1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!!!

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

10. 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

11. 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