Ms.

Hannah Cooley
Northern Lights High School
Room 116
Email: hecooley@alaska.edu
Website: mscooley.weebly.com
(W) (907) 350-4333

Dear Parents, Guardians, and/or Students,

Welcome to Biology 2! Im Ms. Cooley and Im your 10th grade
Biology 2 teacher. I have a biology degree from the University of Iowa
(Go Hawkeyes!) and a masters degree in secondary science education
from the University of Alaska (Go Seawolves!). I moved here from Iowa
about five years ago to experience something new and different. One
of the main reasons I love it so much is because of all the science in
the nature that surrounds is. I love to get out and explore the state by
hiking, snowboarding, camping, and fishing! I hope to bring the
outdoors to the classroom this year through various hands-on activities
and labs. I also hope to increase students appreciation for their local
environment through field studies and welcoming members of the
community into our classroom.
I look forward to getting to know each student and providing
them opportunities to learn about biology through fun and exciting
experiences. I encourage parents, guardians, and students to contact
me at any time with any questions, comments, or concerns. I have
provided my class website, email, and phone number above.
Sincerely,
Ms. Cooley

Equipped with his five senses, man explores the

universe around him and calls the adventure
Science.
Edwin Hubble

Biology 2 Syllabus
Course Description
Biology 2 is designed to educate students on scientific inquiry,
research, genetics, evolution, cell chemistry, and the anatomy of
humans. We will accomplish learning goals by designing and acting out
lab experiences, activities, field studies, and bringing in community
members. The lessons are designed to use samples from the local
environment to create a fun, safe, and realistic curriculum for students.
The quarter will be broken up into five units, each unit making up 20%
of the grade. There will be multiple opportunities to earn points during
class through participation and assignments. Each unit will conclude
with an exam or project. My website, mscooley.weebly.com, will be
updated weekly with unit plans, grades, and projects. I encourage
students, parents, and guardians to check in weekly to see what is
occurring in our classroom.
Course Topics
Scientific Inquiry
Research
Genetics
Evolution
Cells
Human Anatomy
Grading
Projects (In-class, occasional homework)
50%
Participation/ Effort (Active participant)
20%
Tests/ Final Projects*
20%
Final Ezam
10%
*At the end of each of the five Units, students will be given a choice to
take the class exam or create a project. The project must include all
topics covered during the Unit and be presented to the class. A rubric
will be provided.
Class Expectations
As you have seen in the grading policy, participation is a huge
expectation in this course. We are going to be doing various hands-on
activities, labs, and fieldwork. I expect every student to come to class
prepared to work and possibly get their hands dirty. We can make this
a very fun and creative learning environment by showing up ready to
learn and keeping the respect rules in mind at all times. I expect

everyone to feel comfortable in our class community by remaining

open to others views and ideas.

Materials Needed
Scientific notebook (no spirals)
Pencil
Colored pencils
Class Rules
Respect Yourself
Respect Others
Respect Environment
Class Policies
When entering the classroom, have a seat and start working on
the assignment posted on the board.
If you bring your backpack to class, get your materials out and
leave it by the door.
Cell phones and other electronics are prohibited during class,
unless otherwise told.
Hall passes: five given each quarter. You may use them to go to
your locker, bathroom, etc. If you run out of passes, you owe me
10 minutes of study time every time you leave the room.
Tardiness: you owe me study time for 2x the amount of time
you were late. (ex. 5 minutes late = 10 minutes study time)
Absences: if its excused, you have a week to complete the
missed assignments. If its unexcused, you miss the assignment
and receive a zero.
Class is dismissed when I dismiss you, NOT when the bell rings.
If you finish your work early, you may read or work on other
assignments quietly.
Extra credit is not given on an individual basis, so take
advantage of it when it is provided.
Food, gum, and drinks are NOT allowed in the science classroom.
We will be working with living organisms in the
classroom. You should treat them with care and respect.
If I see or hear of any mishandling of the organisms, it
will result in a detention and call to parents.
Breaking the classroom rules by disrespecting yourself, others, or
the environment, will result in the following disciplinary action:
1st Offense
10 min study time

2nd Offense

20 min study time, meet with me 1x/2

weeks
rd
3 Offense
40 min study time, meet with me
1x/week
th
4 Offense
Call parents and/or principal
*I may increase the disciplinary action at any time,
depending on the
circumstances of the incident*

Students, parents, & guardians, I would like you to look over

the syllabus and let me know if you have any questions. If you
have questions or concerns about anything at all, make sure
you contact me and we can discuss any issues. If you have no
questions, please sign the portion below and have your
student return it to me.
I, _____________________________________(Students name), have read
the syllabus.
Student Signature_____________________________
Date_______________________

I, _______________________________________ (Parent/Guardian), have

read the syllabus.

