Honors Biology Course Description and Expectations Mr. Welman Room 126

As you walk in… Turn in your “student survey” (wire basket) Pick up the following handouts: –Assignments and Activities –Scavenger Hunt (and one strip of newsprint in the box) –Binder Description –Course Description and Expectations Pick up a textbook Take your seat, and put the following on your desk (everything else on the floor, please): –Pen/pencil, binder/notebook (if you have it) –All handouts, textbook

Follow along… First, update assignment sheet (daily) Use a pen/pencil/highlighter to underline/highlight important parts. You are responsible for ALL info presented today. Fill out the “Green Sheet” Ask questions!

Who’s that guy teaching you? Mr. Welman –Bachelor of Science in biology University of New Hampshire –Masters in Teaching Seattle University –5 years in ecological research Lab site: Institute of Ecosystem Studies, New York Field site: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (acid rain) –12 th year of teaching – bio, chem, phys science

Biology Biology is the science that seeks to understand the living world Passing Biology - required for graduation Passing the Biology “End of Course” exam (EOC) - required for graduation –65% of students in the state passed June 2014 –Nearly all honors students pass; those who work hard “exceed” standard (matters for college?) Two honors students did not pass in 2015 (out of 95) Most hard-working students “exceeded” standard

Course Outline First semester Nature of science, characteristics of lifeNature of science, characteristics of life Biochemistry, nature of matterBiochemistry, nature of matter Ecology, ecosystems, populations, env. scienceEcology, ecosystems, populations, env. science Cells (structure, processes, growth)Cells (structure, processes, growth) DNA (genetics, biotechnology, protein synthesis)DNA (genetics, biotechnology, protein synthesis) Second semester DNA, continued (or started, depending on timing)DNA, continued (or started, depending on timing) Biological evolutionBiological evolution Classification of lifeClassification of life Microbiology (bacteria, viruses)Microbiology (bacteria, viruses) Animal BiologyAnimal Biology

Expectations of Students Give this class your best effort Be respectful Be an active learner – –Participate and ask questions! –Participation is 10% of your grade

Website Link on syllabus Links to all staff websites on the MTHS website ( Class activities and homework are posted on the website daily. –If you are absent, check the website at home for homework and classwork - before you return!

Homework Expect homework 3-5 nights per week On days assignments are due: –Some assignments will be collected and graded; you may not turn these in late (a few exceptions…) –Some assignments will be stamped; keep them in your binder until it is collected. Homework in your binder without a stamp will earn partial credit.

Late work Late work is not accepted, with two exceptions –Excused absences (verified by Skyward) –TWO late assignment passes per student I’ll give these to you in a moment…

Grading Your semester grade is comprised of the following: –55% tests and quizzes –35% homework, labs, binder, projects –10% participation and attendance

Electronic equipment Except for calculators, all electronic devices must be kept in your backpack or purse at all times –Unless being used in a classroom activity with permission If Mr. Welman sees an electronic device or headphones/earbuds in your ears –First time: confiscated for period –Second time: given to office for student pickup –Third time: given to office for PARENT/guardian pickup Please see me individually if you would like to use an electronic device to record assignments

Attendance and tardy policy Class is more interesting when everyone is here Be in the room by the time the bell rings. –More than one unexcused tardy = detention after school –4 th tardy – referral to administration (school policy) –Tardy, late, bathroom passes (passed out now) –Popsicle sticks – nickname on these in pen If you are absent, you must make up ALL missed work. If your absence is unexcused, you may not make up missed work; a 0 grade will be given.

After an absence Visit my website before returning to class –Copy assignment sheet information When you return: –Pick up handouts from bins by door –Look for returned assignments by door –See me during PASS or after school with questions or to make up class/lab work. –Do NOT see me right before or after class. –Look at the board now. Upper left.

Academic Honesty MTHS students should not cheat, and should not tolerate those who do Copying answers to assignments/exams is unacceptable –Those who copy and those who allow their work to be copied will receive quick, serious disciplinary action Plain and simple: DO YOUR OWN WORK.

Contact and extra help me with questions! I am available in Room 126 –Most days (usually not Wednesday) until about 2:30 –See board ACTIVITY BUS – 4:00 every day! –In the morning from 7:05 – 7:15 I like helping students after school! –I will work very hard to help you make up missed work or understand difficult topics. –Remember student advice from the surveys?

Binder Info Honors – read for HW –Everything goes in it (handouts, notes, etc.) –CLIP IN handout! (not in pocket) –Organized by date –Assignment sheet goes first –Your responsibility to read binder description, BIG part of your grade Carefully read it tonight

Miscellany Recycling in blue bin at front of room –Paper, glass, plastic (no tops, rinsed) Food –No food or drinks allowed (safety issue). –Leave food/drink in your backpack. –Gum IN YOUR MOUTH is ok. If I see it, you spit it out. Hall pass – white pipe at front of room –4 bathroom passes per semester. Plan ahead. –If you use all of them, see me for a nurse referral Binders may be stored in side cabinets. Hole punch, tape – by side cabinets; stapler up front 2 hand washing sinks –up front, in the back Please do NOT pack up early

Books! Interested in online book only? –Tell me when you come up to check out Record the book number (4 digits) somewhere safe (e.g. insider binder cover) –You will probably need this later! Check the condition right now Do scavenger hunt ALONE while I check out books –Check out: tell me first 5 letters of last name, then first name Note: you may leave your book at home most of the time. I will tell you the day before if you need it in class (you do NOT need it tomorrow).