KEEP ALL YEAR 2012 - 2013
Course Description:
Honors Biology is a fast paced course designed to meet both Beaumont High School graduation requirements and the State of California and University of California college entrance requirements. This course is designed to provide an overview of biological concepts such as cell biology, genetics, evolution, physiology, and ecology.
Expectations:
Students are expected to READ each chapter covered according to the semester schedule before coming to class.
Students are expected to read and review all notes taken in class on a nightly basis . Students are also expected to read any scheduled laboratory experiment or activity before coming to class. Student success is directly proportional to the amount of time and effort students apply to this course, therefore, I recommend reviewing notes and vocabulary a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes per day.
Expected Course Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this course will exhibit knowledge of biological themes, demonstrate proficiency in communication skills, both written and oral, and strengthen critical thinking skills. In addition, this course in aligned to the California State Standards in Biology, and therefore, will adequately prepare students for the California Standards Test (CST) in Biology in April of 2013
Grading scale:

A

B

C

D

F
90% and above
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
59% and below
Grades are based on overall percentages accumulated throughout the semester, not the average of the two quarter grades.
Categories for grading:

Assignments – homework, classroom work, projects, labs, etc:

Exams, Quizzes, Tests, Performance Assessments:
40%
60%
Deficiency Notices :
Any student earning less than 70% at mid quarter (September, November, February, May) is at risk of earning only a D or in danger of failing and will have a deficiency notice sent home. (Reminder: a D in a college prep class earns credit for graduation from BHS, but does not meet the requirements for admission to a state college or university.)
Credits:
Per school policy, students who earn a D or better will receive five credits per semester. Those who earn an F will receive no credits.
B e a u m o n t S c i e n c e D e p a r t m e n t , A u g u s t 2 0 1 2

KEEP ALL YEAR 2012 - 2013
Attendance:
Students are not only expected but required to be in class daily in order to more fully optimize their level of understanding. Excessive absenteeism or tardiness may result in a less than desirable grade in this course. Please make every effort to schedule personal appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) after the school day if possible.
When you are absent/ make-up work for cleared absences:

Work that you received but was collected while you were absent is due the very day you return to school.
You are responsible for getting work assigned while you were absent. You will be given a maximum of 5 school days to make up your work and receive full credit.

If you miss only the day of an exam, you will be required to take the exam on the day of your return to school. If you miss multiple days before an exam, you must make arrangements to schedule your make up test within a reasonable amount of time.

Exception: School sponsored absences . If you are absent due to a school activity, (athletics, band, choir, drama, ASB, field trips, etc.) but are on campus at some point during the day , you are considered to be in attendance and your work is still due that very day , including quizzes and tests (see student handbook).

Assignments missed because of truancy (attendance code R) may not be made up for credit.

If a student will be absent for several days, parents should contact the attendance office and request homework for days the student may miss.

As soon as a parent is aware that the student will be absent for 5 or more days, the parent should request independent study by contacting the attendance office or the Vice Principal in charge of Independent
Study.
Late work:

Assignments are due at the beginning of the period or when collected. Late assignments will not be accepted for credit.

Again, per the student handbook students who miss class for scheduled school activities (e.g., sports,
ASB, field trips, etc.) must meet the same assignment deadlines as other students. “Students who are absent from class due to school-sponsored or sanctioned activities are considered to be in attendance, and must meet the assignments in advance of the absence and upon their return to class participate in regular class activities, including tests.”
Tutoring:
My room is open after school (by appointment only) if additional help is needed. The best way to succeed is to ask questions during class. I am always happy to explain a topic to you in as many ways as necessary for you to understand. Study skills will be worked on and discussed throughout the year. Remember, a minimum of 20 – 30 minutes of study time per day is required at home.
Extra credit:
Students are encouraged to complete all of the assigned work and to study on their own so as to be prepared for quizzes and tests. Extra credit work may be available on a limited basis, and is designed to provide optional, additional academic growth for students that seek to go above and beyond the standard curriculum. Extra credit is not meant to be a means to make up points missed due to the lack of submission of assignments.
B e a u m o n t S c i e n c e D e p a r t m e n t , A u g u s t 2 0 1 2

