AP Biology Letter. Dear CCA Parents and Students Enrolled in AP Biology,

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1 AP Biology Letter Dear CCA Parents and Students Enrolled in AP Biology, Your student has enrolled in the exciting study of Advanced Placement Biology, a college-level course designed to stretch and stimulate his or her talent and abilities. As we partner to establish expectations for your student s performance, please continue to have high ideals, while remaining understanding that he or she is being asked to perform at a level far above students in an honors science curriculum. The objectives of the AP course include improving your student s ability to analyze and evaluate the relative significance of biological data and to express those ideas in well-written scientific essays, lab reports, and examinations. A major goal is to prepare students to take the national exam in May of This is a three-hour examination, consisting of an hour and a half multiple-choice section, and an hour and a half essay portion with four essays. This test is quite an experience. We will spend time in class learning test strategies and writing practice test to help prepare. Readers score these tests for the College Board and ETS with final scores mailed in early July. Scores range from 1 to 5, with 3 or better considered as passing in many colleges and universities. Depending upon the college, many who score 3 or better are able to receive college credit or advanced standing for their AP work. However, colleges often require documentation of laboratory work to give credit for that portion of the course. Therefore, a detailed laboratory log book must be kept by all AP Biology students. As you might anticipate, expectations for this course are high. The responsibility for mastering the material rests primarily with students. It is critical that they take charge of their own learning, as each class will introduce new information. They need to be active learners by taking notes and participating in class, and stay current with reading and homework. There is simply too much to do to allow themselves to fall behind. Students also need to be encouraged to become active learners outside of class. The AP College Board states that for a student to succeed in an Advanced Placement class they must spend a minimum of five hours a week of independent study time this means additional time not committed to assignments or homework! A good review or prep book is helpful as well as study groups, and the regular review of vocabulary, notes, and labs. Hiaku Learning (an online Learning Management System ) will become an integral part of the class. Students need to check it regularly for information and assignments. I will also manage their summer work through this system; more information to come on this. Lab days are critical, and must not be missed. It is highly impractical to make up missed labs as they are usually three to four hours long. AP lunch sessions will be scheduled once a week during first Semester. This will allow for regularly scheduled time to do labs and address additional topics. These are required sessions for first semester only. Course materials ordering and cost are the responsibility of the student. There are many good discount websites available for ordering. A Google search of the ISBN will often give you many different options for purchase. AP Biology is a challenging and exciting journey into God s magnificent creation. The depth of study in this course allows a level of understanding that reveals the beauty, complexity, and elegance of the Creator s design. With the Lord, prayer, and teamwork, we can develop your student s God-given talents to their fullest. Please feel free to contact me at any time concerning your student s progress. And please pray

2 for their success in the study of AP Biology! In Him, by Him, and for Him, Laura Quinn Lab Phone: Cell: Course text includes: 1. Text: AP edition Campell biology in Focus Edition 1 e 2014; Reece, Urry, et al 9 th edition Make sure it has the Student Media CD with it. ISBN: New *AP* Test Prep Series, AP Biology to accompany: Campbell Biology; Fred & Treresa Hotzclaw This often comes bundled with the text book. ISBN: Lab Notebook: Life Science Notebook, 70 page white carbonless copies; Hayden McNeil Specialty You will be able to buy these at the on CCA Bookstore later this summer. ISBN: Order here: ID=48082&PMDBSITEID=2781&PMDBSUBSOLUTIONID=&PMDBSOLUTIONID=6724&PMDBSUBJECT- AREAID=&PMDBCATEGORYID=811&PMDbProgramId= *You will need your textbook for your summer assignments! Please order now!

