JAMES S. RICKARDS HIGH SCHOOL
3013 JIM LEE ROAD
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301
Tel: (850) 488-1783 Fax: (850) 922-7104
www.rickards.leon.k12.fl.us
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Name Course Number
Biology 1 20003100
COURSE NAME Ms. Katrina Mendoza
INSTRUCTOR
EMAIL ADDRESS mendozak@leonschools.net
Please leave your telephone number and a brief message with the
TELEPHONE school receptionist. Your request for a call back will be forwarded
CONTACT to the teacher by the end of each school day, and your call returned
within 24 hours.
COURSE What content is expected to be learned through this course?
DESCRIPTION
This Biology course includes a blend of content knowledge, problem solving, writing,
mathematics, and critical thinking strategies.
Apply knowledge of the nature of science
Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of matter, energy and the chemical
processes of life.
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of processes of cells.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of heredity.
Demonstrate an understanding if the importance of the levels of organization,
classification and taxonomy to the study of biology.
Demonstrate an understanding of the structure, function and reproduction of
living things.
Demonstrate an understanding of the factors that affect the behavior of
organisms.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of living things and the
environment.
Demonstrate an understanding of the types of selection, variations, and
adaptations that lead to biological changes over time.
How will the learning be distributed over the year?
st
1 9-Week Grading Period Content
Nature of Science - students will review the scientific method, compare/contrast
observation and inference, compare/contrast theory and law, etc.
Chemistry of Life- the role of inorganic and organic compounds in living organisms.
Cell Theory- Cell structure, transport, division and energy in cells.
nd
2 9-Week Grading Period Content
Cell Theory- Cell structure, transport, division and energy in cells.
Genetics- basic concepts of genetics, inheritance of traits, genetic technology and DNA
structure.
rd
3 9-Week Grading Period Content
Evolution and Natural Selection - theory and mechanism of gradual changes that
happen in species through adaptations.
Classification- organizational method used to categorized organisms
Interactions of living things- survey of an organism's environment and how energy
flows through an ecosystem.
th
4 9-Week Grading Period Content
Plants-study of the structure and function of plant organs.
Human Body- study of the structure and function of the body systems.
REQUIRED COURSE TEXTBOOK(S) Glencoe Biology Florida
RESOURCES
RAIDER BINDER, 5-Tab Dividers (pockets on dividers will be
helpful), College-ruled filler paper (loose-leaf paper),
Composition Notebook (college-ruled), Sheet protectors, Writing
MATERIALS
utensils (black or blue pens AND pencils), Erasers, Calculator,
Flash/USB Drive (at least 1GB), Rulers, Hand-held/manual pencil
sharpener
FEES $5 lab fee *if we dissect, there is an additional fee
WEBSITES www.rickards.leon.k12.fl.us/mendozak
REQUIRED TBA
READINGS
COURSE/SCHOOL All Rickards High School teachers expect students to adhere to the Leon County Schools
BEHAVIORAL Attendance Policy and Student Code of Conduct, the Rickards dress code, and conditions
EXPECTATIONS of academic integrity which include cheating and plagiarism. These policies can be found
on the Leon County Schools website at www.leon.k12.fl.us, the Rickards High School
website at www.rickards.leon.k12.fl.us, and in the agenda book distributed to each
student.
GRADING POLICY How and to what extent are assignments weighted toward determining the quarterly grade in your
class?
PERCENTAGE TYPE OF ASSIGNMENT
40 % Tests
18 % Quizzes
12 % Daily Assignments
10 % Bell Work/Journal Checks
20 % Labs
Final Project* during 4th 9-weeks
10 %
from Labs
*During the 4th nine-weeks the final project will be 10% and Labs will be 10%.
I provide many opportunities for extra credit and encourage all students to take
advantage whenever it becomes available.
Tests will be a mixture of multiple choice, true/false, and matching questions. A #2
pencil (mechanical or not) is needed for taking the test. Testing procedures must be
followed during the course of all tests.
Bell Work will be completed at the start of class every day. If you are absent, it is your
responsibility to get the entries from the instructor or a classmate. You may only copy
the question from your classmate and then ask for the answer from the teacher.
Copying more than that is cheating and will result in a zero. Journal checks will be
given periodically to monitor progress and to ensure information in class was
recorded.
Daily Assignments may include: Notes, Chapter outlines, lab write-ups/questions,
Internet labs, worksheets, movie questions, etc… NOTE: Some labs cannot be made-
up, so, it is important that the student not miss lab days. It will be your responsibility
to keep track of what you miss due to class absence as this category is a big part of
your grade.
Quizzes are based on discussions, labs, daily assignment completions, following
procedures, and positive class involvement. There can be reading quizzes given
periodically to ensure that important material in the text is being read.
Projects: This will involve aspects of science. These projects will consist of the use of
Power Point. Topics must be approved by the teacher. More will be discussed
regarding this in class prior to the given due dates.
Student classroom performance can be accessed through an on-line “Parent Portal”. This
on-line grade reporting service is updated by the teacher weekly. To use this convenient
feature, the student number and a password are required. See the appropriate grade level
counselor for this information.
GRADING SCALE In accordance with Leon County School Board policy, 9-week grades will be assigned as
described below.
LETTER NUMERICAL
MEANING OF GRADE
GRADE GRADE
A 90 – 100 Student displays mastery of
course content.
B 80 – 89 Student has a good
understanding of course
content. There is room for
student improvement.
C 70 – 79 Student is successful with
most assignments. Gaps may
exist in the understanding of
difficult topics. Tutorials and/or
attention to good study habits
may be necessary.
D 60 – 69 Student is having difficulty with
course content, assistance is
necessary for student
improvement.
F 0 – 59 Student has major difficulty
with course content.
Immediate intervention is
necessary.
HOMEWORK Students will have homework if the daily assignment started in class is not completed.
Students will have a due date for these assignments. Usually, a notebook or journal
check will occur every week and a half. However, there will be times when there will
be homework that is due the next day.
MAKE-UP WORK Leon County School Board Policy allows students to make up work within a reasonable
PROCEDURE amount of time after returning to school following an excused absence. The allotted
time will be determined by the teacher and communicated to both parent(s) and the
student.
If you have an excused absence, make-up work must be completed within two (2) days
of the return (unless otherwise approved by the instructor). Keep in mind some
assignments (such as partnered-labs) are not reproducible. Assignments from pre-
excused absences are due upon return to school, unless otherwise approved by the
instructor.
LATE WORK POLICY Projects and lab reports can be accepted within 1 day of the due date with penalty.
Other assignments must be turned in ON TIME. This is due to the ample time for
assignments to be done during class and whatever is not finished in class becomes
homework. This policy is out of respect for those students who DID finish their work
on time.
ASSIGNMENT RE-DO Assignments and test submitted as “re-do” work must meet all relative criterion set by
POLICY/PROCEDURE the instructor per assignment or test. Half credit may be rewarded for assignment and
test items properly corrected.
EXTRA HELP Extra Help time is by appointment.
OPPORTUNITIES