Students are expected to review material daily, even when homework is not assigend.

Welcome to the 2008 school year. I am looking forward to an exciting and unique year with your children. Please read and discuss the following items with your child, then sign the attached form and return. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at hboyd@auburnschools.org or call 887-1960 and make an appointment.

1. Course Description:  This course covers the fundamental concepts in the structure and function of living systems, diversity and adaptations, heredity and reproduction, organisms, and the environment. This course is taught using an inquiry approach. Inquiry places a high premium on students using process skills to learn the content objectives. Since this is an inquiry based course, attendance is absolutely necessary for success. Many in class experiences cannot be simulated at home or done outside of class. Other instructional techniques may include lecture, labs, homework, and projects.

2. Required Materials:  A positive attitude, biology resource manual, 1.5 inch 3-ring binder, 6 notebook dividers, loose leaf paper, calculator with basic functions (no graphing or programmable calculators are permitted), blue or black pen or pencils, and textbook.

3. Grading:
   1.  The final biology grade (1credit)  will be calculated according to the following: 50% of the grade will come from major assessments, 30% will come from class work, homework, and laboratory/field work, and 20% will come from the final exam.

   A =  90% - 100%

   B =  80% - 89%

   C =  70% - 79%

   D =  65% - 69%

   F =  Below 65%

    

    

    

    

1. Announced and unannounced quizzes may be given. Unannounced quizzes will cover notes, class work, homework, and/or reading assignments.
2. A group or individual projects will be assigned each nine-weeks.

4. Classroom Conduct: Students are expected to exhibit self-control and respect for classmates and the instructor.
   1. Students should be in their assigned seats with class materials ready when the bell rings.
   2. Students will not be permitted to leave the class after the bell without a request from the office.
   3. Students are expected to take care of personal needs related to hygiene, nutrition, medication, and cosmetics between classes.
5. Student Responsibilities
   1. Come to class each day prepared with pencils, paper, science notebook, calculator, and all assignments.
   2. Each assignment must be labeled with student’s name, date, and class period. Unidentified work will receive a grade of zero. All work must be completed in pencil, or blue or black ink.
   3. Students are expected to participate in class, including taking notes, answering questions, and doing practice problems.  Students who do not participate in the lecture/ discussion will not be allowed to participate in the lab or group assignments for the day.
   4. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable! Any student found guilty of cheating will receive a grade of zero.

Cheating includes the following:

·         Exchanging papers with another student

·         The use of unauthorized notes, books, or calculators

·         Copying work from another student

·         Talking or communicating during times when graded work is given.

Students are expected to remain silent during testing. Any talking during the administration of a test or quiz is prohibited and is considered cheating.  *See the student handbook for additional information.

5. Make-up work is the student’s responsibility.

a.       All make-up work is due no later than five (5) days after the student returns to class.

b.      All work not made up will be recorded as a zero.

c.       The day a student’s return, they must get assignments and turn in assignments due. Make-up tests are given after school, not during class. Tests not made up before the next scheduled test will be recorded with a grade of zero.

d.      Projects, notebooks, and other assignments scheduled in advance and due on the date of a student’s return must be turned in on time. No late work will be accepted for reduced credit. Test scheduled for the day a student returns must be taken during class time on the date of the return. Make-up tests will only be given when the student is absent on a test day, and the absence is excused.

e.       No more than four lab grades will be excused due to excused absences. After the fourth missed lab, the grade will be counted as zero unless the student makes up the lab after school with in one week of his or her return. Any missed lab due to unexcused absences will count as a zero.

f.       Missed classes due to school activity are not counted as absences. Since these activities are planned in advance, students must make arrangements for make-up work before missing class.

6. Textbooks are to be covered throughout the term. The use of contact paper/sticky book covers is strictly prohibited. When books are returned, fines will be charged for water damage, writing, loose spines, and cover damage.
7. Each student must clean up their work area before leaving the class.

6. Discipline Actions: Failure to follow student handbook, classroom conduct, or lab safety rules will result in

a.       Verbal warning

b.      Parent notification

c.       Detention hall

d.      Suspension from the science lab

e.       Referral to the principal or counselor

f.       Confiscation of personal items used inappropriately (nonfood items will be returned the last day of term)

The order of these consequences may vary, at the teacher’s discretion, according to the persistence of seriousness or seriousness of the problem.

       G.  Lab Safety:

Laboratory exercises are an integral part of any exceptional science program.  Since we will be using equipment that is often expensive and sometimes could inflict harm if misused, there are some rules that must be observed to protect everyone in the lab.

Laboratory Rules:

1.      Use the lab or lab equipment only when directed to do so by the teacher and as directed by the teacher.

2.      No eating or drinking in the lab.

3.     No unauthorized experiments will be conducted.

4.     No horseplay will be tolerated in the lab.

5.    Bring all broken equipment to the teacher’s attention.  Never handle broken equipment.

6.    Report any accident, incident, or unsafe situation to the teacher.

7.       Wear safety goggles and apron when directed to do so by the teacher.

8.       Never taste or smell anything unless instructed to do so by the teacher.

9.       Know the location of safety and first aid equipment including: fire extinguisher, safety shower, fire blanket, and first aid kit.

10.   In case of a fire, tell the teacher and then follow her instructions. Never try and put it out yourself.

11.   After lab, clean up your work area for the next class.

12.   Wash all dissecting equipment carefully.

13.   Pay attention to the location of microscope cords so they are not pulled off the table.

14.   Do not take parts of organisms out of the laboratory.

15.  Care should always be considered when dealing with sharp objects such as scissors, probes, tweezers, razor blade, and scalpels.

Failure to follow any of these rules will result in expulsion from the lab for this activity and a grade of zero.  Depending on the severity of the infraction or whether danger was posed to yourself or others, you may permanently be expelled from lab or just not allowed to participate in the next lab.  In either case, an alternative assignment will be given.  Finally, multiple minor infractions will result in permanent expulsion from all lab activities.

Before we go into the lab, I will go over the school’s emergency procedures and walk you through the lab to point out the emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blanket, eyewash, sinks, etc.  You must be familiar with their locations before we go into the lab for our first experiment.

8. It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure a safe and pleasant learning environment for all students in the classroom. Cooperation between students, parents, and the teacher will help make this a successful year.

Classroom Policies

I have read and understand the classroom policies, lab safety rules, and procedures.  Miss Boyd has also taken me through the lab and pointed out the emergency equipment as well as going over emergency procedures. I understand that for the safety of everyone in lab, I must abide by the rules that have been laid out and understand the consequences of choosing to break them I will abide by the guidelines that have been laid out and understand the consequences of choosing not to follow them. 

I have read and understand the classroom expectations and lab safety rules.  I have also discussed them with my child and understand the consequences if my child chooses not to follow them.