{AP® Biology

Ms. P. WardHealth Sciences PathwayRoom 182Math & Science Annex

"What is there that confers the noblest delight? What is that which swells a man's breast with pride above that which any other experience can bring to him? Discovery! To know that you are walking where none others have walked…"

— Mark Twain

Welcome to AP® Biology

Two semesters Zoology for AP Biology (1/2 credit) Botany (1/2 credit) AP Biology (1 credit)

The Course

Rationale: Think logically Develop models Develop research skills Apply mathematics College course

Course Goals Conceptual framework for modern biology Successfully take AP Exam (Score 3 or higher)

AP Biology Content Big Idea 1: Evolution – the process of evolution drives the diversity and

unity of life Big Idea 2: Cellular Processes (Energy and Communication) – Biological

systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow Big Idea 3: Genetics and Information Transfer – living systems store,

retrieve, transmit, and respond to information essential to life processes Big Idea 4: Interactions – Biological systems interact and these systems

and their interactions possess complex properties.

AP Biology Exam 2 parts: MC & Free Response 180 minutes May 14, 2014

The Course

This course is a college level introductory lab course.

This course will be fast paced! Students are expected and required to complete all assignments, in class and out of class, in a timely manner.

This course has an important laboratory component. All students are expected and required to work together for completion of activities, labs, and other assignments.

The lab includes structured, guided, and open inquiry during which students apply scientific problem solving skills.

Students are expected to be responsible for their own learning.

Students are expected to be prepared for tests, quizzes, and performance assessments as assigned.

Students are expected to study at least 270 minutes per week.

Format and Procedures

The course involves a writing component to prepare for the essay portion of the AP® Biology Exam. The course will have multiple formats including lecture, lab, discussion [in all formats], cooperative learning, etc.

Format and Procedures

All work must be on loose-leaf paper [no micro tear-outs].

Assignments should be in pencil or standard blue or black ink.

Papers should be headed with your name, date, class, assignment title, and learning objective.

Students will have on-line assignments. Students will complete weekly discussion

questions (online).

Assignments

Do not turn on computers without teacher approval.

Students are not to download any content to the computers unless directed to do so.

Computers are for use for academic content only; do not access music sites, Facebook™, or other banned sites.

If you are caught doing so you will be subject to disciplinary action. Students are not to alter the settings on the computers.

Computer Stations

Students will be held responsible for their own behavior. In addition to district, and school policies, class rules include: Be in class on time and working [Do Now]

when tardy bells rings. Bring all materials [text, notebook, writing

utensil] to class daily. Raise hand and wait to be recognized

before speaking or moving around the room.

Follow directions the FIRST time they are given.

Keep hands, feet, and other parts to yourself.

Class Rules

 

Consequences for violation of rules/policies include: First violation: warning Second violation: Written notice/phone call to parent Third violation: After school detention [1 hour

minimum] Fourth and subsequent violations: Office referral

with mandatory Behavioral Contract You will be immediately referred to the office for fighting,

harassing other students, and disruptions that prevent the learning process.

Rewards for good behavior include: Homework passes (grade will be NM) Music time (your choice, must be clean) Field Trips

Class Rules

Students will be expected to [these are to be done daily!]: Sharpen pencils before the bell rings; Throw paper away before or after class; Use the restroom before or after class*; Enter class quietly and begin Do Now assignment; Remain on task and seated [unless otherwise directed]

throughout the class period. Head should not be on desk at any time! (12-inch rule).

*For emergency situations only – students will be issued 3 emergency rest room passes.

Class Procedures

This course will be hands-on and will utilize cooperative learning.

All students are expected and required to work together

Students are to communicate with students in their group only!

Cooperative Learning

I am not inclined to accept late work. If there are extenuating circumstances, late work may be accepted for partial credit.

Make-up work not completed within the provided timeline will result in grade of zero [0].

I expect you to turn in your own work, when it is due.

