Mrs.

Calder
Piedra Vista High School
Email: lcalder@fms.k12.nm.us
Room B103

Welcome to Biology! I am excited to have each and every one of you in my class this
year. In order to be successful in my class, you will need to come to class each and
every day ready to learn and participate. My class is designed to be very interactive,
thus your participation each day is mandatory! Please read this syllabus, as it outlines
the classroom style and setup as well as student expectations. After reading this
syllabus, you and a guardian will need to sign the back and return to me. This signed
form lets me know that you have read and understood the rules and expectations of this
class.

Materials Needed for Class:
Paper
Pencils and Pens (blue or black ink ONLY)
1 Inch Three Ring Binder
3 Separation Tabs
Lab Composition Notebook (the kind with graph paper instead of lined paper)
Scientific Calculator
Any other material I ask you to bring in throughout the year

Class Rules:
1. Be on time and prepared for class. This means you need to be in your seat when
the tardy bell rings and you need to have pens, pencils, paper, homework with
you in class.
2. Be respectful towards yourself, others in class, as well as the school.
3. No cell phones, ipods, ipads, etc. are allowed in class. They need to be kept on
silent and put away during class.
4. No food or drinks, I will allow students to have water only.
5. Laptops are only permitted to be out upon teachers instruction. Students should
only be on the websites given by the teacher. Any inappropriate use of laptops
will result in suspension of use in Biology.

Consequences for Minor Infractions (tardiness, unprepared, zeros, rudeness, etc.)
1
st
offense Verbal Warning
2
nd
offense Private conference with student
3
rd
offense Phone or personal conference with parent and lunch detention
4
th
offense Office referral

Major infractions such as fighting, drug use/possession, gang activity, weapons,
etc. will be immediately reported to the office.

Assignments/Grading Policy:
Assignments are due on the date given to you by the instructor. Late work will be
accepted up to two weeks after initial due date but at a reduced grade. Projects that
require a class presentation will not be accepted after the initial due date. The class
assignments and homework are posted on my webpage on a daily basis.

Grades are weighted as follows: Daily Work (35%), Tests/Quizzes (35%), Labs (20%),
Projects (10%)

Absences:
For each day of an excused absence, students have two days to make up and turn in
their missing work. If a student knows that they will miss class, I highly suggest they get
their work prior to their absence. If a student is absent for a test, quiz, or lab they need
to schedule a time to make it up before or after school or during lunch. In cases where
this is not possible an alternative book/research assignment is given.

Tentative Class Outline:
1
st
Quarter:
Classification
Scientific Methods
Science and Society
Introduction to Ecology
Chemistry of Life

2
nd
Quarter:
Cells: Structure and Function
Photosynthesis
Cellular Respiration

3
rd
Quarter:
Cell Division
Heredity
Genetics (Protein Synthesis)

4
th
Quarter:
Evolution
Animals and Plants
Ecology
Human Body (if time permits)

**Schedule is subject to change as teacher sees fit. We may go faster or slower
depending on how quickly the class understands the material.**



If you have any questions regarding the outline of this class or any questions throughout
the year, please feel free to contact me either by email or by phone as listed above.
Please sign and return this portion of the syllabus to Mrs. Calder. (The first page should
be kept in your Biology binder for easy reference.)

I have read and understand Mrs. Calders class requirements for Biology.

Student Name: ________________________________________

Student Signature: _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________

Date: _____ Phone: ___________________ Email: __________________________