All About us
Welcome to Biology at Granite Hills High school, an International Baccalaureate school.
So what does it mean that you are attending an "IB" school? Well, it's simple! The IB philosophy describes our learners as Reflective, Balanced, Knowledgeable, Inquirers, Communicators, Thinkers, Principled, Caring, Risk-Takers, and Open-Minded. So regardless of any class title, be ready to do more than just learn some facts and figures. Be ready to investigate how everything you learn applies to the world around us, as well as how it relates to each of us personally.
To learn more about the IB learner profile click this link: www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/recognition/learnerprofile-en.pdf
To learn more about the IB learner profile click this link: www.ibo.org/globalassets/publications/recognition/learnerprofile-en.pdf
How We roll at granite Hills...
There are three values that make up "The Code" at Granite Hills and they affect your grades, but also how people perceive you. The following are dictionary definitions of the three components of the code, but if you don't want to use those know that they mostly boil down to; Do your work, don't bug people, and take pride in yourself and your school. Uses these values every day and you are sure to be not only successful here, but also in life!
Respect - A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Responsibility - The opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization. Pride - A sense of attachment toward one's own or another's choices and actions, or toward a whole group of people, and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, or a fulfilled feeling of belonging. Now some people will chose to be late to class, or not do their homework, or disrupt class. They'll chose to not follow the code. When they forget, I'll be sure to remind them that this isn't what we do at Granite Hills. Some might still continue to not follow the code. If this is the case, it isn't like we still don't care about you, but it's clear you can't do it on your own. At that point I'll contact our parent, refer you to your assistant principal, or give you a lunch detention. OH! And if you don't follow the code when there is a substitute it's important that you know that you will receive an automatic U for the grading period. |
What You Will NeedNOTE: If any of the materials are a financial hardship, please contact me to arrange an alternative.
1) A STURDY spiral bound 100-250 page notebook dedicated to only this class. If the interior paper is graph paper, it's not a problem. The important thing is that it is durable! 2) Scissors 3) Tape, or glue (bottle or stick) 4) A colored pencil set 5) A pencil sharpener 6) At least one black or blue pen 7) At least one pencil 8) At least one highlighter Each day you will need these materials to be successful. Please come prepared since not only will you be less able to complete the tasks, but you will also receive a lowered conduct grade because you can't do your work. |
What you will be Learning |
How You Will Be Graded |
In Biology and Community Health you will be learning what is required in all biology classes under the NGSS state mandated guidelines, but in the context of public health.
1) Cell Physiology - Physical and Mental Health, Body Systems, Feedback Loops, and homeostasis 2) Genetics and Health Disorders 3) Evolution - Public Health and Disease 4) Ecology - Human Impact on Biodiversity and Community Health A very successful student (A or B grades) will also have the opportunity to join the Medical Pathway in their Sophomore year. In International Baccalaureate (IB) Biology, Year 2 you will be using your three years of medically related science in Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy/Physiology to go into great depth on the following topics (book chapters have been included in parentheses): Molecular Biology (2) Nucleic Acids (7) Metabolism (8) Genetics (3) Genetic and Evolution (10) Evolution and Biodiversity (5) Plant Biology (9) Ecology (4) * Students will also be required to produce an original piece of research which we refer to as an internal assessment. While these topics should be familiar to you from your freshman year, the content will go into much greater depth from both the standpoint of more specific content, but also through engagement with the content through the use of data. Analysis using statistics, determining the validity of data, dealing with uncertainty in measurement, developing appropriate experimental designs, critically considering bio-ethical issues, developing and interpreting complex graphical data, understanding the "nature" of science, and of course, examining societal influences on science are also all very important skills if we are to get you ready for the exam at the end of the year. For you to be highly successful in this class you must be able to not only digest the content, but also, and far more importantly, be able to think deeply about processes and any uncertainty that might be inherent to those processes. In IB Environmental Systems and Society SL1, you will be learning not only about the environment and how it operates, but also how our perspectives and actions effect these systems. The following Topics are covered: Foundations of Systems and Society Ecosystems and Ecology Biodiversity and Conservation Water, Food production systems and society Soil systems and society Atmospheric systems and society Climate Change and Energy Production Human Systems and resource use. * Students will also be required to produce an original piece of research which we refer to as an internal assessment. |
.Understand that the core of your grade comes from your ability to demonstrate your understanding of the material using the following four criteria:
Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding. Some example work might include:Test, quizzes, homework, research projects, cases studies, analysis of scientific media/articles. 23% of your grade Criterion B: Inquiring and Designing. Some example work might include: prescribed, guided and open inquiry labs, field studies. 23% of your grade Criterion C: Processing and Evaluating. Some example work might include: investigation carried out by students or by others, lab reports, studies containing raw data. 23% of your grade Criterion D: Reflecting on the impacts of Science. Some example work might include: debates, oral presentations, research projects, case studies, essay, and analysis of scientific media/articles 23% of your grade There is also a Miscellaneous category. Some examples are homework, class participation, lab maintenance, etc. 8% of your grade For each of these criteria, you will receive a score. Here's how these scores correlate to traditional grades: IB Scale for Achievement IB Score/Traditional Grade 7-8 A 5-6 B 3-4 C 2 D 0-1 F The detailed rubrics for these four criteria can be found here: IB Grading Rubrics What about conduct grades? You will also be receiving grades for your conduct. If you were to look at all the rules found in the student handbook, you would realize that being successful really just comes down to two things, 1) do your work, and 2) don't bug people. So if you want to do well with all of your classes, just come on time and be prepared so you can do your work. Beyond this obvious rule, just be a nice human being. Each day that you don't do these things it will hurt your conduct grades directly, and your academic grade indirectly. Here's a more detailed description of what I am asking: Conduct Grading Rubric. A final word on grades you (students and parents) might consider... |
The Bottom line... |
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If you have any questions about the above policies, please feel free to contact me using the contact page found on this website or by emailing directly to [email protected].