If you are going on a field trip, or will be out of class for an activity, the day that an assignment is due, please drop it off in my classroom that morning or send it by another student.

If you are absent the day an assignment is due, I expect it to be turned in as soon as you return to class. Your absence must be excused!

Missed tests/quizzes must be made up during FAP, after school, or during Saturday school (you must make arrangements beforehand). Missing Work/Make Up

Class attendance and participation policy:

Students are expected to be in class daily. Students may not miss more than 5

[excused] class meetings to receive a passing grade for this course.

Course Requirements

Course readings: Required text: Campbell AP Biology Assigned on-line articles/web pages “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot “Next” by Michael Crichton

Required Materials: Two 1”– 3 ring binder –with Supply of loose leaf paper &

Tab dividers [@ least 5] Composition notebook – preferably with grid Highlighter – Pencils/Pens [blue or black ink only] – Colored pencils or crayons – Metric Ruler – 4 function calculator (non-programmable) USB flashdrive/jumpdriveCourse Requirements

Grades will be determined as follows: Daily Grades count as 25% of your grade and

includes: Do Now Activities; Class Activities; Notebook ; Student

Portfolio

Test[s] count as 50% of your grade and includes: Quizzes; Essays; Unit Exams (post-tests); Lab

Summaries; Benchmark Assessments

Homework counts as 25% of your grade and includes:

Homework (includes weekly discussion questions); Online Assignments; Article Portfolio

Quarter Exam counts as 25% of Term Grade

GradingPretests do not count as grades

Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student's own work.

 You can give "consulting" help to or receive "consulting" help from such students.

You should never involve one student having possession of a copy of all or part of work done by someone else.

Should copying occur, both the student who copied work from another student and the student who gave material to be copied will both automatically receive a zero for the assignment.

During quizzes/tests/performance assessments talking or discussion is not permitted nor may you compare papers, copy from others, or collaborate in any way. Any such behavior during the examinations will result in failure of the exam.

Academic Integrity

to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own

to use (another's production) without crediting the source

to commit literary theft to present as new and original an idea or

product derived from an existing source.(Source: plagarism.org)

Plagiarism

Any research done in this class must be properly documented.

Summarize information … Do not copy word for word unless you use quotation marks.

Any work directly copied and pasted from the internet will result in a grade of zero for the assignment.

Academic Integrity

{ {Multiple Choice

Part A: 63 questions

Part B: 6 grid-in questions

Free Response

2 essay questions (long)

6 short response questions

AP Exam

AP® Score Raw Score*

5 78

4 64

3 45

2 26

1 <25

ᴥ Each part of the exam counts as 50%

ᴥ The raw score is the percentage of questions correct.

There are certain additional procedures to be followed each day: The Daily Agenda is listed on the

board on the right side of the room everyday.

Enter the class quietly, note the Daily Agenda items for the day.

In your notebooks, record the standard for the day and begin the Do Now assignment.

Daily Procedures

There are two procedures to focus class attention:1. When I raise my right hand, all students are to cease talking and focus their attention on me.2. When I say the word “Class”, all students are to respond “Yes”.

Attention Signals

{ {Zero Talk Time During Do Now While teacher is

speaking While other student

is speaking During tests/quizzes During Independent

Work

Quiet Talk Time During cooperative

learning During lab activities During guided

practice Must be on-task

discussions

Talk Time

This year each class will incorporate reading and writing as an important component of your classes.

You will practice and apply your reading and writing skills through your Article Portfolios.

You will be provided 4 science articles each quarter. You are to read the articles and summarize the content using the five paragraph essay process.

Portfolio due dates are as follow: September 18th October 23rd November 27th

Article Portfolio

Contact information: Email: pward@gville.k12.ms.us Email: pdward82@gmail.com Website: www.schoolrack.com/pdward82 Phone: 662-334-7062 ext 3780 Text messaging: Text @apzo to

(601)778-4442

Resources