KEEP ALL YEAR 2012 - 2013
Classroom Rules, Rewards, and Consequences:
Classroom rules are listed below. These rules are put into place to maintain an orderly and positive learning atmosphere so that maximum learning can take place. These rules are in addition to all school rules listed in the
Student Handbook.
Classroom Rules:
1.
Come to class prepared to work (textbook, assignments, paper, notebook, writing utensil – a pencil or pen
(Work submitted for credit must be in navy blue or black ink).
2.
When the teacher is talking, you are not ! (It is rude and disrespectful.)
3.
Listen to and follow directions, instructions, and rules the first time they are given.
4.
Cell phones and all other electronic devices are not allowed to be seen or heard.
5.
NO FOOD, NO DRINKS (EXCEPT WATER), NO GUM, NO SEEDS OF ANY TYPE.
6.
No personal grooming in class. (No makeup, perfume, cologne, lotions, or hair grooming)
Hats may not be worn in class. Some students may be allergic to certain smells and scents, please be respectful.
7.
Clean up your area, pick up and throw away trash when you leave. Do NOT put trash in the lab sinks.
8.
Misbehavior for a substitute teacher will not be tolerated . (Automatic detention of 1-3 days depending upon circumstances.)
9.
You may not be in another teacher’s classroom during this period without prior permission from me personally . [If I have a substitute teacher, you may not go to another teacher’s classroom.]
10.
Be responsible. Be honest. Demonstrate integrity . Be respectful of everyone.
Rewards for Honoring Rules:
1.
Verbal praise
2.
Note or phone call home
3.
Extra privileges
Consequences for Choosing to Break a Rule:
1.
Verbal warning
2.
Student conference
3.
Loss of privileges
4.
One hour of detention and parent phone call
5.
OCC
6.
Suspension from class and/or school
Cheating:
The School Board expects that students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize, or commit other acts of academic dishonesty.
Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty shall be subject to district and school-site discipline. (BP 5131.9) All students must always do their own work.
Students are expected to hold themselves to high standards of honesty and integrity. Involvement in deception and dishonest practices will be considered cheating and will result in loss of credit. (The score for the assignment, quiz, test etc. will be entered as a zero.)
Examples of cheating may include but are not limited to:
1.
Talking/whispering or any other type of communication during a quiz or exam
2.
Having a cell phone out during the test or quiz
3.
Looking at another student’s paper
4.
The use of a “cheat sheet” or other unauthorized notes during a quiz or exam
5.
Plagiarizing
6.
Copying another student’s work
Students will also have to accept the discipline consequences as outlined in the school’s cheating policy. (Please refer to the student handbook.)
B e a u m o n t S c i e n c e D e p a r t m e n t , A u g u s t 2 0 1 2

KEEP ALL YEAR 2012 - 2013
Required Materials:
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2 Spiral notebooks
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3-Ring binder with dividers
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Two 100 card packs of 3 x 5 cards
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Pencils, pens (various colors for notes)
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Standard calculator
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Colored pencils
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Tape and glue stick
Lab Safety and Lab Behavior :
All science students will receive instruction regarding safe lab practices and simple safe responses to situations that may arise during a lab. All students will be tested on lab safety concepts and will sign a safety contract before they are allowed to work in the science lab. Students that violate the terms of the contract will be placed on a Lab contract and potentially be removed from the lab activities or the science class.
Dissections:
Dissections, while an important part of this course, are not part of the state standards, and therefore, will not occur until after state testing at the end of April. Students in Honors Biology will dissect worms, frogs, fetal pigs, and possibly one other specimen.
Notebooks:
Most science classes require that the student keep a notebook. In this class, you are required to keep your work until the end of the semester and you receive your semester grade. Returned work is evidence of two things: a) that the work was submitted to the teacher and b) the grade the student received on the assignment. In general, a notebook might include the following sections: reference handouts (rules, procedures, tables…), notes taken during class, study guides, returned assignments, and lab write-ups.
California Standards:
California State Standards are the guidelines as to what is taught as well as what is expected to be learned by the student. A list of the standards is posted in the classroom and can also be accessed on the
California Department of Education website ( www.cde.ca.gov
). Test questions are written based on the objectives of the lesson and the standards provided by the state.
Important Dates to Remember:
October 12, 2012 ….. End of 1 st quarter (progress report)
December 19, 2012 … End of 2 nd quarter (1 st Sem. Report card)
March 22, 2013…… End of 3 rd quarter (progress report)
June 5, 2013 ………. End of 4 th quarter (2 nd Sem. Report card)
Reminder: Deficiency notices are generally due during the fifth week of earth quarter. Deficiency notices will be generated for those students earning less than 70% in this course.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions or concerns, I can be contacted at (951) 845-3171 mailbox # 5012.
My email address is azilk@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us
. **This is the best way to contact me.**
Quia website: http://www.quia.com/profiles/azilk
Personal note:
I am excited to be teaching this course. I hope to have a very good school year and am looking forward to getting to know each one of you. Together we can make this year the best one yet!
B e a u m o n t S c i e n c e D e p a r t m e n t , A u g u s t 2 0 1 2