Hello, Welcome to Ms McDonald-Emge's new web page for the 2012-2013 school year. I have been teaching high school for 20 years. This is my 14th year teaching at La Mirada High School. This year I teach Biology, and Honors Biology. I am the adviser for the La Mirada High School Earth Club. Please see my pages for important information and links. See the wish list below for items that we need donated to class for labs.
BE SAFE SOBER AND CLEAN!!
How to Succeed in Biology Classes
Biology is a required class both for high school graduation and more importantly for College admission. Colleges require a C or better in Biology. So, you may ask, how can I or my child succeed in Biology class and thereby complete this requirement for graduation and college? The first item to note is that Biology is like a foreign language and should be treated as such. New vocabulary is introduced every day and then is used and built on for the rest of the year. Make flash cards of the new vocabulary each day. Put a picture of the concept, for example DNA deoxyribonucleic acid, on one side of the card and on the other put the definition. Study these cards daily on the ride to school, while waiting in line at the grocery store, in between yelling at your sibling for the bathroom in the morning, or any other time that you have a few extra minutes. Command of the vocabulary is extremely important.
The second item for you to keep in mind, is that Biology is a combination of history, math, English and science. Because of this, you must be very organized. Keep all of your class notes in a folder just for this class. Keep all of your handouts and worksheets with your notes , keep all of your book assignments with your notes and keep all of your labs with your notes. Being well organized is extremely important, you must be organized. I have a specific way I want your notebook organized. Follow the guidelines.
The next most important item to remember is to keep an open mind. Science is not black and white, it is an ever changing subject. The whole idea of being a scientist is to question the world around us and use the scientific method to attempt to answer those questions.
So now in conclusion, how to succeed: learn the vocabulary, be well organized, keep an open mind.
