AP Biology Summer AssignmentThe AP Biology course is designed to be the equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course for biology majors. 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, in a collaborative environment. 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 be successful in AP Biology and on the AP Biology Exam. 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.
Completing the AP Biology Summer Assignment First, join the Remind for AP Biology by texting @yhsapbio to 81010.
Second, join the AP Biology Summer Assignment Schoology Class (join code: ). 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 Schoology Class. All work for the summer assignment is due by 11:59 on Sunday, August 1st. No portions of the summer assignment will be accepted late without a valid reason and a formal conference with the teacher, parent, and student present, if appropriate. |
