Mater Lakes Academy
Biology Syllabus
Introduction
Dear Parents,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Biology at Mater Lakes. At Mater Lakes, we look forward
to working with you to lead students in a scientific journey this year. Without your help, we
know this would be very difficult. Therefore, we count on your help.
This packet contains instructions on how to set your child to succeed in Biology class. Please
read it carefully. Our teaching philosophy and class design is very unique. It is in your child’s
best interest to become familiar with it. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to
contact me.
Student Expectations
1. Students are expected to come in quietly, be respectful, and sit in their assigned seats.
2. A bell-ringer assignment will be displayed on the board. Students must write down and
complete their bell-ringer assignment while the teacher takes attendance.
3. The teacher will go over the bell-ringer with the students, explain the objective(s) of the day,
and begin the lesson of the day.
4. The home-work will be written on the board for the students to copy. I will also try my best to
have the home-work online for you and the students to see.
5. Literacy techniques, such as Venn diagrams and word maps, will be implemented throughout
the year and integrated in the material covered.
Notifications
Students will receive notifications through a system called remind101.com. This is a computer
based texting system used to inform students and parents about tests, quizzes, and home-works.
This is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended that students and parents sign up through
this system so that they are alert and informed regarding class information. Please keep in mind
that this system is only for notifications, so parents and students will not be able to reply to
messages received. To enroll in this system, students will be provided with the class phone
number and class code.
Textbook
The class textbook is Biology by Miller & Levine. The students are not allowed to take the
textbooks home. All textbooks must remain in the classroom, for we do not have enough books.
However, students will be given a class access code to access the book online. All Biology
students must go to https://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com/ and “Register” with the class access
code. This code will be given to students during class.
Cell Phones & Electronic Devices
Cell phones and other electronic devices are strictly forbidden. This rule will be implemented on
the first day of class. Cell phones and other electronic devices will be confiscated if a student is
seen with it and has previously received a warning. Parents must personally contact the teacher
to receive the device or come by the main office to pick it up.
Disciplinary Action
Work not turned in will result in a parent phone call. Any student who misbehaves or is
disrespectful during the class will also receive a call home. If I cannot contact these students’
parents for whatever reason, I will report the incident to the administration for further action.
Any behavior that results in a continual disruption of class time may result in detention,
suspension, or removal from the class. I will also make a habit of documenting all disciplinary
actions in the grade-book for parents, teachers, and administrators to use throughout the year.
1st Consequence
2nd Consequence
3rd Consequence
4th Consequence
5th Consequence
Consequences
Verbal Warning
Loss of Privilege (e.g. extra home-work)
Parent Contact
Detention
Referral to Administration
Bathroom and Hall Passes
Students are encouraged to use the restroom before and after class. However, there will be one
restroom pass. Students may only go once to the restroom per class. Students will be permitted to
use the restroom more than once only if it is an emergency.
Class Supplies
1. 7 pocket Expanding File (students will receive a mastery grade for this if it is brought to
school with all materials inside).
2. Mini notebook (for bell-ringers)
3. Regular Notebook (to take class notes)
4. Paper (line paper and white copy paper)
5. Pens (any color except red – if the student uses a red pen, his or her paper will not be graded)
6. Pencils
In addition to these materials, we maintain a supply wish list. As a reminder, all parents must
donate at least 30 hours of their time (as per the parent contract). Alternatively, you can donate
materials to be counted for hours based on dollar value of materials. Each hour corresponds to a
$2 value.
Grade book
This is perhaps the greatest tool you can have to keep track of your child's progress. As soon as I
assign something, it is placed in the online system. Furthermore, all assignments are graded and
logged into the system, possibly between 24-72 hours. I encourage you to be involved in your
child’s education as much as possible. If you do not know how to use the grade-book, contact me
and I will sit with you to teach you.
Science Fee
At Mater Lakes, students in science classes must pay a $15 science fee. Failure to pay this fee
will result in a financial obligation that will be filed in the students records. Students who do not
pay this fee will also not be allowed to take part in laboratory activities (but will be able to
watch). This money is used to maintain the science department's laboratory supplies and
purchase of expensive textbooks. It also funds special prizes and some field trip expenses. As a
side note, students who pay the science fee within the first week may receive a free grade at the
teacher’s discretion. Students will receive a receipt stating the date and value received. When they
pay, biology students also receive a review workbook to review for EOC test at the end of the year. This
is a mandatory class tool.
BIO MASTERY GOALS
Biology Grading System Overview
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Students should always begin preparing for a topic by reviewing list of objectives
and key points for the topic to help students them focus on what they need to know.
Most topics also include study guides, lecture guides, and/or key term lists for more
detailed guided learning.
Students are required to study factual content at home using resources such as
textbook, instructional videos, and notes/PowerPoints posted. The students will
receive a pre-quiz on this material. Keep in mind that a pre-quiz involves material
that the teacher has not yet taught. This quiz is given to determine if the student
studied at home.
Students should take notes in class and study those notes in order to pass the postquiz that will be given the following day. The post-quiz will count twice as much as
the pre-quiz.
As soon as the due date of one topic arrives and work for it begins in class, students
should start studying for the next topic at home.
