Mrs. Back
Hello and welcome to Biology at Neuqua Valley High School! Your biology experience here is going to be both enjoyable and challenging. You will find out very quickly that High School and Middle school are quite different. Use the advice below to make a successful transition and to have a successful year.
Contact Information
[email protected]
428-6000 x4784
Contact Information
[email protected]
428-6000 x4784
How to Succeed in Biology Class
1. Want to Succeed. Motivation is the single most important determinant of your success in this class, as it is in life. If you are not prepared to work in this class you can skip the rest of this page.
2. Come to class. Not surprisingly, there is a high correlation between class attendance and grades. Students that sit towards the front of the room also tend to do better.If you miss lab due to illness or for some other valid reason talk to me as soon as possible; don't wait until the next lab. You might be able to make up the assignments and avoid the loss of a grade.
3. Don't just memorize. At the high school level you are expected to understand the material at a deeper level than might have been required in middle school. Simple regurgitation of your notes and text is not enough. Don't fall for the "Illusion of nowing." This is when a students mistakenly believe that they understand some material because they recognize it in a particular context or example the textbook or lecture notes). Recognition is easy, understanding is harder and requires effort. Perhaps the best way to recognize this illusion for what it is is to try to explain the material to someone else.
4. Ask questions. Ask questions in lecture if I say something that is not clear. The beginning of class is a good time to ask questions about the material covered in previous lectures. You can also come to my office or use e-mail.
5. Do not cram. Cramming is stressful and inefficient, and students that rely on this strategy are setting themselves up for failure. If you have been keeping up with your studies you should need only a few additional hours to prepare for the exam.
6. Improve your writing skills. Writing is an essential skill in science and many other professions.
7. Get additional help. Visit your teachers before and after school for help.
8. Teach each other. One of the best ways to learn biology is to try to explain it to others. It might be beneficial to form a study
group that meets once a week to discuss the course material.
1. Want to Succeed. Motivation is the single most important determinant of your success in this class, as it is in life. If you are not prepared to work in this class you can skip the rest of this page.
2. Come to class. Not surprisingly, there is a high correlation between class attendance and grades. Students that sit towards the front of the room also tend to do better.If you miss lab due to illness or for some other valid reason talk to me as soon as possible; don't wait until the next lab. You might be able to make up the assignments and avoid the loss of a grade.
3. Don't just memorize. At the high school level you are expected to understand the material at a deeper level than might have been required in middle school. Simple regurgitation of your notes and text is not enough. Don't fall for the "Illusion of nowing." This is when a students mistakenly believe that they understand some material because they recognize it in a particular context or example the textbook or lecture notes). Recognition is easy, understanding is harder and requires effort. Perhaps the best way to recognize this illusion for what it is is to try to explain the material to someone else.
4. Ask questions. Ask questions in lecture if I say something that is not clear. The beginning of class is a good time to ask questions about the material covered in previous lectures. You can also come to my office or use e-mail.
5. Do not cram. Cramming is stressful and inefficient, and students that rely on this strategy are setting themselves up for failure. If you have been keeping up with your studies you should need only a few additional hours to prepare for the exam.
6. Improve your writing skills. Writing is an essential skill in science and many other professions.
7. Get additional help. Visit your teachers before and after school for help.
8. Teach each other. One of the best ways to learn biology is to try to explain it to others. It might be beneficial to form a study
group that meets once a week to discuss the course material.