Class Information

Welcome to Biology! My name is Mr. Martin. I am very excited about this school year and I look forward to being your Biology teacher here at Oak Ridge High School! I may be contacted via the school’s main phone number 281-465-5000 or email at: omartin@conroeisd.net.

The Classroom

We meet in room 213. This classroom is a scientific laboratory. For all students’ safety, lab safety rules must be followed while in this room. It is important that we treat not only others with respect, but also the materials and equipment found in this room. Students are not allowed to participate in lab unless they have returned a safety contract and have earned a 100% on the safety test.

Expectations

Safety in the classroom at all times is essential and a primary priority. I expect students to follow the campus rules and procedures, safety rules, and classroom rules that I have posted in the room. To contribute to a safe environment I expect students to respect themselves, others, the classroom, its contents, and me.

I also expect students to be active participants in all classroom activities to ensure high academic success.

Materials and Supplies

In order to be successful in Biology, students will need the following materials and supplies:

For daily individual use:

Binder (1.5 inch or larger 3 ring binder with pockets is best)
5 pocket dividers (for binder)
1 pk of college ruled notebook paper
Pen (blue, black or some other legible color) and pencil

The following items for classroom use (turn into your teacher the first week of school):

Package of Pencils

Note cards – 2 packets of size 6 x 4.

Markers and Colored Pencils

One of the following products for classroom use:

Kleenex

Paper towels

Ziploc bags

Tutorials

If students participate in class and use their time wisely, there should be little need for tutoring. However, tutorials will be offered Monday through Thursday from 2:45 – 3:15 by one or more Biology teachers. You may attend the tutorial session that best fits your schedule. You may also schedule a specific tutorial appointment with me, if necessary.

Please refer to the chart below for the Biology Department Tutorial Schedule:

Testing / Late Work Policy

See Oak Ridge High School campus policy.

If possible testing will be scheduled to minimize core subject test conflicts. Tests will be cumulative.

What is late work?

All assignments are due at the specified time. If the assignment is not submitted, it will be considered late.

Example: Vocabulary was collected at the beginning of class; if a student turns in vocabulary at the end of class it is considered late and will have a point deduction.

Absences

When absent it is the responsibility of the student to makeup all missed assignments.

Students can contact me before or after school, through email and/or my teacher website to identify all missed assignments.

See campus policy for exam day absences

Grading Policy

See Oak Ridge High School campus policy.

Minor Grades are worth 10%

Includes: homework, check grades, and participation

Daily Grades are worth 20%

Includes: labs, lab class work, and quizzes

Major Grades are worth 70%

Includes: exams and projects

Textbooks

Online textbook resources are available. Please see my website for information about how to access the online textbook using your class code.

Binders

Students will be required to maintain a dedicated Biology Binder – this is the equivalent of an interactive science notebook. The binder will be important in ensuring success in Biology. Bringing your Biology Binder to class each day is a requirement. Students will take a binder assessment at the end of each 9 weeks that will be included as a Major Grade in the 9 week average. When done properly the binder serves as a useful tool in high stakes testing at the end of the year and in subsequent school years.

Flip Books

Students will complete and maintain a Biology Flip Book, consisting of 20 index cards, which contains summarized information from each unit. The specific card information will be given and outlined by the teacher with the intention of providing an additional study guide for cumulative and End of Course testing. The Flip Book will be taken as a Major Grade at the end of each grading period.

Website

I will maintain a website that will be accessible from the school’s web page. My website provides important information, including:

Class calendar
Homework
Resources (notes, worksheets and test reviews)
Online Textbook Information

I expect that when students are absent, they will utilize my website as available to get missed work.

My website address is http://gatorhunter92.wixsite.com/mrmartin

STAAR

This year Biology students will be taking the STAAR Biology End of Course Exam. For more information on STAAR, please visit http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/.

Oak Ridge High School Biology Syllabus / Grading Policy Acknowledgement

Parents please read the following statement and sign to communicate completion:

I have read through the following documents with my child and discussed the information provided:

________ Oak Ridge High School Biology Syllabus

________ Oak Ridge High School Grading Policy

Please check one of the following:

________ I have signed the Science Safety Contract electronically in Parent Access

________ I require a Hard Copy of the Science Safety Contract (Only select this option if you have no access to the internet)

_______________________________________ ___________________________

Printed Parent Name Accurate Phone Number

________________________________________ ___________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Accurate Email Address

Students please read the following statement, sign and date where indicated, and return to your Biology Teacher.

I have read through the Oak Ridge High School Biology Syllabus, the Oak Ridge High School Grading Policy, and the CISD Science Safety Contract with my parent/guardian (as well as my Biology Teacher during class) and discussed the information provided. I understand the policies and what is expected of me, and will, to the best of my ability, adhere to the policy and expectations.

________________________________________ ___________________