10th Grade Biology

2017-2018 Syllabus

Instructor: Summer Sanford

Email: summer.sanford@animashighschool.com
Website:
Office Hours:

Course Description: Biology is the study of life (bio-life, ology- the study of). In
this course we will explore the microscopic structures and cells that make up everything
from organisms to the biological systems they inhabit. As scientists we will make
observations on the structure, function, growth, origin, and distribution of living
organisms. Along with developing a better understanding of ourselves and how we fit
into the cycle of life, biology gives us a chance to understand phenomena of life much
grander than we are.

This biology course is a college preparatory course and will challenge students to hone in
their observation, analyzing, and critical thinking skills. There is a large lab portion of
this course that involves fieldwork, microscopic investigations, dissections, and other lab
skills. Students are expected to be able to make connections throughout the course
content and complete a significant amount of work inside and outside of the classroom
including reviewing terminology, refining skills, preparing for labs, completing post lab
assignments, engaging in projects, and studying for quizzes and tests.
The content of this course will build upon itself, much like a spiral staircase, but will also
cover a wide variety of the broad field of biology.

Essential Questions:
1. How do organisms interact within biological systems?
2. What is my role as an individual organism in the biological world?
3. What is the role of Humans in the biological world?

Big Ideas:
Throughout this course we will be covering a range of topics, ideas, and concepts that are
the building blocks for a strong understanding of the biological sciences. It is my
expectation that by the end of this course you will be able to explain and demonstrate
understanding of concepts, through the use of evidence, in the following areas of studies:
Ecology- the study of relations of organisms to one another and to their
environment.
Cellular Biology- the study of the structure and function of the cell as the basic
building block unit of life.
Genetics- the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Anatomy- the study of bodily structure of animals and other living things.
Evolution- the study of the processes that produced the diversity of life on Earth
starting from a single point of origin.

Class Materials:
You are expected to bring the following every day:
Writing Utensil(s) & Notebook/Binder (Please have a binder that is specific to
Biology)
Computer
Daily Planner (This can also be your phone or computer, whatever system works
for you)
These materials will be helpful:
Colored pencils, pens, or highlighters
Post-it notes
Flash-drive for printing
Headphones for individual work time

Laboratory Expectations:
In the biology labs throughout the year you will be interacting with some potentially
hazardous substances and delicate equipment. Prior to participating in any biology lab
you will be required to complete a safety tutorial and pass a safety quiz. Additionally
both you and your parents will be required to read and agree to a safety contract. This
contract will outline expectations for conduct within the biology lab. Violations of the
safety contract will result in consequences that range from a warning to immediate
removal from the lab depending on the severity of the violation. If a student is removed
from a lab they will forfeit all credit for that experiment. Students must have appropriate
safety equipment to participate in labs and failure to participate in a lab may result in a
partial or complete loss of credit for the lab.

As an Animas High School student you will have the unique opportunity to conduct some
of your biology labs in the field. While in the field and in transit you are ambassadors for
Animas High School and must conduct yourselves with the utmost respect for all persons
and property in order to maintain our relationships with outside organizations and our
transportation provider for yourselves and future classes. This relationship is essential
because we are unable to conduct many experiments, investigations and demonstrations
at Animas High School due to a lack of infrastructure and equipment. While in the field
there will potentially be volunteers from the science world to help us conduct
research. They are there to support you academically as well as to ensure safety and they
will have authority to enforce the safety contract.

Diversity and inclusion statement

Students in this class are encouraged to speak up and participate during class
meetings. In this class I will work to promote an anti-discriminatory environment
where everyone feels welcome. I recognize that discrimination can be direct or
indirect and take place at both institutional and personal levels. I believe that such
discrimination is unacceptable and I am committed to providing equality of
opportunity for all by eliminating any and all discrimination, harassment, bullying,
or victimization. The success of this policy relies on the support and understanding
of everyone in this class. We all have a responsibility not to be offensive to each
other, or to participate in, or condone harassment or discrimination of any kind.
 My enrollment in this class confers my acknowledgement and understanding
of this statement.

Classroom Expectations:
Throughout this course we will be having class discussions as we debate
and interrogate how we know what we know. Therefore it is important for us to
create class expectations. During the first week we will all create expectations as
a class. Throughout the semester we will revisit these expectations each week to
check in how we have done and if we need to make any editions.
My Expectations:
Respect: to all persons and property in this class. I expect everyone to be
thoughtful of their actions and words.
Openness: To new ideas and challenge the ways in which we know what
we know.
Integrity: Use resources but present work that is authentic. One skill we
will learn is how to bring together scientific research into an authentic idea.
Do not cheat or plagiarize and we will learn how to correctly credit others
for the ideas you use when create a unique perspective.
To respect everyones time:
Arrive on time to class
Be settled and ready to start the class on time
Ask permission to leave class
If you are tardy 3 times, this will be documented with administration and
consequences outlined in the Student Handbook will apply.
Use technology appropriately
During discussion, lectures, and group work do not use your computer or
cell phone unless required for that activity.
Use technology for academic purposes
Wait for an appropriate time to ask permission to make a call or text.
Using your technology inappropriately will result in the confiscation of the
device for the remainder of the class.
Keeping our spaces clean:
Put away all the materials you get out during the class
Clean up any spills or messes you make during class
You will be asked to stay late to clean up any messes that you made
during class
Turn in assignments:
Digital assignments must be submitted through GoogleClassroom. I do not
accept assignments through email.
Paper assignments must be neat and legible with the MLA Style heading
Deadlines
Paper assignments are due in the inbox at the start of class. You must
print ahead of time. Printing and technical difficulties are not acceptable
excuses for late work.
Digital assignment due dates and times will be specified in
 GoogleClassroom.
Late work
Anything that is turned in after the deadline is considered late.
Late work looses 5% of its value every day
I will accept late work for one week after the due date.
Exhibitions cannot be made up, expect in extraordinary cases.

Absences & Tardiness

When you are absent it is your responsibility to determine what you missed and
make arrangements to make it up in a timely manner.
When the absence is excused you will have as many days as you were absent to
make up the work.
If the absence is unexcused the missed work may not be made up for credit.
You are responsible to figure out what you have missed and turn it in on time.

Advocacy
Ask for what you need. Accommodations can be made to any assignment or activity,
for students with or without formal plans. I can be very flexible if you communicate
early and often. However, I will not generally grant last minute extensions, except in
extreme circumstances. Please advocate for yourselves and come to me with
questions before having your parents contact me.

Evaluation
At Animas High School our emphasis is on deep self-directed and collaborative
learning, rather than compliance and competition. Grades are used to communicate
information about your growth as learners, rather than to rank or reward your
performance in humanities class we focus on refinement, so every student can earn
an A through effort, refection and beautiful work.

SLCs and POLs/TPOLs:

Attending and passing all Student Led Conferences and Presentations of Learning is
required not only by the 10th grade team but is a school wide policy. Please make sure
you plan accordingly to attend each one.
-SLCs: October 19th and March 1st
-POLs: December 14th-16th
-TPOLs: May 30th- June 2nd

**This document is subject to change as seen fit by the instructor.