Monday, August 8 - Friday, August 12

Welcome to New Century for all freshman and new students and welcome back for all returning students! I am excited to be teaching each of you this upcoming school year.

Supply Lists:

• Honors Biology: 2 composition notebooks (you will need more than one for the entire school year); colored pencils; loose leaf paper; pen/pencil
• Principles of Engineering: notebook; pen/pencil; various items from home for projects
• Tech Essentials: notebook; pen/pencil
• Multimedia: notebook; pen/pencil

A Days (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday)

Honors (Pre-AP) Biology:This advanced course is a faster-paced comprehensive study for college-bound students.  Critical thinking skills are developed using labs, scientific processes, and discussion topics including the scientific method, chemical applications, cells, DNA, genetics, classification, ecology, microbiology, fungi, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. I will be following the Advanced Biology Standard Pacing Guide from HCS as closely as possible as well as completing required objectives from our district and state. 


Curriculum materials from Laying the Foundation are integrated into this class.  These materials provide additional rigor for this classroom experience and prepares students for an AP Biology class (Jr/Sr year).  

• Mon, 8/8: Review classroom procedures, syllabus, scientific method. CW: Come Fly With Us activity and write-up. HW: Elephant poem. Read and answer critical thinking questions. 
• Wed., 8/10: Discuss homework; notes Scientific Method, Dependent and Independent variables; CW: Conclusion questions for Come Fly With Us activity. HW: Read and questions for "Erika's experiment"
• Thurs., 8/11: HW check and discussion. Review steps in scientific method, and vocabulary. CW: Penny Lab activity. Penny Lab conclusion questions. HW: Study notes on scientific method and design, vocabulary and prepare for a pre-test on Monday.  You will be given information on an experiment and will: 1) write the problem in the form of a question; 2) form a hypothesis; 3) answer questions about the experiment; 4) determine the constant, dependent, and independent variable.  

Tech Essentials:  This semester class provides students with skills needed to use our school technology as well as advanced internet usage such as sharing and collaborative activities as well as HTML/CSS.  

• Mon., 8/8: Class syllabus, grading, expectations, supplies, notebook setup. CW: notes. Activity: login and set up school email. Review computer basics: files, folders, server, saving files.
• Wed., 8/10: notes - cloud computing, iGoogle.  CW: set up iGoogle page, follow teacher blogs
• Thurs., 8/12: notes - internet searches using keywords, safe searching, finding valid sites for information. CW: Internet scavenger hunt

Principles of Engineering:  Class Syllabus, Grading, Expectations, Supplies, notebook setup, notes - Engineering Design Principles. Activity:  Come Fly With Me activity and write-up. 

B Days (Tuesday and Friday)

Multimedia:  Review class procedures, Internet and Computer usage, syllabus. Notes: graphics, vector graphics vs bitmap.  Login and review graphics design software, Fireworks.

Tech Essentials:  Same as A days (Mon and Wed)

Honors Biology:  Same as A days (Mon and Wed):