Snow Hill High School
2013-2014 Anatomy & Physiology Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Mrs. Sills, Room B-8
Email/Contact Information:
Planning Period- 1st period, 8:07-9:37 am
Phone- 410-632-5270
Email- jlsills@mail.worcester.k12.md.us (parent use)
sills_science@yahoo.com (student use- homework/test/class info)
Course Website- www.sillsscience.com
Course Description: Human Anatomy and Physiology is an advanced science course that investigates the structure and function of
the human body. The course focuses on anatomical terminology, anatomical identification, and physiological processes of human
body systems. Students will engage in many topics and competencies related to truly understanding the structure and function of
the human body. Students will learn through reading materials, classroom discussions/lectures, group work, projects and labs. High
levels of achievement will be expected. Students enrolled in this course should realize that this course requires an extensive amount
of time, effort, reading, and memorization. Successful completion of this class requires dedication and commitment from the
student.
Text: Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology (Shier), 13th Edition
Required Materials: Students need the following supplies:
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2.
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4.
5.
6.
large 3-ring binder w/dividers
loose leaf paper (college-ruled)
pens/pencils
highlighters
basic calculator
index cards
Classroom Conduct: All school and county rules will be enforced in class. Refer to the student handbook if you need to review any
of these expectations.
The core expectations I have for all students are:
 Be Respectful of Yourself, Others, and the Environment
 Be Responsible and Prepared
 Achieve at Your Highest Potential
Consequences: If a student chooses to disregard any expectations or rules, the following consequences can result:
 Warning- written and/or verbal
 Change of seat
 Phone call home
 Lunch detention
 After-school detention
 Office referral
**Fighting, gross disrespect, and extreme profanity will result in an immediate office referral.
Lab: It is important that students take care to follow all instructions for lab activities to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to
learn and be safe! Horseplay and improper behavior in lab will be dealt with as follows:
1st offense: warning and/or phone call home
2nd offense: suspension of the lab activity, zero for the lab/ after school detention
3rd offense: suspension of all future lab activities/ office referral
IMPORTANT DATES
March 7th – Q3 Progress Reports Issued
March 27th – End of Quarter 3
May 16th – Q4 Progress Reports Issued
May 12-16th– Last week for seniors (date TBD)
June 17th – End of Quarter 4/Semester 2 (tentative)
Coursework Expectations: The workload in Anatomy & Physiology includes: Homework- chapter readings, unit reading guides and
studying; Laboratory Work; Projects (group and individual); Class Worksheets/Handouts; Reading and Vocabulary Quizzes; and Unit
Exams.
I will provide students with a Unit Organizer at the beginning of each unit to help them keep track of upcoming assignments and due
dates, outside reading assignments/homework, study topics and objectives and key concepts.
Success in this course will depend on students’ study skills, reading and writing abilities, motivation, time management and maturity.
Self-discipline is very important and is expected of all students taking the class. Remember, this is an advanced level science course!
Course Website: Basic course information, study help, class notes, vocabulary, test/quiz dates, assignments, etc. can be accessed by
visiting www.sillsscience.com and then clicking on the Anatomy & Physiology Home Page tab on the sidebar.
I maintain an up-to-date calendar on the course website under the Course Calendar tab. I will post our daily activities, work
assigned, due dates, and quiz/test dates. Students and parents are encouraged to check the calendar frequently!
Additionally, all course assignments and documents can be accessed under the Course Documents and Assignments tab. Students
can view, download, or print most of the worksheets, notes, assignments, etc. that are given in class from this page.
I will do my best to be diligent about keeping the site up-to-date!
Attendance/Missed Work:
 Students will be allowed to make up any missed work after an excused absence.
 If a student knows ahead of time that he/she will be absent, he/she should make every effort to find out that day’s
assignments from a fellow classmate or myself. (This would make it easier for him/her to keep up with the class and be
prepared for the following day.)
 It is the student’s responsibility to check the makeup work folder upon returning AND to come to me for assistance or
with questions.
 All work (homework, quizzes, tests, labs) is due no later than 5 days after an absence. Work turned in after that will be
considered late and could result in a zero.
 Any previously assigned work (including homework, projects and tests/quizzes) that a student misses, but was aware of
prior to being absent, must be turned in/made-up when he/she returns to school. The make-up policies do not apply in
these circumstances.
Late Assignments:
 Any work that is handed in late will have points deducted from the grade for that assignment. You are expected to turn in
work on time and keep up with the material being taught.
 If you are absent (excused), you have 5 days to make up your missed work. After the 5 days, the late assignment policy
outlined below will go into affect.
 Late assignments will be scored as follows:
 1 day late- 10% deduction
 2 days late- 25% deduction
 3 days late- 50% deduction
 4 or more days late- 75% deduction
 I reserve the right to refuse any late work turned in over 5 days late and record the grade as 0 in the gradebook.
Assignments and Grading: Assignments/grades are broken into categories.
