Course Syllabus

 

a-g Biology

Section  #6007, #6006 

Location Online 

a-g Biology Lab

Section #6025

Location Alameda

Section #6010

Location Modesto

Section #6012

Location Waterford

 

Please review the CWCS Master Class Syllabus that will be used in the Parent/Student Orientation course. 

Instructor: Lanette Lanchester

Email: llanchester@cwcharter.org

Phone: (903)747-2597

Office Hours: Monday 1-2PM

 

Class Information:

#6004 Class Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Tuesday Aug 17, 20219:00-10 AM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting  Tuesday January 4, 2022 9:00-10AM  

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

#6007 Class Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Tuesday Aug 17, 202111:30-12:30 PM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting Tuesday January 4, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM   

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

#6006 Class Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Wednesday Aug 18, 202111:30-12:30 PM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting  Wednesday January 5, 11:30-12:30 PM      

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

#6025 (Alameda) Lab Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Thursday Aug 19, 202110:00 AM-1:00 PM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting  Thursday January 6, 2022 10:00 AM-1:00 PM     

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

#6010 (Modesto) Lab Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Thursday August 26, 2021 8:30-11:30 AM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting  Thursday January 13, 2022 8:30-11:30 AM      

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

#6012 (Waterford) Lab Time:

  • Semester 1 - First Class Meeting Thursday Aug 26, 202112:30 PM -3:30 PM

Last Day to Add or Drop is 9/3/21 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

  • Semester 2 - First Class Meeting  Thursday January 13, 2022 12:30-3:30 PM       

Last Day to Add or Drop is 1/14/22 (Students will be charged the full price of the course if dropping the class after this deadline.)

 

CWCS’s a-g Biology  online course offers students the opportunity to study at home while employing technology as a learning tool, meeting with other students in a virtual classroom, and receiving live instruction from a teacher. Additionally, students will sign up for a face to face lab that will meet once per month.

 

Course Overview: a-g Biology is a two semester course We will be covering a lot of interesting topics. 

  • Semester 1
      • Ecosystems & Energy
      • History of Earth’s Atmosphere: Photosynthesis & Respiration
      • Evidence of Evolution
  • Semester 2
    • Inheritance of Traits
    • Structure, Function, and Growth (from cells to organisms)
    • Ecosystem Stability and the Response to Climate Change

All tests and assignments will be posted in the course calendar in Canvas.  This is an advanced course and requires that students study every day.

Please note that this class requires a lab.  Please have your ES sign you up for a lab in SIS

 

Please note: The pacing guide is subject to change.  Any change will be posted in the Canvas calendar.  Students enrolled in the course should be checking the Canvas homepage for up-to-date and detailed assignments.

 

Curriculum:  Required curriculum may be available at the Learning Center on a first come basis.  If needed, ESs can order curriculum using the OPS catalog which will have the most up-to-date pricing. Students will need:

 

California The Living Earth Biology, Student Edition ISBN 1418283088  $132.95

Teacher's Edition ISBN 1418283096 $141.11



Materials: 

  • Working external headset with mic (computer speakers do not work successfully with the Canvas setup). Plug-in headsets (rather than Bluetooth) work best with Jigsaw. After the third week of class and no headset, students may begin to lose participation points for the class. Class is much more engaging if all students can talk in class using their mic. Suggested:  Office Depot Logitech Clear-Chat 
  • Binder Paper
  • 1" Binder
  • Pencils & Erasers
  • Composition Notebook

 

Requirements: 



Grading:  Students will be graded on attendance, daily homework assignments, module assessments, and labs.

. 

Overall course grade:

20% Attendance/Participation

20% Daily Homework 

20% Tests & Quizzes

20% Labs

20% Final Exam

 

Grading Scale:  :

90% and above A

80%-89% B

70%-79% C

60%-69% D

below 60% F

Attendance: Attendance is required.  The Truancy Policy applies to Canvas courses. An unexcused absence may be counted as a truancy.

  • Excused Absence is defined as:
    The parent shall notify the teacher by phone of the absence at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.
  • Unexcused Absence is defined as:
    An absence that does not accompany a parent phone call to the instructor at least 24 hours* prior to the time the class meets.

*If there are extenuating circumstances that do not allow for at least 24 hours, then the teacher must still be notified prior to the start of class; allowances may be made depending on the circumstances. Examples of extenuating circumstances: car accident, sudden illness, etc. Students should arrange a "back up plan" in case of unexpected computer problems the day of the class (i.e. make pre-arrangements to go to a neighbor, friend, relative, library, etc.)  


