Biology Syllabus 

Mrs. Spurling  Check out our class website and save it to 
Room 206 ​704-476-8331 ext. 3501  your bookmarks for quick access! 
kmspurling@clevelandcountyschools.org  http://www.spurlingsciencesquad.weebly.com 
 
Dear Students and Parents, 
Welcome to Biology! I am excited to have you in class and teach you this year. I plan to make this course 
as interesting as possible so that we all learn together. Each student will be expected to review classroom notes 
on a daily basis and complete the weekly homework assignments. The average learner should allow ​20-30 
minutes​ each day for review of material covered in class and/or homework assignments. ​Biology is a required 
course for graduation from high school in North Carolina.​ ​In addition, the state of North Carolina REQUIRES 
the EOC score to count as 20% of the student’s final grade. Students who do not have a passing grade will not 
receive credit for Biology and will be required to recover the credit at a later time in order to graduate. 
 
What will we be learning? Essential Standards for Life Science/Biology 
★ Bio. 1.1 Understanding the relationship between the structures and functions of cells and their organelles. 
★ Bio. 1.2 Analyze the cell as a living system. 
★ Bio. 2.1 Analyze the interdependence of living organisms within their environments. 
★ Bio. 2.2 Understand the impact of human activities on the environment. 
★ Bio.3.1 Explain how traits are determined by the structure and function of DNA. 
★ Bio.3.2 Understand how the environment, and/or the interaction of alleles influences the expression of genetic traits.  
★ Bio. 3.3 Understand the application of DNA technology. 
★ Bio. 3.4 Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection as a mechanism for how species change over time. 
★ Bio. 3.5 Analyze how classification systems are developed based upon speciation.  
★ Bio. 4.4 Understand how biological molecules are essential to the survival of living organisms. 
★ Bio. 4.2 Analyze the relationships between biochemical processes and energy in the cell. 
 
Tentative Test Schedule  
Unit  Test Date  Unit  Test Date 

Unit 1: Biochemistry  Jan. 31  Unit 6: Genetics  Apr. 2 

Unit 2: Cells  Feb. 11 ​ Feb. 13  Unit 7: Biotechnology  Apr. 9 

Unit 3: Cell Energy  Feb. 24​ Feb. 26  Unit 8: Evolution & Natural Selection  May 1 

Unit 4: DNA & Cell Reproduction  Mar. 4 ​ Mar. 6  Unit 9: Taxonomy & Adaptations  May 13 

Unit 5: Protein Synthesis & Mutations  Mar. 11 ​ Mar. 16  Unit 10: Ecology  May 27 

MIDTERM ASSESSMENT  Mar. 16  EOC Review → May 28-June 3   

What supplies will help me to be prepared for class? 

​Required Materials:   ​Recommended ​Materials:  
- One 2” Hardback Binder with 12 Tab Dividers  - Erasers, Markers or Colored Pencils 
- Pens AND Pencils, Highlighters, Notebook Paper  - Index Cards with Case, Weekly Planner 
- Headphones compatible with Chromebook  - Pencil Pouch (for carrying utensils) 
 

How am I graded for my work? 

9 Weeks Grades:  Final Grade  Grading Scale 
Grades are calculated by a percentage and  ● 80%​ of final grade is the average of 1​st  A = 90-100 
divided into categories of Classwork/  and 2​nd​ 9-weeks grades (Semester  B = 80-89 
Homework (25%), Labs/Projects (10%),  Long)  C = 70-79 
D = 60-69 
Quizzes (25%), and Tests (40%).  ● 20%​ NC End-of-Course Exam 
F = <60 
Class Rules  
★ Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.  *Violation of class rules will be handled on a 3-strike policy 
★ Respect your classmates and your teacher.  which includes the following:   
★ Listen and respond respectfully.  1st strike = warning 
★ Respect the learning environment.  2nd strike = minor referral + parent contact 
★ Use technology appropriately.  3rd strike = major office referral + chill-out + parent contact 
 

How am I expected to act in Mrs. Spurling’s classroom?  

1. Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY. ​#nofreedays 
2. Respect the teacher, the classroom, other students, and yourself. # ​ bekind 
3. Take responsibility for your own learning! ​#workhard​ ​#dontcheat 
4. Clean up after yourself and your peers. ​#initiative​ #
​ stewardship 
5. Keep all personal electronics PUT AWAY! # ​ notexting​ # ​ nopictures​ #​ disrespectful​ #
​ distracting 
 
Restroom Policy 
Students are given ​3​ restroom passes each quarter. These should be used at times that are the least 
disruptive to class activities, and CANNOT be used during lecture. Students must present their pass so that it 
can be dated and signed and bring it back upon return. Restroom breaks should be brief; if you are gone for 
more than 6​ minutes​, you will be WRITTEN UP for skipping class. Once you have used your ​3​ restroom passes, 
you are ​OUT​ and ​NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!​ This means you must use your passes sparingly and only 
at times of n
​ ecessity​ or ​emergencies​. EXTRA CREDIT will be given to students who do not use ANY passes 
and can return them to me at the end of the semester!  
*[Students with documentation of health issues that may conflict with this policy will be accommodated as needed.]  
 
