Coach Gage
Teacher Bio
Howdy! I'm looking forward to teaching biology this year and coaching girls soccer! I am a former lab scientist who made the jump to being a high school teacher. Having said that, I will try to do a lot of hands on activities. As the old adage goes "you learn to swim in the water" so is true wit the classroom. I am a big proponent of kinesthetic learning and making science fun!
Degrees and Certifications
Degrees:
- Molecular and Cellular Biology, B.S. Texas A&M University
Certifications:
- Science 7-12 composite
Contact Information
Email: gagej@pearlandisd.org
School Phone: 281-997-7445
Class Schedule
- 1st Period: Conference
- 2nd Period: Biology
- 3rd Period: Biology
- 4th Period: Biology
- 5th Period: Biology
- Lunch: A Lunch
- 6th Period: Girls Soccer
- 7th Period: Biology
Conference Period
7:15 - 8:03 a.m.
Tutorials
Fall Semester:
Oiler Time 9:51 - 10:21 a.m.
M-F 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Spring Semester:
Oiler Time 9:51 - 10:21 a.m.
Tutorials: T.B.D.
Biology
Mr. Jacob Gage (Coach Gage)
RM 2005 gagej@pearlandisd.org
After School Tutorials: 3:40 – 3:30 p.m. T-W or as needed by request.
Course Description
Biology is the study of living organisms, their origins, how they survive, reproduce, change overtime, and interact with each other and their environments. The primary objective of the course sis to provide students with a fundamental understanding of modern biology and scientific processes. You will be expected to read, write, and work with peers throughout the class to support your learning.
Required Supplies |
Optional Supplies to Donate to Classroom |
2 inch 3 ring binder |
Kleenex |
Dividers |
Hand Sanitizer |
Pens/Pencils |
Paper Towels |
Colored Pencils |
Spray/Clorox Wipes |
Highlighters |
|
Ruler |
|
Grading Policy
60%: Major Grades (tests, major projects)
30%: Labs
10%: Daily Work (class work, homework, quizzes)
Class Policies
Expectations: This is a high school course. As such, I expect that you will take the course seriously and behave in a mature manner. This means you are expected to:
- Be prepared. Be prepared to learn when you are in my class and make sure you have your required supplies.
- You must ask questions, participate in activities, and practice in order to be successful. Furthermore, this class is designed to be fun and I want to hear from you!
- Be respectful. There are rights and responsibilities. Your rights are to have you and your stuff respected and treated fairly. Your responsibilities are to treat others, their stuff, and this classroom respectfully and fairly.
- Interactive notebook. Students will store work completed (notes, labs, etc.) in an interactive notebook 3 ringer binder. What this means is that they can use this as a reference throughout the year and they can use them to help them on their assignments In the past I had many students tell me “why do I have to keep this? It’s just notes”. In short, many students either lose, discard, or shove notes into their backpacks without any intention of using them again. By putting notes and other assignments into their interactive notebook, they are creating their own reference guide for completing assignments and tests.
Late Work: The assignment is considered late if it is not turned in at the time it is due. Late or missing assignments will be counted as zeros until made up within the 9 week grading period.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating will not be tolerated under any circumstances. All parties involved in cheating will receive a zero, parents will be contacted, and further disciplinary action will be taken, as appropriate. IF YOU NEED HELP ON AN ASSIGNMENT, ASK ME.
Participation: Participation is mandatory. You may have a difficult time passing this class if you do not participate. Participation includes completing in and out of class work, adding to class discussions, and answering questions.
Incomplete Grade Policy: A student receiving an incomplete for a grading period and/or a zero for a missed semester exam will have two weeks to convert the incomplete to an earned grade at which time the incomplete will be changed to the actual grade earned.
Absences & Tardies: If you are absent, you are responsible for making up any work that you missed. You are responsible for turning in your make up work within the time frame given in the student code of conduct. Tardies will be documented and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken for students with recurring tardies in this class.
Cell Phones: NOT SEEN, NOT HEARD, NOT TAKEN. When you enter the classroom, all headphones and ear buds need to be removed and cell phones put away in a bag. Per Pearland ISD policy, any unapproved (we will rarely use cell phones if ever) use of a cell phone during class time will result in the phone being confiscated. The phone may be returned to the student at the end of the period. If a student does not surrender the phone and/or headphones, the teacher will refer the student to the office. Per district policy, the teacher has the discretion to turn in phones and ear buds to the Main Office and a referral being written. In this case, the phone can be picked up from the Main Office at the end of the school after paying a $15 fine day by the student (1st offense) or parent/guardian.
Communication: I will be using a combination of e-mail and Canvas to communicate. My schedule is below:
Class period |
Class |
Time |
|
1st |
Conference |
7:15 – 8:03 |
|
2nd |
Biology |
8:09 – 8:57 |
|
3rd |
Biology |
9:18 - 10:12 |
|
Oiler Time |
Study Hall |
9:51-10:21 |
|
4th |
Biology |
10:27 – 11:15 |
|
5th |
Biology |
A Lunch |
11:15-11:45 |
Class |
11:48 – 12:47 |
||
Class |
11:21 – 11:45 |
||
B Lunch |
11:45 – 12:15 |
||
Class |
12:17 – 12:47 |
||
C Lunch |
11:21 – 12:17 |
||
Class |
12:17 – 12:47 |
||
6th |
Biology |
12:53 – 1:41 |
|
7th |
Biology |
1:47 – 2:35 |
Discipline Policy
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Student conference with the teacher
3rd Offense: Phone call to parent and teacher detention assigned
4th Offense: Office referral
***If a first, second, or third offense is deemed severe enough by the teacher an immediate referral to the office will be made.
Final Thoughts
You will notice there is an emphasis on personal responsibility in this course. You must pay attention to the due dates and make sure you are consistently attending class in order to be successful. My hope is that in addition to learning the content you will learn and master valuable life skills that will serve you forever. Please do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. I’m excited to get to know you and to have a fun and engaging year.
Quick Access (frequently used resources)