Advanced Placement Biology

Mr. Worden Fall 2011

Contact Information: dworden@uxbridge.k12.ma.us We Are A Community of Caring ~Respect~Caring~Responsibility~Family~Trust~
Uxbridge High School Mission Statement: Our mission at Uxbridge High School is to provide the resources and educational experiences to meet the diverse needs of all students, with the aim of encouraging responsible citizenship and life-long learning. In partnership with parents and community, Uxbridge High School fosters this development in a safe learning environment. Student Learning Expectations: 1) Use a variety of learning and study strategies 2) Listen for understanding 3) Demonstrate effective oral communication 4) Read critically and for understanding 5) Write effectively 6) Demonstrate effective use of technology 7) Employ modes of artistic and creative expression 8) Demonstrate civic responsibility 9) Show respect for self, others, and the environment

Student Expectations
Students are held to the highest of academic standards and standards for behavior. Students should come prepared to class each day: Materials- 3 ring binder for class notes and notes from the text, notebook for lab notebook, covered text, pen, pencil, calculator, handouts for the unit Homework assignment completed Reading completed and notes taken on the text Questions prepared about the assigned material, but not understood A willingness to add to the discussion of the topic Homework: Parents and students can be assured that there is homework every night. This includes taking notes from the text and not just reading it; filling in notes from

class; lab reports; worksheet assignments; making flash cards and studying vocabulary terms; writing take-home essays. Attendance Attendance is critical to academic performance. Labs are difficult if not impossible to make-up. Make-up tests are more difficult to discourage skipping exam dates. I will drop two quiz grades and one lab grade each term to account for absences; if you are not absent I will choose to drop your two lowest quiz grades. If you have an excused absence, you will be given the number of days out extra to complete the assignments. If you miss an exam because you are out on that day only, you must expect to take it the day you get back. Time issues Students should expect to spend additional time after school to finish labs. Extra study time is necessary to understand the depth of the material. Study sessions will be offered outside of school time to help prepare for the A.P. Exam. AP students must attend three Saturday sessions. Students must take the A.P. Exam. Students must study the material nightly as it is too much to study for the night before an exam. Students should pick up a study guide for the AP test and work on each section as we learn it. I recommend: AP Test Prep Series AP BIOLOGY By Fred and Teresa Holtzclaw ISBN 97801313575 Or 5 Steps to a 5 AP BIOLOGY 2nd ed. McGraw Hill ISBN 9780071476300 Labs We usually complete nearly all of the 12 required labs. Some of these labs require a typed lab report that is usually extensive and follow a recommended format. All graphics and tables must be computer produced. These reports may be up to 5-8 pages long. There will be a 2 day period from the finish date of the lab to hand them in. If you have questions on the lab, see me. Students must keep a record of all lab work in their lab notebook. There will be no copying or pasting in sheets of copied material. It is entirely hand written.

Attitude A serious inquiring attitude is important to success. Stay positive about the course and be persistent in your work. Hard work pays off. Remember that this is a college course, and an indication of how you will perform in college. Most students return to say that the course is equal to or slightly harder than the course they took in college.

Leadership Leadership is encouraged by all members of the class. You can act as a lab leader to coordinate data, assign roles to groups for doing different parts of the lab. You can organize study groups. Syllabus There will be a detailed syllabus and study guide to help you focus on pertinent material. Topics include the Chemistry of Life; The Cell; Energy Processing; Mendelian Genetics; Molecular Genetics; Mechanisms of Evolution; The Evolutionary History of Biological Diversity; Plant Form and Function; Animal Form and Function; Animal behavior; Ecology. Grading There are a variety of assessments. Essays are given out periodically. They mimic the AP exam open-response question format. They are graded using a rubric. Essays and written work 20% Lab reports.. 20% Quizzes . 10%, Tests 50 % Do not be intimidated by the material or the teachers expectations. Do the best that you can and frequently ask for help. I will make myself as available as possible. Please e-mail me that you have received these student expectations, I will use the information as a contact email if one has not already been provided. I am always available after school on Wednesdays and most other days with advanced notice.

Contact Information: dworden@uxbridge.k12.ma.us

Good luck and have a good year. Please sign on the next page and return to me.

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