Mrs. Lant's Classroom
Procedures
CLASSROOM
PROCEDURES - BIOLOGY
Mrs.
Lant 2006-2007
I. DAILY MATERIALS
- Biology
Textbook: Biology,
Principles & Explorations (Holt, Rinehart, & Winston).
You are expected to keep your book in good condition and bring it to
class daily. Do not
ask if you need your book, assume you need it every class meeting!
* Every student will be given a username and password for the ONLINE version of the biology textbook. The website address for the online textbook is: go.hrw.com (do not type “www.”) - 8
1/2 x 11 loose leaf lined paper (keep
at least 10 – 20 pieces at all times)
-
Three-ring binder (at least 2 inch
recommended; 8 1/2 x 11)
All work (notes, handouts, etc.) must be kept inside your binder in the order in which the assignments were given. Each assignment will be given a number and you are required to write the assignment number along with your name, block #, and date in the top right-hand corner of your paper if spaces are not already provided. I suggest keeping a separate binder for Biology not only because your notebook may be collected and graded, but because it will become quite full with papers. No folders will be accepted. - Blue or Black ink pen (no other colors, please!)
5.
# 2 pencil with an eraser
6.
Colored pencils (at least a small pack)
7.
Goggles (will be sold in class; current price will be announced; bring in
goggles or money
before the announced due date.)
8.
YOUR
STUDENT PLANNER - may be
checked/graded periodically
II.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND STUDENT CONDUCT
1.
Be respectful and courteous to me, as well as your classmates; listen
carefully and attentively to lessons.
a.
Lectures
- strict attention and note
taking is required as much of the material in lectures will be stressed on
tests.
b.
Videos & other media
- strict attention is required; videos and other media are shown to supplement
the text and lectures, and to review and reinforce; carefully watch and listen
to what is presented; for videos, complete the notes provided.
2.
Be prepared and on time.
You are to be in class and in your seat by the tardy bell.
You should coordinate locker trips with classroom locations -a locker
stop between each class may not be feasible.
*Any quiz, etc. missed because of an unexcused tardy will be have points
deducted or assigned a zero. Upon entering the room, you should immediately get
ready for the start of class:
a.
Turn in your homework; have it ready and easy to find in your notebook.
b.
If needed, sharpen your pencil(s).
c.
Look over the agenda for the day (always listed on the left side of the
front board).
d.
Get out any needed materials so you are ready for the start of class.
e.
In your planner, write down your homework (always listed on the right
side of the front board). Be sure
to included assignment numbers and directions.
f.
Begin the warm-up activity.
3.
Composition:
neatness, thoroughness, spelling and grammar all count.
If I can't read what you have written, I can't mark your answer right.
4.
The Honor Code will be strictly enforced (see Student Planner).
Some examples of honor code violations include:
a) copying any answers from another student's work, e.g. homework,
classwork, labs, tests, extra credit etc.,
b) discussing material on tests, or
c) writing information on desks.
**When doing group activities, it
is NOT o.k. to copy answers -- you
may discuss the activity and help each other understand
concepts, but you must provide your own answers to demonstrate your
understanding.
5.
Restroom:
Plan your time so that you can go before and after class.
Passes will be allowed for urgent trips
to the restroom, but don't abuse this privilege.
6.
All school rules contained in your Student Planner will be enforced,
including no gum, candy, food, etc.
7.
No playing with faucets, sinks, electrical outlets, or gas valves.
8.
No writing or reading of other materials, classwork, etc.
9.
You are responsible for the area surrounding where you sit (sink
included), do not leave trash. Various
trashcans are located throughout the room.
As long as the time is appropriate and you will not provide a disruption,
you are welcome to get up and go to the closest receptacle to discard
trash.
10.
Stay in assigned seat.
11.
No talking; no sleeping.
12.
No radios, cassettes, disc players, earphones.
13.
No selling of anything in the classroom.
14.
Tampering with any aquariums, animals, plants, etc. will not be
tolerated.
15.
** NO PRIMPING-- combing hair, putting on makeup and be considerate to
others.
16.
I decide when class is over. DO NOT pack-up until you are given permission.
Early packers will just cause delays in dismissal.
When the bell rings at the end of the block, you are to wait to be
excused. Once excused, push in
your stool and be sure you are not leaving anything behind, especially trash
& messes.
17.
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS PREFERRED!! *
If you have a problem with something that occurred during class time, I will be
happy to listen to your concerns, etc. after class.
III.
DETENTION
1.
Detention can be given for the
following reasons:
a.
