BIOLOGY SYLLABUS, UNIT 2

This is the list of assessments in our present Unit, Unit 2. This Unit ends on Thursday, Oct. 13th, with another Unit Test.



STUDENTS AND PARENTS: PLEASE NOTE!

On the day of the exam, students should have their Cornell Notebooks with all their current notes completed.


"Completed", in this case, means that they have the following:

1) The page heading on every page, with the student's name, the course (Biology), and the date notes were taken;

2) 3-4 original Questions or Comments written in an extended margin, on every page;

3) Original summaries at the end of each section of notes. For this unit, there will be four sections of notes: Atoms and Molecules, Properties of Water, Carbon: The Basis of Life and The Chemistry of Life


Further, on the day of the exam, students should plan on using additional time, either during LUNCH or AFTER SCHOOL, or BOTH. Afternoon classes (5th and 6th) would be especially advised to begin their test early, during LUNCH


Finally, prior to the exam, there will be an AFTER-SCHOOL STUDY SESSION in Room N-63, based upon a Study Guide given the previous week. This will go from 3:15 - 5:30, on Oct. 13th. Students earn extra credit by participation, and are eligible for grade change if they attend and take advantage of the above strategies in terms of completing their Notes and using additional time, as needed, on Exam Day.

VIDEO: "THE LIVES OF THE STARS"

COSMOS

The following episode of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, 'The Lives of the Stars', forms the basis of a student homework assignment. Click on the icon below to play the video within the blog:





You can also go to Hulu directly here.

SYLLABUS, UNIT 1

This is a list of all assignments in the course other than in-class quizzes given between August 22nd and Sept. 18th. We are now in Unit 2, on Atoms and Molecules. The next unit syllabus will appear in a post later this week on the Course Guidelines page. This post also appears on the blog main page, but in the future, syllabus posts will only appear on the Course Guidelines page.

In the meantime, click on the image below for a higher-resolution view:

BIOLOGY POWER POINT #3: ATOMS AND MOLECULES

. UPDATE: We are now in Unit #2. A new syllabus should be available both as a handout and on-line by the end of this week.

In the meantime, students, in case you haven't completed this item, for all my classes, here are the notes on 'Atoms and Molecules.'

****UPDATE****

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE POWER POINT #4: DIVERSITY AND CLASSIFICATION

This is a post just for my Environmental Science students.

These notes were given to students on September 22nd-26th. The Power Point on "Diversity and Classification" can be uploaded here. The Lecture Guide based on the Power Point can be found as a PDF file here.

HOW TO "COPE" WITH YOUR NEXT TEST!

Today is the day that mid-quarter progress reports will be generated off of ATLAS, and it is also the day that students will have their first tests returned to them. Results of that test were mixed, and often not what they could have been, due to poor student CHOICES.

Students who earn a percentage score higher than that earned on the first test can not only expect to earn a higher grade, but they are eligible for grade change on their previous test.

To achieve that, students need to consider the following, using the anagram 'COPE'.

C....(ontent)

Students need to know what's on the test. To make sure that students know what content will be covered on the exam, they need to obtain a copy of the Study Guide, which becomes available the weekend before the test. The sooner they get this, the better!

O....(rganization)

Students need to plan their time. For the next test, there will be a Study Session after school on the day before the exam (date to be announced later this week). They earn points by attending, and get valuable feedback about what is likely to be covered. In addition to attending the Study Session, students need to consider using time on lunch or after-school on the day of their exam as needed to complete their test. Plan ahead, students!

P...(reparation)

Students need to provide evidence that they have prepared for the test. One way to do this is to attend the Study Session before the next test (date to be announced later this week). Another, powerful way is to make sure that they bring their COMPLETED Cornell Notes to class on the day of the exam. Cornell Notes, if completed, have questions and comments in the margins and summaries of the major sections. Students who have these items completed will be allowed to use them throughout the exam. Bring evidence that you have prepared for the test, students, and you will be rewarded!

E...(ffort)

Students need to finish what they start. There is nothing more important than giving our best effort, all of the time. On an exam day, a good effort means that students attempt everything, even if that means they need to come back at lunch or after school. Show a work ethic, students, and you will not only do better on the test....you will do better in every aspect of your life.

PARENTS, ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENT TO USE THESE STRATEGIES TO EXCEL!

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE: POWER POINT #3

This is a post just for my 1st and 2nd period Environmental Science students.

Click on the image above or this link to download the (brief) Power Point, which introduces some basic concepts in ecology and populations, and presents the cycle of activities above, in which the scientific community interacts with the public and governmental agencies.