This website will provide the following information:
(1) courses being taught by Mr. D.
(2) class assignments (see right side)
(3) course descriptions for each class
(4) syllabus for ACC Principles of Biology
(5) sites that can offer students tutorial help
(6) sites that can prepare students for tests

1. What science classes are required?

"The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Of the 24 credits that USD 243 requires for graduation, three credits of science are required. One must be a laboratory course. Typically, these classes are Earth-Space Science (grade 9), Biology I (grade 10), and in grade 11 students may take Advanced Biology, ACC Biology (if qualify), or Chemistry I. Seniors may take Physics or Chemistry II (if they had a previous chemistry course).

"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." - Marie Curie

2. How much time do I have to make up missed work in your class?

"Success or failure is caused more by mental attitude than mental capacity." - Sir Walter Scott

School work to be made up due to absences is the student's responsibility. If an assignment, including notification of a test date, was given before the absence, then the assignment will be due or test taken upon the student's return to school. Otherwise, students will be given two days for each day misses to make up work.

3. When can I make up missed work?

"We are judged by what we finish, not by what we start." - Anonymous

I am usually at school around 7:30 AM and can stay after school until 4:00 PM. Most of the time you make-up quizzes and tests during class time. Understand that some labs may not be made up, especially those whose set-ups use materials that breakdown or decompose.

4. Why do I get a zero for attendance and participation when I miss your class?

"My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition" - Indira Gandhi

The zero for an absence does not count against your grade, but enables me to track the percent of time you attended my class. A zero is entered regardless of the absence being excused, unexcused, or for a school related absence. The office records will be considered to be your official attendance record. The zero for participation does count in your grade. Class participation is very important and substituting "another" assignment can not make up for the missed experience of being in the class. However, you can earn some of the points back by coming to class prepared, work done, or made up in a reasonable time. Look under the heading of make-up points to see if you qualified for earning back participation points.

5. But, my absence was due to a school activity!

Students who are absent from school due to a school activity or planned absence are expected to make up their work in advance or make arrangements with me PRIOR to the absence.

6. What are your classroom rules?

"Choice, not chance, determines destiny" - Anonymous

Simple. No student can be allowed to interfere with my teaching or with another student's learning. Students are expected to act in a manner to enable themselves to acquire the best education possible and to avoid any behavior that is disruptive to the learning environment of my classroom.

7. What are your general expectations of all students?

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters to what lies within us."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

School IS REAL LIFE. It is preparing you for the world of work and YOU are defining your work ethic right now.
a) Show up for work! Attendance is important.
b) Show up for work on time! Punctuality is important. Have your tools in your tool belt before you show up for class.
c) Show me you are willing to work! Participate in class. Do something!
d) Show me you are willing to learn what you need in order to succeed. Ask questions when you do not understand. Discuss what you do understand.

"Think you can or think you can't, either way you will be right." - Henry Ford

Multidisciplinary sites. Be sure to go to "link" below to see documents about science. If you are interested in space, try the PSU Observatory document.

Biology I

Biology, UVA Virtual Lab: DNA

Biology Virtual Dissection of Cat, Pig, or Owl Pellet


College Chemistry Tutorial: igetchem

Science Daily: News and Articles, Videos, Images, and Books completing your source for the latest research news in health & medicine, mind & brain, plants & animals, earth & climate, space & time, matter & energy, computers & math, fossils & ruins.

1st Period: 8:00-8:55 AM

Text: Modern Biology
2006 Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Online Text Help: ModernBiologyhrw
BiologyPracticeTests
Biological Science Online Learning Center
Internet Resource: Science Links by NSTA
Biology in the News
Coping with Test Anxiety

Biology is a full year high school level course that satisfies one required laboratory science credit. There is no prerequisite for this course. This course is usually taken during the sophomore year.

Biology is the study of life. In this first course, an overview of the themes of biology, the chemistry of matter, the chemistry of carbon, cellular structure and function, metabolism, genetics, evolution, taxonomy, and ecology will be studied. The emphasis of this course is at the cellular level of life.

To learn about the Kansas Department of Education Science Standards and Assessment, go to KSDESAI

2nd Period: 8:59-9:54 AM

Text: Modern Biology
2006 Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
Online Text Help: ModernBiologyhrw
BiologyPracticeTests
Biological Science Online Learning Center
Internet Resource: Science Links by NSTA
Biology in the News
Coping with Test Anxiety

Biology is a full year high school level course that satisfies one required laboratory science credit. There is no prerequisite for this course. This course is usually taken during the sophomore year.

Biology is the study of life. This is a continuation of the first course in biology. Advanced biology will tend to focus more of life at the organism level.

To learn about the Kansas Department of Education Science Standards and Assessment, go to KSDESAI

3rd Period: 9:58-10:53 AM

Text: None (Various handouts will be used)
Integrated Science Online Learning Center
Integrated Science Help Glencoe
Internet Resource: Science Links by NSTA

Integrated science is the study of four major areas in science: Earth-Space Science, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. The approach will sometimes combine all four areas as they relate to one topic.

Students will also use Study Island to improve their math skills.

