syllabus

Mansfield Summit High School

Pre-AP Biology

Instructor: Mr. Spann

Class location: D-4

Conference: A day – 8:55-10:35 am

B day - 7:15-8:45 am Summit phone # (817) 473-5660

Email spanma@mansfieldisd.org

Email is the best way to communicate with me. If parents write

notes in the planner to me, it is the student's responsibility to

show me these notes.

Website www.mansfieldisd.org/summit/Teachers_Webpages/spanma/Mr.Spann.htm

This site can also be accessed from the Summit website(click faculty-teachers)

Textbooks Holt Biology and Holt Modern Biology (both books are online @

http://my.hrw.com ; login- shs password- 2k4v

COURSE OVERVIEW

In Biology, students conduct field and laboratory 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; ecosystems; and plants and the environment.

CLASS PROCEDURES AND QUIDELINES

1. Come prepared! Bring all supplies to class.

You will not be allowed to go back to your locker during class.

2. Participate! It keeps you informed, awake, and interested.

3. Turn in your work! Assignments 1 day late will be penalized 30 %. Assignments

more than 1 day late will not be accepted.

4. Make up missed work! When you are absent, you have the total number of days

missed plus one to complete your work. It is your responsibility to see me before

or after class about the missed assignments.

5. There are no test retakes or test corrections.

6, Do not cheat! It is not tolerated. It results in an automatic zero, referral to your associate

principal, and a phone call home.

7. No IPODS, MP3 players, CD players, or cell phones are allowed in class at anytime.

8. HAVE FUN! This class is very active and requires you to get involved. Use good

classroom etiquette! Be mature and respectful of you surroundings.

NOTEBOOKS

Each student will keep a 3 ring binder notebook will all assignments. The notebook

will be given a major grade periodically. The notebook will be divided into sections labeled:

( put syllabus and safety contract in front )

NOTES

DAILY WORK

LABS/PROJECTS

QUIZZES AND TESTS

GRADING POLICY

Tests /Projects 50%

Labs/ quizzes 30%

Daily work- 20%

100% -- Final exam counts 20% of semester grade.

Grades can be viewed online at any time on Infinite Campus.

Parents and students are encouraged to monitor online grades to follow their progress in the class and to check for any mistakes in data entry.

SUPPLIES

Journal or spiral

3 ring binder & dividers

blue or black pens

red pen

notebook paper

colored map pencils

glue sticks

1 roll of paper towels or 1 box of tissue

***Extra supplies are always needed and appreciated but are not mandatory.

more paper towels (cheap ones are great)

liquid soap

dry erase markers

facial tissue

RULES

1. Follow instructions given by the teacher or any other school employee.

2. Do not use vulgar or offensive language.

3. Have materials ready to use when the bell rings.

4. Do not tease or ridicule fellow students.

5. Do not sit on desks or damage any school property.

CONSEQUENCES

If a student breaks a rule, a verbal warning will be given. After the warning, the

student can expect any of the following:

a. conference

b. call to parents

c. discipline referral to their associate principal

d. immediate removal from the classroom to the associate principals office

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________