AP Biology Summer Assignment

The AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level introductory biology course. The intent of the course is to expose students to higher-level biological principles, concepts, and skills and allow them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-life applications. Students are expected to learn not by memorization of facts, but through content and concept application by the way of the AP Biology science practices.

In AP Biology, the teacher serves as the facilitator while the students develop as independent thinkers and learners, especially through inquiry-based laboratory investigations. Many concepts that are considered prerequisite knowledge for the course can be reviewed as home study through the use of resources such as assigned websites, web quests, and journal articles. In class, students are given opportunities to learn, and apply their knowledge, through the process of inquiry and project-based learning. 

Students who take AP Biology develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across content areas. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses — a goal of every AP course.

Students in AP Biology will use various types of activities to aid and deepen their conceptual understanding and learning. Some of these strategies and tools include note cards/concept cards, hands-on activities, demonstrations, class discussion, projects and online activities. 

The level of expectation for this type of course is very high. Only students who are truly committed to high standards of excellence and commitment will succeed in AP Biology. This course is taught in the anticipation of having students take the Advanced Placement Exam in Biology and do well. 
​TEXTBOOK
• Campbell Biology In Focus, AP® Edition, 1e 2014, Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
EXAM REGISTRATION
• Exam registration will be in EARLY FALL, so it is a good idea to start saving money for your AP exams (~$97 for the first, $75 for additional) throughout the summer. 

Contact Information for Mrs. Williams 

Contact Information for Mrs. Regier 
E-mail: misty.williams@yukonps.com
Room: N245
Phone: 405-354-6692
Remind: @yhsapbio to 81010 (messaging and text)

To sign up for text/e-mail announcements: 
E-mail: erin.regier@yukonps.com
Room: N201
​Phone: 405-354-6692
Remind: @19-20apbio to 81010 (messaging and text)

To sign up for text/e-mail announcements: 

Recommended
Study Guides and
Additional Readings
 Students will need a copy of a good study guide. Please consider purchasing one as part of your summer assignment. 

You may choose the one that best fits your style of learning, but we would highly recommend Test Prep Series AP Biology for Campbell Biology Programs as it is based on the textbook. Most of these can be purchased at local bookstores, but check online for a good deal.  You can purchase the recommended title for a study guide here. It is based on the textbook and is under $15.

A study guide will be an essential part of your self-study and a useful tool for your reference. We would HIGHLY recommend that you have this at the beginning of the year, not just for when the AP Biology Exam is near. 

Are you looking for a good book to keep you engaged in science over the summer or throughout the school year? There are several recommended titles listed on the AP Biology Supplies and Resources List for your reference. Many of these titles are also  available in the library. 

Course Syllabus and Other Info.

Completing the AP Biology Summer Assignment

 First, join the Remind for AP Biology by texting @yhsapbio to 81010.
Second, join the AP Biology Google Classroom Summer Assignment page (join code: pfle4z4).
It is IMPERATIVE that you come to AP Biology prepared. To get you accustomed to this, part of your summer assignment will be to start obtaining your supplies and set up your Biology Interactive Learning Log and your Free Response Question (FRQ) notebook. 

To set up your "BILL", you will need TWO graph composition notebooks, packing tape, and duct tape. You will also need materials to decorate the covers of your "BILL" such as magazine pages, pictures, fun stickers, washi tape, clear packing tape (for protecting your cover), etc. You will decorate your "BILL" at home before the first day of school. If you pay attention to the office supply store (Staples, Office Depot, Office Max) ads throughout the summer, you can find these as cheap as $0.50.

To set up your FRQ Notebook, you simply need a regular composition notebook, a sharpie, and blue or black ink pens. 

In addition to preparing your notebooks, you should consider obtaining all of your supplies for this course as part of your summer assignment - this includes an AP Biology Study Guide. While there is a recommended study guide listed above, you may choose one that best fits your learning style. A study guide will be an important part of this course and instrumental in your personal studies.  

The AP Biology Summer Assignment is designed to help you prepare for the course by engaging in different note taking methods, practicing with science-based analysis that will be expected in AP Biology, and reviewing content you should already be familiar with. Not only will this be good practice and review, but it will allow your teacher to assess your learning methods, evaluate your current writing skills for completing Free Response Questions, and get to know you better before school starts.

You will find everything you need to complete the summer assignment in the AP Biology Summer Assignment Google Classroom. All work for the summer assignment is due by 11:59 on Tuesday, August 11th. No portions of the summer sssignment will be accepted late without a valid reason and a formal conference with the teacher, parent, and student present, if appropriate.