When you arrive for class… 
Students are expected to be i​ n their seats​ w
​ ith materials ready to begin class​ BY THE TIME THE BELL 
RINGS TO START CLASS. (That means sharpening pencils, going to the water fountain, getting paper, etc. 
should all be done ​BEFORE​ the tardy bell rings!) If a student arrives to class after the tardy bell rings, he/she 
will be marked tardy and assigned lunch detention. There are NO “WARNINGS” for tardies! 
 
What happens when I am absent from class? 
Per CHS attendance policy, students are allowed 6 absences per class, per semester. If the student 
accrues more than 6 absences, he/she may receive a failing grade for the course. ​Please remember that 3 
tardies and/or early releases equate to 1 absence.​ ​Students must be present for at least half (45 minutes) of 
the class period to be considered present. 
Handouts of class materials from the day(s) missed may be found in the classroom Absent Folders. I​ T 
IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO RETRIEVE MISSED MATERIALS FROM THESE FOLDERS!​ ​ I will place 
missed work with the student’s name on it in the folders but will ​NOT​ distribute the work to students upon 
their return after an absence. ​Failing to retrieve materials from the folders will not be an excuse for 
incomplete work or unpreparedness for a quiz. 
 
Late Work 
Work is expected to be turned in on time. Late submissions are subject to 10% deductions per day late, 
with the exception of work that is late due to excused absences. Missed work should be made up ASAP; 
tests/quizzes should be made up within 5 school days​. If a test or quiz is missed due to an absence, it is the 
student’s responsibility​ to contact me about scheduling a day to make it up. *Parents, please understand that 
until​ the assignment is submitted and graded, the score in PowerSchool may show a 0% regardless of the 
reason for the absence. I will adjust the grade on the late work as soon as I have it graded. 
 

My Schedule 
1st - Biology *​Tutorials are scheduled on ​Wednesdays ​and ​Friday ​during  
2nd - Planning (9:35am-10:59am) Charger Corral, but I am flexible and regularly open up my  
3rd - Honors Biology classroom on other days as well, when possible.   
4th - Biology 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

These cell phone/mobile device and dress code policies will be enforced both inside 
and out of the classroom according to CHS and CCS policies.   
NO EXCEPTIONS WHATSOEVER! 
 
CCS Student Code of Conduct can be found at 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0d2bHtWJV6Cd0hlNFBlWTFvVWM/view 
 
 

PARENTS…   
Please discuss these rules of device usage and dress code with your child(ren) to ensure that they 
understand the expectations and consequences of each offense. In terms of devices, unauthorized use 
of cell phones in the classroom is not only disrespectful but also poses a distraction to learning of ALL 
students. Furthermore, research continues to show the negative impacts that overuse of cell phones, 
tablets, and other devices can have on student learning, memory, and the development of their brains. 
If you have not already done so, I implore you to conduct your own research on effects that your child’s 
devices are having on their brain development and cognition. 
 
Lastly, PARENTS/GUARDIANS who need to contact their child during school hours should 
do so by calling the front office (704-476-8331), as dictated by school-wide policy. 

 
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS SYLLABUS! 
Let’s have a great school year!  
 
 
 
 
 
Parental involvement is strongly encouraged at Crest High School. Please feel free to schedule a 
meeting with me or contact me with any concerns that your might have. I can be reached any 
weekday at Crest High School by calling 704-476-8331x3501 from 9:35am – 10:29am. I can also be 
reached after school until about 4:00pm. Email is my best means of contact, so you may also email 
me at ​kmspurling@clevelandcountyschools.org​. 
 
It is my goal to provide each student with the opportunity to learn in a relaxed, safe, and orderly 
environment. It is my expectation that students put forth their best effort and conduct themselves 
with honor and dignity. Parents, your child(ren) need your support in their academic performance. 
Please be involved and help them to keep up with their assignments and do not hesitate to contact 
me with any concerns regarding your child. Let’s have a great semester! 

 
Parent(s) and student, please sign the following page and return to Mrs. Spurling. Thank you. 
 
 
PRINT ​___________________________________________________________ 
(Student Name) 
 
I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the rules and expectations of 
Mrs. Spurling’s Class. 
 
Parent Signature:​____________________________________________________ 
 
 
Parent Email Address:​________________________________________________ 
 
 
Best Contact Number(s):​________________________________________________________________ 
(Please indicate contact persons for each phone number listed.) 
 
 
Student Signature:​__________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 

See information about 

joining our ​REMIND  
group on the back!!