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AP Biology 2014-2015 Overview & Curriculum Guide

Get ready for AP Biology with information on the course, big ideas, science practices, classroom approach, and requirements. Ensure success with tips on assignments, textbooks, supporting resources, and evaluation methods.

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AP Biology 2014-2015 Overview & Curriculum Guide

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  1. Welcome to AP Biology 2014-2015 Ms. Koziol • As you enter the classroom… • Pick up all handouts along counter (left) • Place summer assignments in piles on front desks or in boxes as indicated. This includes: • Plant Tracking sheet • Cornell Notes • graphing packet.

  2. Our Course and 4 Big Ideas!! • Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. • Big Idea 2: Biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce and to maintain dynamic homeostasis • Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes. • Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties.

  3. Special Focus on 7 Science Practices!! • Science Practice 1: Userepresentations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems. • Science Practice 2: use mathematics • Science Practice 3: engage in scientific questioning

  4. Science Practice 4: plan and implement data collection strategies appropriate to a particular scientific question. • Science Practice 5: perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence. • Science Practice 6: work with scientific explanations and theories. • Science Practice 7: connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts and representations in and across domains.

  5. Our approach: The “Flipped” Classroom Outside of class • Note taking (Cornell notes required) and PowerPoint discussion sheets • Access on Website In Class • classroom discussion • Review of some slides/difficult concepts or key items • Labs/hands on work • Projects • Various assessments

  6. What can you do to get an A? • KNOW what is going on!!! Be sure to check website, calendar, board and ASK if you do not know!! • Read the textbook and other assignments on a daily basis. • Take notes on all textbook readings (Cornell note-taking method) + do all discussion sheets! • Check in with websiteand view PowerPoints, Podcasts and links independently! Take notes if needed! • Expect to review concepts in class and out of class • BE HERE!

  7. Textbooks: • Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life, 12th Edition (2009) by Cecie Starr and Ralph Taggert of Michigan State University. • Supporting Sources • Test prep workbooks • Great Work Discussions from The Nature of Life • Recent AP Tests Questions • Biology Textbook, Campbell • Webliography and MORE on website Supporting resources • PPT slides • (Tests/quizzes –many formats (includes open-ended) • Class website • Bozeman videos • NEW Inquiry based-labs + all required AP labs • Class discussions

  8. What Do I need for class? Materials required • LARGE Three-ring binder for all class notes WITH notebook paper • Specklet Lab Compostion book • Optional: Barron’s AP Biology Flash Cards for AP Test Study – also available in class) • Computer at home

  9. Student Evaluation and Assessment: ** weighted values ** (10%) Homework: Students will be required to read assigned sections of their textbook and/or complete discussion sheets provided by the teacher. Readings, pre-labs and other random questions may be assigned for reflection at various times. Cornell NOTES are required.

  10. (10%) Participation/Class work Students will participate in many classroom activities. When appropriate, these activities will be assigned a grade. It is expected that all students will strive for consistant attendance, as these activities may not be able to be made up. Discussion sheets will be used as a mechanism for discussion.

  11. (10%) Quizzes There are many quizzes scattered throughout the curriculum. Formats vary.

  12. (35%) Tests/Exams Students will be required to take many different kinds of tests. Teacher-made essay tests and traditional format tests will be used in addition to multiple choice questions from previous AP exams. Students will also be required to complete some Free Response Questions which are old AP test essay questions. This will provide practice for the AP exam.

  13. Final Exam – NOT! Following the AP Exam, we will continue with content. Possibilities involve a Botany unit (plants), comprehensive Phylum and animal studies and bioethics. Rat dissections will no longer occur in AP Biology.

  14. (35%) Laboratory Laboratory experiences and investigations will cover all required AP labs from the AP Lab Manual for Students, in addition to many other extensive labs, explorations, demonstrations and field studies. For each lab, the assessment varies; students will write up all labs in their composition book. Some formal labs may be required and at least one college level poster presentation. Pre-labs may be assigned and questions related to labs may appear on exams.

  15. Use of Bonus Points: Students will no longer be awarded Bonus Point opportunities given the addition of 5 points to your EARNED average every marking period.

  16. *** Distractions Policy *** • All students will place phones, IPODS, etc… into the assigned holder (or basket) during all testing! Otherwise, they are to remain untouched during class time unless being used for content. Should this become an ‘issue’ I will collect them at the beginning of each class for ‘rule breakers.’ • Laptops will be stored on classroom counters; students may not be used during class unless permission is given ahead of time. • Reading material not related to class is ONLY allowed during the last five minutes of class! All students must be engaged – there is ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO in this class – please FOCUS on Biology while you are here! This includes books for pleasure and homework in other classes.

  17. Test 1 and 2 There will be a Graphing Test during the second week of school Current Chapters for Cornell notes and study • Chapter 2 – Chemical Prop Life, Water’s Life Giving Properties + pH (pp 22-32) • Chapter 3 – Carbon + functional groups (pp 36-39) • Chapter 47 – Ecosystems (Cornell notes from summer) – entire chapters PowerPoints Presentations on Chemistry, Water, Carbon and Ecosystems Basics

  18. HOMEWORK – DO IT! For tomorrow: • Get syllabus signed • Bring in your lab composition book each day • Complete extension reading and questions for tomorrow. • Cover Book ( -5 if not covered by Friday) • Preview PPT on Sci Method for tomorrow + video if need be. We will be discussion parts of this and will begin our first lab this week. • Start Cornell notes • Check for answer key on Graphing this weekend (on website under Unit 1)

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