BIOLOGY

Mrs. Nydia Herzog(281) 245-2232 ext.4656nherzog@alvinisd.net (preferred method of communication)Room B202

Parent-teacher conferences may be scheduled by appointment only during 1st period between 7:30-8:15am or by appointment after school Monday – Thursday.

Welcome to biology, the study of life! It’s going to be an awesome year as we walk through the science of life, from the tiny cell to how those cells fit into an ecosystem!

Course Overview: Biology is the study of living organisms, their origins, how they survive, reproduce, change over time, and interact with each other and their environments. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern biology and scientific processes. Class activities will vary between lecture, lab, discussion, and other activities.

Students enrolled in 9th grade in this course are required to take and score a minimum grade on the STARR Biology End Of Course (EOC) assessment as part of their graduation requirement.

The following includes important information about my classroom policies and procedures. I. Classroom policies

Student Expectations:1. Students will enter the classroom prepared and ready to work when the bell rings.2. Students will respect themselves, other students, teachers, staff, guests, classroom tools,

substitute teachers, and the school building.3. Students will abide by expectations and guidelines in the Student Handbook.

Classroom and laboratory rules:1. Follow directions.2. Do not disrupt the learning of others.3. No eating or drinking in class (water allowed)4. Do not spray perfume, hair spray, or body spray in class.5. All laboratory procedures and safety guidelines will be followed at all times

Individual Corrective Action:1. Warning/Reminder2. Stand in the hall during class and stay after to talk to the teacher3. Parent contact4. After school detention with parent contact5. Office referral

Please note that a severe infraction or frequently repeated offense will result in immediate office referral and parent contact. Detentions must be made up within one week or an office referral will be given.

II. Materials & Supplies Must Have List 2 1-subject Spiral notebooks (1 notebook will not be used until the 2nd semester)

Pencils & erasers Pens (blue or black ink, NOT red, purple, pink or neon green. If you want to color code

notes, feel free, but all papers turned in must be blue, black or pencil. Points will be de-ducted from all papers not following this request.

1 box of tissues to contribute to the classroom for the year Colored pencils or markers Loose leaf notebook paper

III. AISD Grading policies Please refer to the Grading Guidelines section of the student handbook for more detailed

information about grading policies. Biology is a 1year, 1 credit course. The semester grade is an average of the two 9-week

grades and the semester exam. The two semester grades will be averaged at the end of the year for the course grade.

Each nine week grade is computed based on the following:Grade percentages:

Tests: 40%Labs: 40%Daily work: 20%

Tests: There will be two to three major test grades per nine weeks. Calculators may be used for tests when mathematical computations are necessary. Calculators may not be shared or borrowed during tests. Sharing will result in a grade of zero. Retests will be available for students who make below a 70 on a test. Corrections will consist of writing the entire question and the correct answer. Corrections will be completed and turned in during tutorials within one week of taking the test. Students who make above a 70 have the option to complete all corrections for 10 bonus points up to a 99. 100’s will only be earned on the original test.

Quizzes: There will be quizzes, announced and unannounced. Prepare yourself by doing your homework, paying attention in class, and during lab exercises. Some quizzes will count as daily grades, while others will count as lab grades. Whining about pop quizzes only encourages more quizzes

Labs: Lab grades are based on participation during the lab, adherence to safety regulations, lab cleanliness, and the written report. The only information that may be shared or copied for lab reports is DATA. A signed lab safety contract is required for participation in all labs.

Lab Reports: Lab reports are to be professional quality, typed or hand written, and in the format provided by the instructor. They are due the beginning of class usually within one week after the lab is completed. Approximately 4 labs will be formally written. Other labs and investigations may only have data, conclusions, and analyses. Guidelines for the formal lab reports, including a grading rubric, will be given prior to the first formal lab report.

Homework: Homework will be assigned sporadically. It is expected to be finished and turned in on time. Recording this on your calendar will make it easier to remember. Sports, jobs, church, social outings, etc. are all good things, but are NOT good excuses to not do homework.

Late work: The table below reflects the maximum percentage of the possible grade a student is to receive for late assignments.

One day late 80%Two days late 60%Three days late no credit

Make-up work: You should avoid absences on test days and lab days. If you are absent for a test or lab, it is your responsibility to make up the work at the next available time before or after school. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. If you need extra time for completion of make-up work, please speak to me and make arrangements for an extension prior to the due date for your assignment.

Tutoring: My scheduled tutorial days are Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2:55 to 3:40pm. Other tutoring times may be made by appointment only. A tutorial schedule for the Science department will be posted in each science classroom and on the MHS Science website. I encourage all students to take advantage of tutoring but especially if they are having difficulty in class.

Notebook: To pass this course you will need to keep a notebook. This should include any handouts you get in class, lab notes, and daily lecture notes.

IV. Tardiness: You should be in your seat getting started on the warm-up when the bell rings. If you are walking around talking, standing outside the door, or sharpening your pencil for 5 minutes you will be tardy.

V. Absences: In the case of planned absences due to school business, trips, functions, etc., arrangements for assignments should be made prior to the function. It is the responsibility of the student to make up all work missed due to absences. The number of days allowed for makeup work will equal the number of days absent.

How do I find out what happened in class while I was absent? It is your responsibility to ask Mrs. Herzog for your make-up work. Please remember to get homework/make up work turned in on time after an absence. If you know you will be absent for an extracurricular activity, it is best to ask Mrs. Herzog for your make-up work prior to being absent.

VI. Cheating: Sharing answers during assessments (tests, quizzes, lab reports, worksheets, etc) is strictly forbidden. Talking in general during quizzes and tests is considered cheating. Anyone caught doing this will be awarded a grade of zero for the assignment as a consequence for cheating and an office referral.

VII.To leave class : Do not ask to leave during a lecture, quiz, test, or lab. If we are working on individual work, you may go as long as you obtain permission. If you abuse this privilege (leave regularly or not go where you have asked to go) you will not be allowed to leave again.

VIII. BYOD: Bring Your Own Device (technology). The following procedures will be enforced in

Mrs. Herzog’s classroom at all times. If a student is not following these classroom procedures, consequences will follow.

1) During class time when devices are not being used as part of classroom instruction, devices should not be out or used for other purposes.

2) When devices are being used, only website, apps, etc that are appropriate for the lesson will be used.

3) If a student is abusing their device by not following these procedures, the device will be taken up and turned in to the office according to MHS campus policies.

4) If a student does not have a device, he/she will not be penalized.

A note from Mrs. Herzog:It is my goal to keep open communication with both my students and their parents. If you have any questions or would like to talk with me, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. I will do my best to reply as soon as possible. To better meet the needs of all students, this course outline can be modified at the teacher’s discretion.

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