Honors+Syllabus

Honors Living Environment Syllabus Welcome to Mr. Braun’s edition of Living Environment. This course is designed to introduce you to the many interesting topics related to the biological sciences. The primary goal of this class is to prepare you for the NYS Regents Exam in June and challenge you to think about how science affects us in our everyday lives.

Projects and discussions on recent advances in biology enhance this course. Additionally, laboratory activities and numerous types of technology will be utilized to relate these abstract concepts to real world situations. Upon completion of the course, students will be well versed in various biological topics and be prepared for the Regents examination.


 * Since this is an Honors Class, we will be covering material in greater detail than the Regents actually requires. Many of you will choose to take the SAT II in Biology, which is offered in June and is a significantly more demanding exam than the Living Environment Regents. This class is designed to prepare you for the SAT II by covering additional topics you may encounter on the SAT II. You will also be responsible for more enrichment assignments designed to challenge and showcase your understanding of biology.**

Curriculum:
 * Cells
 * Classification of Living Things
 * Evolution
 * Genetics
 * Homeostasis in Living Things
 * Human Impact on the Environment
 * Human Body
 * Ecology
 * Reproduction and Development
 * Scientific Measurement
 * Scientific Method
 * Laboratory Skills

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
 * 1) One binder (at least 1 inch)
 * 2) One Folder
 * 3) Binder hole punch
 * 4) Pens and Pencils (blue or black)
 * 5) Colored pencils

GRADING POLICY Tests, quizzes, papers, projects = 60 % Labs = 25 % HW = 10 % Participation = 5%

HOMEWORK AND OTHER ASSIGNMENTS Homework will be assigned on a regular basis and written on the whiteboard as well as on [|e-board.] Homework will be due the following day unless otherwise noted.

10 - All questions were completed and a significant effort was put forth. 8 - Some questions were answered and some effort was put forth 6 - Many questions were left unanswered and not a lot of effort was put forth**
 * Homework will be graded on the following basis:
 * Late Policy - Homework will only be accepted late the following day it was due (2 points will be deducted) You are allowed to miss 2 homework assignments a quarter NOT LABS.
 * Students that are absent must hand in any assignments the day they return to school in order to avoid being penalized.

LABS:
 * In accordance with New York State, you are required to complete 1200 minutes of labs to be eligible to take the Regents exam. If you do not have 1200 minutes of labs, you will not be allowed to take the Regents exam and will have to retake Living Environment next year.**
 * Labs that are handed in late will lose 2 point out of 10. If I have already handed back graded labs for the class, 4 points will be deducted from your lab if it is late beyond this point.
 * If students are LEGALLY absent for a lab activity, students must make it up within two weeks from the assignment date during extra-help or a free period. Students that hand in satisfactory completed labs after the two week period will be given credit for lab hours (NYS requires 1200 minutes), but a grade of zero for this course will be averaged into their grade.**

ATTENDANCE : Students are expected to be on time to every class. If a student is late THREE times, they will receive detention and a phone call home. If students are illegally absent, students will get no credit for the activities of that day. If they were absent on a day of an exam, or quiz, they must make them up the day THEY RETURN.  CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
 * 1) Be on time
 * 2) Be ready to work, seated immediately with your notebook opened.
 * 3) Expect to work from beginning to end (BELL TO BELL). I will dismiss you at the end of the period.
 * 4) One voice at a time - “I talk you listen, you talk I listen”
 * 5) RESPECT YOURSELF, EACH OTHER, THE TEACHER (ME)
 * 6) NO FOOD ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM EVER!!!!!
 * 7) All electronics are prohibited, as is the application of makeup.

EXTRA HELP Extra help will be after school on Wednesday and Thursday, and on everyday before an exam in Room 407. I will also be available by appointment and by email: jbraun@hhh.k12.ny.us