Ms. Nemati’s Honors Biology Class

Directions:

• I have been a teacher for 13 years! Most of my time (12 years) has been in Winston Churchill High School
• I graduated from WCHS, too!
• I went to U. of Mary Washington for undergrad and American U for grad school.
• I am a new mom! My daughter, Charlotte is 7 months old
• I have a Jack Russell terrier/ Brussels Griffon mix named Chewie.
• I read tons of books (esp. science books) and I’ve read over 34 books this year.
• I enjoy cartoons, especially Disney! I am a cartoonist, too. :)
• Biking is a hobby of mine.
• I’ve been an ethical vegetarian for almost 20 years.
• I am a fan of game night and boardgames!
• My absolute favorite topic in biology is evolution.

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Ms Nemati’s VIRTUAL LOCKER

9th Grade Honors Biology

• Provides students with the Biology content needed to make informed choices in the future
• Provides the content and skills needed to move on to Upper-level Biology courses
• AP Biology
• Molecular Genetics
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Covers the Life Science and NGSS standards to prepare students for MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment)
• graduation requirement

What is the MISA?

• Covers the Life Science and NGSS standards to prepare students for MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment)
• A state-set passing score is required for graduation
• This test counts for 20% of your child’s grade for Semester 2

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Class Overview

Quarter 1/ Unit 1: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

• Scientific Inquiry
• Ecology- population and community ecology
• Biochemistry (organic molecules and enzymes)

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Quarter 2

• Cell structure and transport
• Energy, respiration, digestion, biosynthesis
• Photosynthesis and biogeochemical cycles

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Semester B

• Quarter 3
• Specialized cells
• Body systems

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��Semester B�Quarter 3/ Unit 4 : Inheritance and Variation in Traits

• Mendelian genetics
• Meiosis/ Asexual Reproduction
• Cell cycle/ mitosis
• DNA/RNA/protein synthesis

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Quarter 4 Evolution

• Quarter 4/ Unit 5 Natural Selection and Evolution
• Natural selection
• Evolution

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Grading

• 90% All Tasks
• follow schoolwide deadline of every two weeks
• Summative assessments (tests, projects)
• NOT re-assessable
• Formative assessments (quizzes, labs)
• all quizzes re-assessable
• 10% Practice/Preparation
• follow teacher specific deadlines
• Classwork/HW

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Re-assessment...

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• is possible for any quiz after re-teaching/remediation has occurred
• is not possible for tests, projects, or labs
• Make-up work and testing and quizzing should be done promptly after an absence to avoid falling behind

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Reteach

• Re-teaching is possible for all assignments and/or topics
• is designed to further explain material that students are having difficulty understanding
• Reteaching should be done before attempting retakes
• Office hours: lunch time at 147 or by appointment

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Parent Communication and MyMCPS classroom

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• MyMCPS Classroom:
• Contains all classwork, assignments, and class resources. These will be organized by week under “Modules”
• Announcements will help remind students of important dates and HW; students should check every day!
• Join as an observer!

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MCPS Classroom

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• What you can find:

-Announcements -Syllabus

-Homework - Expectations -Integrity contract -Resources

-Assignment Due dates/deadlines

• Contact: Sara_Nemati@mcpsmd.org OR sara.nemati@mcpsmd.net (← preferred)

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Ms. Nemati’s AP Biology Class

Directions:

• I have been a teacher for 13 years! Most of my time (12 years) has been in Winston Churchill High School
• I graduated from WCHS, too!
• I went to U. of Mary Washington for undergrad and American U for grad school.
• I am a new mom! My daughter, Charlotte is 7 months old
• I have a Jack Russell terrier/ Brussels Griffon mix named Chewie.
• I read tons of books (esp. science books) and I’ve read over 34 books this year.
• I enjoy cartoons, especially Disney! I am a cartoonist, too. :)
• Biking is a hobby of mine.
• I’ve been an ethical vegetarian for almost 20 years.
• I am a fan of game night and boardgames!
• My absolute favorite topic in biology is evolution.

​

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​

​

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Ms Nemati’s VIRTUAL LOCKER

AP Bio Syllabus

Quarter 1 Topics:

• Inorganic Chemistry and Water
• Organic Molecules and Enzymes
• Cell structure and function, cell transport
• Cellular respiration
• Nervous system

Quarter 2

Quarter 2 Topics:

• Photosynthesis
• Feedback, cell communication, metabolic pathways
• Immune system
• Mitosis, Cell cycle, meiosis, and cancer
• Mendelian Genetics

Semester B

Topics for Q3

• Protein Synthesis
• Gene Expression
• Biotechnology
• Viruses and bacteria

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Topics for Q4

• Natural Selection/

evolution

• Ecology

AP Biology Labs

Quarter 1

• water and stats lab
• diffusion and osmosis lab
• limits to cell size lab
• cellular respiration lab
• leaf chromatography lab
• photosynthesis lab
• enzyme lab

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Quarter 2

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• Meiosis and Mitosis Lab

AP Biology Labs

Quarter 3

• Bacterial transformation lab
• Gel electrophoresis lab
• DNA extraction
• PCR

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Quarter 4

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• BLAST lab (genetic databases)
• Hardy Weinberg modeling lab
• animal behavior (pill bug) lab

Grading

• 90% for All Tasks/ Assessments including quizzes, projects, essay prompts, labs*
• follow schoolwide deadline of every two weeks
• 10% for Practice/ Preparation including homework, practice quizzes, pre-assessments
• follow teacher specific deadlines

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• FRQs, MCs graded using College Board rubrics
• Teachers will inform students in advance of assignment points and weights.

Reteach

• Re-teaching is possible for all assignments and/or topics
• is designed to further explain material that students are having difficulty understanding
• See me during office hours at lunch in room 147
• Use Khan academy as a resource

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Re-assessment

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• All assignments and assessments that are able to be re-assessed will be marked with an R in the gradebook
• Teachers will announce which assignments are able to be reassessed
• Reassessments are done during the extra help hours at lunch or by appointment

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MCPS Classroom

• MCPS Classroom is used to post assignments, calendar, information, syllabus, multimedia, resources, discussions
• Will use current topics and articles / chapters from books to supplement and increase curiosity and engagement
• Use the electronic version of the AP Biology Textbook

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AP Classroom

• Periodic practices for understanding
• Includes multiple choice and short response questions
• Course and exam description
• Progress checks!
• Other resources

MCPS Classroom

• Check every day! ☺

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• What you can find:

Announcements Syllabus

Homework Expectations Integrity contract Resources

Assignment Due dates/deadlines

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• Contact: Sara_Nemati@mcpsmd.org OR sara.nemati@mcpsmd.net (← preferred)