Vincent DionisioVincent DionisioSupervisor of Science, K-12Supervisor of Science, K-12

Eighth Grade Parent OrientationEighth Grade Parent Orientation

What do you remember most What do you remember most about High School Biology?about High School Biology?

A. Nothing … not A. Nothing … not memorablememorable

B. It was boringB. It was boring

C. Dissecting a FrogC. Dissecting a Frog

D. It was thought provokingD. It was thought provoking

E. It changed my life E. It changed my life

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/eggtimer-countdown/full-screen

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ObjectivesObjectivesExpectations for science in 9Expectations for science in 9thth grade grade and beyondand beyond

Placement ProcessPlacement Process

Course offeringsCourse offerings

New Jersey Biology Competency New Jersey Biology Competency Test (NJBCT)Test (NJBCT)

Department Department ObjectivesObjectives

Bring inquiry to the forefront of Bring inquiry to the forefront of student learning.student learning.

Stress comprehension & application of Stress comprehension & application of scientific ideas.scientific ideas.

Provide an atmosphere where students Provide an atmosphere where students share ideas, discuss, and defend their share ideas, discuss, and defend their findings with their peers.findings with their peers.

Prepare young people for an ever Prepare young people for an ever increasing technological and scientific increasing technological and scientific 2121stst Century. Century.

What we want your What we want your CHILDCHILD’’s experience to s experience to

be …be …

Thought provoking & challengingThought provoking & challenging

Analytical – Use of critical thinking skills; Lab Analytical – Use of critical thinking skills; Lab based; Use of Technology (MacBooks, Vernier based; Use of Technology (MacBooks, Vernier Labquests)Labquests)

Relevant – Tasks, activities and assessments Relevant – Tasks, activities and assessments related to student experiencesrelated to student experiences

Involved – Hands-on activities; Projects; Clubs Involved – Hands-on activities; Projects; Clubs and Competitions and Competitions

99thth Grade Science Grade Science Placement ProcessPlacement Process

Recommendation of 8Recommendation of 8thth Grade Teacher. Grade Teacher.

Scoring on Learning Characteristics Scoring on Learning Characteristics RubricRubric

Grade 7 Science Grades (MP 3 & 4)Grade 7 Science Grades (MP 3 & 4)

Grade 8 Science Grades (MP 1 & 2)Grade 8 Science Grades (MP 1 & 2)

Standardized Test Scores in Standardized Test Scores in Mathematics and Language ArtsMathematics and Language Arts

Note: Placement is pending NJ ASK 8 Note: Placement is pending NJ ASK 8 ScoresScores

Course OfferingsCourse OfferingsCore CoursesCore Courses

Biology – Accelerated, Academic, StandardBiology – Accelerated, Academic, Standard

Chemistry – Accelerated, Academic, Chemistry – Accelerated, Academic, StandardStandard

Physics – Accelerated, AcademicPhysics – Accelerated, Academic

ElectivesElectives• Anatomy & PhysiologyAnatomy & Physiology• AstronomyAstronomy• Forensics ChemistryForensics Chemistry• Nutrition ScienceNutrition Science• Zoology & Animal Zoology & Animal BehaviorBehavior• Research in ScienceResearch in Science

APAP• BiologyBiology• ChemistryChemistry• PhysicsPhysics

Who must take the Who must take the New Jersey Biology Competency Test?New Jersey Biology Competency Test?

Resource Center Biology Resource Center Biology

ESL Biology ESL Biology

General Biology General Biology

Life Science Life Science

Foundations in Biology Foundations in Biology

College Prep Biology College Prep Biology

Honors Biology Honors Biology

Accelerated Biology Accelerated Biology

AllAll New Jersey public high school students, New Jersey public high school students, regardless of grade levelregardless of grade level, who are enrolled , who are enrolled in a first-year biology course any time … must take the NJBCT. in a first-year biology course any time … must take the NJBCT.

The following course titles are included as exemplars: The following course titles are included as exemplars:

What does the NJBCT What does the NJBCT look like and what does look like and what does

cover?cover?TopicsTopics

Characteristics of LifeCharacteristics of Life

Cell Structure & FunctionCell Structure & Function

Energy Transfer Energy Transfer

(Photosynthesis & Cellular (Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration)Respiration)

Cell Division (Mitosis & Meiosis)Cell Division (Mitosis & Meiosis)

Molecular BiologyMolecular Biology

GeneticsGenetics

EvolutionEvolution

MicroorganismsMicroorganisms

EcologyEcology

FormatFormat• Administered over 2 Administered over 2

days in the middle of days in the middle of MayMay

• Multiple choiceMultiple choice

• Performance Performance assessmentassessment

Thank you for Thank you for comingcoming..

Contact Information:Contact Information:

(908) 889 – 8600 ext 3307(908) 889 – 8600 ext 3307

Or e-mail @Or e-mail @

vdionisio@spfk12.orgvdionisio@spfk12.org