Safety
Supplies / Materials
All school rules are published in the STUDENT HANDBOOK, and we follow these guidelines schoolwide. Here are a few specifics about biology class and the science department that you should be aware of:
Students don't need a multitude of supplies for this class. They are asked, on a daily basis, to bring:
1) A folder
2) A pen or pencil
3) Lab notebook (PLTW issued notebook ... not a store-bought one)
4) Completed homework when necessary
5) School-issued Google Chromebook.
6) Optional Items that can be utilized: Cell phone, iPad/iPod, tablet, calculator, ear buds - we will use these items for educational purposes as well on occasion!
In science class, laboratory and outdoor activities make safety issues our #1 priority. To protect students, we have a variety of resources and plans in place:
Placements and Procedures:
~Fire
~Tornado
~Lockdown
Resources:
~Fire extinguisher
~fire blanket
~eye wash
~first aid kit
ALSO, ALL STUDENTS MUST PASS A SAFETY QUIZ BEFORE THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN ANY LABS OR ACTIVITIES.
Code of Conduct & Social Contracts:
Students will create a set of policies for the class and will sign a contract agreeing to individual expectations determined with the parameters of their plan.
All behavioral issues that are encountered that cannot be handled within the classroom code of conduct will be referred to administration and/or dealt with by procedures outlined in the Student Handbook.
Field Trips and Outdoor Activities:
For any excursion outside of the classroom, the same expectations for behavior and respect apply. It is especially important to represent our class and school with pride while venturing out into the community.
Social / Behavior
Assessments / Grading
Assessments:
Students will learn through a variety of assessments. These are some of the means through which students knowledge and skills will be measured:
~Tests & quizzes
~Individual and group projects
~Participation in activities
~Worksheets, charts, graphs, lab result interpretations...
~Research papers
~Current event discussion
~Debates
~CFL's ("checking for learning" - warm-up activities)
Grading Policy / Late Work
Attending Class
Grading Policy:
Grades will be determined by using district policy, and by using the FPS grading scale. FPS will be implementing a standards-based assessment in the near future, and our summative assessments will focus on student achievement in specific areas throughout the course this year.
Current FPS grading scale:
A = 95 - 100 C = 77 – 79
A- = 92 - 94 C- = 74 – 76
B+ = 89 – 91 D+ = 71 – 73
B = 86 – 88 D = 68 – 70
B- = 83 – 85 D- = 65 – 67
C+ = 80 – 82 F = 64 and below
Grading Policy / Late Work:
Excused late work is handled on a case-by-case basis, and is generally expected to be submitted within the same length of time given to students who were in class when the assignment was originally given. Unexcused late work will be given partial credit, with the possible maximum grade decreasing as a student continues to fail to hand in the assignment.
Attendance:
Especially in science courses with an abundance of hands-on opportunities, it is extremely important to attend class to get the best possible experience. Hands-on activities, laboratory activities, discussions, debates, and outdoor excursions are all examples of worthwhile lessons that are difficult to replace with a make-up assignment such as doing worksheets or asking friends what was missed.
If you miss, I will do my best to make sure that you understand the material that we covered while you were gone.
Habitual Truancy
If you are consistently absent & unexcused, action may be taken to place you in an alternative academic experience until you are able to maintain a more consistent attendance pattern.
Tardiness
It is important to show up on time. Reporting to class late takes away from the lesson and inconveniences classmates. I understand that students sometimes may need to finish something with another teacher or deal with other issues, but if tardiness becomes a habit it will need to be handled with administration.
Passes
During class, it may be necessary to use a pass to go to the bathroom or for other approved reasons. Students may fill out a pass in their planner if a situation arises, and I will sign off. If students are on the "No-Pass-List," they will not be allowed to leave the room without administrative approval.
Policies and Procedures
BIOMEDICAL
Franklin High School
Principles of
Science
