Email:  Alexandra.mclean@ucps.k12.nc.us   

Tutoring Hours:  Tuesday Morning @ 7:15

Thursday Afterschool from 3:15-4 p.m. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Biology is an EOC Course.  During the semester, students will study the major concepts regarding living organisms and how they relate to their lives.  It is expected that students be prepared to take responsibility for their own academic success.  This class will promote independent work, group activities and critical thinking.  Students will use several different strategies to learn including lectures, activities/labs and readings. Please review the following attachment for details on Biology EOC Scoring: NC Biology EOC Cut Scores

Below is a general sequence of units that we will cover this semester:

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

• your charged computer
• 1 2 inch 3 ring binder
• 1 package of dividers
• pens or other writing utensils
• lined paper
• Highlighters

Parent-teacher communication:  Should you have any questions or concerns e-mail is the quickest means of communication. Students and parents are encouraged to check grades through PowerSchool.  Please ensure that school has updated phone numbers and emails in case of emergency.

ATTENDANCE & TARDIES

The definition of a tardy for my class is as follows: you are tardy if you are not in the room and in your seat when the bell rings. Students who are late are required to have a tardy pass from the office.

Students are expected to be in the classroom on time daily. If an absence is planned, please notify Mrs. McLean as soon as possible and use canvas to access missed content. If an assignment is due during a planned absence, it must be turned in early or it will be considered LATE work. When students are unexpectedly are absent, it is their responsibility to access assignments/agendas through the canvas page or hard copies in the "while you were out" box in the classroom.

LATE WORK & MORE:

1. If an assignments submitted after an answer key has been shared will not be accepted.

2. For late work: you will lose 5% for every day (including the weekends). For example: if an assignment is due on Friday and you submit it on Monday, that would be 3 days late.

3. No late work for a unit will be accepted AFTER MIDNIGHT on the day of the unit test.

4. In the event that we move to a hybrid learning environment: All hand written work needs to be scanned and uploaded as ONE pdf file. Multiple pictures will not be accepted. We will go over how to scan using an iPhone or an Android in the event this is necessary. There are also other ways to take screen shots and put them all on one document and save it as a PDF file.

5. A GREEN FONT font must be used for all typed assignments. Points will be taken off for not following directions.

6. It is your responsibility to check your Canvas notifications! There may be a time where you may have uploaded a blank document. Remember, you can not receive credit until I have received your work.

** All grades are entered directly into PowerSchool. Do not use Canvas to check your grades!**

Review Sheets

All students will create a personal review sheet based on the unit objectives and vocabulary for the unit of study we are covering. The information and requirements for this document are linked to the home page of our Canvas. Additionally, plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Plagiarism

There will be no credit given for submitted work that is not yours. That may include the following scenarios:

• 1. Falsifying information on assignments
  2. Collaborating/Cheating on assessments (test/quizzes/learning checks)
  3.  Copying information from the Internet 
  4. Copying and submitting assignments  (Google Docs/Canvas tasks) partially or entirely completed by someone else as your own work. Working together does not mean that your answers should be identical!
  5. Allowing another student to copy from your work.

Students guilty of the above mentioned instances will receive a zero and an administrative referral. Parents will be contacted.

IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION:

1. Be on time & come to class prepared. Bring your charged computer, paper, and a pen or pencil. (I will not have an extra charger for you, so please make sure that you bring yours.)
2. Be Polite: Treat each other and your teachers with respect and dignity.
3. All students must participate in all activities given in class.
4. Upon entering class:
   1. Sit in your assigned seat
   2. Put your phone away in the provided storage area.
   3. Go to Canvas to access the daily lesson 
   4. Begin your daily warm up.
5. Maintain a 3 ft. distance from everyone in the classroom.
6. No Eating in the classroom. This is a laboratory environment and students should not be consuming food within any laboratory for safety protocol.
7. Use of computers and Internet should be used for educational purposes only and not for games.
8. Please follow all directions the first time they are given.
9. Never leave the classroom without permission and the hall pass. You should not leave the classroom during the first or last 10 minutes of class. Please do not interrupt instruction to ask to use the restroom unless it is an emergency. Our science classroom is equipped with sinks, so you can wash your hands.
10. Remain seated at all times (unless instructed otherwise).

• • Please don’t move around the classroom (to throw trash or for any other purposes) until after the lesson. 

IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION:

1. Being on time is crucial to your success (in-person and virtually). Off-site students should watch the recorded session or email me with questions when late.
2. It is crucial that you go to your Canvas Account to make sure that you are receiving notifications. (We will set these together on the first day of class.)
3. Canvas Announcements are vital to your understanding of the expectations and communication for this course. It is YOUR responsibility to read the announcements every time you log in to your course. (You will not need to go to Canvas if you set your notifications through your phone or email.)
4. Daily lessons will be accessible through our HOME page on Canvas. You will need to click on the current unit to access daily lessons. Only one unit will be published at a time.
5. New lesson will be published by 5 pm of the day before so you can print out the necessary material. It is crucial that you are prepared before the lesson begins.
6. Be respectful towards your peers, the teacher, and school property.

• • Consequences for disruptive behavior:

1. 1. 1. A verbal warning will be given the first time.
      2. Parents will be contacted after the second offense.
      3. The student will be written up for a discipline referral

                 (Please note that certain behaviors will directly result in a discipline referral.)

4. Canvas discussion post etiquettes:

1. 1. Create posts that are on topic and within the scope of the course material
   2. Take your posts seriously and review and edit them before sending
   3. Always be respectful of others’ opinions even when they differ from your own
   4. When you disagree with someone, you should express your differing opinion in a respectful, non-critical way
   5. Do not make personal or insulting remarks
   6. Be open-minded

Etiquettes for Email Communication

1. Include a subject line. Example: Jane Lee 3rd Block: Ecology HW 

2. Always begin your email by greeting your teacher. 'Dear Mrs. McLean,' or 'Hi Mrs. McLean,'

3. Then, write a brief comment, such as “I hope your day is going well.” or "I hope all is well at your end." This helps create a stronger interaction between you and your teacher, just as you would in person.

4. Be respectful; ask rather than demand.

5. Clearly state the purpose of the email: be concise & to the point.

6. Avoid the text lingo: use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation.

7. Do not write in all CAPITALS. This makes it seem as if you are shouting at the receiver. 

8. Use exclamation marks sparsely.

9. Before hitting the send button,  reread your email & make sure to check the impression of your tone.

10. Allow the proper amount of response time. Follow up using the original email if you have not received a response after 24 hours (week days) and 48 hours (weekends).

Helpful Hints for Success

• Most Important: Make sure that you know how to navigate our CANVAS page.
• It is crucial that your computer is charged every day.
• If you will be joining virtually, make sure to print the necessary material the night before.
• Active participation is very important.
• You should utilize class time effectively! Make good use of 30-45 minutes given in class to complete work.
• Make sure to know how to access the online STEMSCOPES textbook. (The link is posted on our Home page.)
• We will have limited time in class to practice vocabulary for each unit using Quizlet sets (available on Canvas) so please make sure to practice on your own.
• You are responsible for all the assigned reading material. It will also help you learn the learning the meaning of new vocabulary in context.
• Complete the guided notes and make sure to review them.
• Please submit your own work! Cheating will NOT be tolerated!
• Ask questions! If you don’t understand something, you are not the only one.
• I know life exists beyond the classroom, so if there is an issue that is affecting your academics, then please communicate with me.

 Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.           ~ Benjamin Franklin