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Nishizawa Escuela Bella Vista 2014

IB BIOLOGY


IB Biology is a rigorous, challenging and rewarding university
preparation course. As there are many concepts that we will discuss over
two years, it is important that you keep detailed notes related various
units.



The biology portfolio is alike a scrapbook, in which you will collect various sources of information and organize them in one
place. In the portfolio, you will include:
Notes: Use the IB statements (understandings and applications and skills on the IB biology guide) as guides to create
your personal set of notes (i.e. written in your own words). These notes could be created in reference to class notes
and/or additional reliable internet sources which you consult but not copied and pasted. They should be detailed
enough for your classmate to look at it and be able to study well for an exam.
Pictures: Images (e.g. diagrams, models, etc.) should be included to supplement the notes. These could be hand-drawn
or retrieved from another source.
TOK Link: Use the IB statements (nature of science international-mindedness and/or theory of knowledge) to think
about how this unit relates to other subtopics, TOK and other courses. Write a 100-200 word response.
Class Reflection: There are typically 2 3 essential questions for the class. Write an extended response to each
question, with reference to concepts/ideas discussed in the class.
References: Properly cite sources using MLA/APA citation. Academy dishonesty will NOT be tolerated. It is important
that you consult reliable sources and not any IB study guide online such as IB biology Wikipedia articles, IB ninja, etc. If
you are not sure about the reliability of your source, please consult me first.

Your portfolio may be in hard or digital form.

Each unit is approximately 5 weeks. The portfolio is due at the end of each unit. There will be a midway formative checkpoint,
in which I will provide feedback. You must keep working on the portfolio throughout the unit. This is an ongoing project,
which will lead to failure if completed few days in advance of the deadline.


RUBRIC


Look for descriptors
4
High degree
of
effectiveness
3
Considerable
effectiveness
2
Some
effectiveness
1
Limited
effectiveness
Knowledge of content


Facts, terminology and
definitions are accurately
stated in notes.

Understanding of content

Concepts, ideas, theories,
principles, procedures and
processes are fully discussed
in the notes to the level of
detail expected.

Use of processing skills and
strategies

Collects information from
various sources such as class
notes and other reliable
sources.

Use of critical/creative
thinking processes, skills
Demonstrates extended
understanding of concepts in

and strategies biology related to TOK.
Understands the complexity
of the essential questions
and uses examples to reflect
critically on questions.

Expression and organization
of ideas
Effectively organizes the
portfolio in a sensible
sequence.

Uses a variety of modes of
communication (including
images).

Use of conventions,
vocabulary and terminology
No errors in
grammar/spelling. Units
included where necessary.