Course Syllabus

Welcome to 

2023-2024

Ms. Spangler

spanglerc@wellesleyps.org

Room 341

Office hours: Wednesdays 2:30-3:15 in Room 341

Welcome to AP Biology! 

  • Course expectations can be found here.
  • Course Syllabus (College Board Course Exam Description) can be found here.
  • Link to the Summer assignment can be found here. 
  • Course materials and all content can be found in Modules on the navigation bar.
  • OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays from 2:30-3:05 in room 341 or by appointment (spanglerc@wellesleyps.org)

Course Welcome, Overview & Expectations:

Welcome to AP Biology! I am looking forward to a year that will be fun & exciting! This is a college level course and it is expected that students sit for the AP exam on Wednesday, May 16, 2024 at 12pm.  The cost of the test is $97.

Students must develop a sense of agency in order to be successful in AP Biology. This course will be fast paced as we have a large volume of information to review and skills to develop before the AP test. It is critical that students take responsibility for this course and its workload. Our work together is a partnership. I work as a guide to facilitate each student’s academic progress but the primary responsibility for the material and skill building lies with the individual. We use a ‘flipped model’ where students watch content videos and complete reading and preparation at home and then spend much of class time applying course material during lab experiences, case studies and activities that build scientific skills (data analysis, argumentation, etc.) Students are encouraged to ask questions about content at the time the material is being discussed and well before an exam or quiz. If students need to meet with me outside of class time, please come to Office Hours on Wednesdays from 2:30-3:05 in room 341, email me to set up an alternative time, or come find me in 358 (science office).

Overall, your AP test grade will be a direct reflection of the honest effort you have put into the course. Please make sure that you are completing assignments per guidelines provided, using the utmost academic integrity, and applying your best effort at all times. Specific details for success in this class are outlined below:

Policies and Procedures:
(Remember that the policies and rules outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply at all times!)

General Classroom Culture

The core values of Wellesley High School (Academic Excellence, Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships and Commitment to Community) live and breathe in our classroom.  A culture of care, kindness and respect for our community is at the core of my daily practice and I expect the same from my students. Maintaining a constructive academic space requires an adherence to academic integrity, daily participation and active inclusion and compassion for everyone. 

Materials

    1. Your Computer!  With headphones and charger!! 
    2. Folder/Three Ring Binder (some way to organize paper handouts/assignments)
    3. Spiral or Composition-style Graph Notebook (background info for labs/data collection/graphing/notes)
    4. Pens/Pencils (often many colors are useful)
    5. CALCULATOR (bring to class every day!).  The College Board now allows graphing calculators on the AP exam! (note: phones and computers cannot be used as a calculator)

Course Evaluation
Term grades are determined by averaging all work assigned during the school year.  The categories, and their weightings, are:

  • Assessments (Tests and Quizzes): 70% 
  • Assignments (Labs/Activities/Classwork: 20% /Reading and Preparation: 10%): total 30%

Academic Honesty/Integrity
Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.  This includes the sharing/copying of completed assignments and using internet sources/using AI without citation. If a violation should occur, a failing grade for that particular activity will be assessed for both parties involved. The appropriate assistant principals will be contacted as well as parents/guardians as per the student handbook.  REMEMBER: Your score on the AP test will be a direct reflection of your honest input.

Tardiness/Absences 

Our time in class is always in short supply. The labs (7:30 am start time) are very involved and often will not be able to be completed appropriately if you are late. If you know you will be absent or tardy from class, please let me know. It is important for you to contact me about missed work ASAP or you will fall behind. Communication will be key!!  

Canvas & AP Classroom
All course materials will be on Canvas. Units will be outlined in module format and links to all documents, assignments, powerpoints, labs, etc. will be found within these modules. The Canvas Calendar will be updated regularly with due dates, assessment dates, etc. There is a ‘Daily Running Agenda’ at the beginning of each Unit Module. Here you can find the lesson plan for the day, announcements, and homework assignments.  If you are ever absent, this is a good place to check!! 

Most assignments will be turned in directly to Canvas. Please note that the HEIC photo format, common with most iPhones, is not currently supported in Canvas. Please upload assignments as JPEGs or PDFs ONLY.

The announcement feature will be used for any updates, especially if there is a last minute change (like a canceled class- this is rare, but it happens occasionally).  I strongly encourage you to download the canvas app to your cell phones and  allow push notifications so you have the most up to date information possible.

We will also be using AP Classroom which is maintained by the College Board. This resource provides helpful content videos and allows you to practice with AP style questions. These essential assignments are required and will count toward a completion grade.

Textbook
The textbook used for this class is Campbell Biology: AP Edition, 10th edition. This book has a cost of $150 and the expectation is that you will use this book throughout the year, keep it in very good shape and return it at the end of the year. This is a college level textbook common among many collegiate introductory Biology classes. The book, at times, goes beyond the curriculum established by the college board, yet it helps to increase scientific fluency, broaden scientific vocabulary and provides important illustrative examples that are often found on the AP exam. There is no need to bring the book to school each day, as we have extra copies in the classroom and you will have an electronic copy available. It is expected that you return the textbook at the end of the year in the same condition it was received.

Technology Use (Phones and Laptops)

Cell phones will remain turned off and in backpacks (NOT in pockets!). Occasionally, phones will be used as tools (for instance the camera is valuable for data collection) but usually they are off and out of sight. The use of laptops will be frequent. The appropriate use of technology is expected and the district acceptable use policy for technology will be adhered to at all times (frequent infractions include prohibited behaviors such as texting or watching non-school related videos during class time - please refrain from engaging in these distracting activities).

To ensure there is ample opportunity for collaboration, using headphones for personal use (i.e. listening to music during class) is prohibited in our classroom.  

Thank you for your careful attention to these classroom expectations.  I look forward to working with you this year.  Parents/Guardians: please feel free to contact me via email (spanglerc@wellesleyps.org).  Email is the best way to get in touch with me and I will reply as soon as possible.  

Sincerely,  

Carolyn “Beanie” Spangler (insta: @msspangler337)