BIOLOGY 1 COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

TEACHER: Mr. Jorge Natal

EMAIL: natalj@pcsb.org
CLASS WEBSITE:

PRIMARY TEXTBOOK : Nowicki, S. Holt McDougal Biology. Orlando: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011.
Print. (Only distributed to students who absolutely need a textbook)

STUDY GUIDE : Allen, John. Ready, Set, Go! Florida End-Of-Course Assessment: Biology 1. 1st ed.
Piscataway: Research & Education Association, 2013. Print. ($12.45 on Amazon.com) or www.rea.com
**Also at Barnes and Noble.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed as a year of biological survey. Laboratory experiments and research investigations will
be emphasized. Students will be evaluated by performance on tests, quizzes, laboratory work, class participation
and research investigations. Each of the following topics in biology will be covered to varying degrees:

Biochemistry Cell Biology Heredity Evolution
Diversity Ecology Humans in the Biosphere Anatomy

A special emphasis will be placed upon the "integration" method of learning. Students will not be asked to just
memorize a list of compartmentalized facts and repeat them on a test. The student must learn to incorporate and
integrate bits and pieces of scientific data into one large, meaningful composite. It is essential that students
begin to prepare for the End of Year examination at the completion of this year by incorporating this method of
learning into their curriculum for study.

GRADING SYSTEM:
90 -100= A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
0 - 59 = F
All assignments will be given a point value.
Quizzes and Tests are worth 50-100 points, respectively
Labs are 50 points
Homework/Classwork is 20 points
This percentage is then converted to a letter grade according to the scale above. No averages will be
given out by me during a grading period (other than failing notices at the mid-point). Grades are also
available on Portal/Focus. It is the responsibility of the student to track of his/her own grades.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
2 inch - 3 ring binder, Blue or Black pen, pencil, eraser, lined paper.

Optional colored pencils, metric ruler, personal safety goggles, scissors, biological dictionary

BINDER:
Your binder may or may not be checked during any grading period. If checked, it will be announced with short
notice. Criteria for binders are:
1. A separate section for each Unit. There are 8 units.
2. No papers should be thrown away for the semester. They may be of value in studying for the midterm
and final EOC exam.
3. Each unit will include the following:
a. Unit Essential Questions and Vocabulary from the review book
b. Notes, handouts, labs, quizzes and tests will follow the Unit Essential Questions in order by
date.
Binder checks are worth 100 points any time they are checked.
Binders may be checked more than once or not at all in any single grading period.

LATE WORK:
20% loss of appraised grade first day late, 10% loss for each day after (up to four days late only).
It is the responsibility of the student to turn in work on the assigned date.
Work will NOT be orally requested by me in class.
Assigned work will always be in the same place on the assignment board in class and on
http://www.natalbio.com/.
It is the responsibility of the student to note the assignment and the due date or to ask their lab partner. I
will NOT call the student's attention to any daily assignments.

MAKE-UP WORK:
The responsibility for obtaining missed assignments lies totally with the student.
The student is allowed the number of school days missed plus one day to return missed assignments.
After this time the assignment is considered late and will be marked accordingly.
Missed work is turned in (following standard classroom procedure) with the words "MAKE-UP" written
across the top - otherwise it will be counted as late work.
Tests and in-class assignments missed for legitimate absences (a verification of absence form must be
signed by parents/guardians prior to making up work) will be made up on an assigned make-up day after
school.

TESTS:
May be objective and/or subjective and may include data-based questions. Tests will always be announced.

QUIZZES:
They are objective only and may be announced or unannounced. Usually unannounced. The quiz could include
information from a reading assignment or a lab handout given the day before, but mainly regarding VOCAB!!

LABORATORY WORK:
This is a lab course and requires a very responsible student. Safety is stressed in my labs and irresponsible
behavior will NOT be tolerated. Refer to Lab Safety Agreement for proper lab etiquette.
Unacceptable behavior will result in:
First Offense: Warning to student and notification of parents.
Second Offense: Removal of lab privileges for the remainder of the grading period (receiving a
zero for each lab missed); conference required with Administrator and parents.
Third Offense: If a third offense occurs, the student will lose lab privileges for the remainder of
the semester (receiving a zero for each lab missed); conference required with Administrator and
Parents before student will be allowed to attend lab sessions.

EXTRA CREDIT:
Students are able to earn extra credit by answering the extra credit questions on tests or re-creating a way to
remember vocab words.

