Class Overview

About Biology

Contact Information: Mrs. Aimee Fonnesbeck      aibrown@dsdmail.net       (801) 402 - 8200       *Communicate via email, canvas inbox or via phone. Zoom meetings and conference calls can be arranged.*

Biology is the study of living things and how they interact with the environment. To gain mastery in biology there are three areas of focus. 1. Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) aka Biology Content 2. Science and Engineering Practices (SEP) 3. Cross Cutting Concepts (CCC). We will be able to work on each of the strategies each week. 

As a school, we have taken measures to ensure instruction and navigation through canvas is uniform, however there may still be variation in how each teacher sets up their course. Below are specific details regarding this course.

Course Syllabus aka Disclosure

The course Syllabus can be found in menu to the left of the screen. The syllabus contains information regarding grades, lab safety and other policies for the course. 

Learning Sessions

Each week we will have one in-class session and one online session. Generally, the online content will be available all week, however, there will be times when the online portion will need to be completed after attending the in-class session and will be labeled "After In-Class Session". With that in mind, due dates will be for the following Friday. For example:

Week 1 August 25-28 In-Class and Online Material: DUE Friday September 4 at 2:20 PM

Week 2 August 31 - September 4 In-Class and Online Material: DUE Friday September 11 and 2:20 PM 

Etc. No work will be accepted after the unit's test.

In-Class Sessions will generally follow the outline below:

Kahoot Review: This will cover the previous week's material to keep it fresh and to connect each week's learning.

Instruction: Direct Instruction that teaches content or provides instruction for the day's learning activity.

Learning Activity: This will be an activity that is centered around group work or a lab that cannot be appropriately accommodated in the online forum.

Open Question/Work Time: This will be time where you may receive help on the online material for the week. This can be content centered or navigation.

Online Sessions will generally follow the outline below:

Video and/or Reading: This will connect to and expound on the In-Class Session content.

Learning Activity: Put everything into practice! This activity will allow you time to become familiar and comfortable with the content.

Quiz: Each week you will be able to see how you are doing with the content.

Course Materials

Course materials are posted in modules. This can be accessed via the link menu to the left of the screen as "Modules", it can also be accessed on the home page "Learning Modules".

Course Learning Objectives

Throughout this course you will display proficiency in three categories: 1. Disciplinary Core Ideas aka Biology Content 2. Science and Engineering Practices and 3. Cross Cutting Concepts.

1. Disciplinary Core Ideas aka Biology Content
   1. Matter and its interactions
   2. Motion and stability of molecules
   3. Forces and interactions between atoms or molecules
   4. Molecules to organisms
2. Science and Engineering Practices
   1. Asking questions or defining problems
   2. Developing and using models
   3. Planning and carrying out investigations
   4. Analyzing and interpreting data
   5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
   6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
   7. Engaging in argument from evidence
   8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
3. Cross Cutting Concepts
   
   1. Patterns
   2. Cause and effect
   3. Scale, proportion, and quantity
   4. Systems and system models
   5. Energy and matter
   6. Structure and function
   7. Stability and change

Expectations 

Students are expected to participate, ask questions, think critically and behave respectfully.

1. Participate: If absent it is expected that you check what you missed and complete missing learning activities as soon as possible so as to stay caught up with the class.
2. Ask questions: Questions are always welcome and are strongly encouraged! A good scientist questions everything.
3. Think critically: This is a skill that helps you solve problems by analyzing the problem and thinking through several solutions to identify the best course of action. We will be improving this skill throughout the course
4. Behave respectfully: We will be working together for a long time and I would like it to be a pleasant time.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the expectations above, I would love to discuss them with you. Before or after school is the best time for these discussions or we can set up an appointment. Fridays may have time to schedule meetings. When we receive more information regarding Fridays we can make arrangements.

Proficiency Measurement 

Details can be found in the course syllabus (see left column menu).