Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Honors Biology Syllabus

Fall Semester
2015-2016
Teacher: Mrs. Kathy McKee
School: Arcadia High School
Phone: (480) 484-6300 Ext: 5609
Email: kmckee@susd.org
Class Website: TBD

Course Description:
What is Biology?

The word biology is derived from the Greek words /bios/

meaning /life/ and /logos/ meaning /study/ and is defined as the science of life and
living organisms. This class is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts
that will help them understand life. Lessons are designed in an inquiry approach
that engage kids in hand-on activities that follow with thought provoking questions.
With a good attitude and a want to learn, students will gain knowledge they can
apply to their everyday life, and will gain lifelong skills that will help them attain
personal life goal

Dear Parents/Guardians/Students: This class is intended to be challenging and I am committed to

holding students to the highest standard. A broad range of complex topics is covered at an intense
pace. Students in Honors Biology must be committed to excellence. It is highly recommended that
students spend at least 20-45 minutes each night studying for this class alone. Students will be
expected to think critically, write neatly and use word processing, keep a highly organized notebook
and daily planner, participate and cooperate in group projects and labs, and consistently prepare for
challenging tests that assess concept mastery, as opposed to mere fact memorization. Test questions
are often written in such a way that requires students to apply learning to new problems and
scenarios.

If you are willing to give this class your best effort, with hard work, you will succeed.
Students, who rise to this challenge, find their hard work and perseverance to be
most rewarding. Honors students have a unique opportunity to work with other
highly motivated students, experience exciting laboratory investigations, dive
deeper into Life Science, and begin a path that leads to a highly successful future.
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Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Books and Class Materials:

Text (online text available): Biology, Miller, Kenneth R. and Levine, Joseph, Prentice
Hall, 2002

Reading Assignment: Preston, Richard. The Hot Zone. New York: Random House,
1994.
3-Ring Binder with dividers
Quad-Ruled (Quadrille) Composition Notebook
Colored Pencils
Highlighter
Flash drive

Text Book:
Textbooks
are
available
for
checkout

We will be using a variety of reference materials in class. It will be

important that you know how to access these resources to be able to
complete assignments outside of class.
Content Blocks
Scientific Inquiry Skills

Evolution: Patterns and Products of

Change

Biochemistry: Inorganic and

Organic Chemistry

Animal Kingdom

Cell Biology: The Basic Units of

Life
Cellular Respiration: Energy and
Life
Molecular Biology

Ecology: Interaction and

Interdependence
Classification and the History of Life

Human Anatomy and Physiology:

Wellness

Genetics: Inheritance in Living

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Systems

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Semester Grade
Semester Final
15%
Final Exam given at the
end of the semester

Assessments
68%
Includes, but not limited to..
Quizzes/Tests
Labs/Projects
Homework/Classwork

Checks for Understanding

17%
Includes, but not limited to.
Homework/Classwork

You should expect homework 2-3 times a week,

if you make use of your class time it could be LESS than that.
Grade Scale:

A = 100-90%

B = 89-80%C = 79-70%D = 69-60%

F = Below 60%

This course also requires a pre-test in the fall and post-test in the spring
on dates to be determined. These tests are exams reviewed and/or written
by SUSD teachers. The post-test will count as an assessment grade at a
point total to be determined by the teacher in collaboration with
department colleagues.

Attendance and Tardiness to Class

Attendance is critical. This is a lab-oriented class, so if days are missed that were
spent in the lab, those are experiences that you cannot make up very easily.
Opportunities will be available to make up labs during THRIVES and must be
scheduled in advance. You will have 1 week from your excused absence to
complete the assigned lab. The school/district attendance policy will be strictly
enforced.

Assignments
ASSIGNMENTS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF THEY ARE 100% COMPLETE AND IN
COMPLETE SENTENCES. THIS IS THE EXPECTATION FOR ALL WRITTEN WORK IN
THIS CLASS WHETHER THIS HAS BEEN STATED AT THE TIME OF THE ASSIGNMENT
OR NOT. NATIONAL AND DISTRICT SCIENCE STANDARD.

Late Assignments
All assigned work is due at the very beginning of the class on the day it is due
unless otherwise stated. Late work will not be accepted. If you need help on homework, I
suggest making an appointment with me before or after school, lunch, and/or
forming a study group and attending FAST (Free After-School Tutoring).

