1. Mrs. Brandie Borges Room E203
Biology
Mrs. Brandie Borges
Room E203

2. Course Description Study of Living Things Problem Based Instruction
Structure & Function, Matter & Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems, Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems, Inheritance and Variations of Traits, and Natural Selection & Evolution
Problem Based Instruction
Inquiry Activity/Lab
Real World Applications/Scenarios
Cooperative Groups
Scientific Processes/Thinking
Job Skills

3. Book
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:
Biology. McDougal Littel (2008).

4. Student Job Expectations ($12)
Attend Regularly (& clear absences)
Be on time
Bring all required materials
Work cooperatively
Participate in class activities
Do assigned reading
Carry out investigations and complete laboratory reports
Complete class work and homework on time
Show respect to all
Be responsible for make-up work when absent
Study on a regular basis
Organize and graphically display data

5. Required Materials for Class
Interactive Spiral Notebook
Timesheet
School ID Card
Metric Ruler
Color Pencils
Calculator (Scientific Preferred)
Blue and/or Black Pens
Pencils
Glue / Glue stick

6. General Classroom Rules/Guidelines
Follow directions!!!
Follow all school rules and district policies (See Parent Student Handbook)
Follow all California Lab Safety rules
Respect others and yourself
Electronic devices must be turned off and put away (earphones included).
I SEE IT! I HEAR IT! I TAKE IT!
Be on time to class
The Academic Honor Code will be in affect at all times.
Grooming (i.e. make-up or hair) must be done at home or between classes.
Bags must be removed from laps.
Food and drinks are NOT permitted. The only exception is water bottles or for lab/classroom activities.

7. Assessments Projects Quizzes Multiple Choice Exams
Presentations; Debates/Negotiations; Products
Quizzes
Typically Free Response Questions
Open Notebook (*)
Multiple Choice Exams

8. Grading 10% Timesheets 15% Participation & Cooperation
30% Classwork, Labs, & Homework
20% Quizzes, Tests, & Projects
25% Final Test Score
100-90%
89-80%
79-67%
66-57%
56-0% A B C D F

9. Extra Credit Opportunities
Staff Jobs
Return Work; Equipment Manager; Office Manager
Coupons
Other opportunities as assigned during the year
NO Extra Credit Offered during last 2 weeks of each semester

10. Attendance Attendance is VITAL Must clear absences within 10 days
Correlation of Attendance and Grades
Problem Based Instruction
Cooperative Work/Assignments
Must clear absences within 10 days
Excused Absences can make-up work
Make-up Work
Equal time of absence to turn in work
While You Were Out
Activity/Lab/Quiz/Test Make-up Agreement Form

11. Tardies VITAL Job Skill Unexcused Tardy = Docked $5 on Timesheet
3 Unexcused = Lowering of Work Habits Grade

12. Late Work Policy LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!
Exception: Late Assignment Coupon
One per semester / Earn Additional
Used No Later Than Day BEFORE Final Exam
Extra Credit if turned in unused by Final Exam
CANNOT be used on Extra Credit Assignments, Projects, Missed Make-up Agreement, Quiz/Test

13. Bathroom/Locker Visits
4 coupons / semester
Complete Coupon, Hand it, Go
Go Quickly & Quietly
5 minutes
CANNOT be used 10 minutes After & Before Class Bells
Used Coupons Earn Extra Credit