Introduction to Biology Through Horticulture

Introduction to Biology through Horticulture

ïï Extra credit points will be given to students who have this introduction in their notebooks on the first day of each semester.

Biology through Horticulture (BioHort) meets the biology requirement for 10^th grade students and prepares them for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Students will use the scientific method to explore questions related to life science, with a focus on botany (plant science). The course uses a thematic approach and hands-on projects wherever possible. Topics include: environmental studies (water quality, forestry, wildlife, soils, and current issues; includes field trips with Project GREEN); organization and evolution (cells, genetics, origins of life); gardening (plants, pest management, pesticide safety; career exploration and job skills; and communications skills.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in Horticulture Club (FFA).

EXPECTATIONS: BioHort students are expected to:

Turn in a contract, signed by the student and parent, before being allowed to participate in labs and outside activities. The contract is due the first Friday after school starts. A field trip permission form and medical release form, good for all year, will also be handed out.
Organize all work in a 3-ring binder, with this sheet as the introduction. Notebooks are graded at midterm and the end of the trimester.
Be dressed to participate at all times, and prepared to go outside or into the greenhouse. Appropriate dress means no open-toed or platform shoes. Aprons will be available. Students who are not appropriately dressed will not participate or receive credit.
Be in their seats at the bell with materials (pencil, paper, textbook, completed or in-progress assignments). Students will not be allowed out of class after the tardy bell rings. Tardy means not in your seat when the bell rings. Truant means you are more than 10 minutes late without an excuse, or not where you are supposed to be. After four tardies, students will be assigned to do campus service. Students who are truant receive no credit for the day, and will be assigned campus service equal to time missed.
Demonstrate respect and support for one another, including listening when others are speaking, such as the teacher.
Follow safety rules at all times “. Students who do not abide by the safety rules will be removed from class and lose credit.
Participate in all activities and remain on-task until the bell rings. Clean up all work areas at the end of activities.
Return all tools and equipment to their proper place after use (clean if necessary).
Refrain from inappropriate behavior and offensive language.
Make up written work, including labs, within two days of an absence. No make up work is accepted for unexcused absences. Some missed outside days cannot be made up.
Turn in assignments on time. Assignments are usually due at the beginning of the period. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Work 6 hours/semester outside of the class on a new skill (SAE). More information will be presented on this later.
Earn Leadership points for community service and job readiness skills.
NO CELL PHONE, IPOD, OR OTHER ELECTRONICS during class. Steps: (1) warning 1st time; (2) confiscated until end of class; (3) confiscated to end of day, sent to in-school suspension, loss of points.

WORKPLACE ETHICS POINTS:

BioHort is a vocationally-funded class in which students learn job skills as well as biology. For this reason, behavior expectations are somewhat different than in other high school classes. All students begin the semester with 50 points for workplace ethics. Appropriate discipline action will also be taken for each violation. Points are deducted as follows:

Unexcused tardy -1 pt. each

Unexcused absence -2 pt. each

Discipline problem -5 pt.

Safety infraction -5 pt. (see below)

Electronic device in sight -5 pts.

CHEATING POLICY:

Students caught cheating will receive a grade of 0 and parents will be notified. This includes copying another student’s assignment as well as tests. If cheating occurs a second time during the trimester, the student will be suspended from the class with a failing grade.

GRADES:
Grades are based on participation, tests and quizzes, daily work, and projects. Grade scale is as follows: A=93%; A-=90%; B+=87%; B=83%; B-=80%; C+=77%; C=73+; C-=70%; D+=67%; D=60%; F=less than 60%. The grade is based on an accumulation of points. Students who successfully complete all experiments, assignments, and greenhouse work, but are unsuccessful in testing, can still achieve a passing grade.

“ LAB SAFETY:

You are expected to honor the lab safety rules listed on the Flinn Safety Contract. Infractions result in immediate discipline, which could include being sent to the office, a parent conference, loss of points, or campus service. Especially important are:

Follow all directions. If you don’t understand them, ask your lab partner or the teacher.
Know where all safety equipment is located.
Wear goggles for eye protection whenever instructed to do so.
Personal safety is critical. NO DANGEROUS ACTS OR MISUSE OF MATERIALS OR EQUIPMENT WILL BE TOLERATED. This includes the greenhouse, nursery compound, and field sites as well as the classroom.
Federal regulations prohibit eating or drinking in any science lab/classroom/field site. This includes water bottles and gum chewing. Also, cosmetics cannot be used in the classroom. Because contamination is possible, lunch sacks and water bottles should be brought to class only if in a backpack.
Appropriate clothing must be worn – no open-toed shoes or sandals in the classroom, greenhouse, or outside. Aprons are available to protect clothing.
No student is allowed in ANY science classroom until the teacher is present. Wait at the door until permitted to enter.
If you break equipment, you buy it.

FFA ACTIVITIES:

Students must join the National FFA to participate in FFA activities, including Leadership Camp and Career Development Events (CDEs). Permission forms with information and expectations will be available before these activities. FFA is a nationally recognized youth leadership organization, and membership looks good on scholarship, college, and job applications.

Contact me at 596-8267 or by e-mail at kwatts@osd.wednet.edu. I hope to have a website with assignments posted soon.

Kathy Watts, instructor.