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Welcome to Mount Si High School’s Open House Please sign in…. AP Biology/Biology Andrew Rapin Room 124. Overarching goals of this course.
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Welcome to Mount Si High School’s Open HousePlease sign in…. AP Biology/Biology Andrew Rapin Room 124
Overarching goals of this course • To increase my students’ biological literacy – (i.e. build a strong conceptual framework of this dynamic discipline-over factual). Ask your students what some of these grand unifying themes of biology are • To challenge my students as a critical, analytical and creative thinker- and to develop the habits of mind that are associates with these skills. • To help my students learn how to monitor their own progress in problem solving and thinking. • To identify the preconceptions that my students bring with them about how the world works and to address their misconceptions.
Major topics we will explore in biology this year • Science as a process • Characteristics of life • Chemistry of life • Cell biology/metabolism • Genetics • Mechanisms of evolution • Animal form and function • Plant form and function • Ecology.
What are the grade-level science standards that your student will be learning? • http://www.k12.wa.us/Science/default.aspx
What can you do to help? Help provide a rich learning environment at home and in the community that provide opportunities for guided learning that connects your son/daughter to what they are learning in class. • Studies have shown that in a calendar year that only 14% a student’s time is spent in school. • many students spend approximately 1/3 of their time outside school (not counting sleeping) watching television or on the computer or texting their friends.
Should you expect to see your son/daughter doing homework for this class? • Absolutely!! • Homework/reviewing: about 20 minutes (at least) per day.
Some useful resources you might consider: • Skyward- online grades. This on-line resource provides a transparent system that shows student progress in class, assignments turned in/not turned in and performance on class projects and quizzes and exams). • Biology SharePoint, which provides the following resources • Class syllabus and expectations • Daily assignment record • Class announcements/assignments • Parent’s corner (recommend resources on how parents can help cultivate an interest in the sciences in their son/daughter and how you can learn more about current research findings about how students learn). • State standards for science and about the HSPE- which improved by 9% over the last year!! • Science Department link (from Biology SharePoint) • Academic advancement policy • Science course offerings • Minimum science requirements for WA college admission • Information about advanced placement opportunities in science and college courses being taught at the high school.
AP Biology Why take AP Biology? • It is a great course for students who are interested in this field and/or want a challenge. • If students score well on the AP exam they can receive college credit. • Great college prep for students- this course will help develop the skills and habits of mind that will help students succeed in their post secondary academic endeavors.
Contact information E-mail: • rapina@svsd410.org Sharepoint MSHS website/sharePoint/rapin/AP Biology