Above and Beyond

"Above and Beyond" (A&B) is work that students do above and beyond the class requirements.  Also, the A&B stands for the grades that the students who complete the above and beyond work often earn (although, relying solely on A&B work will definitely not earn students an A or B in the class).  As the name implies, A&B work is not required; there is no limit to the amount of above and beyond work students can complete.  I allow ample opportunity for A&B work because:
 

• I do not round grades, at all, period.  Don’t even ask.  I leave it up to the students to do A&B work to round up their grades. 
• I want students to do as much biology related work as possible, and if that means that you do extra work to go above and beyond what is required in class, I will reward that.

Keep in mind that any Above and Beyond work you complete for points is added to the "Classwork" category of the grade book. This grade category is weighted at 20% of your overall IB Biology class grade.

The following Above and Beyond options are available (be sure to click each link for more information and submission directions): 
 

1. Read an additional Supplemental Reading Assignment book for 50 points.  In order to have an extra supplemental reading book count towards A&B, you must first complete the required supplemental reading book for the semester. This means that you would turn in the required supplemental reading book during the first quarter of the semester (Q1 or Q3) and the A&B supplemental reading book during the second quarter of the semester (Q2 or Q4).  
2. Complete all or part of the Biology Scavenger Hunt.  Evidence gathered during the scavenger hunt must be organized and presented by the last day of each semester.  A variable number of points can be earned depending on how many of the scavenger hunt items you find! 
3. Attend a review session.  Attendance at weekly and test review study sessions will be taken and students will earn five A&B points for coming.  Here are the review session schedules for IB Biology I and IB Biology II.  
4. Read and respond to a science news story. Each science news submission is worth five A&B points.  Maximum of two science news articles per week.
5. Take a picture performing the IB Bio dance somewhere recognizable in the world!  Students can earn one A&B point per photo of the dance at a different location.  Alternatively, students can record a video of themselves performing the dance in public.  Each dance video will be worth five A&B class points.  If the video includes an explanation and performance of the dance, students can earn 10 A&B class points.
6. Join Biology Club and attend the club meetings.  The club meets twice per month.  Students can earn five A&B points for each meeting they attend and participate.
7. Take advantage of periodic bonus Above and Beyond activities offered in class, like the pumpkin carving contest or wood-duck nesting project.