Biology is an important and potentially exciting course that introduces students to many basic science concepts.  Areas of study in this course include cell structure and function, molecules of biological imortance, plant and animal anatomy & physiology, basic embryology, ecology, genetics, biotechnology, evolution, and taxonomy.  These are all taught with a strong emphasis on human biology.  

Parents are encouraged to contact and communicated with teachers.  The best time to call is before 7:30 am. or after school at 2:35 pm.  Questions, concerns or comments can be addressed to Randall Shinn - Instructor.  Staff-line number: (503) 345-6789

1. Improve reading, writing, computational and communication skills
2. Develop thinking and problem solving skills.
3. Develop basic laboratory skills.
4. Understand the basic life processes occurring in all living systems.  
5. To master the basic science concepts to pass the state CIM science performance task.  
6. To develop the writing skills needed to pass the CIM science performance task.  
7. Learn various concepts through thematic units and individual subject instruction.
8. Learn to function in a cooperative learning environment.
9. Become self-directed, motivated life-long learners.  

1. Come to class prepared to learn.  You are expected to have something to write with (other than red pen) and a 3-ring notebook with biology materials and notebook paper.  The notebook needs to have two sections for biology with tabs labeled assignments and notes.  Textbooks are for homework and do not need to be brought to class.  
2. When the bell rings you are expected to be in class and to go to your assigned seat.  A tardy will be assigned if you need to be told to sit down.  Also, if you have been absent and are not on the excused list and don't have a slip from the attendance office you will be sent to get a slip.  This will also be marked as a tardy.  
3. Always respect others, yourself, and the classroom.  
4. For your safety and reduced expense, use all equipment and materials in the prper manner.  You may be charged for any damage done due to carelessness.  
5. Cell phones and music devices are not allowed in class.  

General Grading Policies:

Categories consist of Test, Quizzes, Homework, Labs, and Project Points. 

All points are identical!  No ‘weighted’ points or ‘weighted’ categories. 

Typical 6-week grading period.

Tests – Average of 50 points per test, 3 or 4 tests/quarter, approximately 200 points/quarter.  Typically each test contains multiple choice, problem-solving, and essay questions.  (Note: When writing multiple choice questions, label the options with capital letters (A., B., C., etc.) rather than lower case; then the students are more likely to give their answer as a capital; lower case letters are more easily confused which may lead to argumentation. 

Quizzes – Typically about 10-15 points/quiz, every Friday (unless there’s a test) for a total of approximately 60-100 points/quarter. 

Homework:  Assignments every day (except Fridays), worth various points depending on the assignment. (Students are entitled to make errors on homework –that’s their opportunities to learn).  Also in this category are laboratory reports, worth 10 points, approximately 5 or 6 per quarter for 50-60 points/quarter. 
LATE WORK:
        Students who turn in late work, unless prearranged with me, will be marked down 50 percent (F) for each assignment.  I will accept late work no later than two weeks after the due date.  

Project Points – This category incorporated a variety of opportunities, including group projects (such as model-building, presentations on specific topics, Challenges, etc.), scientific inquiry research, etc.  All of the above are optional, but students were scored on the basis of 50 points in this category during the marking period.  In addition, they could earn up to 15 extra credit points in this category.  Consequently the Project Point category permitted students to make up approximately an additional 5% during the marking period to improve their grade. Other ways of earning Project Points included:

Read a scientific magazine article and write a summary (approximately 10 points, depending on the length of article and quality of summary). 

Writing a report about the scientific errors found in a science fiction movie. 

Conducting an investigation at home (with approval of the procedure in advance from both the teacher and parents). 

Bringing in a newspaper article about a current topic in science (2 points for just bringing it in, 10 points if a report is written). 

Some creative students would negotiate the value of producing a poem, song, cartoon, PowerPoint presentation, etc. – related to the topics being studied, of course. 

Identifying my error when I make any kind of mistake (1 point per error).