1. Policies & Expectations: Biology

2. Textbook Holt Biology - Cheetah:
Please keep your book at home, NOT in the classroom
You are responsible for returning your book in good condition

3. Materials for class:
1 ½ inch 3 ring binder with loose leaf paper divided into 4 sections:
Drills, Vocabulary, Notes, and Assignments
Black or blue ink pen and pencil
Student agenda book
Shared supplies are in first cabinet.

4. Please Check Family Portal regularly!!
Grading
40% Assessments (chapter tests, county assessments, quizzes, etc.)
20% Lab Work (lab worksheets, lab reports, etc.)
20% Classwork (worksheets, outlines, etc.)
10% Projects
10% Homework
Please Check Family Portal regularly!!

5. Classroom Procedures
Start Drill as soon as you enter the classroom. Must be in seat by 2nd bell. Drill sheets location…middle lab table
Class is dismissed by me or Mr. Kellaher or Ms. Bates, not the bell.
Raise your hand before speaking. Be respectful of those around you.
Stay in your seats. Throw paper away as you leave, pass papers to front, raise hand if you need help.
For all electronic devices, the “off and out of sight – classroom bell to bell” policy will be followed.
If a group is having trouble settling down, say “I’ll give you exactly 2 more minutes to finish getting to work”. Then time them. We need to teach our students how to treat us with respect.
Students should be in their seats and working on the drill when the 2nd bell rings. Class is dismissed by the instructor, not the bell, and students are to remain sitting in their seats unless instructed otherwise.
Students will follow the Howard County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct. With regard to the use of all electronic devices, the “off and out of sight – classroom bell to bell” policy will be followed unless device is used as part of a lesson.
It is expected that respect be shown to classmates, teachers, and administrators. Every class will participate in creating a PRIDE Pact outlining the agreed classroom expectation and behaviors. Students and Instructors will sign the PRIDE Pact to signify ownership in their classroom community.
Assignments should be placed in my “In-Box” at the beginning of class on the day it is due or when I ask for it. Graded assignments will be recorded and returned to you. Online grades should be checked on a regular basis.
Plagiarism or cheating in any form (including talking during an assessment, copying assignments, etc.) will not be tolerated and will result in a zero on the assignment/assessment with notification of the parents and administration.

6. Homework
Due at the START of the class period. If not turned in right away, will be counted as late.
Late homework = half credit.
Pass HW to front of classroom to my In Box.
Can be graded for either accuracy or completion.
Assignments are posted on the calendar on my webpage.

7. Classwork
If your absence is excused, you will be given time, EQUAL TO THE TIME MISSED, to make up any work
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to get your work made up on time and take missing assessments
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to collect returned graded work from your folder in the crate on back lab table

8. Excessive Absences
9 unexcused absences in the course of an academic year (4.5 per semester) will result in denial of credit due to excessive absences
Tardy sign in-sheet.

9. Lab Work
Lab safety is our priority!
If you are not wearing lab appropriate clothing you will NOT be allowed to participate.  Refusal to wear goggles properly will result in removal from the lab. You will get only 1 warning and then be asked to leave the lab.
If you miss a lab, you will need to complete the lab after school (being absent all period or missing more than 20 minutes of the period)
Lab station must be clean before you leave the classroom

10. Lab Safety Lab safety is a PRIORITY
Safety goggles must be worn when I say so.
This does NOT mean wearing them on your head or around your neck
Refusal to wear goggles or if you need to be constantly “reminded” to put them on will result in removal from the lab area
Also wear closed-toe shoes on lab days

11. Discipline Issues
Howard High School’s PBIS discipline ladder policy will be followed.
NO electronic devices out during class.
NO food.

12. Academic Dishonesty Cheating will result in a grade of zero
If you are talking during an assessment, I will consider this cheating.
Copying someone else’s paper for any reason is considered cheating
If you give someone your paper to copy, you will also receive a grade of zero
Discussing/exchanging secure test information is considered cheating

13. Note on Assessments You will normally know one week in advance
of an upcoming assessment.
Therefore, being absent the day before an assessment does NOT excuse you from taking it upon your return
Talking during any type of assessment will result in a grade of zero.

14. Drills/Wrap-ups
You will have a drill and wrap up to complete every class.
Please start the drill as you as you sit down.
Record both the drill question and answer on the drill sheet
Drills may be collected randomly at any time during the marking period
A stack of drill sheets is located on back lab table

15. Extra Help
I am available before and after school if you need extra help with work. Please schedule a time with me or see Ms. Bates or Mr. Kellaher.

16. This presentation is posted on my webpage.
Check out my webpage:
This presentation is posted on my webpage.

17. Assigned Seating Students will be assigned seats
Students will receive new seating arrangements every marking period

18. Lab Groups
I will choose your lab group at the beginning of the year. These groups may change throughout the year.

19. Assessments
You will take the Biology HSA

20. Other Classroom Procedures
Please respect my cart and the area around my desk. This is my space.