3 AP Biology Summer Reading and Assignments Dear AP Biology Students, I pray your summer will be wonderful. In an effort to jump-start your experience with AP Biology, we need to get started! Below are the first chapters you need to cover, with the assignments that will help you get in gear for the first few weeks of class. We will hit the ground running and will not let up until after the exam in May. Take a deep breath, say a prayer, and let s jump in! Now, before you go further, please make certain that you have read the AP Biology Letter. It will give you valuable information for preparing for the class, labs, and for ordering your text and class materials. You need to order your textbook NOW to have it for your summer assignments and the first day of class. Order from anywhere, but just make certain that it is the correct edition. Summer Reading & Assignments: I have three main goals for you with these assignments: 1. To help you establish and practice good outside class study skills that you need for AP Biology. 2. To expose you to the level and detail of understanding you will need for mastery of the topics we will cover. 3. Challenge your research and fact gathering skills when faced with a complex ideas and material. Assignment: The following is to be done for EACH chapter assigned. For Chapters 1, 2, and, the due date is the first Friday of the first week of school. 1. Chapter notes taken in your preference of style. We will evaluate note-taking skills when we start the year. 2. Vocabulary from each chapter on note cards. You will need hundreds, as well as a way to store and organize them. Some students have been able to cut the note cards in half and use them that way. 3. Written essays on specific questions and topics from the material (you may use your notes and the books to compose your essay). Details on these assignments follow. Please read carefully. 1. Chapter Notes from the reading. Complete your notes for each chapter. Add to these reading notes anything you feel will help you. Mark sections that are not clear to you. Also, as you read, write out any questions that arise.

4 Hints for reading: Biology at this level usually is not fully grasped the first time you read through a section or chapter. To achieve understanding, you will need to approach the material several times, in slightly different ways. Use the Key concepts at the beginning and the Summary of Key Concepts at the end of each chapter to help you organize your thoughts. Use the reading guides to breakdown the topics, and always examine the diagrams and illustrations to visually grasp what is being explained. We will discuss strategies for reading in class the first week, so come ready to share what works for you. 2. Vocabulary Cards. You are learning a new language. Use your note cards. Even with the availability of electronic flash cards (I have some you can load on your ipod or iphone), I still require you to do the hand written ones I find this is the only reliable way to make sure vocabulary gets addressed. 3. Essay or Free Response Questions and Drawings. Answer the following in your own handwriting on lined paper (no fringe please!) Do not use a word processor; you will not have one for the AP exam! You may use your notes or your books to formulate your answers, however, do not copy sections out of the book. Writing in science is not about the length of the essay, but the level of understanding of the topic. Writing should be a concise and logical discussion of the topic that fully answers the question. Appropriate vocabulary should be used. You do not need to write an introductory or conclusive paragraph. An opening thesis statement is sufficient. Chapter 1 Evolution and the Foundations of Biology 1. Page 7. Concept Check #2. 2. Page 15. Scientific Skills Exercise Answer Questions from Interpret the Data section. 3. Page 17, #7, draw it. 4. Page 17, # 9. As you write your essay, be sure that you begin your discussion with a good explanation of natural selection. ADD to this essay your thoughts on Natural selection from a creationist stand point. You may need to do research on this! Does the evidence for Natural selection contradict what a creationist believes? Limit your discussion to only the process and evidence for natural selection. Chapter 2 The Chemical Context of Life 1. Page 37. Scientific Skills Exercise Scatter plot, answer questions and interpret the data. This essay could possibly be longer than three paragraphs. Be sure to completely answer each section. 2. Several emergent properties of water contribute to waters unique role in the biosphere and this planet s fitness for life as we know it. a. Discuss the idea of emergent properties in biology, (from chapter 1) b. Describe four of water s emergent properties, and explain how they arise from water s unique chemical structure and bonding.

5 c. Discuss how each of these emergent properties contributes to Earth s suitability for life. Give examples. Chapter 3 Carbon and the Molecular Diversity of Life 1. Page 65, # Essay: Proteins have diverse functions throughout the cell (page 52). Based on an over arching theme in biology that form (structure) and functions are directly related, discuss how such great variety of functions could be derived from the structure of protein polymers, consisting of amino acid monomers. Include an analysis of the four types of protein structure in a typical globular protein (page 56-57). Please feel free to me with any questions. I will check my a couple times a week. If it is time sensitive, please call or text me. Mrs. Laura Quinn lauraq@ccaeagles.org