Not following anything listed under “Classroom Expectations and Student
Conduct”
b.
Violation of Tardy Policy - see Student Planner
c.
Interference with others learning
d.
Inattention
e.
Improper lab procedure
f.
Improper fire drill
g.
Marking on desks (eraser,
pencil, scratch, etc.) *Please
note, if the damage cannot be removed, you will have to pay to replace the
tabletop, cabinet, etc. that you defaced. This
will be expensive.
h.
Playing with water faucets and/or gas jets (gas
jets are off when in the "L" position)
IV.
HOMEWORK
1. Homework
will be assigned regularly and checked.
2. No
passes to go to lockers for forgotten homework will be issued.
Bringing your homework to class is as much your responsibility as completing the
assigned work.
3. Homework
is due in the in-box on my desk by the time the tardy bell rings.
NO late homework will be accepted.
4.
USE
YOUR PLANNER - write-down your assignments. Homework
is always written on the board (it’s usually there the entire block, but you
should write it down at the beginning of class).
V.
STUDY AND HOMEWORK TIME
Biology
is an exciting, interesting, and fun subject, but a subject learned through
MEMORY. The best way to remember
facts is by REPETITION. I assign
homework and classwork so that you are constantly repeating and applying what is
covered in lecture and in the textbook. So,
half of your battle will be won if you complete the assigned work.
For the other, you will need to study -- yes, STUDY.
How? I will discuss ways in
class and you will also be given a handout to read, “How to Be An Effective
Learner...” Although we meet
every other school day, you should study daily (e.g. reading over and even
recopying your notes). Assignments should be completed during study block the
same day the class meets, or at home the same afternoon or evening.
VI.
MAKE-UP WORK
*
"If an absence is inexcusable, a student may not make up missed work."
- Student Planner
1.
YOU
are responsible for making up all work
that is missed during an absence. If
you wait for someone else to tell you what to do, you will probably end up
missing deadlines. A good rule to
follow: Plan on staying after
school when you return from being absent. A
better rule to follow: Don't be
absent!!
2.
Near the prep room entrance at the
front of the room, is a table where you go to obtain your make-up work and
papers returned when you were absent.
After returning from an absence and before class starts:
a.
Turn in your work that was due the day(s) you were absent.
Assignments that were collected (homework, classwork, etc.) are listed at
the top of the lesson plan for the day(s) you missed.
b.
Use the lesson plan for the day(s) you were absent (located in the blue
binder) and write down everything you need to do to get caught-up.
Remember, to record assignment numbers and any additional
information (i.e. announcements, assignments not on a handout, etc.)
c.
Obtain a copy of all handouts. The
handouts from the previous class will be located in the stacked trays.
If you missed more than one day, the rest of the handouts can be obtained
from the file crate. In the file
crate, look for a green hanging file with a tab showing the date of the your
absence (tabs are positioned so that the handouts are in front of them).
The green hanging file with the most recent date will be at the front of
the file crate. Inside each hanging
file there will be one or more manila file folders.
Take a copy of the handout from each manila file folder.
d.
Copy any notes given the day(s) you were absent.
They will be located behind the lesson plan(s) of the day(s) you were
absent. So that nothing gets lost
or disorganized, do not remove anything from the lesson plan
notebook. You are allowed to sit up
front to copy from the binder when time allows, or you can come during your
study block or after school. Be
sure to check with a responsible classmate for any additional notes they may
have taken during the class(es) you missed -- sometimes things may get written
on the board due to class generated discussion, and may be helpful for your
understanding.
e.
Look in the "Returned Papers" pocket (stapled to the bulletin
board) for any of your papers returned the day(s) of your absence.
f.
You are encouraged to come by the classroom the day you return from an
absence (even if it is not on the day you have class).
You are welcome to come during your study block.
The sooner you pick-up your work, the sooner you can complete it and
avoid getting behind.
3.
Tests
- All tests are scheduled at least several days in advance.
If you are absent the block before a test and no new material is
introduced, you will be expected to take the test on time.
* Test make-ups will be given Tuesdays
AFTERSCHOOL (if possible,
tests may be made-up during study blocks).
You have until the Tuesday that falls before the last three days of the
nine-weeks to make-up any missed test.
Having “practice” is no excuse for not making-up tests.
Your coach or director will allow you late to practice with a pass --
this is school policy. Not having a
ride is also not an excuse – you may take the 4:00 activity bus home with a
signed pass from me.
4.
Homework -
Any homework assigned prior to an absence is due upon your return to class.
