Grade 10 Biology Lab Science Syllabus 2019-20

Teachers: Ms. Castle, Dr. Holden, Mr. Fusco, Ms. MacCarter

Essential outcomes

Biology is the scientific study of life. In this course we will embrace knowledge of life through scientific
actions such as: inquiry, development of models, laboratory investigations, data analysis and
interpretation, mathematics, scientific argumentation, forming scientific explanations from evidence,
and engaging in the scientific community through reading literature and communicating new ideas. The
scientific skills that we practice and complete will not only allow us to discover biology content
knowledge, but prepare us for the thinking needed to be an informed citizen and 21st century scientist.

Course Outline

The grade 10 Biology Lab Science course is based on the Next Generation Science Standards
(NGSS).

Core Topics:
● Evolution
● Genetics
● Homeostasis and Physiology
● Ecosystems
● Human Impact on Biodiversity

Scientific skills:
● Analyzing Data
● Communicating Information
● Conducting Investigations
● Constructing Explanations (CER: Claim, evidence, reasoning)
● Using Mathematics
● Using and Constructing Models
● Defining Problems and Asking Questions

Cross Cutting Concepts:

● Observing Patterns
● Cause & Effect
● Scale, Proportion, Quantity
● Systems and System Models
● Energy and Matter
● Structure Function
● Stability and Change

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Assessment and Grading

§ Students will be assessed based upon their application of knowledge, science practices and
cross-cutting concepts.

§ Students should approach all assignments and assessments with fidelity, as formative work
informs the work still needing to be done, regardless of it not numerically contributing towards
a final grade. This shows the “fidelity of learning” needed to qualify for reassessments.

§ Assignments and assessments will include, but are not limited to: Experimental investigations
and lab reports, projects, quizzes, and unit assessments.

§ Summative assessments will be entered into the gradebook and contribute to a final grade.
The Grade 10 teaching team will assign an appropriate point weighting to each assessment
that is based upon the application of knowledge, science practices and cross-cutting concepts
required to demonstrate learning.

§ The culminating assessment for Semester 1 will take the form of a final exam. In Semester 2, it
will be a Capstone biology research project, designed to bring together and assess all of the
scientific skills which the student has acquired over the course of the year.

Semester 1

Summative assessments 85%

Final exam 15%

Semester 2

Summative assessments 85%

Capstone project 15%

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Individual Learner Profile Descriptors

At the end of each semester, you will receive a mark from 1-4 in each of the categories below. A 4
will be awarded if a student consistently displays most of the descriptive behaviors throughout the
semester.

Active learning:

· Engages with teachers and peers during class

· Focuses on the class task
· Contributes to the class through insightful comments
· Demonstrates a desire to learn by revising his/ her work and seeking feedback
· Takes risks in his/her learning (curiosity, inquisitive)
· Completes tasks as directed by the teacher
· Demonstrates learning as prompted by the teacher

Integrity:

· Demonstrates respect for teachers and other students

· Demonstrates respect for the CID space in keeping it clean, adhering to norms and following
safety protocol
· Appreciates the learning
· Displays integrity in the use of technology

Responsibility:

· Brings necessary materials to class

· Thoroughly completes assigned preparatory work
· Completes assignments/ tasks
· Responds appropriately to setbacks
· Meets deadlines
· Comes to class on time and is ready to begin at the start of class

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Abbreviated Assessment Policy Information

Assessment Policy and Practice

The full assessment policy is located in the student handbook, which can be found on Schoology and
PowerSchool. Please make sure you are familiar with this policy. Noted below are key points in the
Assessment Policy.

Reassessment Policy

Additional attempts on summative assessments are at the discretion of the individual teachers but
must be based on the following criteria:
• Puxi High School’s, proficiency level is considered a B+ and any reassessment will not be
awarded marks above a B+ (87).
• Students desiring a reassessment opportunity must approach learning with fidelity.
• In order to ensure that reassessment occurs within a reasonable time during or following the
period of learning, reassessment should occur within two weeks from return of the original
assessment.
• During a semester, underclassmen may have two retake opportunities per course and
upperclassmen one retake opportunity per course.

