Dear Students and Parents,

In this course, we will explore the major concepts in biology, emphasizing problem solving, laboratory exercises, and application of biology to everyday life.  More specifically, we will focus on how biology relates to the human body. 

Skills that will be emphasized in this class will be learning to use and handle biology equipment and live specimens, learning to write using scientific language, learning to use problem-solving skills, and learning to perform experiments using the scientific method.   

In order to experience success in this course, you must develop good, active listening skills AND be able to take notes in class.  Furthermore, it is important that you advocate for yourself as a learner.  This entails, asking questions about material that you do not understand when that content is covered in class.  You do not want to wait to ask questions right before a quiz or exam. I am available for extra help during the school days and before or after school by appointment. Please ask me during class or send me an email at fuchsd@wellesleyps.org to set up an appointment for extra help.

Our class will meet in Room 438 this year, and my desk is in Room 358.  Feel free to come right into the office to see if I am available at any time during the school day or before or after school.  

I look forward to working with you this year.  Don’t forget that I am here to help you succeed in biology.  I hope this will be a rewarding year for all of us!

Best regards,

Danielle Fuchs

 

Student & Parent/Guardian - please sign below by __Tuesday, September 3rd__.  

 “I have read the expectations and classroom policies (found on Page 2), clarified my concerns, and understand that these expectations will be kept in my child’s notebook for future reference.”

                                                                                                                                                           

     Student Signature                                                            Parent/Guardian Signature

 

Wellesley High School Course Overview and Expectations

Biology 11 CP

 

Textbook:               BIOLOGY written by Miller and Levine*

Teacher:                  Ms. Fuchs

Email:                      fuchsd@wellesleyps.org,

Office:                      Room 358     

Classroom:             Room 438

 

1. Materials you will need
   Laptop, pens, pencils, paper and a notebook and folder OR a 3-ring binder.
2. How you will be graded
   Grades are determined by averaging and weighting all work assigned during the school year. The categories and approximate weightings are: (these weightings may change slightly during the second semester due to a large project that will take place then)

 

• Tests and Quizzes: 50%
• Labs: 35%
• Homework*/Class work: 15%
  *Note: Homework is due on the assigned date unless arrangements have been made ahead of time (not the day the assignment is due) for an adjusted due date.

*Late Work Note: Homework, class assignments, labs, projects, etc. are due on the assigned date.  Student work that is late will lose 10% of its value for each class meeting date it is late.  If 5 class meetings have passed, a student will have until the end of each quarter to turn in late work in order to earn a maximum of 50% of the possible points earned.

III.  Classroom Expectations and Classroom Participation
As students, you are expected to be mindful of your behavior during class time. Every student begins each quarter with a 100% quiz grade for class participation.  Disruptive behavior, being late for class, and being disrespectful to another member of our class community will result in a drop in your participation grade, and this could potentially have adverse effects for your final grade.

Core values:

Our classroom community will be guided by the core values of Wellesley High School:

 

Academic excellence

Cooperative and caring relationships

Respect for human differences

Commitment to community

 

It is important that you understand the policies and rules outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply to you AT ALL TIMES during this class.

 

 

 

IV:  Attendance

Absences:

• An unexcused absence will result in a “0” for any quizzes, tests, labs, or class work.

 

• Students are responsible for any material or assignments missed during an excused absence from school and must check in with me upon their return to school. If it is known ahead of time that you will be absent, please inform me so that we can make arrangements.

 

Tardiness:

• Unexcused tardies will be reflected in your class participation grade each quarter.

 

V. Website
Students will have access to all class materials on the Google Classroom page. I have a website which parents can access via the CANVAS.  I will be posting important information there, such as a class calendar, links to documents pertaining to each unit, etc.

1. Academic Honesty/Integrity
   Please be clear that cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will NOT BE TOLERATED and the school policy will be followed.

VII. Parent/Guardian-Teacher Communication

There is a Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2019 at 6:45 PM, which provides parents with the opportunity to meet their children’s teachers and learn some general information about the courses their children are taking. 

 

Parents/Guardians should feel free to contact me at any time via school email at fuchsd@wellesleyps.org,  as email is the best means of communication for me during the school day.

 

 

*Students must return their textbooks at the end of the year.  If students have lost their book, they may purchase a replacement copy so long as it is in the same condition as the book they received at the start of the year OR submit a check made out to the Wellesley Public Schools for the appropriate amount.