Welcome to Zoology!

This semester, we will look at a variety of specimens of both invertebrate and

vertebrate animals. This class will involve a number of dissections and is designed to give you an overview
of the animal kingdom as well as prepare you for upper level classes in other animal and life sciences. We
look forward to a semester of hard work, getting to know you, and getting messy!

CLASSROOM POLICIES

Attendance & Tardies

● Excused absences should be called in to the attendance office ​within 5

days​ of the absence. Failure to do so may result in loss of points.
This class is an elective class and you have CHOSEN to take it.

Class Materials
★ Charged laptop *Notebook • Writing utensil • Colored pencils (helpful)

Notebooks
● Begin class with warm-up recorded in the nptebook • Notes and warm-ups graded at teacher’s
● Notebook checks will be recorded in the assingments grade discretion
Assignments
● Most completed during class • Assignments may be electronic or hardcopy
Assignments will be due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified.
Late Work
● Late work accepted up until day before test • Late assignments given ​up to​ half credit
● 2 late work passes/quarter • DO NOT LOSE THESE PASSES!!!
● Late assignments must be completed with a • Unused passes may be turned in for extra credit
late work pass to be considered for full credit
Once the test is taken, work for that unit will not be accepted.
Missed Work
● Check GoogleClassroom for agenda, DQ, notes • ​Your​ responsibility to ask about & complete
make-up work
● Labs/tests completed 1 week after lab/test • Other make-up work due within 1 week of absence
● Work missed due to ​unexcused​ absences not • Sign-up on board to come in & complete
given credit. make-up work

Regardless of reason for absence, you are still accountable for the material covered, including journal
questions.
Quizzes/Tests
● Approximately 1 10-point quiz per week • 4 tests throughout the 18 weeks, including
cumulative final
● Quizzes & tests = 40%
● * Tests may be multiple choice or project-based
● Unexcused absences = ZEROS • Excused absences = 1 week to make-up
Cheating
● First-time offense = zero & parent contact • Additional offenses = zeros & dean referral
 ● Cheating includes copying another student’s work, directly copying information from a resource, and
not completing your own work during group work. ​Work completed as a group should not be
duplicates.
Other Electronics
● Electronics = a PRIVILEGE, not a RIGHT • Music during independent work-time is okay
Food/drink
● No food. Ever (imagine an open, dissected animal) • Drinks must have a lid (no cans)
Grading
You will be evaluated based on labs, projects, and formal assessments. Assessments may be project based
or traditional exams. Daily work is used as practice and may or may not be graded. This class will rely largely
on quizzes, labs, and actual product to show what you have been practicing. Grades will be weighted as
follows:
Formative Assessments​ (labs): 40%
Assignments ​(notebook checks, coloring, Labs): 20 %
Summative Assessments​ (end of topic project/test) 40%
Lab Safety
Students are expected to follow the guidelines at all times. ​Students who do not follow these safety
procedures will be asked to leave the classroom and will receive a zero for the lab.
Dissections
● DISSECTIONS ARE REQUIRED • ​Pre-lab must be completed prior to dissection
● Failure to complete pre-lab = no participation in • Follow lab safety & respect the specimens
dissection & make-up completed within 1 week
Communication
Communication is a very valuable tool. It is important that you communicate when you do not understand
something, if you are having a problem in the class or if you are having issues outside of class that are
preventing your from getting to school and doing your schoolwork. ​The sooner you communicate any
issues, the more flexible I am able to be with you.​ ​This includes arranged absences and personal
extensions.
Course Overview:
1. Unit 1: Ocean Ecosystem
a. P. Porifera- sponge lab
b. P. Cnidaria- coral research
c. P. Mollusca- squid dissection
d. P. Echinodermata- sea star dissection
e. Shark research
Midterm: Ocean Ecosystem
2. Unit 2: Rocky Mountain Ecosystem
a. Chordate Evolution Timeline
b. Bird Dissection
c. Rat dissection
Q3 Final: Ocean and Rocky Ecosystems
3. Unit 3: Spring/River Ecosystem
a. Lamprey dissection
b. Frog dissection
c. Fish dissection
Midterm: Spring/River Ecosystem
4. Unit 4: Backyard Ecosystem
a. P. Platyhelminthes- planaria observation
b. P. Annelida- earth worm observation
c. P. Nematoda- parasite research
d. P. Arthropoda- grasshopper dissection, insect research
e. Endangered Species Research Presentation
Q4 Final: Cummulative Ecosystems (multiple choice, one-pager, and presentation)
Zoology Course Overview:
5. Unit 1: Ocean Ecosystem
a. P. Porifera- sponge lab
b. P. Cnidaria- coral research
c. P. Mollusca- squid dissection
d. P. Echinodermata- sea star dissection
e. Shark research
Midterm: Ocean Ecosystem
6. Unit 2: Rocky Mountain Ecosystem
a. Chordate Evolution Timeline
b. Bird Dissection
c. Rat dissection
Q3 Final: Ocean and Rocky Ecosystems
7. Unit 3: Spring/River Ecosystem
a. Lamprey dissection
b. Frog dissection
c. Fish dissection
Midterm: Spring/River Ecosystem
8. Unit 4: Backyard Ecosystem
a. P. Platyhelminthes- planaria observation
b. P. Annelida- earth worm observation
c. P. Nematoda- parasite research
d. P. Arthropoda- grasshopper dissection, insect research
e. Endangered Species Research Presentation
Q4 Final: Cummulative Ecosystems (multiple choice, one-pager, and presentation)

Cut and return the following signed:

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I agree to be safe and work hard. I understand what is expected of me in Mrs. Adams’s and Ms. Berberet’s
Zoology classroom.

Student Name (Printed): _____________________Student signature: ​___________________________

I have read and understand what is expected of my child in Mrs. Adams’s and Ms. Berberet’s Zoology
classroom.
Please indicate your preferred method of contact:

Phone: ____________________ Best time to call:__________

Email: _____________________

Parent/Guardian Name (Printed): ___________________________

Parent/Guardian signature: ​________________________________
Please email me with any information​ you think I should know about your child. Please let me know about
how your child learns the best. Email: ​radams@psdschools.org ​lberberet@psdschools.org