Classwork/Handouts: Students will complete a variety of assignments in class. Classwork assignments will generally be
checked for completion/effort and will be reviewed in class. Selected assignments will be collected and formally graded as
an assessment of students’ knowledge/understanding. Daily warm-ups are given and will be checked and graded at regular
intervals.
Notebooks: Students are expected to keep an organized binder throughout the semester. The binder should be divided
into sections: Notes/Reading Guides, Handouts/Study Guides, Classwork, Labs/Projects and Quizzes/Exams. Notebooks
may be checked and graded as a classwork grade during each term.
Homework: Homework assignments will be consistent for each unit and include reading and studying.
 Students are expected to read the assigned sections and chapters of the text for each unit. Students should refer to
the Unit Organizer to keep track of the assigned readings and due dates.
 Students will complete a Reading Guide for each unit. This will be due before the unit exam is given and is
checked/graded for accuracy. Students should seek help early on if they are having difficulties completing a Reading
Guide.
 Students will complete a Study Guide/Unit Review for each unit. This will usually be started in class and may need to
be finished at home.
 Students are expected to study terminology and notes nightly. The creation and use of flashcards for vocabulary
terms is highly encouraged.
Lecture/Discussion: Lecture, discussion and vocabulary are an integral aspect of the Anatomy & Physiology course. All
students are expected to be active participants in class lectures and presentations. All students are also expected to take
notes and keep notes organized. A list of terms will be provided for most units. Students are encouraged to create
flashcards for each term to assist in studying. Notes may be checked and graded for a classwork grade.
Projects and Labs: Students will be assigned at least one individual project each term, as well as group projects throughout
the term. Students will be assigned projects in advance and will have plenty of time to complete them. Guidelines will be
handed out for each project.
This course is intended to be laboratory rich and I will try to incorporate as many laboratory activities as possible into the
course. Much emphasis will be placed on students’ ability to analyze data and draw conclusions, and those aspects will
carry more weight when labs are graded. Students are expected to know how to outline experimental designs, record and
analyze data and write conclusions.
Quizzes/Exams: Quizzes and exams are an integral part of the course.
 Quizzes are given to reinforce information students should be reviewing in the reading assignments and to make sure
that students are studying and know key vocabulary terms. If outside readings are assigned, students SHOULD
EXPECT at least one quiz based on those readings during the unit. At least one vocabulary quiz will also be given
during a unit. These are not considered “pop” quizzes because students know there is a possibility they will be given.
Quizzes are worth 15 points each.
 Unit exams are given at the end of each unit and are worth 75 points. Information/topics presented in class
discussions/lectures, information from assigned readings and mastery of vocabulary are assessed.
Extra Credit: I may offer a few extra credit opportunities/projects during the semester. Students are provided with a
packet of Latin and Greek word parts at the start of the semester. They can study the groups of word parts and take extra
credit quizzes as requested during the semester. In addition, students can earn extra credit by creating vocabulary
flashcards for assigned terms for each unit.
Grading Scale and Point Values: Assignment categories and average point value ranges are listed below:
Semester Grade (Q3 and Q4) – 80%
 Reading Guides/Unit Reviews: 25 points
 Labs: 25-50 points
 Projects: 50-75 points
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Text/Reading and Vocabulary Quizzes: 15 points
Unit Tests: 75 points
Class Worksheets/Handouts: 10-20 points
*Semester/Final Exam – 20%*
The following grading scale will be used:
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
below 60% = F
*Grades are cumulative throughout the semester. Term grades are not averaged together to produce a semester grade.*
Students’ progress in this class can be monitored anytime (by both parents and students) using a computer to access PowerSchool
(call the guidance department for login information). I will also provide students with a printed progress report indicating their
current scores in the class to date on a regular basis -- no student should ever be uninformed about his/her progress.
It is important that we all work together to provide every student with the best possible education. Please read through this
syllabus carefully, sign below, and provide your home/work phone number and address. Please do not hesitate to contact me
with questions or concerns regarding this syllabus or at any time during the semester.
I have read and understand the rules and expectations of Mrs. Sills for the 2013-2014 school year. The syllabus will be kept in the
student’s science notebook throughout the semester. This sheet is to be returned and will be kept on file.
Student’s Signature
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
______________________________
Student’s Printed Name
Parent’s/Guardian’s Printed Name
Parent Contact Information:
Work/Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
PARENT/GUARDIAN Email Address
**PROVIDING AN EMAIL ADDRESS ALLOWS ME TO SEND YOU IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING UPCOMING DATES,
CALENDAR INFORMATION, PROJECTS, TESTS, ETC. TO KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT OUR CLASS HAPPENINGS!**
What is the best/preferred way to contact you? __________________________________________________
What is the best time to contact you? __________________________________________________________
Is there any information that may be helpful for me to know about your child to ensure that he/she is as successful as possible this
semester? Please communicate any additional information below, or feel free to call or email me.