Make-up work should be placed separately on the front desk before
the start of class; make-up work will not be accepted during class.
If absent when an assignment is given (applies to classwork, too), be
sure to pick-up the missed work the day you return because it will be due the
next class meeting -- that gives you at least two days.
(If you are absent more than two blocks, see me if additional time is
needed.)
5.
Video notes
- You have 2 choices: 1) Copy the
video notes from the lesson plan book, turn them into me, and be omitted from
the assignment, or 2) If it can be
arranged, you may stay after school to watch the video, take your own notes,
then turn them in for credit. If
you choose to copy the notes instead of making-up a video, you risk missing test
questions that may be generated from that video.
You have one week from your return to class, or before the test (which
ever comes first) to complete video make-ups.
You may be required to make-up certain videos.
6.
Lab/Activity and Quiz make-ups
- Lab make-ups will either be listed in the lesson plan book or written
on the board -- if not, it is your
responsibility to inquire as to when you should make-up the lab/activity.
Unannounced/Pop Quizzes will be given to you upon your return to class.
Announced quizzes will be
given to you at the beginning of the next class (or you may be required to come
after school at a specified date and time).
Sometimes a make-up may not be offered, in which case, you will be
omitted from the assignment or assigned an alternative. It is your responsibility to remind me about your
lab/activities and quiz make-ups.
7.
ISS - All homework that would have been
turned-in at the beginning of class is due to the ISS instructor at
7:25 a.m. (whether he asks for it or not), or you may come turn-in your homework
to me before school starts. NO
EXCEPTIONS. You must bring your Daily Supplies to ISS.
If you miss lab, you may have to do an alternative assignment (i.e.
research paper, or paper lab). When
you return to class, it is your responsibility to look in the lesson plan book
for other missed work, notes, etc. and to make-up work within the specified
times. I will not send extra credit
assignments to ISS, or accept them from the ISS instructor.
You must come after school to pick-up any extra credit assignments that
may have been given out during class (for example, a Concept Map before a test). If an extra credit assignment is due the day you have ISS,
you must bring it to me before 7:25 a.m. or it will not be accepted.
**
Failure to complete make-up work within the specified times will result in a zero.**
VII.
GRADING
1.
Nine-weeks grades will be
determined by adding together the numerical scores of all tests, quizzes, labs,
homework assignments, daily grades, and projects, then dividing the sum by the
total number of points possible. Since
the weight of each graded item is equal to the number of points it counts, the
exact percentage that each of these components counts toward the final grade
will vary each grading period.
2.
To receive full credit for an
assignment, you must:
a.
Turn it in on time (classwork when requested; homework by the tardy bell)
b.
Use loose-leaf paper (no spiral) if assignment is not on a handout
c.
Complete all parts - no blanks unanswered, no questions unfinished or
answered nonsensical and no terms left out (educated guesses welcome but be able
to justify your answer if asked).
d.
Use your full name
e.
Use the correct assignment number.
f.
Papers are neat, e.g. unfolded, crumpled, etc.
3.
Conditions causing denial of credit
for assignments include:
a.
Sleeping during assignment time.
b.
Violation of the Honor Code (denial of credit applied to any
parties involved).
c.
Talking during assignment time.
d.
Not doing assignment during allotted time.
e.
Improper form (see back of "Welcome to Biology", excessively
messy or doodling.
4.
In your notebook, you should retain
all returned, graded papers, and keep a record of all of your grades throughout
the grading period. Grade printouts
will be supplied periodically during each nine-weeks.
VIII.
EXTRA CREDIT
1.
Extra credit is offered
conservatively! Only assigned
extra-credit will be accepted. Extra-credit
opportunities are explained on the back of your "Welcome to
Biology" handout.
* Honor Code violators risk losing extra-credit privileges.
X.
EXTRA HELP
1.
Extra help IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE!
See me! I am genuinely
concerned about your schoolwork and you as an individual.
I will be happy to help you with anything that seems confusing, or with
studying for a test. Come on in!
2.
A tutorial CD rom can be
checked-out from me, or you may visit the computer lab to use it during school.
3.
My office is in the prep room
between rooms 233 and 235. If I
can’t see you the day you stop in, we’ll set up an appointment.
You may also email me at calant@vbschools.com and don't forget
about my website: www.bionut.net .
We are an
intelligent species and the use of our intelligence
quite
properly gives us pleasure. In this
respect the brain is
like
a muscle. When it is in use we feel
very good.
Understanding
is joyous.
- Carl Sagan
