HONORS BIOLOGY
CLASS INFORMATION
Mrs Osterhoudt
Room 305
FORMS
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Please download from my webpage:
Class Guidelines
 Honors Biology Syllabus
 Book Form
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If you can not access forms online, let me know.
 Read each form with parents and sign all.
 On the book form, select only1 of the 3 choices
 All signed forms are due on or before;
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Friday, August 7th.
REMIND101
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If you have not signed up, please do so…
Text
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@mrsohbio to 81010
I will use this as a communication tool for HW,
upcoming tests, general reminders and room
changes, etc…
CLASS GUIDELINES
Or… what are the ‘dos and don’ts’?
MATERIALS FOR CLASS…
NECESSARY
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1 inch, 3-ring binder
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Nothing fancy needed
6 section dividers
 Blue or black pens
 Pencils
 Notebook paper
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1 pack should cover
you for the year
OPTIONAL
Highlighters
 Glue sticks
 Colored pencils
 Basic function calculator
 scissors
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ORGANIZATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS!
Maintaining your notebook is very important!
 All materials are indexed and placed into specific
sections.
 Nothing is removed until after a notebook check is
completed.
 Necessary materials for EOC
review will be removed at the end
of units and placed into a portfolio
 Details on how to arrange your
biology notebook will be during class on
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Monday, August 10th
Please have all required materials
with you by that date.
BYOT
It is understood that personal technology devices can be a
useful tool in the classroom; where appropriate!
 Students understand that the use of such devices
will be limited to instructional purposes only.
 The student should refrain from using electronic devices of
any kind for non-instructional purposes during class time.
 Repeated infractions will result in consequences in
accordance with the BYOT Student Contract
and Alexander High School Student Handbook.
 Simply put…
While in class turn it OFF!
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HOMEWORK
Homework is an important and essential part of
the class as it supplements instruction.
 You must be willing, and are expected, to go
beyond classroom instruction in order to fully
develop comprehension of the material
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Usually you will receive a packet of assignments for a unit with
no specific due date…you should complete the worksheets as
instruction is completed. Packets will be checked for
completion with little advanced notice and this represents
your HW grade…don’t wait until the last minute!!!
Often assignments will run concurrently.
Unannounced homework quizzes are a regular part of
instruction.
ASSIGNMENTS
Must be completed by scheduled due dates.
 Assignments turned in over 3 days late will receive a
grade no higher than a 70. Prior arrangements must
be made for any exceptions that may be granted.
 It is your responsibility to check IC often to make
sure you have no missing assignments; look for an
“M” instead of a score.
I will remind you once or twice in class.
 Labs that can be made-up must be completed within
5 days for full credit.
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PROJECTS
Generally, there are between 2-3 class projects.
 Project due dates are not negotiable.
 Projects are due by your class period, on or before, the
due date.
 Advanced notice must be received if you know you will
not be in class(i.e. sports, field trip, family event) on a
project due date!
 If absent on a date a project is due, you must have
upon the day of return:

An official excused absence form
 The project in hand
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EXTRA CREDIT
Occasionally EC activities may be
provided, however, these are rare.
 You may at any time complete an additional
activity, such as, graphic organizers, flip books,
flash cards, etc. and submit it for extra credit as
part of your at home study or review.
 It should be understood, however, that
assignments completed for extra credit cannot
be substituted for credit on missing class
assignments.
 Extra credit cannot be completed, en mass, at
the end of the year in an effort to pass.
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ONLY KNOWLEDGE
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No food or drink, except water, will be allowed in
the classroom.
No chips, candy bars, cokes, sports drinks, or snacks
of any kind in class..unless I provide them!
Water must be in a sealed drink bottle.
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IS CONSUMED IN CLASS!
No fast food cups. If you enter the class with one, it will be placed
on the counter and retrieved after the bell on your way out.
If a medical issue requires a snack, that info should be
included on your Medical Information Form.
I do not mind gum, mints, cough drops, etc;
however…
I must not see it…
hear it…
or stick to it!
DRESS CODE
Dress Code will be enforced.
 Follow guidelines as explained
in the AHS Student Handbook.