Learning Stages
Stage
1: Home Learning
2: Quiz
3: Mastery Practice
Description
Quarter Value
Study Tools (2-Column notes / Cornell Notes or Power Notes / Study Guide / Flashcards /
Etc) are due on the first day of the topic as evidence of at home work. Late work will not be
accepted, unless the student has an honest excuse or was absent.
10%
Factual/entry quizzes, known as pre-quizzes, will be given at the beginning of each topic to
check if students did their study work at home. The following class, the students will receive
a more detailed quiz, post-quiz, which will be worth twice as much as the pre-quiz. The
material on the post-quiz is taught by the teacher. If the student is absent, he or she needs to
study the material and take the quiz regardless.
Key Terms, Worksheet Practice, Paired High Order Questioning, Peer Teaching,
Labs/Activities, textbook problems, and much more.
The student expanding file will count as a mastery practice grade and will be assigned for the
first quarter.
10%
30%
Mini tests will fall under this category and will not be curved.
After several topics are complete a test combining the content is given. They are usually
curved (See below). Creative/Conceptual projects will also be graded in this category
7. Assessments
( Tests & Projects)
* Honors: Tests include free response section which also explores additional honors
content. The multiple choice section will count as 75% while the free response will count as
25%.
50%
Learning Cycle Sequence (Process to be repeated for most topics)
1. @ Home: Flipped Study Work (Should begin for the next topic on the first day
class work starts for the previous one – See above)
2. @ School (Occurs over the course of the days spent on the topic. Check mastery
schedule below for pace and scope)
3. Bell Ringer (Occurs while teacher performs attendance, collects notes, and
performs other house-keeping duties).
4. EOC style multiple choice questions for practicing previous topic
5. Free response / discussion / review based on new topic
6. Concludes with review of the bell ringer
* Students who complete bell ringer before time is up should focus on studying for
quiz
7. Quiz (Occasionally the quiz may be given at different order It may happen
before bell ringer at the very beginning of class, it may happen after content
review, or even after practice)
8. Content Review
9. Curiosity Hook (Optional): Quick Demonstrations, Discussion Question, or
Inquiry Challenge
10. Mastery Practice
Honors:
Honors students are responsible for additional content that goes beyond EOC objectives.
They also work under higher project expectations and have to take more difficult tests that
include a large free response portion.
Project-Based Learning:
Students (especially in honors class) may be occasionally required to complete projects at
home. These will be counted as tests.
Expanding File:
Students will earn a Mastery grade for having an expanding file with all materials properly
arranged inside. This grade will be given to the student during the 1st quarter only. Below
you will find how to properly set up the expanding file.
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Bell-ringer mini notebook
Class notebook
Class documents
Paper (loose-leaf paper & white copy paper)
Homework
Miscellaneous
Curve: This curve will be applied to tests only.
A
81% - 100%
B
64% - 80%
C
49% - 63%
D
36% - 48%
F
35% or below
X
Excused
Assignment
Z
Not turned in
(Z=F)
Curve = 10 x √ Score
Year-at-a-Glance
Quarter 1 (46 days)
Topics
Intro & Science
Instruments & Techniques
Measurements
Lab Safety
Graphing
Nature of Life
General Ecology
Community Ecology
Ecosystem Ecology
Population Ecology
Environmental Science (Project)
Evolutionary Theory
Microevolution
Macroevolution
Block Days on Topic
3
Extra
Extra
Extra
Extra
1
2
1
2
2
3
3
2
1
Quarter 2 (45 days)
Topics
Origin of Life & History of Life
(+Human Evolutionary Patterns)
Classification
(+ Animals Form & Function)
Chemistry
Water Properties
Biochemistry
Cell Morphology
Cell Membrane & Transport
Basic Anatomy Review
Block Days on Topic
3
3
Extra
2
3
2
2
1
Nervous System (Project + Quiz)
Circulatory System (Project + Quiz)
1
Immune System & Health
1
1
Quarter 3 (41 days)
Topics
Plant Structure Evolution
Bioenergetics
Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis
Mitosis
Meiosis
Human Sexual Reproduction
Mendelian Genetics
Block Days on Topic
3
2
3
3
2
2
2
3
Quarter 4 (48 Days)
Topics
Chromosomal Inheritance
DNA Structure & Replication
Gene Expression
Biotechnology
Review
Microbiology
Chromosomal Inheritance – Part 2
Mycology
Population Genetics
Additional topics may be covered through projects:
Environmental Science
Life History
Life Diversity
Anatomy Project
Contact Me
Mr. Raul Ramos
Biological Science, B.S.
E-mail: raulramos.mla@gmail.com
Personal Website: www.syncope123.webs.com
School Website: http://www.materlakes.org/
Block Days on Topic
2
3
2
1
1-4
Extra
Extra
Extra
Extra
Mr. Ramos’s Biology Class: Parent/Student Agreement
Please return this page to the teacher.
By signing below I acknowledge that I have read the class syllabus and I am informed of my
responsibilities as a parents or student.
Student’s name ________________________
Class and period ___________/____________
Student’s signature _____________________
Mother or legal guardian name __________________________
Mother or legal guardian signature __________________________
Mother or legal guardian phone __________________________
Mother or legal guardian E-mail __________________________
Father or legal guardian name __________________________
Father or legal guardian signature __________________________
Father or legal guardian phone _________________________
Father or legal guardian E-mail __________________________