In this four-week course, students will begin preparing for their upcoming AP Biology course by learning about the AP Biology course structure and reviewing major concepts and ideas. During our class time, students will interact with the instructor and other students on the zoom calls and will have the opportunity to ask questions as needed. To encourage interaction, I ask that students leave their cameras on as much as possible. 

Students enrolling in this course should be considering a pathway to AP Biology and should have a strong background in science. Students enrolled in Honors or General level Biology are welcome to attend. All material (with the exception of the first class when we review the AP exam format) is relevant to those courses, too. Specific knowledge in biology is helpful, but not required. Although additional homework is not assigned, students can make the most of the course by devoting time to the topic outside of our scheduled meeting times. 

I have created note sheets that align with the curriculum noted below. Those note sheets are posted before the first class of the week. During class, I use a document camera so students can follow along as they fill in their sheets. My note key will be posted at the end of each week. All lessons are recorded and shared on the classroom page as soon as possible for students to review. 

Week 1: Class 1: What to expect with the AP Biology Curriculum and Big Ideas- We'll discuss the exam format, view sample questions, and discuss note-taking and study techniques.

Week 1: Class 1 & 2: Chemistry review- A large portion of the exam relates directly and indirectly to chemistry. We'll study water and organic biomolecules in-depth to ensure that students understand how they relate to the curriculum. In this class, we'll discuss the elements C, H, N, O, P, and S and their role in the body.

Week 2: Class 1: Chemistry review- Macromolecules 

Week 2: Class 2: Cell review- Students will review prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell types.

Week 3: Class 1: Ecology review- Interactions between organisms in ecosystems will be discussed. We'll look at examples of food chains, food webs, and symbiotic relationships. 

Week 3: Class 2: Evolution review- Students will study data to investigate the evidence of evolution in various species.

Week 4: Class 1: Lab skills & graphing- While we won't be completing labs in this course, we'll use sample lab data to analyze concepts and ideas in the course.

Week 4: Class 2: This class is intentionally left as an overflow spot to make sure we have time to run through any remaining information, answer questions, and work on practice problems.

**While I do my best to schedule regular weekly meetings, my summer schedule can change. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated to learners and parents should they arise. All classes are recorded and are shared with enrolled students on the classroom page should a meeting time conflict with a vacation or other activity.**