Pants worn on the waist.
 Shirts must cover midriff and chest.
(Only cells in mitosis should show cleavage!)
 Appropriate length on skirts/shorts…3 inch rule!
 Very form fitting ‘leggings/yoga pants’ covered to fingertips

Violations of dress code policy can create a safety and
decorum issue while working in lab setting.
 Specific additions/changes to dress code policy will be
addressed during discussion lab safety procedures.
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RESTROOM POLICY
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You are expected to make every effort to use the restroom
between classes. You have plenty of time; if you’re not wasting
it!
No one removes red hall pass from the classroom without
permission.
No passes will be issued for visits to snack or drink machines.
You will receive a total of 6 opportunities, for the year,to use
the pass for restroom visits during class. So…emergencies only!
If you use a restroom pass for any purpose other than the
restroom, you forfeit any remaining opportunities to leave class
*Medical necessities for restroom
use should be included on the
medical form kept on file.
ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP WORK
Regular attendance is a necessity due to accelerated
pacing of the curriculum.
 Make-up work is YOUR responsibility to acquire
and complete w/in the required time. (See Handbook.)

All make-up work is located in
the “sink” at the front of the room.
 When returning from absences
look there first for assignments.
 Please do not interrupt instruction to ask for your make-up.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you are sick or out for
more than 1 day for your assignments.
 Once a test is taken for a unit, or section, no late or
makeup work will be accepted for credit.

