Supplies

1.       Lab fee - $10.00.  This fee will cover materials and supplies for lab exercises.  Fee is due by Friday, August 23.

2.       One subject Composition Notebook (black and white)

3.       3 ring binder

4.       Loose-leaf paper

5.       Colored pencils (to be kept in my classroom)

7.       Goggles

 

Structure

We will use Glencoe's Biology: The Dynamics of Life as our textbook.  For those students with computers and/or internet access at home, books are available on CD-ROM as well as online. 

 

Listed below is an estimated sequence of topics to be covered this year.  Please keep in mind the order is subject to change.  Copies of my weekly lesson plan will be issued to students and updated on line each Monday  to help them prepare for the week’s topics.

1. Biology – The Science of Life

2. Laboratory Safety, equipment, and techniques

3. Scientific Methods in Biology

4. The Cell

5. Genetics and Heredity

6. The History of Life

7. Ecology

8. Classification

9. Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi, Plants, Invertebrates, Vertebrates

 

Grading

All assignments are equally weighted.  In other words, classwork and homework are as important as chapter tests.  Classwork and homework will be graded only if it is complete, and will lose 10 percent of its value each day it is late.  No partial credit will be given. 

 

Example:  A complete assignment is worth 10 points the day it is due, 9 points the following day, 8 points 2 days  later,    etc.

 

Retests will be offered on Chapter tests for those who wish to improve their scores.  The original test score will be averaged with the retest score for a new grade.  Lower retests will not be counted against the student.   

 

Example:  Chapter 1 Test Score = 50, Retest Score = 100, New Chapter 1 Test Score = 75

 

The Semester Exam and Final Exam will be comprehensive and will be calculated as a percentage of the Semester Grade. 

 

Make-ups will be scheduled according to the Student Handbook.

 

 

Projects

Projects will be assigned periodically during the school year.  Sumner Hill hosts its yearly Science Fair in February, and all students are required to prepare a science fair project.  Students are not required to compete, but additional credit is given to those that do compete.  Winners at our school fair advance to the Regional Fair at Jackson State University.  Winners at the Regional Fair advance to the State Science Fair.