Biology BINDERS….Are REQUIRED

Special Instructions:

1. You will use a 3-ring binder with loose leaf paper, not a spiral-bound notebook.  You will need at least a 2 inch binder, as we will compile all 4 quarters in this one binder. If you are unable to purchase one, be sure to see me ASAP.  Binders are a requirement of this course, are graded each quarter, and must be brought to class everyday.
2. A master cover sheet with your name & period must be clipped into your binder as the first sheet.
3. Dividers with tabs labeled with the name of each section must be included.  You can easily make tabs yourself.  You do not need to buy them.  See me if you need help.
4. All papers must be clipped into the binder in the correct order.  Each new entry goes behind the previous one so that at the end of the year we can flip through what we covered from 1^st quarter through 4^th quarter.  Please note that we do not always go in order of the chapters in the textbook.
5. Being prepared for class is part of your overall grade, therefore, each time you are without your Biology Binder you will lose points from your Class-Work Average.  

BINDER Sections:

SECTION 1 –  BCA and Wrap-Ups

• Each entry must be dated in top right hand corner.
• Entries are written in complete sentences unless you copy the question.  Sometimes, your BCA or Wrap-Up will be to draw or label a picture, in which case you will also provide a title or caption.  If your BCA or Wrap-Up is to discuss or read or involves a handout, you do not need to enter anything into the BCA section of the binder.
• Please do not waste paper.  You can expect to have many entries on a single page.
• Completing BCAs and Wrap-Ups are part of your grade.

SECTION 2 – NOTES & WORKSHEETS

• Each entry must be dated in top right hand corner and new assignments go BEHIND assignments that are already in the binder.
• ALWAYS LABEL ENTRIES with chapter (if applicable) and section

SECTION 3 – VOCABULARY

• You are responsible for keeping a glossary of vocabulary terms for each section covered in class.  Our standard format will be a chart in which you give the word, the definition or description, and how you are going to remember it.
• You are NOT to copy definitions straight from the glossary of your textbook, rather, you will write descriptions of the words in such a way that shows your understanding of the terms BASED ON WHAT YOU READ IN THE TEXT.  It’s a waste of time to copy stuff that doesn’t make sense to you. 
• Section reviews and chapter reviews from the textbook are to be written out in complete sentences that reflect the question being asked unless you copy the question.  The purpose of this is so that your binder can be a study tool for preparing for MCAS. 
• ALWAYS LABEL ENTRIES with chapter (if applicable) and section

SECTION 4 – LABS and ACTIVITIES

• Throughout the year we will have activities and experiments that require you to record data, analyze it, and come up with conclusions based on it.  Not all activities are full fledged experiments, but are equally important to keep in this lab section of your binder.
• You will be assigned to write up formal lab reports for some activities, others will require you to answer questions.  You will be given a formal lab write-up instruction sheet when necessary.

SECTION 5 – TESTS/QUIZZES

• This is where you file all tests and quizzes that are returned to you.  It is important to keep all graded materials, especially when it comes time for mid-term and final exams and grades.
• Your EXAMS (tests) throughout the quarters will be cumulative, meaning that they will include material from chapters you were already tested on.