REINERTSON, ELLEN S. !

SEPTEMBER 2010

LHS Biology
Welcome!
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2010-2011 school year at Lincoln High School. I am hopeful that you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and are ready to begin your next year in your educational career. The rst semester of biology will consist of learning about the scientic method; which will be an ongoing skill that we will work on. We will also learn about the characteristics of living things. For each of the characteristics of living things we will take time to study what makes something living....after all biology is the study of living organisms. This is my 17th year teaching biology and I look forward to working with you throughout the semester! -Ms. Reinertson

Lake Michigan Shoreline found at nsbaptist.org

Observation skills are extremely important to understand the world around us! As you look at the picture above, what do you notice? Take a few moments to look at the big picture. Next, focus on the ne details of the picture. The purpose is not to quickly look at the picture without thoughtinstead it is important to analyze the details; both large and small. After you have really taken a look at the photo-now it is time to ask some questions! What questions do you have regarding what you see? If you were able to place yourself within the picture, using your other senses-what questions might you have? Observing and questioning are two main components of using the scientic method.

STUDENTS-PARENTS-COLLEAGUES-TEACHER As a biology student, it is your responsibility to be accountable for your education. As your teacher, it is my responsibility to provide you with opportunities to learn content and to hone your scientic skills and introduce you to new scientic equipment and processes. Your parents responsibility

is to provide support to you throughout the school year and encourage you to complete your work and to understand the material to the best of your abilities. Your colleagues in the classroom should support you and help you to maintain a productive and positive learning environment!

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REINERTSON, ELLEN S. !

SEPTEMBER 2010

Why Study Biology?

According to the University of California in Irvine, there are several reasons to study biology! No one can predict the future, but this much is known: the next century is the time of the biologist, who will be in the forefront of the most challenging, intellectual problems, such as understanding the most elemental building blocks of the mechanisms of life, the mechanisms of memory and of learning, the molecular basis of embryonic development, and the rules that help predict the behavior of the environment. Biology also lies at the heart of major social problems that face the human race in the coming decade, such as sensible management of the environment and the eective control of human populations. It is vital that educated people understand the contributions that biological sciences have made and will continue to make for the future welfare of human beings. How do I prepare so that I can do my best in biology? As you come to class each day, I expect that you wi# be prepared. This includes having your necessary materials, any homework that was assigned completed and a positive attitude. You should be ready to begin the hour when the be# rings. During the class period, you should ask questions when you do not understand the material or the directions. You should work cooperatively and politely with your classmates. I expect that you wi# work to the best of your ability each day! I encourage you to enjoy the class and hope that you wi# look forward to coming to class the next day.... What will we study during the rst semester of biology? During the entire school year we wi# focus on the scientic method and the characteristics of living organisms. It is my goal to use the inquiry method as much as possible. Therefore, there is an expectation that you wi# think of your own questions and hypothesis to test regarding the content that we are learning throughout the year. Some specic topics that we wi# study during the rst semester include: ce#s, biomolecules, genetics, evolution and classication. What specic materials do I need for the course? You wi# need to bring your textbook to class. You should also have a pencil, black/blue pen and a three ring binder with looseleaf paper.

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REINERTSON, ELLEN S. !

SEPTEMBER 2010

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