When students are absent, they must contact the instructor via email or contact another classmate to obtain the homework assignment.

Absent/Late Work: Late work will not be accepted after the assignment due date, unless I am notified of a special circumstance.

Weekly assignments will include:

  • Weekly Reading & Notes
  • Class attendance & participation
  • Weekly Assignment * Please see the instructions below for Parent Educator Instructions & Grading
  • Weekly Progress Quiz
  • Weekly learning Journal Submission

All homework will be submitted through Canvas. You can submit a Word document, PDF or Google Doc (download as a PDF and upload to Canvas).  Emailed assignments will not be accepted.  All communication will be made through Canvas’ email feature.



Attendance & Participation

You are expected to attend class and participate in group discussions and activities weekly.  This will be 10% of your final grade. The other 10% of your participation grade will be based on your weekly Learning Journal.  Every week you will submit a journal entry about something you learned, found interesting, surprised you, enjoyed, disliked.  Then you will comment on at least one other classmate’s journal entry.  

Homework overseen by the Parent Educator 

The weekly reading and weekly assignments will be overseen and graded by the parent educator. This will make up 20% of the student’s course grade.  Students will complete their assignments right in their Science notebook and complete weekly comprehension and vocabulary assignments. The Parent Educator will grade these assignments and will submit these assignments through your ES twice each semester.  However, it is the Parent Educator’s job to make sure your student does not fall behind on his/her reading and assignments.  The results will show up in weekly quizzes and tests. 

Weekly Progress Quizzes

Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that we learn more from our wrong answers than our correct answers?  With this in mind, the weekly progress quizzes are a tool to help you test your understanding, and help you get an easy 100.  You may take weekly quizzes as many times as you need until you get a 100!  Quizzes will be open for 1 week.  Wrong answers will give you feedback and extra videos or articles to help deepen your understanding.  When the assignments closes, I will post your last grade. 

Summative Tests - open notes

Tests must be completed within a 48 hour time frame.  This is NOT a group project. Summative tests are testing your own learning development.  You may not work with anyone else.  You may not use the internet.  BUT a good scientist keeps a good, organized notebook.  So you may use your notes.  Be sure to take excellent notes with a few examples.  As you take your progress quizzes and find areas that you need to deepen your learning, use your notebook.  Organize your notes according to topic.  Be sure to include all vocabulary. 

Labs

Your lab grade will make up 20% of your overall grade.  It is essential that you come to class prepared or you will not be able to participate.  Labs require closed toed shoes, long pants, no loose clothing or dangling jewelry, and long hair restrained.  These are long labs (3 hours) so eat before you come to class.  Food and drink is NOT allowed in the science lab.  Usually there will also be a pre lab that will be required to be completed before you come to class.  This ensures safety of you and your classmates as well as a productive exciting learning experience. 

Final Exam (& Project?)

The final exam is a proctored exam held on campus.  I have the ability to add a project to the syllabus as part of this 20% as well.  I have not decided on what this should be, but projects are my favorite way of demonstrating learning.  I will involve the students in this decision making process as well as watch what opportunities are available both for the winter and spring semesters. 

  • a-g Finals are scheduled at proctored test sites                                                               Dec.  7 & 9: Fall Semester a-g Finals                                                                 May 10 & 12: Spring Semester a-g Finals                                                                May 10 & 12: Spring Semester a-g Finals

Additional Resources: 

Important Dates 2021 - 2022: 

Aug. 11: First day of school for fall semester (Wed.)

Sept. 6: NO CLASS: Labor Day (Mon.)

Nov. 11: NO CLASS: Veteran’s Day (Thurs.)

