General Biology is a two-term course worth a total of ten credit hours. Biology is usually taken by sophomores to fulfill requirements for lab science classes for graduation. Biology covers a variety of life science concepts organized into the following major units: Basic Concepts, Biochemistry, Cells, Genetics, Evolution, Ecology, Microbiology, Plants, Animals, Behavior, Diversity, and the History of the Earth..

Course Description

GRADING FOR LEARNING

Course Correlation to Nebraska State Standards 12.2.1 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY

12.4.1 THE CELL

12.4.2 MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY

12.4.3 THE THEORY OF BIOLOGICAL

EVOLUTION

12.4.4 INTERDEPENDENCE OF

ORGANISMS

12.4.5 MATTER, ENERGY, AND

ORGANIZATION IN LIVING

SYSTEMS

12.4.6 BEHAVIOR OF ORGANISMS

12.5.3 ORIGIN OF THE EARTH SYSTEM

LONG TERM MEMORY STRATEGY

2

LEARNING STYLES VIA LAYERED CURRICULUM

2

COURSE MATERIALS 3

DISTRICT GRADING SCALE 3

MRS. MENGHINI 3

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

4

COMMUNICATION PRACTICES

4

BIOLOGY UNITS PLANETEENS/INFO

4 5

Inside this issue:

Newsletter Date

2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus

School: North Platte Senior High

Educator: Tammy Menghini

Textbook: Modern Biology by Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Welcome to Biology! The purpose of this course is to give students a strong foundation in Life Science. This knowledge base will

lead to student success on our National Standards, both at the state and local level. Many concepts taught apply to future science

courses and everyday life. I am available most mornings from 7:45-8:00 AM and after school until 3:45 PM. Students can make

appointments after school for longer help sessions if needed. Communication will be instrumental for success. I can be reached at the

high school at 535-7105, extension #4134 or at tmenghini@nppsd.org. I look forward to a successful and rewarding year with

YOU!

In recent years I have critically examined my grading routines and have made modifications to

produce sound practices that yield prosperity to all students. Below you will find a description of

how I will conduct evaluations in Biology.

Grade Groups: Grades will be given in three different groupings: Behavior,

Formative and Summative. Behavior and formative marks will not be included

in the grade point average but will be tracked for parent communication. Sum-

mative grades constitute a student’s percentage and include major projects, select

labs, quizzes and tests.

Behavior grades will be a reflection of student’s preparedness, effort and behavior. Behavior grades will

be used primarily as a communication tool for parents.

Formative grades include initial drafts/attempts, homework, labs, notebooks, journals and questions dur-

ing instruction. They are assessment tools designed for providing direction for improvement and/or ad-

justment to a program for individual students or for a whole class (e.g., quizzes, ). Students will soon find

the value in completing their own daily work consistently, as success will come much faster to those who

diligently complete their own assignments.

Summative grades are assessments designed to provide information about a student’s achievement and

progress. Summative grades include tests, quizzes, final drafts/attempts, assignments, lab papers, pro-

jects, and performances. Summative assessments not completed on time will be recorded as incomplete

for two .

Test scores recorded on Infinite Campus will be based on the latest evidence or most recent score, in other words, students may retest to get their desired grade. I don’t care when “they get it,” as long as they “do get it” by the end of a grading period.

REQUIRED DAILY

Text: Postlethwait & Hopson’s Biology, Copyright 2006 by Holt, Rinehart & Winston (provided by NPHS)

Three Ring Binder

Black or Blue Pen

Paper

Pencil

Any summative grade will be required to be done in black/blue pen or pencil or it will not be accepted.

Students are responsible for the care of their textbook.

All textbooks are required to have a book cover.

OPTIONAL

Calculator

Markers

Rulers

Composition Journal

Effort grade may be given on prepared-ness for class without warning.

