Ecology

Ecology Course Syllabus

Period: 7th                                                                                  Hours Available for Help: Before School*

Instructor:  Marcus J. Wahleithner                                                 1st  Hour Room:  Biology                                                                                  4th Hour Web page: on Fall Creek School District Website

* Please make arrangements ahead of time!

Classroom Expectations for Mr. W’s Ecology Class

Welcome to ecology.  Every class here at Fall Creek High School has certain rules that the students must follow to provide the entire class with a safe and enjoyable learning experience. Please keep this handout in your organizational notebook.

Materials Needed:   Textbook (EVERY DAY!! I know it gets “heavy” and makes you go back to your locker, but bring it anyway!), notebook, pens/pencils, handouts (3-ring binder to keep notes pages inside), Agenda

Classroom Rules

Students will follow the general rules outlined in the student handbook, which can be found in your agenda.  You should be familiar with the rules. Also, I would like to issue the following rules for the class to follow:

1.  Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings to start class.  If you are not in your seat you will be marked tardy.  If you arrive within 5 minutes are the start of class, you will be tardy, unless excused by the office or another teacher.  After 5 minutes, it will be counted as an absence.  Three tardies counts as a detention.  Each tardy after those initial three counts as a detention.

2.  Students are to be quiet while the instructor is talking.

3.  Foul language will not be tolerated!

4.  This class will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect.  This goes for everyone. The teacher will treat the students with respect, the students will treat the teacher with respect, and the students will treat each other with respect.

5.  No harassment of another student will be tolerated. This includes harassment of a sexual, physical, or emotional nature. We are here to learn, and any harassment stops this learning.  If students cannot follow this they will be removed from class and given a zero for

whatever work was assigned that day, labs included.

6.  Students will do their own work.  Cheating and copying will not be accepted. I will allow students to work together on certain projects, but cheating will result in a zero for that assignment, quiz, or test. Daily assignment cheating will not only result in a lack of understanding for you, but also may cause you to do poorly on the tests.

7.  Students are expected to do all of their assigned work.  If an assignment is deemed late, it will be accepted for up to and including two days after the due date.  If turned in late assignments will receive

75% credit the first late day and 50% credit the second day.  After that

no credit will be given, so get your work in!

8.  Students are expected to treat the school and the equipment provided for them with care and respect.

9.  Safety instructions must be followed to prevent injury to the student or his/her neighbors.  Detailed instructions regarding laboratory safety will be handed out at a later time and posted in plain view in the front of the classroom.  Disregarding these safety rules may result in suspension from lab activity or the class entirely.  Any suspensions from class will result in a zero for that day.

Assignments:

Reading assignments will be assigned periodically.  It is expected for you to complete each reading prior to the class in which it will be discussed. Homework assigned for each unit will include worksheets, group & individual projects, papers, and a variety of other tasks.  Completion of homework will assist you in building your knowledge and understanding of the course content.

Labs:

Labs and other in-class activities will assist you in understanding the course material.  Every attempt will be made to practice, “hands-on” science at least once a week.  Lab write-ups will be required for some of the labs. Others will require completion of lab packets.  Still others will require oral presentations. Presentation of learned material is an essential component of science and will be expected of all students.

Participation in labs is mandatory.  It is expected that all students make every effort to be present on lab days.  Any absence requires the student to make up the missed lab as soon as possible or a makeup assignment will be determined by the instructor.

Absences:

Attendance is essential to your success in this class.  Labs & Exams should not be missed! Absences will be handled in accordance with school policy.  If you know about an upcoming absence ahead of time, arrangements to make up the work must be made with the instructor before the absence occurs. These arrangements are your responsibility and no make-up arrangements will be approved after the absence has occurred. Come in during Activity Period!

Excused absences without warning will be given time to complete assignments and tests in direct proportion to the time of the absence.  If the absence is unexcused the make-up work or test will count as zero credit.

Safety:

Labs and classrooms can be a dangerous place if not properly used. Report any and all accidents to the teacher, no matter how minor! Please follow the following safety regulations at all times:

1.  Horseplay or practical jokes of any kind will not be tolerated.

2.  Never eat or drink anything in the lab.

3.  Never perform any unauthorized experiments.

4.  Have good housekeeping techniques for maintaining safe laboratory conditions.

5.  Confine long hair and loose clothing.

6.  Proper eye protection should be worn by everyone in the lab when necessary.

7.  Make certain all hot plates and open burners are turned off when leaving the lab.

8.  Know the locations and operations of all safety equipment including, shower, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, first aid kit.

9.  Immediate first aid procedures include the following:

a.  Minor burns – place under cold water b.  Chemicals on face – use eye wash

c.  Chemical on skin – rinse thoroughly d.  Minor cuts – wash and bandage

Expectations:

Students should act mature, responsible, and respectful. WE ARE HERE TO LEARN. Any actions that inhibit your right or someone else’s right to learn will not be tolerated.  Common courtesy will prevail at all times.

•   Students will adhere to all school & classroom policies.

•   Students will respect the school’s and other’s property.

•   Students will not talk while others are talking.

•   Students will not bring food or drink into the classroom or lab.

•   Students will follow all safety and laboratory procedures.

•   Students will actively participate in class by asking and answering questions.

•   Students will show effort in and out of class.

•   Students will exhibit a high level of organization.

Ecology - The branch of biology that deals with the study of living things and how they relate to their environment.

Ecology has become an increasingly important discipline within the science of biology.  The purpose of this course, in addition to providing a factual background in the area of ecology, is to promote a different way of viewing the natural world.