Online for the 2025-2026 School Year
Teacher: Cristen Pantano
Email: biologypantano@gmail.com
Honors Biology is a full-year high school course designed to prepare students for AP Biology as well as higher level science classes. This course goes beyond the standard high school Biology course curriculum, and the class and will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the living world. The class will be organized into Units, starting with the chemistry of life and moving all the way through to living biological systems. While mostly asynchronous, there will be weekly optional live Zoom sessions that are highly recommended.
The goal of the course will be mastery through solid understanding of concepts and themes, not memorization. This class will emphasize skills that allow students to make connections across weekly topics and Units. Students will be encouraged to read assigned textbook pages before attending the weekly live meetings. This will allow for deeper exploration of topics and for students to have their questions answered.
Weekly homework assignments will reinforce weekly topics, make connections across topics, and challenge students to think critically about the material and how it applies to living systems. Unit quizzes and exams will be assigned to help facilitate students' understanding of class material.
Who Should Take This Class?
Motivated students who are looking for an approachable, yet rigorous, course, have a love for science, or want to prepare for AP Biology of introductory college classes should consider this class.
Teacher Expertise:
Cristen Pantano received her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Vermont in 2005. Her love for the academic world led her from the lab to the educational sector. She has been teaching middle school, high school, Honors, and AP Biology and Environmental Science for 15 years. As a homeschooling parent herself, she understands the need for rigorous science classes for homeschooling high school students. She also understands the unique needs, schedules, and approaches that homeschooling families may have.
Course Fee:
Honors Biology Tuition: $700
Textbooks:
Miller and Levine Biology, available used for as low as $15: https://www.amazon.com/MILLER-LEVINE-BIOLOGY-STUDENT-GRADE/dp/0133235742/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3DS70P1DUAR9P&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tPI6-in-ethnc-3QEJU_Exvu9R7L_1RznBXDwm6Fo8GX5qvU7es_5ZjNQGtMmwqofgbf-4hIKxi6VDIgrMjFP3Qig1_tNEhEmgjdWDDDGQh6CFZEAUZiSRPbWppW7VEkh9qpzr8RxbMJES9Ocy7TThUrcIsyev6kPCiMYU_mussUckmHYRaINy40W5byi8WltwYnY027HjXvxI47O6OLQTPhN1C--Bb7jw09xmvqQo8.voAPfVeDVqckMBODnIEhPGIOIIAy-6cawA6Sqr4HZyg&dib_tag=se&keywords=miller+and+levine+biology&qid=1738624159&s=books&sprefix=miller+and+levine+biology%2Cstripbooks%2C106&sr=1-2
* ALWAYS click on "Other new and used" on the right side of the screen for heavily discounted used versions*
Lab Materials: Labs will use common household items. Lab list will be handed out the first week of class with ample prep time for each lab.
Weekly Live Meetings: Students are highly encouraged to attend one of the two weekly meetings: Mondays at 8pm EST, Thursday 1pm EST
Course Format:
- This course will have weekly live classes that are highly recommended. The live meetings will introduce key concepts, themes, and vocabulary to students. All sessions will be recorded and posted in the classroom.
- The course will also have a discussion board where students can post questions during the week.
- Independent work will consist of weekly reading, homework questions, bi-weekly quizzes and Unit exams. All exams will consist of multiple choice questions and free response questions.
- Recorded overview of more complex and intricate topics will be posted in the classroom.
Schedule:
This course will begin September 8th, 2025 and will end May16th, 2026. Class will not meet, or have assignments, the weeks of October 13, November 24, December 22-January 5th 2026, March 16th, 2026.
Assessments:
Midsemester assessments, end of year assessments and grades will be provided.