Home    Feedback    BioWeb Contents    Search

Biology Writing Requirements

Meeting Rigor & Relevance Requirements in Science

 

Biology Reading List click here

bulletChoose one of the science related books from the list for 2nd semester reading requirement (cannot be a compass book)
bulletCheck out book from a library or purchase
bulletOnly approved books
bulletYou may choose a book that is not on the list, but it must not be a book you are reading, or have already read, for another class
bullet150 pages or more
bulletOral book report
bulletState title and author of book
bulletShow the book, or scan/photo copy of book cover to show during oral report (may be displayed in a PowerPoint)
bulletTell about characters, main story line, important scenes,
bullet Ideas for oral book reports
bulletDue: May 10, 2010

Current Events

bullet

Read journal article

bullet

Write summary using PSL sheet

bullet

Due: see daily assignment page for due dates

Typed Lab Reports

bulletTyped lab reports for formal labs using the complete format of scientific method.
bulletFont: 10 to 12 pt only.   Please use an easy to read font (i.e. Calibri, Times New Roman, or Ariel).
bulletDo not use slang in your reports.  Write using correct verbiage and punctuation.
bulletProof read and always use SPELL CHECK before printing!

Special Assignments and/or Projects

bullet

Honors portfolio/writing assignments will be posted  on the daily assignment page and on this page with instructions and due dates.

bullet

See below for details

 

Coloring Book/Reference Workbooks click here

 

 

Research Report  (2 per school year)

bullet

5 page (content) typed report on a science related topic (see recommended research report topics below).

bullet

Use your own words- plagiarism will cause your paper to be rejected.  It's okay to use someone's exact words if you quote them,  "____________" and cite source.

bullet

All sources in the works cited should be cited within the content of your paper.

Example:

This methodology stands in agreement with Stewart et al. who states, “ A science education should do more than instruct students with respect to the conclusions reached by scientists…science education should encourage students to develop both understandings about science as an intellectual activity and understandings of the products of science” (1992).

bullet

Report must contain works cited page. (follow APA format) Use works cited/references in alphabetical order, examples found on the "writing reports" page of this website.                           

Sample entry based on example above:

Stewart, J., Hafner, R., Johnson, S., & Finkel, E. (1992).  Science as model building: computers and high-school genetics.  Educational  Psychologist, 27(3), 317–336.

bullet

Typed, double spaced, 1 inch margins, times new roman or arial, 10 or 12 point font. 

bullet

Proof read and use spell check prior to printing.

bullet

Follow APA format (title page, abstract, 5 pages of content, works cited)  Sample APA format (good one to print and keep in notebook)

bullet

Rubric will be used to grade paper.

bullet

Due: #2 April 23, 2010

Common Mistakes found in research papers:

bullet

Not citing quotations at all

bullet

Improper spacing and/or font size

bullet

Resources are not referenced within text

bullet

You should type the sentence and then use author and date (Adams, 2009). 

bullet

If author's name is already mentioned within the sentence then date is included in parenthesis, i.e. (2009) in the sentence.

bullet

Many threw in web addresses… not correct format.  See above.

bullet

If it’s not common knowledge, cite it.

bullet

Majority of writing not in students own words  

bullet

copy & paste without  citing properly

bullet

Research was written in 1st person, should be written in 3rd person

bullet

Research paper should not contain personal opinions, only factual material based on evidence from research

bullet

Too many photos; photos cannot replace text requirement

bullet

Resource page contained nothing more than web addresses, or citations not in alpha order

 Sample APA format

 

Research Report Topic Suggestions
bullet

Cycles in Biology

bullet

How Bacteria affect Human Lives

bullet

How microorganisms can benefit humans

bullet

The functions of mineral ions in plants and animals

bullet

How the structure of different cells is related to their function  

bullet

The effect of temperature on living organisms and the processes which occur in them

bullet

Relationships between different species of organisms

bullet

The importance of osmosis in plants and animals

bullet

The ways in which genes and the environment contribute to variation

bullet

How different organisms obtain the element nitrogen

bullet

The functions of cell-surface membranes

bullet

The ways in which genes and environment effects phenotype of an organism

bullet

The part played by microorganisms in nutrient cycles

bullet

The similarities and differences between nervous and hormonal control in animals

bullet

The passage of water through plants

bullet

The effect of ecological conditions on the distribution of organisms

bullet

The functions of proteins

bullet

Adaptations to living on land

bullet

Homeostasis in a mammal

bullet

How the body of a mammal obtains nutrients before and after birth

bullet

Energy flow through ecosystems

bullet

How light affects living organisms

bullet

The importance of carbohydrates in living organisms

bullet

The functions of blood

bullet

The advantages and disadvantages of living in water

bullet

The adaptations of parasites to their way of life

bullet

The genetic code

bullet

The relation between the structure of different cells and their functions

bullet

Support and movement in living organisms

bullet

Applications and implications of gene technology

bullet

Roles of pigments in living organisms

bullet

Control of the internal environment in living organisms

bullet

The role of enzymes in living organisms

bullet

Gas exchange in animals and flowering plants

bullet

Lipids in living organisms

bullet

Chemical coordination in plants and animals

bullet

The movement of molecules and ions through membranes

bullet

The chemical and biological control of insect pests

bullet

Transport systems in mammals and flowering plants

bullet

ATP and its roles in living organisms

bullet

Production and elimination of waste products in animals

bullet

The role of water in the lives of organisms

bullet

The factors affecting the growth and size of populations

bullet

The functions of proteins in plants and animals

bullet

Natural selection and the effects of environmental change

 

 

 

Final Student Portfolio 

**Students have the option to turn in a year end portfolio based on the requirements below OR turn in their amazing Interactive Notebooks (INB).  If INB is chosen for this requirement, student must make sure both first and second semester INB's are complete works without missing pages. Either choice will be graded using a rubric and both will receive the same point value.

bullet

Save your best work throughout the entire year

bullet

Include one entry (representation of your best work that you've completed in class) for each State Standard addressed as it applies to Biology (so save your returned & graded work!). 

bulletNew Science Standards for Secondary Science: Next Generation Biology
bullet**This link will be helpful to assemble your portfolio and cite standards correctly
bullet

One page typed reflection required for each of your 11 entries.

bullet

All entries must show correlation with a specific standard.  All standards for Biology I Honors are listed below and can be located online Next Generation Biology .

bulletStandard 1: The Practice of Science
bulletStandard 2: The Characteristics of Scientific  Knowledge
bulletStandard 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models
bulletStandard 4:  Science and Society
bulletStandard 6:  Earth Structures
bulletStandard 7:  Earth Systems and Patterns
bulletStandard 14: Organization and Development of Living Organisms
bulletStandard 15: Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms
bulletStandard 16: Heredity and Reproduction
bulletStandard 17: Interdependence
bulletStandard 18: Matter and energy Transformations

The portfolio format:  

bullet Template (not updated with new standards yet, but it will give you an idea of how to set it up)
bulletPortfolio should be in a half inch 3-ring binder or appropriate report folder
bulletCover/title page with your name, period, date, and Biology I Honors or Pre-AICE Biology
bulletTable of Contents - list standard and page number
bulletSection dividers for each standard
bulletExample of graded class work which represents the standard and benchmark
bulletOne page typed reflection on the work represented for each standard
bullet This reflection should encompass what you have learned from the chosen project/lab/assignment as well as how you could apply this information to a future life-skill.
bulletReference page cited in APA format  (alphabetical order)
bullet

Due: May 3, 2010

 

 

 

Email ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

Please include your name and period in all correspondence.

 

Last modified: March 11, 2010