Room 318’s Core Values

ALL STUDENTS WILL PRACTICE RESPECT, SELF-DISCIPLINE, EXCELLENCE & OWNERSHIP IN ORDER TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT ENCOURAGES LIFE LONG LEARNING.

We need to work as a team for 100% of us to pass the Biology HSA and become college-ready.  These 5 core values were chosen to help us in our journey.

Pick a quotation and a core value and explain how they will help create a classroom environment focused on your success.  I will read exemplary responses in class tomorrow. Leave your answer in a comment.

It will not be one man going to the moon.  It will be an entire nation.  For all of us must work to put him there. – John F. Kennedy

We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit. – Aristotle

Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university. – Albert Einstein

Mental toughness is many things and rather difficult to explain.  Its qualities are sacrifice and self-denial…combined with a perfectly disciplined will that refuses to give in. – Vince Lombardi  

I cannot wait to read what you have to say!

Ms. Dwivedi

Why Do Our Big Goals Matter?

This year, we will be studying biology not just for the sake of accumulating facts. Instead, we wil use biology to further our understanding of the world around us.  In our quest, I hope that we become imaginative, conceptual, committed and ethical thinkers.  It is my goal, and in time, hopefully our goal, to use what we learn to become global and socially aware biologists that are prepared to take higher level science classes (AP Bio and AP Chemistry) and go to college.  We will measure our success with two big goals:

BIG GOAL #1. 100% OF THE STUDENTS IN ROOM 318 WILL PASS BIOLOGY HSA TO BECOME COLLEGE READY.

BIG GOAL #2. 100% OF THE STUDENTS IN ROOM 318 WILL PRACTICE RESPECT, SELF-DISCIPLINE, EXCELLENCE & OWNERSHIP IN ORDER TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT ENCOURAGES LIFE LONG LEARNING.

By passing the HSA, you will have proven yourself to be not only a biology sage, but also a competent student who is college ready.  You will be able to take higher level science courses, including AP Chemistry, AP Biology and Biotechnology as well as enter into college with the ability to critically analyze information in a plethora of fields.

Read the following quotation from Horace Mann.

In a comment below, answer the following two questions.

1.  What do the Big Goals mean to you?

2.  Why is education an “equalizer?”

Welcome to the 2011-2012 School Year!

Dear Students and Families, Hello and Welcome to room 318!  My name is Ms. Dwivedi  and I am lucky enough to have you in one of my classes. You are about to embark on a year long investigation of the wonders of all the living organisms around you.  Not only will you finish this year being able to identify and explain characteristics of living things, you will also be able to describe the interrelationships between the study of living things and science, technology and social issues. I believe that when students, parents and teachers work together, a student will succeed.  This blog will be used as one of our primary communication portals.  On here you will find the syllabus, homework assignments, test preparation, extension activities/resources and any additional updates.  This blog will be a useful and necessary resource for you to have a successful and engaging year.  Please feel free to add commentary on this blog or email me at anamika.dwivedi@pgcps.org with any questions/concerns. Since this is a 1 credit High School Assessment (HSA) course, you will have to pass this course to graduate from High School — making it extremely important that you keep up with the material covered in class and the material you are responsible for covering at home.  Stay up to date with posts and actively participate by providing feedback as often as you can! I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you.  Please add any questions or comments in the comment box below. Let’s have a productive and exciting school year! Sincerely, Ms. Dwivedi