Course Syllabus

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Welcome to Honors Biology

With Mrs. Macera

Email: candace.macera@ucps.k12.nc.us

Porter Ridge High: 704-292-7662

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),

Hi, and welcome to Mrs. Macera’s Honors Biology class!  I am very excited to work alongside you and your student to make this a fun and successful semester.   This is an honors level science course, so we will tend to move through basic content very quickly to spend more time on hands-on activities and problem/project-based learning.  Due to the fast pace of the course, each student may fall behind at times.  Students must know that the ultimate responsibility for learning is on them, so they must take initiative to ask for help, attend tutoring, and study and work a little extra in order to reach their potential in the class.

I believe that support from home is the most essential part of each student’s success.  It is important that you keep up with your student’s grades and attendance, which you can now do online through the Parent Portal! (EmpowerED Resource Link) Please be mindful that there will be either a progress report or report card sent home with your student every three weeks.  For any student who wants extra help, tutoring will be available every Monday and Thursday from 3:15 to 4pm. Also, parents may access my Canvas page  as an observer (email me or student's counselor for help) or through their student’s own account. This page will have everything from lecture presentations, daily resources, as well as extra help materials/videos.

If you ever have questions or concerns about your student, please feel free to contact me via email at candace.macera@ucps.k12.nc.us.   Please complete the contact information using this link.  Thank you for your cooperation.  I look forward to a successful year!

Sincerely,                             

Candace Macera

 

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Course Description: Students will investigate biological systems at the molecular, cellular and microbiological level. Hands-on experiments incorporating cellular biology, genetics, DNA technology, evolution, and ecology will be provided to assist students in their understanding of biological themes. Projects and reading assignments may be required with each unit of instruction.

Standards: Course standards can be found at http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/curriculum/

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Honors Statement: Biology Honors is an honors level course. This course is also available in the Program of Studies at the College Preparatory level. Students earning credit for an Honors level course receive an elevated number of Quality Points for their Grade Point Average. Students choosing the Honors level course should be aware that this Honors level course will include:

  • Required extension opportunities that are directly related to the Standard Course of Study. This includes additional content beyond that covered in the College Preparatory level.
  • More challenging coursework and assessments. Students will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of understanding for grades.
  • Projects and presentations will be more in depth.
  • Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content.
  • The expectation that students can move through the coursework at an accelerated pace and students experiencing difficulty should quickly seek guidance from their teacher on how they can be more successful.

 

Examples of Honors Differentiation in this Course:

Honors level objective

College Prep level objective

Bio.1.2.3 Analyze how specific cell adaptations help cells survive in particular environments (focus on unicellular organisms and specific cell types in multicellular organisms).

Bio.1.2.3 Explain how specific cell adaptations help cells survive in particular environments (focus on unicellular organisms).

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Supply List for Biology (bring these every day!)

  1. One-Inch Three-Ring Binder
  2. Notebook Paper & Pencils
  3. 10 Notebook Dividers w/ tabs
  4. Colored Pencils, Scissors, glue sticks (I will provide or you can have your own)
  5. ChromeBook (school-issued laptop computer)

 

Units (these should be your divider tabs):

  1. Intro to Biology
  2. Ecology
  3. Biomolecules
  4. Cell Structure
  5. Cell Energy
  6. DNA
  7. Cell Division
  8. Genetics
  9. Evolution
  10. EOC Review

Classroom Expectations:

Be prompt: Students are expected to be in their seat and ready when the bell rings.

Be Prepared: Materials must be brought every day.

Be Polite: Treat everyone with respect. Options and ideas of others are important. Respect the property of others and the school.

Be Positive: Strive for excellence, always do your best and know you can be successful in anything you put your mind to.

Be Purposeful: Make what you do valuable to your personal growth and goals. Ask for HELP when needed!

 

Classroom Procedures:

Entering the room:

  • Make sure all electronics are in your bag.
  • Food is allowed, however if it causes too many distraction you will be asked to put it up (all drinks must have a closable lid).
  • When you come in go to your assigned seat, get ready for class and begin the warm-up if available.
  • Remain in your seat unless directed otherwise.

Tardy: If you are not passed the classroom doorway when the bell BEGINS to ring you are tardy. You will need to obtain a tardy pass to enter the classroom.

During Class: Success in all courses is more than often determined by your attitude and work ethic, rather than your ability; therefore if you try your hardest and bring forth a positive attitude I will do everything I can to help you be successful.

Leaving Class:  You must sign out correctly and take the appropriate pass when leaving the room. You must also sign back in when you return.

End of Class: I dismiss the class, not the bell. Please continue to work until I inform you it is time to clean up and pack up. Remain seated until I dismiss the class. Do not get out of your seat.

 

  • Electronic Devices: Any electronic device (cell phones, Chromebook, earbuds, etc.) are to be kept in your book bag unless otherwise instructed. I do allow the use of cell phones for music purposes during group/individual work when directed. If students are seen using their device at incorrect times or inappropriately it will be confiscated and handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

 

Homework: Students should expect to have homework assignments or ongoing projects every night.  Practicing at home is a necessary part of learning the Biology curriculum.  Please contact me if you find that your student’s homework assignments are requiring an excessive time commitment.

 

Canvas Guidelines: The majority of assignments not completed on paper will be submitted on Canvas. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time or to contact instructor if a problem occurs. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas so instructors will be able to see if the student opened the assignment, if there was any activity including a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes. Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments. Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

 

Absent Work: Students who are absent will be given 2 days for each day missed to complete make-up. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain work that was missed during absence.

 

Late Work: Late work must be turned in on the last day of they unit (day before test). After that it will not be accepted and will result in a zero. I do understand that situations occur (especially with technology) and will work with students when they arise. However, it is the student’s responsibility to reach out to contact me.

    • Late Penalty: 10 points will be deducted for each day that the assignment is late (this does not include test/quiz). 

Office Hours: I love for students get the extra help they need.  When a student has missed a day of class, I do expect that he/she will attend to catch up on lessons and assignments. 

Mon & Thur - 3:15pm - 4pm In G208D

 

Grading: Students should assume that every assignment will be graded unless otherwise stated.  Each assignment in my class will be worth a certain number of points under their specific category. More important assignments will be worth more points.

Estimate of point values for different assignments:

Assignments 40% 

Assessments 60%

***Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating on a test or assignment will result in a grade of zero for ALL involved.

**Grades may be found on the Empowered Family Portal

                (link: https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917)

 

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due