Masters Degree work at UNL in Ecology and Evolution

Taught Biology, Environ-mental Science and Physical Science at Norris H. S., Firth, NE

Left Teaching to be At Home with Children

Taught A & P, Biology, Prac-

Graduated from Maxwell years ago :)

Attended Mid-Plains

Attended UNK

Bachelors in Biology and Chemistry

Taught Physical Science at North Platte H. S.

tical Science and Physical Science at Malcolm H. S.

Currently at N P H S to Teach Biology

FAMILY

Husband Treverr and Four Daughters-Michaella, Allexis, Gabrielle and Hillary

Course Materials

Mrs. Menghini

Grading Scale

93-100% = A 86-92% = B 78-85% = C 70-77% = D 0-69% = F Total points earned will come from summative grades only. Students will be

allowed to retest to improve their scores. Retesting must take place outside of class time and before the end of the grading period. Set a goal on the grade you want today!

Grades will be tabu-lated on a point system. Each grade taken will have a point value. Percent-ages will be deter-mined by dividing points earned by points possible.

Page 3

2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus

The job of an

educator is to

teach students to

see the vitality

in themselves.

-Joseph Campbell

“I WILL NEGO-

TIATE MY

TEACHING, BUT

I WILL NEVER

NEGOTIATE

YOUR

LEARNING.”

“From your parents you learn

love and laughter and how to put

one foot before the other. But

when books are opened you dis-

cover that you have

wings.” Helen Hayes

Late work will be accepted until the end of the unit, defined by the date the

unit exam is given, no later. There will be a 30% deduction on all late work.

The only exception for late work will be excused absences. Extension will be

the number of days absent plus one. It is the student’s responsibility to come

in outside of class to get missed work.

Often times, we as adults teach kids for the moment. For example: vocabulary tests. A student may be given a science unit vocabulary list to be tested on at the end of the unit. When a parent asks what did you miss on the unit test? A student will more than likely tell you. But if a parent probes farther and offers to help them restudy those words and maybe even quiz then over, they may meet resis-tance. Student’s may respond, “It’s okay, we are in a new unit and I have new words to learn. I don’t need to study

the words from last unit.” Sound familiar? This style of learning is for short term mem-ory. What if a student knew at any given time in the school year, they could be tested over any of the vocabulary words from the entire year? Would the way they study look different?

This year in Biology students will be introduced to a learn-ing strategy called L to J. Students will revisit the key concepts of all units throughout the whole year. A number of questions will come from the current unit of study and the

rest will be randomly selected from all the other units. This method will teach kids to learn versus memorize key concepts. I am excited to see kids gain study skills that will have a significant impact on their fu-ture study and careers. Feel free to call if you have any questions.

Mrs. Menghini

(308)535-7105

Testing to Lay Down Long-Term Memory

Learning Styles through Layered Curriculum

AUDITORY

Chooses to listen to tapes

Follows verbal directions while not appearing to listen

Has a preference for music or singing

Reads aloud to self

Sounds out words

Talks to self

TACTILE

Touching objects on shelves

Fiddling with items

Carrying small objects around

Like to work with hands

Playing with writing utensils

KINESTHETIC

Hard to sit for periods of time

Standing while working at desk

Getting out of seat often

Body movements for expres-sions

Loves sports/PE/movement opportunities

Volunteers to run errands or to demonstrate

Acting and playing out roles **************************

We will determine pre-ferred learning styles in Biology and students will be given voice and choice on their assign-ments in some units. Stay tuned to hear more on this topic.

LET’S GO FISHING!!!!

Students tend to fall into four main types of learners: Visual, Auditory, Tactile and Kinesthetic. These learn-ers will do better when offered activities that allow them to use their preferred learning style. Look through the follow-ing descriptions and see which behaviors apply to your situation.

VISUAL

Organized/colored/highlighted notes

Drawing or doodling

Prefers pictures

Needs eye contact

Likes to read

Closely examines objects and pictures

Comments on visual aspects

Page 2

“TEACHING

SHOULD BE SUCH

THAT WHAT IS

OFFERED IS

PERCEIVED AS A

VALUABLE GIFT

AND NOT AS A

HARD DUTY.”

