Welcome to DE Biology!

Find any desk and have a seat. Warning: I will move people around if the rows are unbalanced. (Sorry- blame my OCD) Fill in from the front and make sure there is an equal number of people per row if you want to avoid having to move. Use ALL the desks first and then sit at the lab table if you must. I’ll find you a desk eventually!

Read over the syllabus while you wait for class to begin.

Mrs. Ashby

Magna Vista High School

Room 13

Meet Your Teacher

B.S. Biology, W&M, 2009

M.A. Education, VT, 2014

Certified in Biology (AP/DE/Gen) & Physics (AP/Gen)

9 years teaching experience

DE BIOLOGY CLASS

Everything you ever wanted to know about…

What is Biology?

What is DE Biology?

College level lecture and lab coursework

Covers 8 credits (or 2 college semesters) of Introductory Biology, but only if you get a C!

– Bio 101 and Bio 102

– Take the credits, but I STRONGLY recommend you retake one or both of these courses if you plan on being a Bio major!

Fair Warning: Your final grade will be on your college GPA.

Pre-requisites

– Good understanding of HS Biology, HS Chemistry, and HS Algebra I

What do I need for class?

• Your preferred method of note-taking

• Pens or Pencils (EVERY. DAY.)

• Calculator• Coloring utensils

(optional)

What are the expectations?

Respect

Responsibility

Daily Study (at least 20 min/day)

College-level quality of work

How will I be graded?• Points system

• Tests count the most & generally must be passed to pass the class.

• There is not much extra credit, so you’re responsible for getting it right the first time!

• No more curve! You must get a 70C- or better to receive college credit. GPA is weighted, but the report card grade is not.

• Citizenship Grading System – Come prepared, behave, don’t make a mess, and don’t abuse your privileges. 5 demerits = one CG letter drop

Do you accept late work?

Verified Absence?

Get assignments from me as soon as you get back.

Three days to get caught up.

If you knew the due date before you were out, you won’t get additional time. Plan ahead.

Missed labs cannot be made up, but you are still responsible for the content to prep for the test

Just Forgot?

Sorry. I won’t accept it. A lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

Translation: Use a homework pass, do some extra credit, or take a zero.

(But please come talk to me if you have an issue you can’t control.)

Is there an end of semester test? YES! Everyone will take a

cumulative final exam at the end of the semester that is 1/7th of your grade.

In addition, everyone will take a midterm exam sometime during G2 and write a final research paper during G3 (both for a test grade)

Optional - College Board AP Biology Exam – May 2017

Textbooks and Labs

Textbooks

– You will be assigned a textbook

– Please make sure you write your name and textbook number legibly on the sign-out sheet!

– Return textbook in good condition, or you will be responsible for the cost (around $80)

Labs

– College level labs, case studies, or simulations every week

– Strong math component

– SAFETY FIRST!

– Every lab and case study is followed by a quiz that counts for 50% of your lab grade, so make sure you’re learning.

Please be reasonable with…

Electronics Instructional purposes

only

Food, Gum, or Drinks

Bugs are gross

Allergies are unpleasant

Scraping gum off desks is gross

Water is always ok.

Clean up your mess! Leaving trash or a mess behind will result in demerit or loss of privilege. Don’t abuse it, or you’ll lose it!

Do we have to have a seating chart?

Maybe…

(I promise you’ll live.)

*Come talk to me in cases of afro-board-blocking and the like…

Leaving Class…

During the Block

By permission only

Sign in and out on the clipboard by the door

Take your agenda or a note

It will cost you a demerit, so emergencies only (except for the nurse or school business)

No bathroom breaks the first or last fifteen minutes of class

End of class

I dismiss you. Not the bell. Don’t pack up early!

Are you going to call my parents?

I will if I have to for…

– Excessive missing assignments

– An overall grade lower than a 60D-

– Not returning required forms

– Discipline concerns

What to expect … Homework everyday. (No, I’m not kidding. Even if I

don’t give you a new assignment everyday, if you want an A/B in this class you have to spend time each night with the material. EVERY. NIGHT. Time management is HUGE in here, as it will be in college. You’ll learn…)

Quick review of big picture before diving into the details. Weak bio/chem/math skills? It’s on you to get caught up!

Fast pacing, lots of math and chemistry (Feel free to come get tutoring from me if you need it anytime.)

Labs/lab type activities or projects weekly

College preparation (strict due dates, fast pace, challenging assignments that require self-discipline, etc)

College Preparedness

Strict due dates (seriously.)

Textbook reading

Inquiry based college-level labs and reports

College-level papers or projects with proper APA citations

Grade emphasis on passing the tests

College Credit Options

You may receive 8 credits (approximately $400-800 value) of Biology credits for this course if you do one of the following…

– Optional: Pay for, prepare for, take, and pass (score of 3-5) the College Board AP Bio test on May 11

– Required: Pay for, complete, and pass the requirements for the PHCC DE program with a C or better

Reminder: This is a college class whether or not you receive credit!

Handbook Reminders

Tardy Policy

Must be inside the classroom before the bell rings to be considered “on time”

Consequences

– 1st : Warning

– 2nd: Warning

– 3rd: Parent Contact

– 4th…: Referral

Does NOT start over after the grading period

Attendance Policy

Excused if…

– Doctor

– Death in Immediate Family

– Court (for you)

– School related

Bring note to attendance office within 3 days

More than two unexcused absences = 69% F

Must be present more than 45 minutes to be counted

Handbook RemindersDress & Honor Code

No…

– Revealing shirts or shorts

– Holes above the knee

– Gang-related or offensive clothing

– Sagging pants

CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Collaboration is encouraged, but copying will result in a zero and automatic referral for ALL parties (copier and copied).

Emergency Procedures

Fire Drill

Lockdown Drill

Tornado Drill

Call button

Lab Safety

Keep in Touch

Phone: 276-956-3147 (Leave a message, and I’ll return your call as soon as I can)

Email: eashby@henry.k12.va.us

Website: Check this everyday http://web.henry.k12.va.us//Domain/1378

QUESTIONS?

For homework tonight – Get your syllabus signed and get a head start on your first Read and Review

Pre-Test: Let’s see what you got yourself into….