• Mr. Triantafillou

    REGENTS Living Environment: 2023-2024

    Roy C. Ketcham High School

    Course Number:           Credits: 1

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of 

    Classroom:

     

    Course of Study:

     

    Living Environment is a New York State Regents course that requires extensive study time in the classroom, laboratory, and at home.  Learning will take place both individually and in a cooperative classroom environment, with an emphasis placed on performance and problem-solving techniques.  Multiple learning styles are present in this class, so instruction will take place using a variety of methods.  All students will be required to join a Living Environment Google Classroom that will be utilized both in and out of the classroom.  

     

    The following topics will be covered throughout the year: (not necessarily in this order)

     

    Living Environment is divided into 9 major topics:

    Laboratory Skills

    Scientific Inquiry and Skills

    Similarities and Differences Among Living Organisms

    Homeostasis in Organisms

    Genetic Continuity

    Reproduction and Development

    Evolution

    Ecology

    Human Impact on Ecosystems




    Lab Requirement: 

     

    You will be in lab every other day.  During a laboratory session, students must be prepared to work for the entire length of two normal periods (about 90 minutes).  All students taking Regents Living Environment must complete a minimum number of laboratory investigation hours.  This is a New York State requirement.  You will be notified if any lab reports are missing each marking period.  All required lab work must be completed and be acceptable by May 24, 2024 or the student will not be allowed to take any portion of the Regents Exam in June.  Simply put, the completion of lab work is not optional; it is the essential learning mechanism for this course. Note: All labs missed due to absence are to be made up within one week of the return to school.

     

    Evaluation: Students will be evaluated each quarter through various means:  

     

    Student Class Performance Quizzes & Tests Laboratory Reports Homework Assignments Living Environment Projects Extra Credit Projects

     

    This course requires you to put extra time and effort into your academic studies.  Lab work turned in early or on time will be eligible for the maximum point value.  Late labs will be reduced in value!  Students who miss a lab due to absence are responsible to make immediate arrangements with the teacher to schedule a make-up date & time.  Late homework will be reduced in value, unless they are due to absence, which then must be made up within a few days of return to class.  Grades are assessed equally for all students, so you alone are responsible for your grade.  Always try to do your best and achieve as much as possible. 

     

    Final Course Grade: 

     

    The final course grade will be determined by averaging the final grades from quarters 1 through 4.  Therefore, each quarter will be worth 25% of the final course grade.  



    Materials Needed Every Day:

     

    3 ring binder to keep living environment materials

    Pen and pencil in working order

    A notebook or loose-leaf in binder

    		 
       
       

    Conduct: 

     

    We will be working within the confines of a cooperative learning classroom and mature, responsible behavior is expected at all times. During class, your hoods must be down, any food put away, and your phones/earbuds/devices in your bags. Students will cooperate if they wish to remain in this classroom setting.  Certain labs require the use of sharp objects and/or chemicals.  Hence, there is absolutely no tolerance given to horseplay or other immature behavior.  Warnings will not be given for this, so be aware of your behavior at all times!




    Again, if the student has not completed the necessary lab requirement, then the student will not be allowed to take the Regents Exam this year.  To achieve Regents credit, a student must achieve an overall grade of 65 or higher in the course and also pass the Living Environment Regents Exam per New York State Education Department guidelines.



    Please sign the Student/Parent Agreement below and return to Mr. Triantafillou

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    STUDENT/PARENT (GUARDIAN) AGREEMENT

     

    WE HAVE READ THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT COURSE OUTLINE AND THE GRADING PROCEDURE.  WE UNDERSTAND THE CLASS REQUIREMENTS, GRADING PROCEDURES, CLASS RULES, AND STUDENT EXPECTATIONS.  AS A STUDENT, I AGREE TO DO MY BEST ALL YEAR LONG AND TO APPLY MYSELF AT ALL TIMES, AND TO GET MY WORK DONE ACCURATELY AND TURNED IN ON TIME.  I ALSO AGREE TO ALWAYS BE HONEST AND NEVER COPY ANYONE ELSE’S WORK.

     

    STUDENT (please PRINT): ____________________________________________________________________

     

    STUDENT (please SIGN): _____________________________________________________________________

     

    PARENT/GUARDIAN (please PRINT):___________________________________________________________

     

    PARENT/GUARDIAN (please SIGN): ____________________________________________________________

     

    DATE: _______________________________

     

    Mr. Triantafillou’s Contact Information

     

    Office: 298-5100 ext. 31065, Room 297 Classroom: Room 

          Email (preferred): christopher.triantafillou@wcsdny.org