Most teachers waste their time by asking questions which are in-tended to discover what a pupil does not know, whereas the true art of questioning has for its pur-pose to discover what the pupil knows or is capable of knowing. -Albert Einstein

Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. eat for a lifetime. ----Chinese ProverbChinese ProverbChinese ProverbChinese Proverb

� Be Present. Attendance is essential for success. Regular attendance will be acknowledged by Mrs. Menghini.

� Be prompt, punctual, and prepared for class and complete class tasks thoroughly and on time.

� Bring necessary items to class daily.

� Be courteous and respectful to others around you, to property and to ideas.

� Actively participate in class.

� Listen to others, wait your turn to talk and be patient.

� Maintain open com-munication with Mrs. Menghini.

� Complete your own work so you can use it as a tool to boost your sum-mative scores.

� Prepare and review for tests and quizzes.

� No electronic devices other than calculators out during school.

� No food, candy or pop.

� EXPECT THE BEST!

Unit I Basic Biology Concepts Unit VII Microbiology

Unit II Biochemistry Unit VIII Plants

Unit III Cells Unit IX Classification

Unit IV Genetics Unit X Ecology

Unit V Evolution Unit XI Animal Behavior

Unit VI History of the Earth

Classroom Expectations

Biology Units

Communication

Students, feel free to stop by my room at anytime for help. I will maintain an open door policy to help you get the grade you want. Remember it is you who sets the vehicle in motion. It is hard for me to get mo-mentum from a parked car. Meet me in the middle...I will go the distance with you.

Parents feel free to contact me anytime. I will return your message ASAP. I would love to have you stop by to visit about your stu-dent’s progress. E-mail seems to be the way of the land now. My address is tmenghini@nppsd.org. Please start the communica-tion by sending me a note soon. We will be more effective working united.

Watch for these Communi-cation Methods from this Direction:

Progress reports

Phone Calls

E-Mails

Notes

Letters

Please share with parents.

Page 4

2009-2010 General Biology Syllabus

Careful when looking out your rear-view mirror. You will miss much that could have been gained if you would of only focused on your windshield view. Dare to look forward and to not focus on the past.

If you were absent from your job, you would not get paid. If you are absent from your learning, you will not get your grade. Those who show up, GO UP!

“COMMUNICATION IS

A TWO-WAY STREET.

IT KEEPS INFORMATION

FLOWING. WHEN

INFORMATION FLOWS,

PEOPLE FEEL MORE IN

TOUCH AND BOTH

PARTIES GET BETTER

RESULTS. RESULTS

PRODUCE

SATISFACTION.

SATISFACTION

REDUCES STRESS AND

ANXIETY.

Optional Activities Outside of Class

Page 5

Your mind will be like its ha-

bitual thoughts; for the soul

becomes dyed with the color of

its thoughts.

— Marcus Aurelius

"A HUNDRED YEARS

FROM NOW IT WILL

NOT MATTER WHAT

MY BANK ACCOUNT

WAS, THE SORT OF

HOUSE I LIVED IN, OR

THE KIND OF CAR I

DROVE . . . . BUT THE

WORLD MAY BE

DIFFERENT BECAUSE

I WAS IMPORTANT IN

THE LIFE OF A

CHILD."

- KATHY DAVIS

I feel character development today is more important than

ever to our youth. I work to foster this by forming a

group of students to do various volunteer work and acts

of kindness for our community. Our group is called the

Planeteens and our mission is to serve our community

and to protect our environment. Projects will include

participation in the Rail-Fest, Lake Maloney clean-up,

mentoring elementary students in science and being

positive partners in the Washington

Science Fair.

Web Address Go.HRW.com

Select thinkcentral

Select Science

Select Online Textbook

User name: rtatman

Password: turkey

Select Go To the Online Textbook

TARDIES

Detentions will be given for tardiness to class, defined

as entering class after the second bell. Detentions

need to be made up within three school days or it will

become an office referral. The real problem

is not whether

machines think

but whether men

do!

- B. F. Skinner

ONLINE TEXTBOOK

Additional Information