Learn to appreciate the wonder of God's creation during this Apologia Biology course. This high school science course will take us from the science and chemistry of life, ecology, cell structure and function, cellular energy, DNA, genetics, and evolution, to the study of all living things from prokaryotes and viruses, protists and fungi, to the structure and function of both plants and animals.

Class and Homework Expectations:

In this class students will regularly engage and participate in a lab or activity applying the concepts they learned in the reading. These will include using a microscope to study slides and completing dissections. We will dissect an earthworm, crawfish, perch, and frog, as well as a mushroom and flowers! Students will participate in a lab or activity every week, and they will have to complete an informal lab report as homework. This may be finishing up the labeling of drawings from the microscope or writing a conclusion explaining what they learned from the activity done in class. This will enable growth in observation, communication, and application skills.

The curriculum has 16 Modules. Each module will take approximately 2 class periods to complete. In addition to class time, students will need to devote 45 minutes to 1 hour per school day, minimum, to studying biology. This includes weekly reading, answering assigned questions from the text, informal lab reports, completing open book take-home tests, and studying for quizzes for the material that needs to be memorized (mostly vocabulary.)

Students will also be assigned a Science Fair type project, which will require extra time, resources, and creativity. The teacher will lead the students and give explicit step-by-step instructions on how to complete this project.

Google Classroom:

It will be critical to help your high schooler manage their time to complete assignments for this course. Students must use Google Classroom to stay up to date with homework expectations and due dates. Parents also have the option to join Google Classroom to monitor their student’s progress.

Required:

• Students must have access to Google Classroom to stay in communication with the teacher and to receive homework assignments.

• Students must come to class on time, be seated, and be prepared to begin class at the start of class.

• Students must complete assigned homework. Students who cannot complete homework assignments and bring them to class on time may not be ready for this college-prep Biology class.

• Students must be able to read and write at the 9th-grade level.

• Students must actively participate in class discussions, labs, dissections, and presentations.

Required text & supplies:

• Exploring Creation with Biology Text, 3rd Edition, Publication: 2020 Paperback, 716 pages, Apologia Educational Ministries, ISBN-13: 9781946506450

• Loose-leaf paper brought to class for lab write-ups

• 3 ring binder - this will be for keeping handouts and completed work

• Spiral notebook for class notes

• Index cards - for definitions (optional but recommended)

• Colored pencils