Silva Health Magnet High School Biology Year 2013-2014 Mr. Martinez Phone: (915) 496-8100 E-mail: jsmartin@episd.

org Website: www.meestermartinez.com Room: 209 Conference Period: 3rd & 5th Period Materials needed: Folder with prongs (for this class only-needed daily and will be left in the classroom) Bound laboratory or composition notebook (will be left in the classroom) General school supplies (loose leaf paper, writing utensils, highlighters, colored pencils, etc.) Course Outline During the school year we will be covering the following units: Biomolecules & Enzymes Cellular Processes Cell Cycle Viruses & Microbes DNA/RNA/Protein Synthesis Genetics, Meiosis & Genetic Techniques Evolution Classification Ecology Plants Body Systems Dissections

Grading Policy: Subject to change but in general will be as follows: Tests: 25% Labs: 15% Daily/Homework: 20% Projects/Lab Reports: 20% Behavior: 10% Nine-Weeks Exam: 10% Classroom Rules: 1. You may not prevent me from teaching. 2. You may not prevent anyone from learning. 3. You must show respect for everyone at all times. Attendance: Attendance in my class is extremely important. Good attendance and good grades go hand in hand. Tardies: Students must arrive to class on time and should be seated and ready for class when the bell rings. Please refer to the student handbook for more information on this matter Seating: There will be a seating chart. This is how I will take attendance. Bellringer: Every day when you enter the classroom there will be a bellringer assignment. I expect you to arrive to class on time with all of your supplies (binder, writing utensil, homework) and copy the bellringer assignment on your bellringer sheet and begin working quietly and by yourself. Bellringer will be graded weekly (on Fridays) for completion.

Homework: Each day there is homework due I will check the homework for completion and give you a stamp on your homework sheet. You can earn EITHER a partial credit stamp (50) or a full credit stamp (100) based on how much of the homework you have completed. Any assignments presented to me for a stamp after the due date are only worth partial credit. Completing Assignments: All assignments should be completed neatly and on time. Late work will be accepted with a 30 point reduction. Write legibly, if I cannot read your work, you will not earn credit. Group work: We will work in groups often throughout the year. To ensure that group work runs smoothly: 1. Pair or group up in the way I ask you to. 2. You will often be given strict time limits to complete tasks, use your time wisely. Keep talking that is not related to the assignment to a minimum. 3. Contribute equally to the group. Taking a test: Absolutely no talking during the test. If you are talking, I will assume you are cheating. If you are caught using an electronic device during an exam, I will assume you are cheating. Examinations: Exams will cover the textbook, lectures, lab work, and any other relevant materials or activities designated by the instructor. Exam Retakes: The policy regarding exam retakes is as follows: 1. Retake must be done before the next exam. 2. Attend tutoring or complete a review at least once before retest. 3. Retake is by appointment only. 4. The new test grade will be an average of the two scores. Make-up work: It is your responsibility to find out from another classmate what material was covered on any days you were absent. It is the student's responsibility to ask about missing assignments before and after school (not during class!!). Students have one day for each absence to complete make-up work. Make-up exams must be done before school or afterschool. NO make-up work/exams will be given for unexcused absences. Labs: Labs are an important part of biology and this year we will spend 40% of class time in the lab. You will be required to keep a formal lab notebook. This must be a bound composition notebook and will be left in the classroom. No student will be allowed to participate in a lab without a signed lab contract. No student will be allowed to participate in a lab unless their pre-lab is complete. This rule is a safety issue. An incomplete pre-lab will result in a 30 point deduction and the student will have to complete an alternative writing/research assignment. If you are absent and miss a lab, there will be a comparable alternative writing assignment offered for full credit. Extra Credit- No extra credit work will be given. However, at times during the year, extra credit will be offered for either: 1. Bringing lab supplies (paper towels, hand soap, or tissue) 2. Working/cleaning for 15 minutes in the laboratory

