Course Syllabus

TEACHER INFORMATION

Ms. Wilkins

Email Address: wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org

Office Hours: MONDAYS from 2:30-3:05 PM, Room 360.2 (located in the WHS Library)

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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.  If you need additional support, Ms. Wilkins is available for extra help. Please ask during class, come to office hours or send an email at wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org  to set up an appointment for extra help.

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

Best,

Nora Wilkins

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COLLEGE PREP BIOLOGY COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Textbook:  BIOLOGY by Miller and Levine (sometimes used as a resource in class)

Teacher: Ms. Wilkins

Email: wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org 

Syllabus:  List of Topics

Classroom: Room 250

NECESSARY MATERIALS:

• Charged Laptop
• Headphones
• Pen/Pencil
• A 3-ring binder and folder will be provided

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 100 points
• Labs and Projects: 20 to 100 points
• Additional Classwork/Assignments: 5 to 25 points

ASSESSMENTS & ACCOMMODATIONS:

Please check in with 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 Ms. Wilkins in advance of class time.

• Late assignments turned in the next class period will receive a 5% reduction in credit.  All other late assignments will be accepted up until the day of the unit assessment for a grade no higher than 80%.  

ERROR ANALYSIS:

If a student receives a C- or below, please check in 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. Wilkins will email you to communicate the assignment for that day with a clear due date.

• If you have questions on the assignment, please email Ms. Wilkins while you are working on the assignment that day.  She 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. Wilkins or check-in with her 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. Wilkins to schedule that make-up.

EXTRA HELP/OFFICE HOURS:

Ms. Wilkins is available on MONDAY afternoons from 2:30-3:05 in her office, Room 360.2 (in the WHS Library).

You can also look for Ms. Wilkins in her office or you can always email or talk to her 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:

I will be posting relevant course information on Canvas, and I 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 Wellesley 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, including the new Cell Phone Policy. 

Expectations Regarding District Cell Phone Policy

EXPECTATIONS

• Upon arrival at an academic space, students will turn their phones on silent and place them in the designated location. Headphones, smartwatches, and any other technology that could be a distraction to learning must be out of sight at all times - in your bag.
• Phones will remain in the designated area for the entirety of the class period, including trips to the bathroom or to get a drink.
• The unauthorized filming (video/picture) or recording of a student or staff member is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
• Appropriate use of technology is determined by the teacher.  If students have explicit permission from their teacher to use their cell phones, they must be non-disruptive to others. An example of academically appropriate uses of your cell phone is to access curriculum resources.
• If a student is found to be misusing their cell phone during this time (gaming, texting, using social media, etc.), they will lose the privilege and place their cell phone back in the designated location.

ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY:

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

PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMUNICATION:

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