Biology

2016 2017
Fern Creek High School
Teacher: Ms. Lauren Niemann
Work: 502/ 485-8251
Email: lauren.niemann@jefferson.kyschools.us
For the next 12 weeks we will be learning about the world around us. This course is inquiry-based
and designed to familiarize you with science processes and skills related to a wide range of
topics in biology. The approach in this course will be a student-centered focus and for that
reason, you must come prepared to learn each day! The amount of effort you put into this
course is what you will get back out of it. I am looking forward to a very exciting trimester with
you!

Course Description:
During the two trimesters of this course, you can expect us to cover the following topics:
Trimester A

Experimental Design
Evolution

Cells & Biomolecules

Photosynthesis

Grades:
The student grades will be determined using
the following grade categories:
CATEGORY
Engageme
nt
Progression

Trimester B

PERCENTA
GE
10%

ASSIGNMENTS

30%

Participation

Mastery

20%

Mastery

20%

In-class
assignments, labs,
and homework.
Standards-based
Competency
Checks
Unit Tests

Mastery

20%

Final Exam

JCPS Grading Scale:

Grades will be calculated using the following
JCPS grading scale:

Updated: Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Cellular Respiration
Ecology & Population
Dynamics
Genetics/DNA
Cellular Division

GRADE

Classroom Expectations:

A
B
C
D
U

PRECENT
AGE
90 100%
80 89%
70 79%
60 69%
Below 60%

On most days, this will be a laboratory! So please be aware of the following expectations:
No eating or drinking in the classroom or laboratory
Disruptive, rude behavior, and profanity will not be tolerated.
No cell phones unless otherwise noted by Ms. Niemann.
Cheating and plagiarism will be subject to punishment (see student handbook).
No sleeping.

Updated: Tuesday, August 09, 2016

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory, and will be taken every day. Please come to

class on time, as I begin shortly after the bell rings! In most cases, our
labs or activities take the entire class period. If you are not here, you will
miss instruction! You will be considered tardy and therefore not admitted
into class if you arrive after the final tone of the tardy bell.

Meeting Proficiency Standards:

It is highly suggested that students meet an 80% average in each of the

grading categories in this course. If you wish to retake a test or make-up
an assignment to improve your score, you may do so. Remediation will be
possible through:
In class remediation (RTI): Students who are considered just below
proficiency (70-80% or less) will receive small group instruction from Ms.
Niemann in the days that follow a quiz. This small group instruction will be
used to clarify misconceptions and reteach specific standards.
After-School Tutoring/Remediation (ESD): Available weekly after school
on Wednesdays. Please make appropriate arrangements to come after school
on these days to make up quizzes and exams.
ALL students have the opportunity to retake the exam. Students will
have three weeks from the day of the exam to make up missed exams (if
the absence is excused) or to retake an exam that they would like to
raise their grade on. At the end of this 3-week period, students forfeit
their right to take the exam.

Ms. Niemann will be available on Wednesday

between 2:30 pm & 3:30 pm for tutoring and quiz
or test retakes.

Make-up work:

Due to the nature of this course, it is often difficult to make up laboratory

activities that have taken place during your absence. If you know that you
are going to be out for a significant length of time, please notify me so I
can arrange alternative assignments for you. You will be allowed to makeup work only if you have an excused absence. If you do miss a day, please
check the appropriate in-class make up work bin for your assignment.

Late and Incomplete Work:

All assignments will have a specific due date. Assignments will only be
accepted up until the unit test for that content. After this point, the
student will receive a missing grade. If an assignment is not turned in
promptly, or is turned in incomplete, the following scoring guidelines
apply:

Late Work

70%

Incomplete work
Missing Work

60%
50%

Final Exam:

Parent/Guardian and Student Communication:

Students will be taking a final exam at the end of Biology (Part A) that is
cumulative for that trimesters material. The final at the end of Biology
(Part B) will be an End of Course Test generated by the State of Kentucky.
Both final exams will count as 20% of their overall final grade.
Students can communicate with me through email, and sign up for a
reminder service called Remind. Remind is a communication tool that
helps teachers connect instantly with students and parents. Throughout
the trimester, Remind will be used to send quick, simple messages to any
device about upcoming labs, assignments, quizzes, or tests. Please see
the attached directions to sign up!

Class Webpage:

Please use this as a tool to see what lessons you missed while you were
out, by looking at the course calendar, or to communicate to me via email
about missing assignments.

http://mrsniemann.weebly.com/

Additional Comments:

This course is meant to show you how science can be applied to the real
world. It is a very interactive, group oriented classroom environment. If
at any time you are having difficulty with the topic we are discussing, a
group you are working with, a laboratory technique, etc. PLEASE COME
SEE ME! If you do not ask, I cannot help! If the time I have set aside
every week does not work for you, please let me know so we can arrange
a time that does. I look forward to a great trimester!

Biology Student Contract

I, _________________________________ (please
print name), agree to fulfill the responsibilities
explained in this course syllabus to the best of
my ability, thus becoming a successful student
in this classroom. I also agree to share this
information with my parent/guardian so that
he/she understands what is expected of me.

Date: ______________

Student Signature:
_________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (print):

______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:
________________________________________________________

Preferred Method of Contact:

Email: ________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________

Lauren Niemann
502-485-8251
lauren.niemann@jefferson.kyschools.us