Grades will be given out to student at 3 weeks, 6 weeks and at the end of the semester. If a student is failing at any point the following steps will be followed to ensure your son/daughters success at Silva Health Magnet High school: At 3 weeks: Phone conference with parent requested Student conference with teacher Continue to receive progress reports until passing or end of 6 weeks. At 6 weeks: Parent conference (in person) with student Mandatory tutoring. Referral to At-Risk Coordinator At Semester: Counselor referral Repeat class with different teacher (if possible) Begin 6 weeks in tutoring (4 weeks; 3 hours per week) Things that will happen if you fail a class: 1. Remediation classes 2. Mandatory tutorials (before and after school, lunch and Saturday) 3. Mandatory parent conference with student 4. Loss of elective courses and/or extracurricular activity period. Tutoring Hours: Tutoring is available for all students. Please see me to set up an appointment. Policy on Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated. If a student cheats or helps another student cheat, they will receive a zero for the assignment and be referred to their assistant principal. In addition, their parents/guardians will be notified of the incident. Definition of cheating: Giving someone elses answer as your own on a test, quiz, lab, homework, or using notes or other deceptions to inflate your grade. Hall Pass: You will be allowed to use the hall pass 3 times per six weeks. No student should be out of class for more than 5 minutes. No one may leave the classroom for any reason within the first or last 10 minutes. Only one person may leave the room at a time. Substitutes: When I am absent, you should respect the substitute and follow all rules and procedures as if I was present. Failure to do so will result in a referral to your assistant principal. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Electronic devices should not be used during class. Devices will be confiscated and stored with the Business Agent until a parent makes arrangements to pick up the device. A fee of $15 will be charged to return the device. Classroom Procedures The student will: 1. Be responsible for one's own property and behavior. 2. Observe and follow rules stated in the student handbook 3. Bring required materials to class daily. 4. Be on time for class. Tardy is defined as not in your assigned seat when the final bell rings (please see your student handbook for the schools tardy policy.) The school's tardy policy is enforced. 5. Turn in work on time. LATE HOMEWORK IS NOT ACCEPTED. 6. Refrain from eating, drinking (exception PLAIN water); 7. Refrain from defacing desks, tables, walls, floors, posters, etc; throwing objects, or any
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behaviors that result in interference with learning. 8. Refrain from touching any equipment unless instructed to do so by the teacher. 9. Refrain from touching animals in the classroom unless permitted to do so by the teacher. 10. Keep the classroom neat and orderly. This includes proper lab clean up and putting chairs back. 11. Absolutely no one is allowed to leave the room the first or last ten minutes of class. Do not put away your class materials or pack-up until you are completed with your assignment or the bell rings. 12. Read, understand, sign and follow the Safety Contract 13. Be courteous and respectful to the teacher and their classmates. Every student in the classroom is entitled to a safe and respectful environment. This will be adhered to without exception on a daily basis. Failure to follow classroom behavior policy may result in a private detention, phone call to your parents, and/or a trip to the appropriate administrator.

Rules: 1. Everyone deserves respect. This also means to respect yours and each others space. I respect myself as your teacher and I respect you as my students. 2. Be prepared for class. When the bell rings, have everything ready for class, such as having a pencil, pen and paper. Read the daily assignment, and begin your work once the bell rings. This also includes sitting in your assigned seat. Failure to do so may result in you being reported absent. 3. Follow ALL safety rules. Students must read and have a safety contract signed by both them and their parents and students must take and pass a lab safety test with at least an 80%. This is a lab and you can never be sure what chemicals have been spilled on your tables. Anyone that does not comply with the safety instructions will be removed from class and a referral to the principal. No exceptions. 4. Follow usual classroom decorum. This means you should raise your hand to be recognized, do not talk during lectures, absolutely no swearing, rude gestures, cruel teasing or putdowns. Remain in your seats until I dismiss you- not the bell. 5. Clean up after yourselves. Once you have completed an experiment/activity, please clean up and place all equipment in their proper places and notify the instructor for a clearance check. Your teacher will make sure your area is clean before you will be dismissed. Any mess left will result in a 10 point deduction from the labs grade. Consequences: Theoretically there should be no need for this section, but if the situation arises, students will be dealt with in one or more of the following ways. 1st offense: verbal correction / warning 2nd offense: student / teacher conference- detention 3rd offense: student / teacher conference - phone call to parents- detention 4th offense: conference with parent 5th offense: student sent to office *SEVERE CLAUSE: IMMEDIATE REFERRAL TO THE OFFICE WILL RESULT! **The instructor reserves the right to add other rules as the need arises.**

Silva Health Magnet High School Biology 2013-2014 Statement of understanding By signing this contract, the parent and the student acknowledge that they have read the preceding syllabus for Mr. Martinezs Biology class and that they understand and agree to the commitment necessary to be successful in this course.

I/We have agreed to the course guidelines. If there are any questions please contact me during my conference period. ________________________________ _____________________________ Students name (printed) Students signature ___________________ Date

________________________________ _____________________________ Parents/Guardians name (printed) Parents/Guardians signature

___________________ Date

If you would like to receive e-mail updates on how your child is doing, please provide me with an e-mail address that I can send their progress reports to. You may also contact me via e-mail as well as the campus phone number.

__________________________________________________ ___________________________________ Parents/Guardians e-mail address Parents/Guardians Phone number