DELLARINGA BIOLOGY SYLLABUS FALL 2015

Contact Information

Availability

E-mail: alexandria.dellaringa@dpsnc.net
Phone Number: 919-410-6577 (Google Voice)
Course Website: http://dellabiology.weebly.com

Room Number: 226

Planning Period: 3rd
Tutoring: Wed. 2:30 4:00 PM

Course Overview
Students will experiment and explore many biological topics as they engage in the practices and techniques that scientists
use in laboratories, in the field, and at research conferences. Biology is a rewarding class, but also a challenging one.
Success in the course will require time management, hard work, and organization. The course also seeks to instill critical
thinking, communication, and collaborative skills that will help young scientists to achieve success in the classroom and
beyond. At the conclusion of biology, all students are required to take the North Carolina end-of-course exam (EOC).
Textbook: Prentice Hall Biology (NC Ed) by Miller & Levine 2005. Additional resources will be posted on my website.
Unit Schedule
1: Experimental Design

4: Energy

7: Heredity

2: Classification of Life

5: Cells & DNA

EOC Review

3: Natural Selection

6: Reproduction & Growth

Class Expectations
For this course, I expect five behaviors from both myself and my students:
1. Be Prompt We want to hear everyone's ideas, so be here and be on time! At the bell, all members of the class
are required to be in their seats and working on the warm-up. Tardy students will be subject to the schools tardy
policy.
2. Be Prepared We read, write, create, experiment, and discuss in this class. Assignments should be completed
before class each day and students should bring their biology notebook, pencil/pen, questions, and ideas.
3. Be Productive Maximize your learning by staying on-task, following directions, and engaging in class
activities, labs, and discussions. To encourage all students to participate, each student will earn up to 2 points per
day for participation.
4. Be Polite Be kind. Say please and thank you. Be patient with yourself and others. Be respectful to yourself,
your classmates, your teacher, and your classroom. Contribute to our class community in a positive manner.
5. Be Passionate Jump into biology with both feet. Not for a grade, but for your own growth. Take risks, discover
something unexpected, develop your critical thinking skills, and create something you're proud of.
Additionally, all school guidelines listed in the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability Student Handbook are in
effect during this class. Students should note the following policies:
1. No food or drinks (other than water) will be allowed in the classroom.
2. Cell phones and other electronic devices should not be used unless otherwise instructed by Ms. Dell'Aringa.
Phones are expected to be OFF and stored in a locker or backpack. Students will not be permitted to charge their
phones in class. Occasionally we will use our devices in class, so please do not give me a reason not to trust you
with this privilege.
If a student is found using her/his phone, the phone will be confiscated and placed in cell phone jail where it will
stay for the remainder of the class period.

3. The 20/20 rule: passes will not be written for students during the first and last 20 minutes of class.
4. The work you turn in for this course should be your own. You are responsible for your grade and your own
learning. Any work that is found not to be the original work of the student will be given a zero and no make-up
assignment will be permitted. If a student is found copying the work of another student, both students will receive
a zero and no make-up assignment will be permitted. Additionally, the student(s) may be referred to the office for
plagiarizing, or for breaking the academic integrity policy outlined in the student handbook. This policy applies to
ALL work, including: homework, classwork, labs, projects, and tests/quizzes.
Grading Scale
A: 90 100
B: 80 89
C: 70 79
D: 60 69
F: 59 or Below

Grade Distribution
15% Daily Grades
15% Projects
15% Notebook Checks
35% Tests/Quizzes
20% Biology EOC
*The EOC exam counts for 20%
of the student's final semester
grade

Supplies
Must Haves:
Graph- or college-ruled composition notebook
Pens and pencils
One Box to Share (pick one):
Kleenex, dry erase markers, Ziploc baggies, hand
soap/sanitizer, graph paper
Optional (but recommended):
Scotch tape, highlighter, flash drive, headphones

Daily Schedule
Class begins when the bell rings, at which point you are expected to be in your seat working on the warm-up.
Each class period will begin with a warm-up, which is worth 1 point per day (in the Daily Grades category). As
students work on warm-ups, I will check the previous days warm-up and the previous night's assignments. In the last
five minutes of each class, students will fill out an exit ticket (worth 1 point per day) in order to display their
understanding of the day's objectives.
The course will also include quizzes, unit tests, and a district midterm exam. These will be largely multiple-choice, in
the style of the EOC, but will also include short answer prompts. Tests and quizzes may be corrected for half-credit
back (ex: student misses 5 questions, can correct to earn 2.5 points back). More details about test corrections will be
presented during the first week of school.
Late/Missing Work Policy
If work is missed due to excused absences, the district policy will be enforced. For every one day a student is absent,
the student has two days after her/his return to turn in the missing work. It is the students responsibility to collect and
complete their makeup work. This policy extends to all work, including: homework, classwork, notebooks, projects,
labs, and tests/quizzes. Check the Absent Bin and/or the class website to see what you've missed. If you missed a
test/quiz, see Ms. Dell'Aringa to schedule a make-up time.
Homework from the previous day will be checked at the start of each class period (during the warm-up). If the work is
complete, students will receive a 2. If not, they will receive a 0. Students have 24 hours to complete the work and earn
half-credit (1 point), after which the work will no longer be accepted.
Late projects will lose 10% per day. Projects turned in more than 10 days past the deadline will not be accepted.
All make-up work and corrections for Quarter 1 are due on October 24. All make-up work and corrections for
Quarter 2 are due on January 16.
Signatures (both student and parent/guardian should sign and return the syllabus to Ms. DellAringa)
I have read and understand the syllabus and course expectations.
Student Name: ____________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name: _________________________________ Signature: _________________________________