Welcome to Life Science!

Join our class Remind group: text the class code  @kudy7  to  81010 or enter the class code in the app

Mrs. Kimberly Udy / Mr. Leonard Pittman

Course description:  This class will cover biological concepts including: diversity and interdependence of living things, the cell and cell processes, genetics and evolutionary theory.  Life Science is a laboratory course and adherence to lab safety rules is expected and required for participation. Failure to follow laboratory instructions will result in removal from the activity and possible disciplinary consequences.

Class expectations and Code of Conduct:  All students will:

            (1)  Be on time and prepared for class

            (2)  Follow all instructions given by the teacher the first time

            (3)  Behave respectfully, responsibly and refrain from class disruptions

            (4)  Complete all work to the best of their ability

            (5)  Follow all school rules

            (6)  Cooperate and encourage classmates

I expect you to act in a mature manner and treat everyone with the same respect you would like given to you.  Remember everyone learns differently and at different paces.  Stand by your flock.

Class Remind group:  I utilize the Remind app which allows me to send out quick information and documents while keeping users’ phone numbers private.  The app has a chat feature so you can private message me through Remind any time.  Please text the number at the top of the syllabus to join the class group. This and email are the best ways to communicate with me outside of school, however please allow 24 hours for me to respond.

Class website:  Please get in the habit of regularly checking in Canvas for the websites of all of your classes (found on the Muscogee County School District Website.) Modules, assignments, links, documents, etc. will be found here.

Daily materials:  You will need to bring to class each day your binder, your textbook (unless told otherwise), and supplies (pens, pencils, markers/colored pencils, etc.).  Other materials may be requested throughout the term.  Make sure you bring your planner/agenda to class every day – it is vital to maintaining organization!

Grades, Assignments and Absences:   Our units of study will be organized into modules consisting of combinations of topic-specific vocabulary, PowerPoints, hands on exploration, various styles of notes, lecture, large or small group work, videos, interactive websites, and other activities.

Learning is ultimately the student’s responsibility, and as your teacher, I will provide instruction, materials, explanations, practice instruments, tutoring, and individual help, if needed.  Not all assignments or tasks will be collected for a grade, however this does not mean the work is less important.  All of our activities and assignments have the goal of helping you learn and practice a concept. The quality of the practice you put in will directly affect the results you get out.  Work not completed prior to the assessment on that topic will not be accepted late.

Get in the habit of regularly checking student portal for your grades or to see if you are missing any work!  See me to get a hall pass so that you may come before school for individual help or questions.                                

Your assignments will fall into one of two categories and have the following weights assigned for calculating overall course grade:

35% Formative

65% Summative

You will always be given advance notice of major assessments and may consist of (but are not limited to): performance-based, multiple choice, true/false, ticket out the door, completion or oral response.  Formal lab reports will be completed each semester. Keep up with all dates on your calendar.

It is the student’s responsibility, NOT the teacher’s, to make arrangements for make-up work, however it is not appropriate to interrupt instructional class time to do this. There will be a designated space in the room which you will find your makeup work set aside for you.  Please check there as soon as you return from your absence.  The number of days allowed to complete make-up work will not exceed the number of days absent. If you are absent on an assignment’s due date (except for major projects), it will be due on the date you return to school.  If you miss a LAB, it may not be possible for you to make it up and an alternate assignment may be given.  If you miss an ASSESSMENT, it must be made up WITHIN ONE WEEK.  Dates for make-ups should be scheduled with the teacher for a mutually acceptable time and should be before or after school.  Missing assignments will be recorded as a zero until they are made up.

Notebooks and Graded work:  I will suggest notebook organization strategies at the beginning of the year but it will be up to you to maintain what works best for YOU.  The most successful students are the ones who have material to study.  You are welcome to come in early or stay after school for additional assistance in organization.  All graded work will be returned for review but it is HIGHLY recommended that you keep up with it so you will have it as a complete course review before state testing at the end of the year. As I return papers, I will allow some time to properly file and organize your returned work in your binder.

Movie Permission: I would like to show films occasionally during the year that relate to our curriculum.

Please sign the movie permission separately on the last page of this syllabus in order for your child to watch the films. Students not having permission on file will be given alternate work to complete in lieu of the movie as it relates to the topic of the film.

Tardies/ leaving class:  Do not come to class late without a pass.  Please use the restroom between classes to minimize lost instructional time. Leaving the room in the middle of instruction is disruptive and will not be permitted unless it is an absolute emergency.

Begin clean up when instructed. All messes will be properly cleaned up and materials returned to their correct location before being dismissed.  Help your group keep your station neat.