Course Syllabus
Chatham Charter School
High School Course Syllabus
Course: Biology
Teacher: Enrique Cachafeiro Email: ecachafeiro@chathamcharter.org
Office Hours: 8:00 to 8:30 am
Course Description
The North Carolina Biology curriculum focuses on the living components of the earth. We discuss basic biochemistry and organic molecules, then discuss the cellular basis of life. We also explore macro level discussions of populations and natural selection. Genetics and Biotechnology are emphasized in the new Common Core standards.
Expected Student Outcomes
Mastery level completion includes:
- Describe what a living thing is and its essential characteristics
- Discuss the role of genetics in heredity and speciation
- Describe common biotechnology techniques and genetic disorders
Expectations
Participation - This Biology course will require quite a bit of independent and self driven work which will call for a high degree of maturity from the student to keep up with.
Attitude - Students will be expected to learn the material, not aim to complete assignments for a grade’s sake.
Supplies - The students will work heavily from their Chromebooks. They will also need a composition notebook, writing materials and a headset.
Biology Course Outline
First Nine-Weeks
Introduction to the Scientific Method and Tools
How matter and energy move through the environment
Ecology and Population Biology
Taxonomy and Natural Selection
Adaptations and Behavior of Animals
Second Nine-Weeks
Homeostasis
Organic Molecules
Cells
Genetics
DNA & Biotechnology
EOC - Biology has an End of Course test used by the state to gauge mastery. It counts as 25% of the student’s entire course grade.
Note: The units above are listed in the planned order for the semester. The teacher may make an adjustment in the course outline in the event of a lesson or unit needing to be extended, inclement weather, or if the gym is unavailable due to an event like an assembly. Any updates to the syllabus will be posted online.
Grading
Nine-week grading breakdown (percentages for tests, homework, quizzes, projects, etc.)
Tests (40%)
Quizzes (20%)
Projects (20%)
Notes (20%)
Class Rules and Discipline Steps
Students are expected to be engaged with the class during class time, and come prepared both physically, with supplies, and mentally. Deviation from that, participating in disruptive behavior such as games on the computer, cell phone usage, excessive off-topic conversations, being tardy to class and otherwise not engaging with the material will result in a series of consequences described below.
- Verbal Warning
- Vocabulary Extravaganza and Call Home
- Teacher Detention and Parent Conference
- Referral to the Administration
Incidents will be logged in under the student file for reference.
The Game
This class uses a teaching strategy called Gamification. It adopts a game theme to the class assignments as well as involve the students in competitive play in order to increase motivation and interest in the class. The students are expected to engage with the game components of the class as it provides for a means of success with the class as well as teach other important skills such as cooperation, leadership, resource management and strategic thinking.
North Carolina End of Course Tests
The North Carolina End-of-Course Tests are used to sample a student’s knowledge of subject-related concepts as specified in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and to provide a global estimate of the student’s mastery of the material in a particular content area. The North Carolina End-of-Course tests were initiated in response to legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly – the North Carolina Elementary and Secondary Reform Act of 1984. In the 2014-2015 school year, students enrolled in the following courses are required to take the North Carolina EOC tests: Algebra I, Biology, and English II.
Blended learning environment
Chatham Charter high school teachers use traditional, technological, and other 21st Century instructional resources to meet the academic needs of our students. Students may be expected to work independently on tasks and manage their time appropriately as part of a blended learning environment.
Mastery expectation
Students are expected to internalize the learning of material to be able to use that knowledge to solve challenges. Simple memorization of material will not afford the type of learning needed to succeed in this course. A Master expectation requires students to tackle the material, using the resources at their disposal such as the materials the teacher provided, their peers and their teacher to gain understanding of the content.
Email, Chat and Discussion Board Etiquette
Having access to these communication technologies through Chatham Charter is a privilege. Students should use them for school purposes only. Messages should be grammatically correct, concise, and polite.
Making up missed work due to absences or early dismissal
High school students should meet with their teacher(s) before missing a class due to an appointment or school activity. Before school or during the enrichment time following lunch are the recommended times. Students have three days to make up missed work due to school absences.
Progress Reports
Because grades will be posted online, progress reports at the midpoint of each nine-week grading period will not be automatically printed and sent home. Anyone without home Internet access may request a printed progress report. Additionally parents and guardians are encouraged to check their student’s online grades often.
Academic Integrity
Cheating, fabricating information, plagiarising, and giving or receiving unauthorized help on assignments undermine honesty and trust within our academic community. Students must approach their work with the utmost integrity and be committed to the principles of honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, fairness, and respect for others. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating that is defined as presenting someone else’s work as your own. When using (quoting or paraphrasing) the words, ideas,or materials of someone else, credit must be given. Obtaining information from Wikipedia is not considered a reliable resource even if properly credited.
High School Final Exam Schedule 2015- 2016
First Semester: Week of December 15, 2015
Second Semester: Week of May 9, 2016 (Note: Senior exams may begin the week of May 2, 2016.)
If any makeup exams are necessary, they will be scheduled individually.
Teachers will offer exam review sessions on the afternoons of exam week.
Exam Exemption Policy
No exam exemptions
High Standards Policy
Projects will always be accompanied by a rubric that will define the expectations for the assignment. Assignments will receive either 1 star (80 to 90%) 2 stars (90-99%) or 3 stars (100%). Assignments not earning the minimum 1 star will be returned to the student to rework up to the standard. On the second try the assignment will be worth 1 star less than normal. Therefore an assignment that would have earned 2 stars, but was turned in 1 day late, would earn 1 star (deducted 10 points). Something that earns 1 star would not be accepted a day late to reflect the fact that that student had extra time and teacher comments to help them complete the assignment. Only an assignment that would earn 3 stars - a perfect 100% - would be accepted the third day (for an 80).
Late Work
Assignments are expected at the beginning of class on their due date unless otherwise specified. If the assignment is not complete by that time the student will be coming in to make up the work at lunch until the work is turned in. Each day the assignment is late lowers the maximum grade on that assignment by 10 points. On the second day, the most a student could achieve on an assignment is a 90. On the third day, an 80 and so on.
Mastery Required
Students are required to Master content as previously stated. On tests that is an expectation of at least 80% correct. If a student scores below an 80% he or she will have to come back for remediation to retake that test.
WARNING:
Be prepared to think and write critically.
NO grades are given; you earn them.
SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
For Parents/Guardians
My signature below indicates that the student has shown me his or her class website and I have read over the syllabus with him/her. I accept and understand the terms described therein and know that I can check my child's’ grades and assignments on this website at any time.
___________________________________ _____________________________
Printed Parent Name Contact e-mail (Phone Number if no e-mail)
___________________________________ __________________
Parent Signature Date
This is a college preparatory course and will be treated as such; therefore, I do not expect to be hand-fed material. Mr. Cachafeiro is here to assist me, but I am responsible for actively participating in the course, adhering to directions and deadlines, reading the necessary material, taking notes, and completing all assignments.
I have read the syllabus along with my child and understand and accept the policies and expectations of the class.
___________________________________
Printed Student Signature
___________________________________ __________________
Student Signature Date
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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