BIOLOGY FOR LIFE
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
    • Learner Profile
    • Group 4 Project
    • External Exam
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
      • Exploration
      • Analysis
      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
  • Investigation Skills
    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Descriptive Statistics >
        • Skew
        • Measures of Central Tendancy
        • Measures of Spread
        • Pearson Correlation
      • Inferential Statistics >
        • T-Test
        • ANOVA
        • Kruskal-Wallis
        • X2 Test for Independence
        • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
  • Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • IB Bio Dance
      • Wood Duck Project
      • Invasive Crayfish Project
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes
      • Lab Practicals
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
    • Supplemental Reading
  • Contact
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Resume
    • Reflection
    • Site Feedback
    • Favorite Quotes
    • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
  • Summer Ecology Research

IB Biology I Class Grading

Excellence does not require perfection!
The class assessment will factor into your Skyline GPA and appear on your transcript.  Your class grade is calculated against a high academic standard, appropriate for a college level course.  You earn your grade; Ms. vB does not “give” grades.  Grades will be updated and posted on-line on a regular basis.  The final grade for the class will not be a surprise to you.  Ms. vB DOES NOT ROUND GRADES (you are given ample opportunity to go above and beyond to raise your grade).  
The following school wide IB grading scale will be used in IB Biology I:
Picture
You will earn points in this course based upon scores in the following categories:

Projects and Laboratory Work:  (30% of course grade).  
Collectively, projects and lab work are worth 30% of your overall SHS course grade.  There are four ways lab work will be assessed:
  1. Team work, lab skills, safety and responsibility will be observed.  
  2. Completion of lab/project related tasks, including graphing and analysis.  
  3. ​The Group 4 Project assignments are part of your first semester laboratory work grade. 

Although variable, there is roughly one project and/or lab per unit. You are permitted to resubmit a project/lab IF you score less than an 88% (A-).  Retakes will earn a max score of 88% of the points possible.  Projects and labs can be resubmitted ONE time. The resubmission must occur by the end of the unit for which the project/lab relates.  

Tests and Quizzes:  (60% of course grade). 
Unit quizzes in IB Biology 1 are based on the syllabus statements and objectives assigned in class and will usually occur once per unit of study.  There are multiple forms of quizzes given throughout the course: 
  • Surprise, “pop” quizzes completed individually.
  • Announced quiz taken individually, with no notes.  This is the most common, and typically occurs at the end of each unit of study. 
  • Announced quiz taken individually, with notes
  • Announced quiz taken with a student group.  Everyone in the group earns the same score.  

You are permitted to retake a quiz IF you score less than an 88% (an A-).  Retakes will be completed during FLEX time or at an arranged retake session.  Students will have up until the end of quarter to retake a quiz.  Quizzes may be retaken only one time and you can earn a maximum of 88% on a quiz retake. You will earn the retake score up to the maximum (even if it is lower than the original).  

Tests are given once per quarter 
and will be multiple choice examinations.  They will be detailed and comprehensive.  In order to recognize and reward improvement over time, if a student scores higher on a semester final (Q2 and Q4), then the midterm tests (Q1 and Q3) will be marked "no count" and will not impact the final grade.  There are no retakes on tests.  

Class Work and Notebook Checks (10% of course grade). 
All knowledge audits, 1-page summaries and check-in work completed throughout the course are considered class work.  Class work assignments can not be resubmitted for a higher score.  The supplemental reading assignment and all "above and beyond" points are added into the class work category of the grade. 
Picture
A major portion of the class work grade category is the notebook check.  Students are required to maintain a large (3”-4”) spiral binder of all class work completed in class.  The binders are checked once a quarter for organization, completion and accuracy.  Binder check sheets for IB Biology 1 and IB Biology 2 list what needs to be in the binder.  Because the course is cumulative over two years, you must keep and review material often.  The organization and maintenance of the binder is therefore vital for your success in the IB Biology class. The binder will also become a helpful tool when you take a biology class in college.

Late Work
In general, please complete your work on time.  With the exception of initial knowledge audits, late work is accepted without grade penalty through the end of a unit.  If you will need additional time beyond the unit deadline, please speak with me in advance about your need for an extension and your plan for completion.  I am extraordinarily flexible and accommodating of student circumstances and different needs, but advance communication is key.   Work submitted past a unit deadline will earn a default score of 52%.
I give many of my IB Biology resources away, for the benefit of students and teachers around the world. 
If you've found the materials helpful, please consider making a contribution of any amount
to 
this Earthwatch Expedition Fund. 

​Did I forget something?  Know of a mistake? Have a suggestion?  Let me know by emailing me here.

Before using any of the files available on this site,
​please familiarize yourself with the 
Creative Commons Attribution License. 
​​​It prohibits the use of any material on this site for commercial  purposes of any kind.  ​


"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." 
 John Muir,   1911
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
    • Learner Profile
    • Group 4 Project
    • External Exam
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
      • Exploration
      • Analysis
      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
  • Investigation Skills
    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Descriptive Statistics >
        • Skew
        • Measures of Central Tendancy
        • Measures of Spread
        • Pearson Correlation
      • Inferential Statistics >
        • T-Test
        • ANOVA
        • Kruskal-Wallis
        • X2 Test for Independence
        • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
  • Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • IB Bio Dance
      • Wood Duck Project
      • Invasive Crayfish Project
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes
      • Lab Practicals
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
    • Supplemental Reading
  • Contact
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Resume
    • Reflection
    • Site Feedback
    • Favorite Quotes
    • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
  • Summer Ecology Research