ONLY those students who have a 59, 69, 79 or 89 percent at the end of the six weeks may also submit a one
page, single spaced summary of a news article relating to only the material which was covered during the
closing 6 weeks time frame. The summary, along with the original article, will be turned in the week before
grades are submitted for report cards as an e-mail or a hard copy. Ex. Includes www.sciencedaily.com

CONFERENCES:
Student - I am available at least 20 minutes before school or almost any day after school (with prior
notice) that I do not have other conferences or meetings. Let me know ahead of time if you are coming in to see
me and I will be sure to meet you or make alternative arrangements.

Parent - Conferences must be set up through the Guidance office at least 24 hours in advance. However,
if you send a note to me via student courier with your phone number, I will be more than happy to call later in
the evening. You may also contact me via natalj@pcsb.org.

EXTRA ASSISTANCE:
If the student does not understand something in class - THAT is the time to ask a question! Do not be afraid to
ask WHY?!!! If there are no questions, then I must assume that everyone understands the concept. There is no
such thing as a 'dumb" question - there are a lot of strange ones - but none that are dumb. If a student needs
extra assistance - s/he should come to me and talk about it.

STUDY HINTS:
Study hints are often given in class. Listen and try them!
Study biology for at least 20 minutes every day. REVIEW a little every day.
Use study skills taught in other classes.
Class discussions should be for clarification of what you have already studied.
Make notecards, graphics, Prezi (http://prezi.com), Quizlet (http://quizlet.com) other aids to help you
learn.
Find a study partner with whom you can discuss biology. Teach someone what you are learning, such as
your mom or dad. Tutor a friend.
USE YOUR TIME IN CLASS for biology. Do not distract others or allow them to distract you.
FOCUS ON LEARNING AND NOT ON GRADES. If you learn, you will earn the grade.

Science Lab Donation$$$$$$:
To help defray the costs of important labs, useful learning materials and copies, please donate $15 or
more to the science department. I will be collecting donations at Open House (Aug. 25
th
- Sept. 6
th
) in
class. Please make checks payable to East Lake HS Science Dept .I greatly appreciate it!!!!!

DISCIPLINE PLAN:
NON-NEGOTIABLE EXPECTATIONS:
1. Be on time, prepared and ready to learn.
2. You must be IN YOUR SEAT when the final bell rings to begin class. If not seated, you will be marked
tardy.
3. Listen to instructions.
4. Participate and ask questions.
5. Complete all assignments when assigned.
6. Follow Pinellas County and East Lake policies and procedures stated in student handbook.
7. You must come prepared to study with all materials.
8. Cell phones are to remain OFF during class.
9. Follow the dress code or you will be provided with alternate clothing by administration.

REMEMBER that all students have the right to learn and the teacher has the right to teach.
Take the responsibility to ensure that a positive learning environment always exists.
If infractions occur, the student will receive a verbal warning, student-teacher conference, parent
phone call, or referral depending on the severity and number of infractions.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT:
The best learning environment is one that permits interactions between students and between teacher and
students. We will be doing many interactive activities. It is your responsibility to be fully engaged throughout
the lesson. Keep the conversations going on the topics being discussed in small group settings and in lab
activities. Your full attention to the task will impact your learning as well as other students.

HALL PASS POLICY:
No hall passes will be given during the first and last ten minutes of each period to help the campus
monitors maintain the hallways. Any time you need to leave the classroom make sure you take the Hall Pass
with you. Only one person is able to leave the classroom at a time with the pass. If you have the pass please
return as soon as possible so that another person may go.

TARDY POLICY:
You must be IN YOUR SEAT when the bell rings. Being present in the room does NOT meet this
expectation.

SCIENCE CHEATING POLICY and SAFETY AGREEMENT:
Sign and return the Science Cheating Policy and Safety Agreement

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU:
I WILL PROVIDE:
A safe learning environment free from physical and emotional harm;
An opportunity for success in this class;
An environment where you feel valued, respected, accepted and genuinely cared about;
An environment which provides you with meaningful choices;
An environment which allows for fun and enjoyment;
An environment with valued purpose.
I am very glad that you are in my class and am honored to be your teacher.

A FINAL NOTE:
DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS! Biology is extremely interesting and increasing in the eye of
the public. We have seen such topics as cloning, epidemics, artificial biological manipulation and wildlife
preservation become more and more a part of everyday life and conversation. At least a basic understanding of
biology is vital to the survival of our present and your future world. Working together this year we will begin to
gain that understanding.
By digitally signing my name below I show that I have read and understand the above information
concerning the course information. (Please save this last page, and attach it in an email to
natalj@pcsb.org.
In the subject of the email, please put your students name and the class period I have them for Bio 1.
This will be the first grade your student receives!!!
Student (Digital signature) Student email Date
____ ______ _______
Parent (Digital signature) Parent email Date
____ ______ ________