Course Syllabus

 

Ms. Wilkins Introductory Video

 

Teachers:

Ms. Booker - email address: bookerc@wellesleyps.org

Office Hours: WEDNESDAYS from 2:30-3:05 PM, Room 250

Ms. Wilkins - email address: wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org

Office Hours: TUESDAYS from 2:30-3:05 PM, Room 250

 

Dear Students, Parents & Guardians,

In this course, we will explore the major concepts in biology, emphasizing problem solving, laboratory exercises, and the 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 problem-solving, critical thinking, experimentation using the scientific method, argumentation and scientific writing.   

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.  Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins are both available for extra help (office hours are listed above). Please ask either of us during class, come to office hours or send an email at bookerc@wellesleyps.org or wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org  to set up an appointment for extra help.

Our class will meet in Room 250.  Ms. Booker's office is Room 358 and Ms. Wilkins office is in the Library (Room 360.2).

More specific course expectations can be found below.  We look forward to working with you this year. Don’t forget that we are here to help you succeed in Biology, and we hope this will be a rewarding year for all of us! 

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COLLEGE PREP BIOLOGY COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Textbook:  BIOLOGY by Miller and Levine

Teachers: Ms. Booker & Ms. Wilkins

Emails: bookerc@wellesleyps.org, wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org 

Classroom: Room 250

NECESSARY MATERIALS:

• Charged Laptop
• Headphones
• Notebook with 3-holes OR Loose leaf paper to be put in a binder, which will be provided for you.
• Pen/Pencil

GRADING:

Grades are determined by total points. Generally, assignments will fall into one of the following categories and their point value will be in the approximate ranges provided below:

• Homework: 5 to 10 points
• Quizzes and Tests: 10 to 50 points
• Labs and Projects: 20 to 50 points
• Additional Classwork/Assignments: 5 to 10 points

ASSESSMENTS & ACCOMODATIONS:

Please check in with Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins prior to any assessments to arrange for accommodations, such as extended time. 

LATE WORK:

Please make every effort to submit work on the day it is due. If there are extenuating circumstances, religious or cultural observances, please reach out to either Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins in advance of class time.

• Late assignments will receive a 5% reduction in credit on every Friday that passes after the original due date.  
• Credit will continue to be reduced each Friday until the end of the unit, at which time, all missing assignments will receive a final grade of a "0."

ERROR ANALYSIS:

If a student receives a C- or below, please check in with Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins about error analysis opportunities.

YEAR-LONG GRADE:

Each quarter is worth 22% of your year-long biology grade and the remaining 12% will include summative assessments (i.e. midterm and final exams) and projects.

ABSENCES:

Teacher Absence:

In the event of a teacher absence, Ms. Booker and/or Ms. Wilkins will email you to communicate the assignment for that day with a clear due date.

• If you have question on the assignment, please email Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins while you are working on the assignment that day.  They will either get back to you via email or answer your questions at the start of the next class.   

Student Absence:

In the event of a student absence, please email Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins or check-in with them the day you return to make sure you understand what learning was missed and what assignments you may need to make up.  

• If you are absent on an assessment day, the expectation is that you will take the assessment on the day that you return to school during a time you are available (before, during or after school).   Please email Ms. Booker and Ms. Wiilkins to schedule that make-up.

EXTRA HELP/OFFICE HOURS:

Ms. Booker is available on afternoons from 2:30-3:05 in Room 

Ms. Wilkins is available on TUESDAY afternoons from 2:30-3:05 in Room 250.

You can also look for Ms. Booker in the science office space in Room 358 and for Ms. Wilkins in her office in the WHS Library, Room 360.2.  Additionally, you can always email or talk to Ms. Booker and Ms. Wilkins to make an appointment for extra help.

*Note: Office hours are subject to change with notice to students in advance and updates will be posted and communicated to students. 

CANVAS:

We will be posting all academic information on Canvas. We recommend that you add the Canvas app to your phone and allow push notifications so you can be aware of any class updates (sent through the announcement feature in Canvas).

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

It is the expectation that our community of learners work respectfully, collaboratively, and openly so that each student may have the opportunity to learn and share effectively. As a class, we will create norms to uphold as a group that adhere to the core values of Wellesey Public Schools:

• Academic Excellence
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
• Commitment to Community 
• Value and Respect for Human Differences
• Caring and Cooperative Relationships

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.   

ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY:

Please be clear that cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty (including the use of AI to represent your work) will not be tolerated and the school policy will be followed.

PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION:

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