
diffusion.
2. Demonstrate and explain the process of plasmolysis.
3. Mathematically analyze cell volume to cell surface area ratios and explain why
cells are so small.
4. Describe the function of lipid and protein molecules composing the membrane.
Biochemistry:
1. Explain how the existence of living things is dependent on the chemical and
physical characteristics of water.
2. Describe how the chemistry of carbon gives organic compounds their
characteristics.
3. Describe the structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic
acids.
Energy & Enzymes:
1. Describe the role played by ATP in cells.
2. Define activation energy and describe its role in chemical reactions.
3. Describe the action of enzymes and factors that influence this activity.
Cellular Respiration:
1. Explain the importance of cellular respiration in living things.
2. Summarize the processes of glycolysis, Kreb’s Cycle, and electron transport.
3. Explain the role of mitochondria in the process of cellular respiration.
Photosynthesis:
1. List and describe the reactants needed for photosynthsis.
2. Explain how green plants and algae capture energy from sunlight in the light
dependent reactions.
3. Describe how carbohydrates are produced during the Calvin Cycle.
Viruses and Bacteria:
1. Describe how viruses reproduce.
2. Understand the biology of HIV.
3. Explain why and how bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
DNA:
1. Summarize the work of Watson, Crick, Franklin, Chargaff, and Wilkins in
determining the structure of DNA.
2. Compare and contrast the structure and function DNA with RNA.
3. Explain the process of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.
4. Explain the significance of a universal genetic code.
Mitosis, Meiosis, and Cancer:
1. Specify the number of chromosomes in a cell before and after cell division.
2. Relate mitosis to the uncontrolled cell growth occurring in tumor formation.
3. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.
4. Describe the process of apoptosis and how it is controlled and why it is
important.
Reproduction and Development:
1. Identify and explain the function of the male and female reproductive systems.
2. Relate the events of the ovarian cycle to the levels of LH, FSH, estrogen, and
progesterone.
3. Describe the process of fertilization, cleavage and early development of the
embryo.
Genetics
1. Explain the patterns of Mendelian genetics by solving monohybrid, dihybrid,
multiple allele, and X-linked problems.
2. Explain the relationship between mutation and genetic disorders.
3. Understand the implications of modern gene technology.
Human Evolution
1. Analyze the physical and molecular evidence of human evolution.
2. Explain how natural selection has altered human history.
3. Explain the current and historic relationships among humans and primates.
Policies and Information
Where can we reach you?
My office is in my classroom, G 105. You are always welcome to come and find me
when I am not teaching another class. Due to childcare responsibilities I will not be
around before school. Please make an appointment if you need to meet after school as
I don’t always stay. You and your parents may e-mail me if you are home sick or have
concerns. I will return the contact within 24 hours. My e-mail is: ksilber@dist113.org .
Please put your name or class in the subject line. You may also contact me by phone.
My school phone number is 224-764-2280. I only listen to my voice mail once a day
therefore e-mail is your best option.
What do I need to bring to class everyday?
You need a pen or pencil, your science binder or notebook, your text book (only when I
tell you ahead of time), your lab manual, your school calendar, and any homework that
is due.
How will I be graded in this class?
All points have equal value in this class. You can earn points on homework, in-class
assignments, labs, quizzes, projects, tests, and class participation. We will use both
formative feedback and summative assessment in the class and not all of it will be
graded, though students can anticipate both verbal and written feedback from me.
They can also anticipate self-reflection to be a part of how we monitor growth. Each
quarter is worth 42% of your grade and the final exam and/or project is worth 16%. I
will follow the school-wide grading policy. I do not round grades at the quarter or
semester if you have turned in a late assignment. Therefore an 89.6% is a B+.
%
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76 = C
70-72 = C67-69 = D+
63-66 = D
60-62 = D0 –59 = E
How long do we have to complete our homework and what if it is late?
The due dates of assignments will be clearly posted on the sideboard and announced in
class. For most assignments you will have 3-5 days and labs about a week. Please see
me BEFORE the due date if you know there is going to be a problem completing an
assignment on time. If you don’t turn an assignment in on time it is 2 points off per day
late for 5 days then it is a 0. If you are excused absent on a due date the assignment is
due when you return. There are no make-up points for reading assignments and
questions as we will discuss them in class the day they are due. However to have the
opportunity for extra credit they must be completed. I will return assignments within 48
hours unless an unforeseen issue arises.
Do you give extra credit?
Optional extra credit will be offered once per quarter for an added 1% to your quarter
grade ONLY if you have all assignments turned in (assignments might have been late
but you must attempt every assignment). You will have a variety of options for extra
credit which are on the portal site. In past years these options have included visiting a
museum in Chicago, or watching an online lecture.
What kind of tests will we have? Will we have pop quizzes?
Unit tests will be announced and given at the end of each unit. These unit exams will
be in a variety of styles including short answer, multiple choice, essay, and lab practices.
Most quizzes will be announced in advance.
Will we have lab partners?
Yes, you will have lab partners. You will usually work in groups of 2 or 3. To allow you
to work with a variety of people you will have different partners throughout the year.
What happens if we break something in lab?
You can avoid most accidents if you pay close attention to what you are doing. Always
wear your safety goggles and follow safety guidelines during lab. Sometimes accidents
happen even if you are trying to be careful therefore if accidents occur in lab notify me
immediately so we can take care of the problem safely. Safety First!
What about plagiarism?
If your writing includes 5 or more words directly copied from a source- you need to
place all the words in quotes and use an in-text citation or footnote. “Prion protein (PrP)
plays a central role in Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD) and other transmissible
spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs)” (McCormack 2002). As a good guideline for your
writing in any subject, a paragraph should have less than 25% quoted material. That
means 75% of a paragraph should be written in your own words. Also, anytime you use
a quote in your writing, you need to analyze or discuss it. Please see
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml for information on how to avoid
plagiarism. Note one can share ideas but you may not share words. Five words in a
row taken from another source without quotes is a sign of plagiarism.
Do not use Wikipedia as a source for any cited work.
You can use Wikipedia as a
starting point to orient you to a topic, but I expect that you find good sources for your
written work. You should not use Wikipedia for any written research project.
Most lab reports will be individual and while you will be working with a lab partner in
class your lab reports must be your own work. I take this very seriously as does the
school. One offense of plagiarism in ANY class is reported to the dean and a zero given
of the assignment. A second offense goes on your permanent school record.
Do you have any other polices that I should know about:
I do have some strange rules and polices that are in place in order for us to start class
on time and to maximize learning opportunities.
1. Turning in assignments/Staple Rule: Students may not use the classroom
stapler after the bell rings for the beginning of class. It is student’s
responsibilities to staple papers so we don’t waste time turning in papers at
the beginning of class. You may have your own stapler but may NOT share
it with other students. If papers are not stapled you will be deducted 1
point. All assignments that are being turned in should be in the basket the
first minute of class. If you are not turning in an assignment on time you
must place a piece of paper with your name and why it is late in the basket.
2. If students “shoot a basket” with trash and miss they come in at 7:45am and
wash dishes or the floor. If they make the shot no penalty.
3. No touching stuffed animals on my desk or other objects. Many of these
items were gifts from students and I do not want them broken or lost.
4. Do not write or erase ANYTHING on the side white board without my
permission. This is where important information for all my classes is kept
and it is not acceptable to alter it in any way.
If you have special concerns…
If you are in any special programs, including Special Education and Academic
Assistance, adjustments can be made to help you succeed. Communicate your needs
with me. If special circumstances arise, including extended illness, an illness or a death
in the family, or any other circumstances that may affect you, please see me so
arrangements can be made to help you succeed.