WELCOME TO AP BIOLOGY!! 8/10/17 FIRST DAY OF SENIOR YEAR!! Please sit where you would like in the first 4 rows of desks – this will be your seat for the first quarter

Hello, I’m Mr. Fletcher 18 years of teaching (been at IRHS since we opened in 2001) Previously… Agricultural Extension Agent in Pennsylvania Lab manager – U of A Dept of Pharmacology College in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arizona Grew up in Philadelphia , went to high school in Massachusetts Currently… Fabulous family Anna, Rachel and Abraham

2 Semester College-level Introductory Biology Course AP Biology?!?! What up wit dat? Molecular and Cellular Biology Biochemistry In Human Systems: Immune, Endocrine, Nervous Regulation 0f Cellular Processes Energy: Cellular Respiration and Photosynthesis Cellular and Organismal Reproduction Genetics Evolutionary Biology Ecology 2 Semester College-level Introductory Biology Course Before I came here I was confused. Having listened to your lectures, I am still confused, but on a higher level and about more important things. Enrico Fermi

Who Are You!!?? Something about yourself. Why are you taking AP Biology?

But what do you really need to know about the class?? OK, so I’ve met you, you’ve met me, and you know a little about the subjects we will study this year. But what do you really need to know about the class?? Please pick up one of each of the handouts from the back table. Some of these we will discuss now, some we will discuss later. Handouts Very Important Information Pathway to Success Study Guide Notes 1 Guidelines for Your AP Lab Journal Study Guide Questions 1 Test 1 Possible FRQ’s (I won’t usually be handing out so much stuff)

Some things to know about AP Biology… Worthwhile rewards Incredible subject matter/Relevant for those considering a field of biology Strengthen cognitive, learning and personal skills for any challenging and competitive future Potential college credit/facilitated college experience Significant challenges Freshman Pre AP – so long ago but background is presumed Out of class expectations – 1 ½ hour outside for every hour in? Curriculum is dense, abstract and fast paced You must grow as a learner Handouts Very Important Information Pathway to Success

So what can you expect from AP Biology day to day? In class… Lecture/SGNs  power point – note taking - videos Labs – experiments, activities Practice for tests/AP exam – MC, Math, FRQ’s Assessments No surprise… lots of work!! Atmosphere expected  All about business

Out of class… 1 ½ hours for every hour in class? Reading about topics in the textbook and working with textbook practice problems (see syllabus on line) Independent learning – working with online resources, including practice problems and videos Work with Study Guide Questions and Test FRQ’s Lab write ups Occasionally other out of class assignments are given, but are not worth a great deal of credit And if necessary to get the grade you want… Tutoring with Mr. Fletcher after school, or with some other qualified individual Work with AP Exam books to help with class assessments Approximately 50% of grade comes from assessments – you must be prepared for them!!!

So not much of this… But maybe some of this…

Pathway to Success What you need The usual 2 composition notebooks 9 ¾ “ x7 ½ “ college/quadrille ruled need by Monday Homework Online - Review syllabus Read 2 handouts Very Important Information Pathway to Success Quiz – Controlled Experiment Next Thurs or Fri Read pages 19 – 29 Ch 2 The Chemical Context of Life Due Wednesday

Let’s talk about labs, lab safety lab journal Labs Wet labs, paper labs, computer labs Write up largely done outside of class Approximately 40% of grade Lab Safety Covered in previous science classes Lab Journal 2 so we can exchange them See handout