Nov. 19 - 26: NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Break 

Dec.  7 & 9: a-g Finals

Nov 29 - Dec 3: Last Class session this week

Jan. 3: First day of school for spring semester (Mon.) - Classes start

Jan. 17: NO CLASS: MLK Holiday

Feb. 18 - 21: NO CLASS: President’s Day Observance

March 18-25: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK: SPRING BREAK

May 2 - 6: Last class session this week

May 10 & 12: a-g Finals

May 20: Last day of school

 

Pacing Guide



Week

Section

Attendance Participation

20%

Homework


20%

Quizzes & 

Tests

20%

Labs


20%

Final Exam & Project

20 %

6 Instructional Segments separated by color include: Ecosystems & Energy, History of Earth’s Atmosphere: Photosynthesis and Respiration, Evidence of Evolution, Inheritance of Traits, Structure, Function and Growth, Ecosystem Stability and the Response to Climate Change

Week 1

Aug 11-13

3 days
  • Intro to Biology
  • Lab Safety

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read Pg 8-11
  • Assignment Lab Safety & Contract

Progress Quiz

Week 2

August 16-20

5 days
  • 3.1 Introduction to Global systems
  • 3.2 Climate Weather, and Life

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read pg 76-91
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Lab  1 Section 6025

Alameda

10:00-1:00

8.19.2021

Week 3

August 23-27

5 days
  • 5.1 how Populations Grow
  • 5.2 Limits to Growth
  • 5.3 Human Population Growth
  • Summative Test

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read pg 146-157
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Lab 1 Section 6010

Modesto

8:30-11:30

8.26.2021


Lab 1 Section 6012

Waterford

12:30-3:30

8.26.2021

Week 4

August 30-Sept 3

5 days
  • 4.1 Energy, Producers, and Consumers
  • 4.2 Energy flow in Ecosystems
  • 4.3 Cycles of Matter

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read pg 114-133
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 5

Sept 7-10

4 days
  • 9.1 Energy and life
  • 9.2 Photosynthesis: an overview

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read Pg 294-302
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 6

Sep 13-17

5 days
  • 9.3 The Process of Photosynthesis
  • 10.1 Cellular Respiration 
  • 10.2 The Process of Cellular Respiration

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read Pg 303-309 & 322-332
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Lab 2 Section 6025

Alameda

10:00-1:00

9.16.2021

Week 7

Sep 20-24

5 days
  • Summative Test
  • 17.1 A Voyage of Discovery
  • 17.2 Ideas That Influenced Darwin
  • 17.3 Darwin’s Theory: Natural Selection

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read pg 556-571
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Lab 2 Section 6010

Modesto

8:30-11:30

9.23.2021


Lab 2 Section 6012

Waterford

12:30-3:30

9.23.2021

Week 8

Sep 27-Oct 1

5 days
  • 17.4 Evidence of Evolution
  • Case Study, Chapter Assessment
  • 19.1 Finding Order in Biodiversity

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read Pg 572-579 & 624-630
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 9

Oct 4-8

5 days
  • 19.2 Modern Evolutionary Classification
  • Summative Test
  • 20.1 Earth’s Origin

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 631-639 & 654-666
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Week 10

Oct 11-15

5 days
  • 20.2 Life’s Early History
  • 20.3 Earth and Life Evolve Together

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 667-683
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Lab 3 Section 6025

Alameda

10:00-1:00

10.14.2021

Week 11

Oct 18-22

5 days
  • 24.1 Introduction to Animals
  • 24.2 Animal Evolution and Diversity
  • 24.3 Primate Evolution

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 822-843
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Lab 3 Section 6010

Modesto

8:30-11:30

10.21.2021


Lab 3 Section 6012

Waterford

12:30-3:30

10.21.2021

Week 12

Oct 25-29

5 days
  • 24.4 Social Interactions and Group Behavior
  • Summative Test

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 844-849
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Week 13

Nov 1-5

5 days
  • 12.1 The Work of Gregor Mendel
  • 12.2 Applying Mendel’s Principles
  • 12.3 Other Patterns of Inheritance 

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 390-404
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 14

Nov 8-12 (Veterans’ Day)

4 days
  • 12.4 Meiosis
  • 13.1 Identifying the substance of Genes

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 405-411 & 424-429
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 15

Nov15-18

4 days
  • 13.2 The Structure of DNA
  • 13.3 DNA Replication

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 430-439
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Lab 4 Section 6025

Alameda

10:00-1:00

11.18.2021

Week 16

Nov 29-Dec 3

5 days
  • 14.1 RNA
  • 14.2 Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 452-462
  • Assignment

Semester Review Quiz

Lab 4 Section 6010

Modesto

8:30-11:30

12.2.2021


Lab 4 Section 6012

Waterford

12:30-3:30

12.2.2021

Week 17

Dec 6-10

5 days

a-g finals 7th & 9th 
  • 14.3 Gene Regulation and Expression 
  • 14.4 Mutations

