Welcome to General Biology Class at Magna Vista High School!

1. Welcome to General Biology! • Find a seat for now, but don’t get too comfy! I will put you into a seating chart once class begins. You will be in alphabetical order by last name. • First block – we will start breakfast procedures shortly!

2. Mrs. AshbyMagna Vista High School Room 13

3. Meet Your Teacher • B.S. Biology, W&M, 2009 • M.A. Education, VT, 2014 • Certified in Biology (AP/Gen) & Physics (AP/Gen) • 10 years teaching experience • NBCT

4. Everything you ever wanted to know about… BIOLOGY CLASS

5. What is Biology?

6. What do I need for class? • Your preferred method of note-taking • Pens or Pencils (EVERY. DAY.) • Calculator • Coloring utensils (optional)

7. What are the expectations? • Respect • Responsibility • Hard Work

8. How will I be graded? • Points not percentage! (get used to fractions…) • The harder the assignment, the more it’s worth • Citizenship Grading System – Come prepared, behave, and try not to leave class too often. 3 demerits = 1 CG letter grade drop

9. Do you accept late work? NOPE.(seriously…) Absence? Just Forgot? A lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part. Translation: Use a homework pass or do some extra credit to get rid of that zero. Note that zeroes also count as demerits. Basically, it’s easiest to just do your work on time! • Get assignments from me as soon as you get back. • Three days to get caught up. • If you knew the due date before you were out, you won’t get additional time. Plan ahead.

10. Is there an SOL test? • YES! It is at the end of the semester. • It is TEI. • Remember: This is a verified graduation credit!!!! • You will also have an exam if you aren’t exempt (A or B, no more than 3 absences)

11. Textbooks and Dissections • Textbooks • Class set only • If you would like a textbook to take home, that can be arranged • Dissections/Labs • At least one dissection is planned for later in the semester • Alternatives will be provided for the squeamish on request • We will do many labs. SAFETY FIRST!

12. Please be reasonable with… Electronics Food, Gum, or Drinks Bugs are gross Allergies are unpleasant Scraping gum off desks is gross Water (clear liquid) is always ok. • Instructional purposes only

13. Do we have to have a seating chart? Yes. Always*. They change at least every grading period. (I promise you’ll live.) *Come chat with me about seat concerns. I will help you if it’s legitimate.

14. Leaving Class… During the Block End of class I dismiss you. Not the bell. If you pack up early, you’ll miss things. • Not during the first or final 30 minutes of class. • Ask first! • Sign in and out on the clipboard by the door • Take your agenda • It will cost you a demerit (except for the nurse or school business)

15. Are you going to call my parents? • I give you an opportunity to fix it yourself first. • I will call home if I have to for… • Excessive missing assignments • A progress report grade lower than a 60% • Not returning required forms • Discipline concerns

16. What to expect … • Hours of homework (j/k- if you use class time wisely, you may not have much at all) • More big picture, less details • Flexible pacing • Labs/lab type activities • Corny jokes • Fun stories • Borderline inappropriate topics

17. Handbook Reminders Tardy Policy Attendance Policy Excused if… Doctor Death in Immediate Family Court (for you) School related Bring note to attendance office within 3 days More than two unexcused absences = 59% F Must be present more than 45 minutes to be counted • Must be inside the classroom before the bell rings to be considered “on time” • Consequences • 1st : Warning • 2nd: Warning • 3rd: Parent Contact • 4th: Referral • Does NOT start over after the grading period

18. Handbook Reminders Dress Code Emergency Procedures Fire Drill Lockdown Drill Tornado Drill Call button • Cover your biscuits, boys and girls. And don’t be offensive…

19. Tell me about yourself! • This is an equal opportunity class in which all our welcomed with open arms! Please let me know if you have any information about yourself that may help me be a better teacher to you. Preferences, nicknames, extenuating circumstances… Come see me after class any time! <3

20. Keep in Touch • Phone: 276-956-3147 (Leave a message, and I’ll return your call as soon as I can) • Email: eashby@henry.k12.va.us • Website: Check this everyday http://web.henry.k12.va.us//Domain/1378 • Sign up for REMIND!

21. QUESTIONS?

22. Getting Started –Let’s Talk about LIFE. What’s inside the mystery box?

23. Characteristics of Life • Cells • The smallest unit of life. Living things contain at least one cell, but may have trillions • Organized • Cells contain parts and/or create parts that perform special tasks (ex nucleus, heart) • Cells  Tissue  Organs  Organ Systems  Organism • Use Energy • Life must “eat” in some way to live and grow • Growth • Living things grow by turning their food materials and energy into larger (or more) cells • Respond • If the environment changes, living things can change too • Reproduce • Asexual: make a clone • Sexual: it takes two • Adapt • Organisms have parts that exactly fit where they live