1. Biology Spring Semester 2014 Rules & Expectations Refresher

2. Welcome Back! Everyone is here has an A right now! Keeping it is up to you. New semester = FRESH START. Make the most of it!

3. Biology is an EOC course You need to pass the class AND take the EOC in order to earn credit for this class. The EOC will make up 15% of your 2 nd semester grade. Quarter 3 makes up 42.5% of your semester grade Quarter 4 grade makes up 42.5% of your semester grade.

4. Don’t ‘ride the line’. 60% is NOT a safe place to be. If you head into the EOC with a low grade, it is possible that a low EOC grade could cause you to fail for semester. To avoid this, don’t allow your grade to drop below a C! Build that grade up as high as you can so that you have a ‘cushion’ in the event that you don’t do as well on the EOC as you would have liked to. This is especially important for those of you that are not the best ‘test takers’.

5. Does everyone take the EOC? If you do not have an LEAST a 60% for semester by the middle of April, you will not be taking the EOC at the end of April because you are not ‘ready’. You will have to take it this summer, or next December if you are able to raise your grade to passing by the end of May in order to avoid an “I” (Incomplete) for the course. If you fail the course, you will need to repeat the course, then take the EOC and pass in order to graduate

6. How to be successful in this class 1. Arrive to class on time! 2 nd tardy: Written Warning 3 rd tardy: 2 hour detention 4 th tardy: 4 hour detention 5 th tardy: ISS Tardies start today!

7. How to be successful in this class 2. Pay Attention, be ‘present’ in class. Physical presence and mental presence are NOT the same thing. I expect you to try your best, at all times.

8. How to be successful in this class 3. Check the class website regularly! http://hchsbiology.wikispaces.com Why? There is a page for each unit, a page explaining extra credit opportunities, and a page with resources to help you prepare of the EOC. On each unit page, you have access to all powerpoints presented in class, and most activities and projects for the semester. You’ll always know when assignments are due, when exams are occurring, when projects are due, etc!

9. How to be successful in this class 4. Come to class every day! Attendance REALLY matters. If you must be absent, make sure that is excused (parent has called in to the attendance office). If your absence is not excused, you will lose credit for anything assigned or due to that day. “You miss a day, you miss a lot”

10. How to be successful in this class 5. As soon as you arrive to class, take out your materials, store you bag under your desk and read the board so that you know the following: a) What is DUE that day (written in red next to ‘biology’) b) What the agenda and daily objectives are c) What the HOMEWORK is and when it is due d) When the next quiz, exam or project is due (see ‘impt upcoming events corner)

11. How to be successful in this class 6. Know where (and when) to turn in HW, where to pick up absent work, and how to turn in absent work. Where to turn in HW: Basket with your hour on it When to turn in HW: Before attendance. After that, it is ‘late’ (-10%) Where to pick up absent work: ‘Make up work’ folders stapled to bulletin board. How to turn in absent work: hand it to me after writing ‘absent work’ on top of it

12. How to be successful in this class 7. HOMEWORK: Meet all deadlines! TURN IT IN! I have NEVER failed a student who tried their hardest and turned in ALL homework assignments. In 15 years of teaching! EVEN IF you are not the best ‘test taker’ and fail exams. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

13. Making up work due to Suspension ISS The work that I drop off should be turned in to Mr. Linn (who will give it to me) before your return to class. OSS Work needs to be picked up from the guidance office, completed during your suspension, and ready to turn in the day you return to class.

14. How to be successful in this class 8. Stay organized! Everything that I give you will be hole-punched, and belongs in one of the 5 sections of your binder. If you don’t know where something should go, ask! Stay on top of it and you’ll be easily get a 50/50 on the binder check each unit.

15. How to be successful in this class 9. Take advantage of extra credit opportunities that I offer! Each unit exam will coincide with the opportunity to earn 15% added to your exam grade. 5%: for completing the usatestprep practice unit exam and earning an 80% or above by the day before the exam 10%: for completing a biology in the news review

16. LATE WORK POLICY You can turn in three assignments late per quarter. (-10% for each day late, up to 30% off) Late assignments must be turned in within 5 calendar days of the due date! Do NOT put in in the HW basket. Write ‘Late work’ on the top and hand it to me personally. ** Note: You can only ‘retake’ an exam if you have NO zero’s for the unit.

17. Bathroom Passes You have TWO emergency bathroom passes per quarter. Do not ask me for more than that (the answer is ‘no’). You have to log out and in each time you use a pass. Take care of your personal needs during passing periods.

18. Additional expectations Stay in your seat, unless permission is given to do otherwise. Bring your binder and a writing utensil with you to class EVERYDAY. Be polite. Treat each other kindly. Have fun. Ask questions if you have them!

19. Additional Expectations Leave ALL electronic devices in your locker or turned OFF in your bag. Do not take it out in my classroom. I will take it from you and write you up. ZERO TOLERANCE

20. Additional expectations NO PERSONAL GROOMING DURING CLASS This includes applying make- up, nail polish, lotion, brushing hair, etc