SYLLABUS
The Format of the Class
School: Alexander High
School Phone:770.652.6172
Email: peggy.osterhoudt@douglas.k12.ga.us
Teacher: Osterhoudt
Date: August, 2015
Course: Honors Biology
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Description: Biology is the study of the chemical and physical properties of life. During the course students will actively delve
into all aspects of the living world including, but not limited to: the cell, biochemistry, biological diversity, genetics, evolution by
natural selection, and ecology.
Performance Standards/Objectives: The biology curriculum follows the Georgia Performance Standards. This curriculum focuses
upon inquiry based instruction utilizing problem solving strategies. The specific GPS curriculum can be accessed through the
Douglas County Schools web site at: www.douglas.k12.ga.us.
Anticipated Classroom Format: Instruction in this course is on an advanced level. Pacing of instruction is accelerated and students
must be willing and are expected to go beyond the classroom in order to fully develop comprehension. Instruction will include
several different modalities including the following: lecture, laboratory inquires, dissection, group discussions, cooperative learning
and research. Students will be required to take notes and maintain an organized notebook. Periodically, the students will participate
in outdoor field activities, manipulate live, or preserved, organisms and complete computer investigations. Portfolios will be
prepared from essential materials which can then be utilized for EOCT preparation.
Assessment/Evaluations/Required Student Products: Instruction will include, but is not limited to, the following: notebook checks,
lab reports, research activities, projects/project presentations, group work, district assessments/quizzes, daily assignments,
scientific vocabulary, and warm-up questions.
Grading Plan: Infinite Campus calculates grades cumulatively, using the following weights:
Formative Grades=15%
Homework=5%
Quizzes=5%
Notebook=5%
Summative Grades=65%
Lab Reports=20%
CDA/Formative Assessments=20%
Daily Assignments=15%
Projects (2-3) =10%
EOC=20%
State mandated
It is the student’s responsibility to frequently check their average on line. Parents may also keep updated on a
daily basis by accessing Infinite Campus. Registration is required. Class information as well as all forms can be accessed
at the following:
http://alexander.dch.schoolinsites.com/
Strategies for Student Learning: To be successful in honors biology students should be self-motivated, inquisitive,
and conscientious learners. In addition, students should always: be on time for class, prepared for instruction, complete
assignments by required dates, be courteous of others, ask questions to clarify learning, remain on task, adhere to all
safety requirements, and obtain and complete makeup work when absent.
Remind 101: I utilize this texting program to keep my students apprised of upcoming due dates, as well as, to
remind them of assignments, tests, room changes, etc. If your child has texting capabilities on their cell phone they may
enroll in this free program by doing the following:
Text @mrsohbio to 81010
*Please check your cell phone contract as texting charges may apply if you do not have unlimited texting
capabilities.*
Academic Honesty: Students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Plagiarism
occurs when a student uses or purchases ghostwritten papers or when a student utilizes the ideas of, or information
obtained, from another person without giving credit to that person. Infractions of code may include cheating, plagiarism,
disruptive behavior and disorderly conduct. Students found to be in violation of the honesty code may be subject to
disciplinary action and/or no credit for the assignment or class. Assignments submitted by a student must reflect the
student’s own work.
Required Readings: Will include, but are not limited to, the following: magazine/newspaper/internet articles,
textbook, labs and assignments, select supplementary texts.
Lost Book Policy: As per Board Policy Descriptive Code: IFAD, the student will be charged the full replacement cost
for any lost, or damaged beyond use, textbook. Student will pay replacement cost for extensively damaged books (i.e.
water, torn/missing pages, etc).
Replacement Cost: Glencoe Biology: Text = $25.00
Disk Version = $10.00
Glencoe Biology Text and resources can be accessed at www.glencoe.com. Complete instructions can be found on
my web page in the Other Class Information tab
Course Scope and Sequence
A more detailed scope and sequence can be viewed at www.gadoe.org
1
2
3
4
TOPIC/THEME
Organization
Energy Transformations
Growth and Heredity
Equilibrium
TIME
22 Days
22 Days
23 Days
13 Days
GPS STANDARDS
1a-c, 3b-d, 5a-d, 4e,f
1b-d, 3a, 4a,b, 5b
1a, 2a-f, 4d, 5d,e
1a,b,d, 4a,c,d,e,f, 5b,d,e
Resources: These are a few of the websites that are used for instructional purpose
www.biologycorner.com
www.cellsalive.com
www.biologyinmotion.com
www.livescience.com
www.sciencenews.com
*Power Points utilized in class can be found in the Presentations section on my webpage. Students are encouraged to utilize these
presentations for introduction, maintenance, and review of topics covered in class.
Student Signature_________________________________________ Date_____________
Parent Signature__________________________________________ Date_____________
BOOK FORM
What? You mean, I don’t have to carry
that thing around all day?
HONORS BIOLOGY BOOK FORM
August 2015
Dear Parents;
I want to welcome you and your child to my Honors Biology class. I am looking forward to an exciting and
challenging year ahead. In an effort to make sure you are kept abreast of all issues concerning your child, I
wanted to make you aware of the options regarding textbooks.
Please understand that my instruction and out-of-class assignments are not dependent on any one particular
book or resource. Textbooks are used primarily as references to support instruction.
To address textbook issues, I will follow these procedures:
•I will keep a class set of Glencoe (or Zebra book) and Holt (or Owl book) in the room for students to use as a
reference when instruction warrants their use.
•Out-of-class assignments may be completed using any textbook or reference source.
There will be few references to specific pages or questions in the texts; only broad concepts.
•All students having internet access at home, regardless of whether they have been issued a text or not, will
have access to an Authorization Code to use on the publisher’s web site www.glencoe.com. This code, directions
to access the text and all materials online can be found on my faculty page at
http://alexander.dch.schoolinsites.com/. Click on Other Class Information and follow the prompts.
•If a student prefers, the textbook and related materials can be issued in CD format. To access the text using the
disk, internet access is required.
•Any student that does not have Internet access and/or computer a hardback copy of a textbook can be issued
to keep at home. All textbooks have the same basic content as the Glencoe text and any version will enable
students to complete out of class assignments without the use of a computer.
RETURN ONLY THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THIS FORM BY Friday August 7thth
Student Name: ________________________________ Class period: _________
Parent signature: ___________________________________________
Please talk with your child and check ONLY one of the three choices below:
____ My child has home access to a computer with Internet access and will use
the authorization code for the on-line book.
____ My child has home access to a computer with internet and would like a
Glencoe Student Works CD. I understand the cost to replace this CD if
lost/damaged is $85.50.
____My child has no access to a computer and/or would rather use a printed
book for home use. I understand the cost to replace Glencoe Biology is $71.70
Teacher use
Text_____________ CD_____________ ONLINE___________