Honors Biology Quarterly Portfolio

100-120 points
A portfolio is a way for you to show your understanding of the core ideas in Biology with written explanations and
artifacts. It also gives you the opportunity to assess your own understanding and to reflect on class activities. The portfolio will be
graded once per marking period, but may be checked periodically throughout the term. The portfolio is a great study tool and self-
assessment if you work on it regularly throughout the term.

What will your portfolio include?

1. Completion/Inclusion of Required Components (8 points) – all required components are present and complete.
4 3 2 1
Student has all labs/activities
Student is missing 1 lab data, or 1 of Student is missing 2 lab data, or 2 of Student is missing 2 lab data, and 2 or
complete and all other components
the other 4 components the other 4 components more of the other 4 components
completed
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 2 for a total possible 8 points

2. Conventions (4 points) – Spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence completion and presentation count!
4 3 2 1
Inclusions are sloppy: cross-outs,
1 or fewer errors in spelling,
2 -3 errors in spelling, punctuation & 4-5 spelling, punctuation, &/or tears, &/or creases or >4 errors in
punctuation & grammar, sentence
grammar, sentence completion grammar errors, sentence completion spelling punctuation &/or grammar,
completion
sentence completion

3. Labs/Activities (20 points) – Choose 3 or 4 labs/activities from the unit that you wish to be graded on correctness. While you
will complete all of the labs in the unit, only the 3 or 4 that you choose plus the required lab report will be graded on correctness.
a. All labs done in class will be checked for completion and generally 1-2 days upon finishing the lab/activity in class. At that time
you will have the opportunity to reflect on your errors and make corrections.
b. Labs you wish to have graded for correctness when you submit your portfolio at the end of the unit must be marked with an
asterisk (*); failure to do so will result in the first 4 labs being graded for correctness.
4 3 2 1
All data/calculations/analysis
1-2 Missing/Incorrect 3-4 Missing/Incorrect >4 Missing/Incorrect
questions for labs are complete &
data/calculations/Analysis questions data/calculations/Analysis questions data/calculations/Analysis questions
correct
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 6 for a total possible 24 points

4. Required Lab Report (20 points) – I will specify one required lab to be formally written up per quarter, turned in separately, and
graded on its own rubric prior to the portfolio due date. This lab will then need to be included in your unit portfolio. If you wish to
revise your lab report to earn a higher score on the portfolio, you may do so but must include the original lab report with scoring
rubric with the revised version clearly marked.
4 3 2 1
“A” on required lab report “B” on required lab report “C” on required lab report “D” on required lab report
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 5 for a total possible 20 points
5. Unit Reflection (20 points) – How did these labs/activities help you learn the material in the unit? Give thorough, complete
answers to the following guiding questions which will be included in the unit reflection section following the chosen 3-4
labs/activities. The reflection should really show me what you learned from each of the labs/activities and how they connect to the
objectives for the unit.
a. How does each lab/activity you selected exemplify the learning objectives for that unit?
b. What were you able to learn by completing the labs you selected?
c. How did the labs you selected compare/contrast to each other?
d. In which labs you selected did you experience trouble? Explain.
e. How does this unit of lab work relate to real life situations (the ones you selected and you may include the others)? Explain
using specifics!
4 3 2 1
Reflection answers all 5 guiding Reflection answers all 5 guiding Reflection answers all 3-4 guiding Reflection answers less than 3 guiding
questions and thoroughly shows areas questions and shows areas of questions and thoroughly shows questions and shows little gained
of increased knowledge increased knowledge areas of increased knowledge knowledge
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 5 for a total possible 20 points

6. Reading and Understanding Science Article with Reflection (20 points) —Demonstrate that you can read and understand
science in the news – do not simply find an informative website and print from it. Select one article from a newspaper, magazine,
or journal. Include the article clipping or a copy. Good places to find articles are sciencemag.org, sciencedaily.com,
sciencenews.org, or even the national news pages such as cnn.com or msnbc.com. Write a reflection that includes the following:
a. Article Title
b. Author(s)
c. Source (cited properly)
d. Summary: Summarize the main points of the article in 4-6 sentences.
e. Rationale for Inclusion in this unit: How does the material in the article relate to what was learned/studied in this unit
and how does the article help to further your knowledge/understanding of the topics within the unit? Make at least 3
connections to the unit for full credit.
4 3 2 1
Article chosen relates to unit, is Article chosen relates to unit, is Article chosen relates to unit, is Article chosen barely relates to unit (is
summarized, &rationale includes summarized, &rationale includes 1-2 summarized, &rationale includes only summarized) and no or weak
several examples of connections examples of connections one example of a connection connections shown in rationale
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 5 for a total possible 20 points

7. Personal Choice Item (20 points) – Your choice of one of the following to show mastery of a concept(s) chosen. Mastery
means that you not only include the original artifact of your choice, but also provide explanation of the concept chosen and rational
for inclusion to the portfolio.
 Unit concept map
 Word Connect
 Venn Diagram (compare & contrast to other units)
 Original drawing (w/explanation or caption)
 Cartoon strip depicting concept(s) of the unit
 Interview w/scientist relating to unit
 Letter written to a non-biology student or parent explaining concept(s) you have learned in the unit (Do not simply list out what you
learned in the unit… choose a key concept or two to emphasize and showcase your learning.)
4 3 2 1
Item is complete with a complete Item is complete with a mostly Item is complete with some Item is sloppy or incomplete. No
explanation of concept included. complete explanation of concept explanation of concept included. explanation of the concept/key ideas
Item/explanation illustrates an included. Item/explanation illustrates Item/explanation illustrates an is included or item/explanation of
accurate and thorough understanding an accurate understanding of most accurate understanding of a few to no concept/key ideas is inaccurate.
of every key idea within the concept(s) key ideas within the concept(s) key ideas within the concept(s)
chosen. chosen. chosen.
** Score received in this category will be multiplied by 5 for a total possible 20 points