4th Period: 10:57-12:29 PM

Phil Davison
Classes: HS Biology I, Advanced Biology, ACCBiology, Assessment Preparation, Integrated Science, Technology: Career & Life Planning.
Committees: Student Improvement Team, Multi-Tiered Support System

Work Phone: 785-733-2561
Fax Number: 785-733-2756
USD 243 e-Mail: pdavison@usd243ks.org
USD 243 website

Jessica Gaddis teaches all Junior High Science Classes.
Nick Fraenza teaches Earth-Space Science, Physics, Chemistry.

5th Period: 12:33-1:26 PM

Assessment Preparation is a semester course to help students prepare for re-taking state assessments in math and/or reading. For more information about mathematics and reading standard, you may go to the Kansas State Department of Education websites:

Kansas Mathematics Standards & Information (KSDEMAI)
Kansas Reading Standards & Information (KSDERAI)

Online Study Island Math Assessment Preparation
Mathematics Online Learning Center
Coping with Test Anxiety

Study Island is used for math and reading assistance. It is written at the 8th grade level. Additional resources for Test Prep Review such as www.math.com , www.number2.com www.act.org and www.collegeboard.com are encouraged.

Assessment preparation is a semester course that blends a teacher monitored-type study hall with the online program called Study Island. This course is designed to help prepare or review students for the state mathematics and reading assessments. Two approaches are utilized to facilitate these goals. One is the opportunity to get tutoring with a teacher through either individual or group instruction. Two is the use on on-line programs to assist students with their individual needs.

Facts about the ACT

6th Period: 1:30-2:23 PM

Text: Sylvia Mader, Essentials of Biology, 3rd edition
Course Syllabus: see Class Downloads Below
Online Text Help:
ACC Essentials of Biology Help
ACCBiology Mader10th ed Help
Glencoe Biology Help
Biological Science Online Learning Center
BiologyPracticeTests
Internet Resource: Science Links by NSTA
ACC website
Coping with Test Anxiety


Principles of Biology is a full year, five hour college course offered through Allen Community College. The major areas covered are basic chemistry, biochemistry, cell structure and physiology, membrane structure and function, metabolic pathways and energy flow, the cell cycle, cellular division, Mendelian and chromosomal inheritance, evolution of life, classification of life, and ecology. A health emphasis will be used throughout this course.

Prerequisite: a qualifying reading score of 16+ on the ACT or 73+ on the COMPASS or 39+ on the ASSET. Students may benefit by practicing tests on Test Prep Review.

Although not required, it is highly recommended that students have strong study skills and concurrent enrollment in chemistry.

Period 7: 2:27-3:20 PM

Text: Technology-Shaping Our World
The text is supplemented with other materials.
Internet: Kansas Career Pipeline

Study of the concept of career development and of sources of information related to the world of work. Self assessment tools, videos and computer-assisted guidance programs are used to help students better understand their self and how they may fit into the world of work.

Career Topics to Explore

Fastest Growing Jobs: 2004-2014 Job Forecast
The Value of an Education: Does a college degree payoff?
18 Jobs That Will Never Be Outsourced: 18 stable careers that won't leave you jobsless due to offshoring
Career Information and Statistics: Find detailed information on careers in a broad range of industries.
A Day in the Life: Dozens of People Describe What Their Day is Like
College Campus Links: You'll find detailed information and statistics, such as student body profiles, tuition rates, degree levels offered, and much more, presented for each campus location.
Career Tests: What jobs will work for you?
Career Advice: Need career advice and guidance?
Career Resources: Use this toolkit to search for jobs, compare your salary, receive skills training, search for school or degree programs, and much more.

Life Planning Resources to Explore
Life Skills Resources
Adolescent Problems: Adolescence is a time for developing independence. Typically, adolescents exercise their independence by questioning their parents' rules, which at times leads to rule breaking.
Introduction
Emotional Development
Intellectual and Behavioral Development
Physical Development
Preventive Health Care Visits
Social and Psychologic Development

Know These Excellent Study Habit Rules to Study Well

01. When starting a new chapter, read the summary at the end of the chapter first. These do not take long to read and will give you an overview of the how the sections are arranged and the content found in each section.

02. The reading and questions assignments are designed to help you focus in on some of the more important material. Often the answers are found in the back of your book so you can check for accuracy or clarity. This instructor only spot-checks to see if you attempted and completed assignments. That does not mean your answers are completely correct. Ask questions in class or listen when the instructor goes over that material.

03. Randomly selected Section questions are often used as short answer or essay questions on quizzes or chapter exams.

04. Do the Chapter Review test at the end of the chapter. Some of these multiple-choice items are used on the tests.

05. Go to links in this website to find chapter outlines, pre-tests, and post-tests to help you prepare for exams.

06. Remember, high school biology often use their notes, answers to section review questions, etc. on the chapter exams. Even so, you should still organize and study this material before the exam. Most exams are intended to be long enough that you will not have time to look up every answer.

07. Students enrolled in the college biology course will have similar materials provided BUT they DO NOT get to use these materials on the exams.

08. The teacher will go over graded chapter tests so students can correct missed items. These chapter tests can be studied before the mid-term and semester finals.

The Value of an Education.

This site compares college degree salaries with high school earnings.

Waverly Jr. Sr. High School
Phil Davison