Absent Work
It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed. You will be given ONE DAY
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Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

for each day that you are absent (excused absences only) to make up the
work a missed lab will require a THRIVES appointment this one day
grace period holds for all assignments, online work, labs, and long-term
projects. Any papers that were handed out will be located in the absent folders file.
You can our class website through Synergy. I will also have a sample notebook that
will show you exactly what you missed. Be proactive and not reactive!!! If you need
any handouts, you must obtain those in the classroom, before/after school, during
THRIVES or online NOT DURING CLASS.

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

ASSESSMENTS (68% of semester grade):

This category will include the following: tests/quizzes, projects, labs, current events,
quarter notebook checks and anything else that measures what the student knows
at the end of each learning cycle. Tests and quizzes will vary and may include a
combination of multiple choice, true/false, short response, and essay questions. We
will be taking quizzes on a regular basis on the information being covered in class.
We will have a test at the end of each topic of study and this will encompass all the
information that was studied throughout the unit. Current Events are another form
of assessments that we will use this year. This assignment will also include
presenting it orally to the class once per semester. Please refer to your notebook for
the guidelines on how to complete a current event. This course also requires a
pre-test in the fall and post-test in the spring on dates to be determined.
These tests are exams reviewed and/or written by SUSD teachers. The
post-test will count as an assessment grade at a point total to be
determined by the teacher in collaboration with department colleagues.
TEST Corrections:
I believe giving students the opportunity to make test
corrections is a valuable learning experience and as such I do allow test corrections
as long as students have turned in all assignments prior to taking the test.
I believe this reinforces the value and importance of completing and
turning in all assignments.

Academic Integrity Statement

In order to instill moral and ethical character in our society, students pledge to
promote both academic and personal integrity through honesty, trust, fairness,
respect and responsibility. Forms of academic dishonesty are cheating, collusion,
fabrication, inappropriate collaboration, and plagiarism. Cheating or copying will
NOT BE TOLERATED.

Class Expectations
Behavior should not be an issue in this class. You are young adults and I
expect you to act accordingly.
RESPECT is the key word in this
class. Respect yourself, others and their property and their opinions; we will
not engage in putting people down.
A persons true character is revealed when others are not looking.
All school rules are to be followed for I-pads, I-pods, MP3 players or cell phones in class;
basically any musical or communication device . No ear phones or buds, unless part
of a class activity. NO CELL PHONES allowed during class times. Phones will be
taken away when seen and held until the end of the day and parent notification

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

made for repeat violations. I have three basic classroom expectations you need to
remember and follow:

Be Conscientious

Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings or you are late for class. Excessive
tardiness will result in lunch detention and parent notification with potential
future
consequences consistent with school policy.
Always bring a pencil or pen, your class notebook, and homework.
You are permitted to go to the restroom, locker, etc. in emergency situations
and at appropriate times. You must use the class sign in/out sheet and
classroom pass.
Follow all laboratory safety rules. Inappropriate behavior during a lab will
result in removal and a zero for the lab.
Keep your work area clean! This also means NO writing or drawing on the
tables or any other defacing or damaging of school property! Dont play with
the sinks, gas, or cabinets/drawers or leave trash!

Be Responsible

You are required to keep a SEPARATE class Biology Class Notebook/Folder. All work
will be numbered and specific directions will be given on note taking format, tables,
drawings and sketches, and models. There will be notebook checks and quizzes.
If you fall behind on classwork, miss assignments or assessment, or need to retake an
assessment, you will be assigned THRIVES day(s). I will then contact your
parents(s)/guardian(s)

Be Respectful

No drinks or food are permitted, except water. You can chew gum, but it
must be in your mouth before you come in the classroom.
You may not groom yourself or others during class. Wear appropriate
clothing as outlined by district policy.
You must treat everyone with respect and dignity. You will not be
permitted to talk disrespectfully to me or any other person in the class.
Put-downs, bullying, or critical comments will not be tolerated.
Phone use, except for classroom purposes, is prohibited.
I dismiss you-- NOT the bell!! This is to make sure everything is cleaned to
my standards.

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

Contract Honors Biology Syllabus

Due by Friday, August 14, 2015
Period: __________
PLEASE VERIFY THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS BIOLOGY SYLLABUS AND THAT YOU
UNDERSTAND MY POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS.

____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Student Name (Print)

Student Signature

___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Information

Parent Contact

The Vision of Arcadia High School:

Arcadia is a
Rigorous
Collaborative
Atmosphere
Dedicated to
Integrity and
Achievement

Arcadia Learning Community Commitment:

The Arcadia Community will increase collective capacity by providing a focused vision for a diverse
community to a culture of respect for education integrity through Action, Academics, and Accountability.

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