Welcome to Ms. Metcalf's Honors Biology Class   General Information: Honors Biology is a challenging course covering all of the topics of Biology listed in the Sunshine State Standards. This course will provide you with the content knowledge, scientific processing skills, and lab experience that will be essential in your future scientific experiences. It is my goal to provide you with the tools to take your academic career to the next level. I will do my best to keep this course interesting, fun, and CHALLENGING. This is an HONORS COURSE!!!   Classroom Policies: -There will be NO make-up work given for unexcused absences or tardies. -Late work will not be accepted. -Students may only make-up labs for excused absences. This will be arranged as needed. -The school policy on tardies will be strictly followed (see student handbook). -It is the responsibility of the student to check the class calendar for make-up work. -Students are responsible for their own work...CHEATING IS NOT PERMITTED. Expectations: To be PROMPT. To be POSITIVE. To be PREPARED. To be RESPECTFUL.   Employability: In accordance with the Sarasota County School Board policy 20% of your grade is based on employability skills. This grade will be based on the following: -attendance -coming to class on time -bringing required book, paper, pencils, etc. -maintenance of class notebook -completion of homework -appropriate dress -attitude of cooperation with teacher and students -time on task   Extra Credit: Several extra credit opportunities will be given throughout each quarter. This credit will count towards homework and classwork. Any student with a 90% or better on employability will be given the chance to drop one exam, lab, or project grade each grading period.   Grading: 30% Exams 30% Labs, Projects (NOTE: students are expected to complete the lab on their own paper, but one lab will be randomly selected per lab group to be graded) (Labs that are not written as a formal lab report will be included in your classwork grade. There will be 2-3 formal lab write-ups each grading period.) 10% Notebook (notebook) 20% Employability Based on school board policy, 20% of your grade will be from employability. You will start each grading period with 100 points. Points will be deducted as follows: 4 points Unexcused Absence 2 points Tardy All other deductions will be deducted by my discretion. 5% Homework and Classwork (weekly grade) 5% Quizzes   All exams, labs, and projects will have a specific point value based on the content of the assignment. This will be clearly laid out for the students.   Grading Scale: 100% - 90% A 89% - 80% B 79% - 70% C 69% - 60% D 59% - below F   Materials: 1 1/2 " - 2" three-ring binder set of six dividers notebook paper scientific calculator graphing composition book black or blue ink pen colored pencils   Notebook Requirement: Each student will be required to turn in a notebook at the end of each grading period. This will be worth 10% of your final grade. I will RANDOMLY choose ten assignments from the grading period to check in your notebook. Credit will only be given for the assignment if it is in the correct section and order in your notebook. All assignments are to be placed in the appropriate section with the most recent assignment first. The sections of the notebooks will be as follows: General Classroom Information Notes/Classwork Activities Homework Activities Lab Activities Quizzes Daily Warm-up Lab Safety: Lab safety is to be taken very seriously. All of the rules and regulation of the lab will be thoroughly explained in class. Students will not be permitted into the laboratory until they have passed a lab exam that covers all the rules and regulations. Horseplay during lab activities will NOT BE TOLERATED. Students that fail to follow rules in the lab will be asked to stop the activity and will receive an automatic zero for the assignment.   How to Contact Me: The best way to reach me is by e-mail (jackie_metcalf@sarasota.k12.fl.us). I can also be reached at Sarasota High (955-0181 ext. 64577). Information regarding this class can be found at www.metcalfscience.com.     I have read and understand this information regarding Honors Biology.   Student Signature_________________________ Date_______   Parent/Guardian Name_____________________ Phone__________ E-Mail_________________ Parent/Guardian Signature__________________ Date_______   Please sign and return.