First DayLesson #1

8/19/10

Catalyst

Welcome to Mr. Sherman’s biology class!

1. Fill out the information sheet by the front door.

2. Write your first name on the blank piece of paper in big letters. Fold it so I can see it. (See the board for a picture)

Objective:Explain the rules of Mr. Sherman’s classroom

What are we doing today?Learning how this class works

AgendaBiology overviewClass goalRules/proceduresIcebreaker games

Who is Mr. Sherman?

How long have I been interested in biology?

What’s biology?The study of LIFE

What we’ll learn1. The Cell: What are we made of?2. Cellular transport: How does the food I eat

get inside every parts of my body?3. Body systems: How do all my internal

organs work?4. Cellular Division: How do I grow?5. Genetics: Why do I look the way I do?6. Evolution: Did humans really come from

monkeys?7. Ecology: Where does all the energy on Earth

come from?8. Health & Disease: What makes us sick?

1.Favorite topic that we will study?2.Any other biology topic you’re

interested in, but I didn’t mention?

Introduce your neighborNameFavorite subjectWhat’s your dream job?Describe yourself in a single word or sound

Dream job skill list3 things

SkillsDegrees

Example: NurseHigh school diploma2-4 years of college (nursing degree)OrganizedHard-workingResponsible

Need college?

IncomeSome high school: $23,400High school graduate: $30,400

Some college: $36,800Associate’s degree: $38,200

Bachelor’s: $52,200Almost 2x high school grad’s earnings!

Life expectancyHigh school graduate: 75 years old

Education after high school: 82 years old

School Vision

Destined for Greatness

Class Goal

We will be prepared to earn a

FREE college

education.

Louisiana TOPS AwardFree tuition to any public college in Louisiana

GPA: 2.5 (out of 4.0)B average

ACT Score: 20 (out of 36)

How do we know if we’re on track?Our metric:

Class average of 85% mastery of state biology standards.

How do we reach our goal?Classroom expectations:Be RespectfulBe PromptBe Great

These rules apply to both you and me.

RespectfulEveryone is here to learn. Respect the learning

environment. This means:Raise hands. Don’t call out answers.No cell phones or electronics (they will be

confiscated)Stay in your seatDress codeHallway behavior stays in the hallway

PromptBe here every day.Be one time.

I close the door when the late bell ringsDoor closed You’re late Sign the back3 tardies = call home; 4 tardies = parent

conferenceHandouts are by the door

Assigned seatsBathroom policy: once per monthLeaving class: I dismiss you, not the bell.

PromptCome prepared

Buy a 2” binder, 5 dividers, a folder, and paper

DUE MondayBorrowing my pens collateral

Be GreatBeing average won’t get you a free college

educationThese next 1-4 years will largely determine

your life’s incomeBe positive, work hardI work hard every day to help you. You need

to do the same.

QUIZ!

How it works

Question #11. Mr. Sherman is from…

1. Louisiana2. New York3. Connecticut4. California

Question #21. What happens if your cell

phone is seen or heard in class?

1. Nothing. No biggie.2. Mr. Sherman gets to text

whoever you were talking to.3. It gets confiscated and must be

picked up by a parent 2 weeks later. You will not get a warning beforehand.

4. Mr. Sherman will crush it with his bare hands.

Question #31. Which is true about moving around

in class?1. You should be in your seat most of

class, but you may move to pick up some work for class

2. You must raise your hand and ask permission to move anywhere in class, even if it’s just to pick up today’s handout

3. You are allowed to second line in class, as long as you’re a good dancer

Question #41. What’s our measurable class

goal?1. Scoring 65%+ on tests and

quizzes2. Scoring 75%+ on tests and

quizzes3. Scoring 85%+ on tests and

quizzes4. Everyone passes this class

Question #51. How much more do 4-year

college graduates earn per year, compared to people with just a high school diploma?

1. They earn about the same2. College graduates earn $2,000 more3. College graduates earn almost twice

as much4. College graduates earn almost three

times as much

Question #61. What’s Mr. Sherman’s bathroom

policy?1. The only restriction is that you must

ask beforehand2. You are not allowed to go the

bathroom3. You can go to the bathroom once a

month, with permission4. You can go, as long as it’s during the

last or first 20 minutes of the class

Question #71. Are there normally assigned

seats in this class?1. Yes2. No

Question #81. Which of these is a flaw Mr.

Sherman has…1. He talks too slowly2. He is very easily distracted,

especially when people are walking around in class.

3. None of the above. Mr. Sherman is perfect.

Question #91. What grade average do you

need to earn a free college education through TOPS?

1. A average2. B average3. C average4. D average

Question #101. Which is true about Mr.

Sherman’s family?1. Mr. Sherman is an only child.2. Mr. Sherman has a younger

sister3. Mr. Sherman has two older

brothers4. Mr. Sherman has an identical

twin sister

The winner is…

Icebreaker: Sit if trueOn a slip of paper, write down three things

about you:Each begins: I __________

#1: True about you, and a lot of people#2: True about you, and a few people#3: True about you, and pretty much no one

else

ClosingWrap up

Homework:Get class supplies by next Tuesday