*Meeting Attendance

*Semester Evaluation 
  • Read 463-473
  • Assignment

Semester 1 Final Exam

Week 18

Dec 13-17

5 days

Week 19

Jan 3-7

5 days
  • 15.1 Human Chromosomes
  • 15.2 Human Genetic Disorders
  • 15.3 Studying the Human Genome

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 486-505
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 20

Jan 10-14

5 days
  • 16.1 Changing the Living World
  • 16.2 The Process of Genetic Engineering
  • Case Study

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 516-527
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 21

Jan 18-21

4 days
  • 18.1 Genes and Variation
  • 18.2 Evolution as Genetic Change
  • 18.3 The Process of Speciation
  • 18.4 Molecular Evolution 

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 592-611
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Week 22

Jan 24-28

5 days
  • 8.1 Life is Cellular
  • 8.2 Cell Structure
  • 8.3 Cell Transport

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 254-277
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 23

Jan 31-Feb 4

5 days
  • 8.4 Homeostasis and Cells
  • Case Study

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 278-281
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 24

Feb 7-11

5 days
  • 11.1 Cell Growth and Reproduction
  • 11.2 Cell Division
  • 11.3 Regulating the Cell Cycle

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 350-366
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Week 25

Feb 14-17

4 days
  • 11.4 Cell Differentiation 
  • Case Study
  • 22.1 What is a Plant?

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 367-373
  • Assignment

Progress Quiz

Week 26

Feb 22-25

4 days
  • 23.1 Roots, Stems, and Leaves
  • 23.2 Plant Hormones
  • 23.3 Plants and People

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion
  • Read 784-809
  • Assignment

Summative Test

Week 27

Feb 28-Mar 4

5 days
  • 26.4 Homeostasis
  • 27.1 Organization of the Human Body
  • 27.2 Human Systems 

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 28

Mar 7 - 11

5 days
  • 27.3 Human Systems
  • 27.4 Immunity & Disease

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 29

Mar 14-17 

4 days
  • 6.1 Habitats, Niches, and Species Interactions
  • 6.2 Succession

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Summative Test

Week 30

Mar 28-Apr 1

5 days
  • 6.3 Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Resilience

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 31

April 4-7

5 days
  • 7.1 Humanity, Global Systems, and Change
  • 7.2 Anthropogenic Global Change and its Effects

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 32

April 11-14

4 days
  • 7.3 Measuring and Responding to Climate Change
  • 7.4 Modeling Sustainability, Resilience, and Adaptation 

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 33

April 18-22

5 days

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Summative Test

Week 34

April 25-29

5 days

*Meeting Attendance

*Weekly Learning Journal Entry & Discussion

Progress Quiz

Week 35

May 2-6

5 days

*Meeting Attendance

*Semester Evaluation 

Semester Review Quiz

Week 36

May 9-13

5 days

a-g finals 5/10 & 5/12

Semester 2 Final Exam

Last Week of School



Biology Labs:

 

Segment 1: Ecosystems & Energy

Lab Session 1:

Lab Safety

3.1 Effects of Greenhouse Gases

5.1 Estimating Population Size

 

Segment 2: History of Earth’s Atmosphere: Photosynthesis & Respiration

Lab Session 2

.3 The Effect of Fertilizer on Algae

9.2 Plant Pigments and Photosynthesis

10.2 Making a Model of Cellular Respiration

 

Segment 3:Evidence of Evolution

Lab Session 3

17.4 Evidence of Evolution

19.2 Construct a Cladogram

20.1 Formation of Caves

24.4 The Role of Group Behavior

 

Segment 4: Inheritance of Traits

Lab Session 4

12.4 A Model of Meiosis

13.1 Using DNA to Identify Species

14.4 The Effect of Mutations

Lab Session 5

15.3 Gel Electrophoresis

16.2 Using DNA to Solve Crimes

18.3 Competing for Resources

 

Segment 5: Structure, Function, and Growth (from cells to organisms)

Lab Session 5

8.3 Detecting Diffusion

11.4 Regeneration in Planaria

23.3 How do Plant Adaptation Compare?

Lab Session 6

25./ Exercise and Heart Rate

26./ Designing an Artificial Limb

Eye Dissection 

 

Lab Session 7

27.2 Testing for Lead

Frog Dissection

 

Segment 6: Ecosystem Stability and the Response to Climate Change

Lab Session 8

6.3 Biodiversity on the Forest Floor

7.1 Calculating Ecological Footprints