Welcome to Ms. DeFranco’s Biology Blog!

BIOLOGY (2009 / 2010 SCHOOL YEAR) 

Teacher:  Ms. DeFranco                                                                                                  Room: 104

e-mail:  cdefranco@saintmaryhs.org

Course Description: This course provides students a general overview of biological science. It includes an in-depth study of cellular processes, genetics, evolution, and ecology. Laboratory experiments will be used to explore these topics further.

Goals:

1. To develop & foster critical thinking skills
2. To explain & reinforce scientific techniques, specifically the vocabulary and methods of biology.
3. To prepare students for further high school and college academics.

 

Grading policy per marking period:

      A. Classroom Performance – 10%

      B. Quizzes/Homework – 20%

      C. Tests – 50%

      D. Labs- 20% 

      E. Projects – weighted on a project by project basis

 

General Information:

 

• Homework is checked randomly – it is used as an introduction, reinforcement, or evaluation.
• Explanatory notes are given in class and should be copied and kept organized.
• Graded assignments are returned weekly. Tests are only returned for review and then recollected.
• Unannounced “pop” quizzes are occasionally given on a previous night’s reading assignment or problems done in class.
• Notice for a test is five days; notice for “scheduled quizzes” is two days.
• Test average is weighted approximately 2 times quiz average.
• Missed labs, tests, quizzes – must be completed within two weeks or receive a zero grade. It is the student’s responsibility to request make up labs/tests/quizzes.
• Assignments must be turned in on time, or student receives a zero. After an absence, the student should ask the teacher for written assignments/homework that have been missed. The teacher will initial the work and write a due date on the work. Work not turned in by the due date will receive a zero.
• Work handed in that is missing the student’s full name and class period will have 10 points deducted from the grade for each missing item.
• Work written in pink, red (or equivalent), or highlighter (or light colored pen) will not be accepted.
• Projects have different grade values – all values are stated when assignment is given.
• Extra credit is given for work on a project that exceeds requirements. Extra credit is sometimes given on homework or tests when exceptional insight is demonstrated. There are no specific extra credit assignments, rather, students should apply themselves to assigned work.
• Failure to follow safety precautions at any time during a lab will result in a zero for that lab and the student not being allowed to participate in labs. Failure to wear goggles as instructed or eating during a lab are two examples of safety violations. The length of time a student cannot participate in labs is determined by the type of safety violation. Alternate research assignments for these labs will be given.
• All laboratory work done in pen and graphs must be done in pencil, or it will not be accepted.
• Laboratory work is group work and usually one grade is given to each individual. Each student must record their labs in laboratory notebook (marble notebook). The names of all students should be written on the top lab, failure to do so will have 10 points deducted. Individual students in the group can loose points on their individual grade for failure to complete the lab. If an individual student does not agree with the group’s answers, he/she may turn in his/her lab to be individually graded.

Quizzes

Students will have approximately one quiz per week.

Most quizzes will be matching vocabulary quizzes or fill in the blank.  I use the definitions in the glossary, found in the back of the textbook. 

The minimum amount of notice I will give for a quiz is 2 days, although I typically tell students at least 5 days in advance.

 

Labs

Labs will be performed weekly throughout the year.

Students must adhere to all safely precautions or they will be removed from the room and receive a zero on the lab. They may be prevented from participating in future labs and given additional assignments to complete instead.

Labs will be performed in pairs/groups.

 

Tests

Students will have approximately one test every two weeks.

Tests will cover an entire chapter / multiple chapters, and will include a variety of different types of questions including multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, tables, and short answer.

The amount of notice I will typically give for a test is 5 days.

Projects

There will be (2) presentations due that will count towards the second and fourth marking periods. 

My grading policy is as follows:

      A. Classroom Performance – 10%

      B. Quizzes/Homework – 20%

      C. Tests – 50%

      D. Labs- 20% 

      E. Projects – weighted on a project by project basis

One homework grade per marking period will be dropped.

 

Feel free to contact me whenever needed !