PreAP Biology Course Syllabus
In PreAP Biology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; and ecosystems and the environment. (TEA website 2010)
Course Materials
Classroom Supplies
To make our school year run a bit more smoothly, you are kindly asked to donate supplies to our classroom. Thank you! You can see my Amazon Wishlist here, or send materials via Amazon to:
Ally White
c/o Westlake High School
4100 Westbank Drive
Austin, TX 78746
Tutorials
Check your individual teacher's website to access his/her tutorial schedule.
Grading
5% Daily
35% Quiz and Lab
60% Tests and Projects
Learning Targets
Each student will receive a copy of the learning targets at the start of each unit. This document outlines the objectives of the unit and will also serve as a review sheet for the unit. All assessments (quizzes and tests) are designed with content from the unit’s learning targets.
Helpful Electronic Tools
Test Access Policy
Unit tests are reviewed in class 2 days after taking the test. Test grades will be released after students have viewed the graded tests. Tests are NOT to be removed from the classroom. Parents wishing to view the test after student completion of the test may schedule an appointment with the instructor to view the test. Formative assessments (quizzes) will be handed back to students 2 days after taking the quiz and may be kept with the student.
Makeup Policy
As outlined in the WHS Student Handbook (page 25), for every one day a student is absent, the student will have one school day to make up assignments. The student is responsible for getting the assignments that were missed. School related activities are known in advance and therefore we request the assignment to be due before the absence occurs, if possible.
Late Work Policy
All assignments are designed to lead the student to success on assessments. Late work in the Daily Grade (5%) category is NOT accepted past the due date. Late lab assignments (due to not turning an assignment in on time) will be accepted for a maximum grade of a 80.
Retest Policy
Personal Electronic Device Policy
In grades 9-12, students are not permitted to display, turn on, or use a personal device, during instructional class periods. For grades 9-12, an instructional class period is the time from the tardy bell to the dismissal bell for a class period, and does not include lunch, passing periods, and off periods. With specific teacher permission, students can access personal devices to listen to music during independent study or self-paced time.
Academic Honor Code
Please familiarize yourself with the Academic Honor Code as outlined in the WHS Student Handbook. (pages 28 – 29). Any student who is caught violating the Academic Honor Code will be given consequences as outlined in the code.
Laboratory Safety Contract
A student will be removed from the science activity area by the teacher if:
In PreAP Biology, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving. Students in Biology study a variety of topics that include: structures and functions of cells and viruses; growth and development of organisms; cells, tissues, and organs; nucleic acids and genetics; biological evolution; taxonomy; metabolism and energy transfers in living organisms; living systems; homeostasis; and ecosystems and the environment. (TEA website 2010)
Course Materials
- Charged iPad
- Earbuds
- Folder or Binder for handouts
- Loose-leaf notebook paper
- Pens/pencils
- Scissors, glue, colored pencils (needed occasionally, but can mostly be left at home - students will be informed when to bring to class)
Classroom Supplies
To make our school year run a bit more smoothly, you are kindly asked to donate supplies to our classroom. Thank you! You can see my Amazon Wishlist here, or send materials via Amazon to:
Ally White
c/o Westlake High School
4100 Westbank Drive
Austin, TX 78746
- **Paper towels, paper towels, paper towels!!**
- Tissues
- Hand soap / Dish soap
- Sanitizing wipes (for surfaces)
- Colored pencils
- Ziplock baggies (quart or gallon)
- Nitrile gloves (assorted sizes)
- Markers
- Gluesticks
Tutorials
Check your individual teacher's website to access his/her tutorial schedule.
Grading
5% Daily
35% Quiz and Lab
60% Tests and Projects
Learning Targets
Each student will receive a copy of the learning targets at the start of each unit. This document outlines the objectives of the unit and will also serve as a review sheet for the unit. All assessments (quizzes and tests) are designed with content from the unit’s learning targets.
Helpful Electronic Tools
- Google Classroom – View important announcements
- Google Drive – Access all the course handouts (learning targets, notes, worksheets)
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides – Used frequently for assignments
- Google Calendar (or equivalent) – Subscribe to Ms. White’s PreAP Biology calendar for important dates
- Notability (or equivalent) – Used frequently for assignments and note-taking
- Skyward – Used for Skyward HW assignments (make sure you know your login information – it’s different than your normal computer login!)
- EDPuzzle – Video app used frequently in class
- www.whsawhite.weebly.com - Add to Favorites
Test Access Policy
Unit tests are reviewed in class 2 days after taking the test. Test grades will be released after students have viewed the graded tests. Tests are NOT to be removed from the classroom. Parents wishing to view the test after student completion of the test may schedule an appointment with the instructor to view the test. Formative assessments (quizzes) will be handed back to students 2 days after taking the quiz and may be kept with the student.
Makeup Policy
As outlined in the WHS Student Handbook (page 25), for every one day a student is absent, the student will have one school day to make up assignments. The student is responsible for getting the assignments that were missed. School related activities are known in advance and therefore we request the assignment to be due before the absence occurs, if possible.
Late Work Policy
All assignments are designed to lead the student to success on assessments. Late work in the Daily Grade (5%) category is NOT accepted past the due date. Late lab assignments (due to not turning an assignment in on time) will be accepted for a maximum grade of a 80.
Retest Policy
- Student may retest any or all unit tests.
- Student may retest any unit test ONE time.
- The maximum score a student can receive on a retest is an 80.
- Upon retesting, the original test grade is forfeited and the final grade is recorded.
- The retest format will be selected response and short answer.
- In order to be eligible to retest, the student must
- have ALL unit labs turned in
- create a study guide over the unit material (referred to as the retest assignment)
- The student must notify the instructor if he/she chooses to retest.
- The student must submit the retest assignment to the instructor by the proposed deadline.
- The student must complete the retest before or after school within five school days after classroom review of the unit test.
- In PreAP Biology, all the quizzes in a unit can be replaced by a higher unit test grade. However, students may NOT use retest grade to replace a low quiz grade.
Personal Electronic Device Policy
In grades 9-12, students are not permitted to display, turn on, or use a personal device, during instructional class periods. For grades 9-12, an instructional class period is the time from the tardy bell to the dismissal bell for a class period, and does not include lunch, passing periods, and off periods. With specific teacher permission, students can access personal devices to listen to music during independent study or self-paced time.
Academic Honor Code
Please familiarize yourself with the Academic Honor Code as outlined in the WHS Student Handbook. (pages 28 – 29). Any student who is caught violating the Academic Honor Code will be given consequences as outlined in the code.
Laboratory Safety Contract
A student will be removed from the science activity area by the teacher if:
- the student is behaving in such a manner that he/she can cause injury to themselves or to other students.
- the student is not following the prescribed safety rules for the biology activity area or the particular biology activity being conducted.
- the student is going beyond the limits of the biology activity into areas that may lead to an unsafe situation.
- the student has not completed the pre-experiment activities that will allow them to work in the laboratory situation.