Parent/Guardian Signature_____________________________________
Date_________________________
Email and/ or phone
number______________________________________________
*I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, or

SAFETY CONTRACT
Science is a hands-on laboratory class. However, science activities may have
potential hazards. We will use some equipment and animals that may be
dangerous if not handled properly. Safety in the science classroom is an
important part of the scientific process. To ensure a safe classroom, a list of
rules has been developed and is called the Science Safety Contract. These
rules MUST be followed at all times. Additional safety instructions will be
given for each activity.
No science student will be allowed to participate in science activities
until this contract has been signed by both the student and a parent
or guardian.
SAFETY RULES
1. Act responsible in the science classroom. No horseplay or pranks will be
tolerated.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. Ask your teacher
questions if you do not understand the instructions.
3. Do not touch any equipment, supplies, animals, or other materials in the
science room without permission from the teacher.
4. Perform only authorized and approved experiments. Do not conduct any
experiments when the teacher is out of the room.
5. Keep hands away from face, eyes, and mouth while using science
materials or when working with either chemicals or animals. Wash your
hands with soap and water before leaving the science room.
6. Absolutely NO FOOD OR DRINKS in the science classroom.
7. Wear safety glasses or goggles when instructed. Never remove safety
glasses or goggles during an experiment. There will be no exceptions to
this rule!
8. Keep your work area and the science room neat and clean. Bring only your
laboratory instructions, worksheets, and writing instruments to the work
area.
9. Clean all work areas and equipment at the end of the experiment. Return
all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.

10.Follow your teachers instructions to dispose of any waste materials

generated in an experiment.
11.Report any accident (fire, spill, breakage, etc.), injury (cut, burn, etc.), or
hazardous condition (broken equipment, etc.) to the teacher immediately.
12.Consider all chemicals used in the science room to be dangerous. Do not
touch or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so.
13.
Handle all animals and plants with care and respect.
14.Always carry a microscope with both hands. Hold the arm with one hand;
place the other hand under the base.
15.Treat all preserved specimens and dissecting supplies with care and
respect. a. Do not remove preserved specimens from the science room. b.
Use scalpels, scissors, and other sharp instruments only as instructed. c.
Never cut any material towards you always cut away from your body. d.
Report any cut or scratch from sharp instruments to the teacher
immediately.
16.Never open storage cabinets or enter the prep/storage room without
permission from the teacher.
17.Do not remove chemicals, equipment, supplies, or animals from the
science room without permission from the teacher.
18.Handle all glassware with care. Never pick up hot or broken glassware with
your bare hands.
19.Use extreme caution when using matches, a burner, or hot plate. Only
light burners when instructed and do not put anything into a flame unless
specifically instructed to do so. Do not leave a lit burner unattended.
20.
Dress properlylong hair must be tied back, no dangling
jewelry, and no loose or baggy clothing, no open-toed shoes. If
you dont dress properly on lab activity days, you will not be
allowed to participate.
21.Learn where the safety equipment is located and how to use it. Know
where the exits are located and what to do in case of an emergency or fire
drill.

Important questions for parents:

1. Is your child color blind?
Y or N
2. Does your child have any allergies?
Y or N If so, please list:

AGREEMENT
I, __________________________ ,_ (students name) have read and
understand each of the above safety rules set forth in this contract. I
agree to follow them to ensure not only my own safety but also the safety
of others in the science classroom or laboratory. I also agree to follow the
general rules of appropriate behavior for a classroom at all times to avoid
accidents and to provide a safe learning environment for everyone. I
understand that if I do not follow all the rules and safety precautions, I will
not be allowed to participate in science activities.

Student Signature
___________________________________________________________

Date_____________________
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We feel that you should be informed of the schools effort to create and
maintain a safe science classroom/ laboratory environment. Please read
the list of safety rules. No student will be permitted to perform science
activities unless this contract is signed by both the student and
parent/guardian and is on file with the teacher. Your signature on this
contract indicates that you have read this Science Safety Contract,
reviewed it with your child, and are aware of the measures taken to
ensure the safety of your son/daughter in the science classroom.

Parent/Guardian Signature
_________________________________________________
Date______________________