180 likes | 340 Views
2013-14 AP Biology. Classroom Rules/Grading Policy. Why AP Biology?. Pass AP Test = Potential Free College Credit Pass CLEP Test = Free College Credit A = 4.3 Grade point bump (under consideration by DSIC) College Entrance Exam Knowledge. Grading Components.
E N D
2013-14 AP Biology Classroom Rules/Grading Policy
Why AP Biology? • Pass AP Test = Potential Free College Credit • Pass CLEP Test = Free College Credit • A = 4.3 Grade point bump (under consideration by DSIC) • College Entrance Exam Knowledge
Grading Components • 10pts Sample Short Answer/Grid In Questions • 10pts Sample Essay Questions • 10pts: Chapter Study Guides (2 per week) • 10pts: Lab Reports • 100pts AP Practice Exams
Nuts and Bolts Class will be taught as though ALL students are preparing to take the AP Biology Exam on Monday May 12. • 1. Attendance is mandatory at every class in order to get the information needed to pass the AP Exam/Class. • 2. Work outside class will be required on a regular basis to cover all the information necessary to pass the AP Exam/Class. • 3. Regular homework will be required in order to pass the AP Exam/Class.
Nuts and Bolts con’t • 4. Grading will be based on chapter study guides, chapter quizzes, practice exams, outside assignments and lab work. • 5. All Study Guides, Quizzes,all practice exams taken/all lab work handed in = automatic A in class • 6. Don’t Keep up = lose points = negatively affect your grade = less than passing score on AP Bio Exam
Quarterly Review • 70% Cut Score • Below 70% at end of 9 weeks = Probation • Meet with me to discuss moving on or transferring to another class • If still below 70% at end of semester = automatic transfer to another class
Daily Grind 1 • Review/work on material from the previous days class or prep material for labs. • Expect to do sample short answer and essay questions from past AP exams frequently • Pre-Lab Assignments, homework and study guides
Daily Grind 2 • Cover the basic concepts from chapter work and study guides. • - students will be required to take notes regularly in class • - students will become used to answering questions to the class based on this material • - diagrams and explanations are the basis for the bulk of the AP exam so we need to get used to it. • Get used to discussing material, questions, concepts OUT LOUD in class!
Daily Grind 3 • Drill on the proper way to answer exam questions. • - learn by doing • - learn how questions are graded • - take the intimidation out of the exam • - must learn the correct format for good answers
Daily Grind 4 • Vocab is a MUST!! • - readers look for key words • - readers look for key word understanding • - must use key words in your answers/show understanding
Daily Grind 5 • It will feel like I am beating you to death with questions (because I am!) • - must recognize what questions are asking for • - must be able to answer THAT question and not brain dump • - no intimidation when you have seen multiple questions, multiple times
Daily Grind 6 • Commitment is the key—this is a marathon not a sprint!! • - requires outside school time for assignments and labs • - must do something significant every night to pass the Exam/Classl • “if it were easy everyone would do it”
Biggest Complaints I • Volume of Work - 45 Chapters in 32 weeks - 12 Mandatory Labs w/ Lab Reports - Christmas Break Assignment - Spring Break Assignment - Study Guides/Chapter Quizzes
Biggest Complaints II • “I’m not learning anything” - most definitely will seem like that at times - mostly because there are no real breaks - must trust ME that you are most definitely learning A LOT---IF you are keeping up and doing ALL the work on time
Biggest Complaint III • “You don’t teach us anything” - most definitely will seem like that at times - simply CANNOT teach every chapter in depth----impossible given the time constraints - My focus: 1. Get through key concepts from EVERY Study Guide - 2. Get totally prepared for EACH and EVERY Lab---contributes to knowledge base from the book - 3. Prepare you for the format, content and procedures of the AP Bio Exam
Biggest Complaints IV • “I want to drop the class because it is going to negatively affect my gradepoint” • EXCEPT: EVERYONE THAT KEEPS UP GETS AN A!!! • No! What you really mean is: 1. “I have gotten so far behind I can never catch up therefore my gradepoint will be negatively affected”…….or • 2. “I am burned out and no longer want to do what’s necessary to get an A in this class” • Yes this could happen……DOES happen…. • To a VERY SMALL % of students
What most students say…. • “One of the most challenging but rewarding classes I have ever had”…….. • “I learned more in this class than any other class I have taken at Sault High…. • “Because I passed this class I feel prepared to pass any college class I will take”…… • “This class has inspired me toward a career in Biology, Genetics, Medical Field, Environmental Science etc. • “I realized what a good student I could be by taking this class”
Weekly Assignments II • www.campbellbiology.com • Click on 6th edition • Username: scott_mcleod • Password: devils999 • Select chapter and click on it • Click on Instructor Resources • Click on the PPT or Word Lecture outline • Use this information to answer questions from each chapter’s study guide • No need to handwrite just answer on the worksheet and submit to moodle when finished.