Exam Based Assessments

• Exam based assessments are considered summative assessments and occur at the end of a
learning period.
• If a student is unable to sit an exam based assessment then the teacher will use their
professional judgment in awarding a grade.

Non-Exam Based Assessments

• If a student fails to submit an assessment on the due date a mark will be awarded according to
the evidence collected during the learning period. If a student has an assessment due, i.e. essay,
project, lab, etc., and that assessment is not submitted on the due date, the teacher should award
a mark by applying the final assessment criteria (rubric, etc.) using the evidence collected to date
during the learning period. If the student chooses to later submit the assignment, it will be
considered a reassessment and the reassessment policy will be applied.
• If a student has an unexcused absence on the day work is due the teacher follows the same
procedure as noted above.
• In the event that the student does not submit a final version or does not submit additional
evidence, the mark that was awarded, based on the evidence of learning available to the teacher
on the due date becomes the student’s permanent mark for that assessment.

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Extension Policy

Extensions will be honored at the teacher’s discretion and only by following the guidelines below.

· Communicate the need for an extension as soon as possible. Within 3 days of all major
papers/projects being assigned, but not less than 3 days before the deadline.

· Provide the following information:

o Your specific need for the extension (other assignments and their due dates, extracurricular
conflicts and time commitments, other…?) and/or a time management calendar.
o A detailed description of what you still need to do to complete the work and the estimated
time left and when exactly you should be able to complete this.
o A specific statement of your new due date/ time and form of submission (paper, email,
schoology, etc.)

Extension Example:

“I’m requesting an extension on the upcoming lab report, with due date on November 5th.
Reason: I have the following assignments and assessments occurring:
English research paper due Nov. 4th (still have half of this left to write)
Math Midterm exam on Nov. 5th (I currently have a C in the course and am trying to raise my
grade. I have commitments with a study group on Nov. 4th.)
What I still need to do:
I have a full draft of the lab completed, but when I checked in with you, you said I processed my
data incorrectly, which means that I need to revise the data processing and rewrite my conclusion
based on the new data. This should take roughly 1-2 hours once I know how to process my data.
I am still unsure of how to process the data and graph in excel so I need to look at the handouts
you provided on schoology. This could take 30 minutes- 1 hour if I need to ask other students for help.
I would submit the paper this weekend. Saturday Nov. 7th by 1pm. I will submit the paper to
turnitin.com”

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Academic Integrity

Any allegation of academic dishonesty will be investigated thoroughly and appropriate disciplinary
measures will be taken according to the guidelines in the SAS Student Handbook.

• Behavior will be noted on the Learner Profile.

• Students will be assigned a retake or alternative assessment in order to show learning.
• All major written assignments will be submitted to turnitin.com

Plagiarism may consist of the following:

• Exact copying of any text without the use of quotation marks,

• Using an author’s passages with occasional omissions or changes in wording without proper
acknowledgment,
• Rearranging the words or sentences of one or more authors,
• Using an author’s argument or points from an argument and representing them as one’s own.
• If ever in doubt, acknowledge your source.

Parents and tutors may be consulted as resources, but they are not to complete assignments for
students. It is appropriate for parents and tutors to help students by asking questions to clarify a
student’s thoughts or by discussing concepts and ideas related to an assignment. Assistance beyond
this level is prohibited.

● Raw data can be shared amongst group members.

● While many assignments may be collaborative in nature, it is essential that each student
produces a product that reflects authenticity and their individual learning. For example, even if
you and a partner agree about your data analysis, your interpretation and wording should be in
your own wording and style.
● Proper citation methodology MUST be used to indicate any content [ideas, language, images,
data tables, etc] that are not the original author's.
○ Students may find easybib.com a useful tool for citing in MLA format.