Updated 8/13/2023 for 2023-2024 Academic School Year.
COURSE OVERVIEW: The curriculum has been broken down into 15 modules that we will cover over the course of the academic year. The plan will be to cover four modules per quarter. Each module is broken down into several lessons. These lessons will have notes and an associated assignment. We conclude each module with a module test. Teams is utilized to provide access to all the Cornell Notes templates, assignments, and tests. Students complete and submit their responses digitally, this is specifically demonstrated multiple times to the class, even drawing attention to the "email receipt" checkbox on each assignment.
NOTES: Students are provided a Cornell Notes template to complete for each lesson. Students must be present in class to complete the Cornell Notes template. The name of the lesson should correlate to the name of the assignment. The Cornell Notes Template is optional for the student to complete. This helps students who are easily distracted to follow along with the lesson and they may be used during the module tests. If a student is absent from class the date the notes are covered they can utilize the online textbook linked on our website to read and take notes of the correlating topics. Further, there are tutorials available for students to view under the Anatomy & Physiology tab separated by units. Remember, attendance and participation in class is very important for understanding of concepts. Notes are designed to summarize, not replace, what is taught in class.
ASSIGNMENTS: Each daily assignment will include an introduction, lesson check questions, and post-lesson assignment questions. Reviews and other activities may be included as assignments.
At the start of class students should access the assignment through Teams and complete the introduction while the teacher takes attendance. The introduction will generally be based on an article provided related to the topic discussed that day during the lesson, but requires no prior knowledge of the topic. Introduction questions are generally short response, but may be multiple choice.
The lesson check questions should be completed while the topic of the day is being taught. These questions are generally multiple choice, but may include a short response answer. The lesson check questions follow along with the notes. If there is anything asked in the lesson check questions that is not specifically stated on the notes, I draw attention to it by telling the class, "You need to make sure you write this down."
Students should have sufficient time in class to ask questions and complete the entire assignment. If there is a concept that a student struggles with I am more than happy to go over a concept again, but I will not give away answers to questions on the assignments. The post-lesson assignment questions will also follow along with the notes unless otherwise stated in the class and may include multiple choice, short response, and extended response questions.
I will tell the students if there are any additional resources they need and provide them access. This includes handouts and the textbook. The syllabus contains the URL for a supplemental digital textbook that students may use. Assignments may vary in length depending on how many multiple-choice or extend response questions it contains, and the amount of detail required in each response. Assignments can easily be completed during the allotted class time. Assignments not submitted by the end of class will result in a zero for the assignment. An assignment may be submitted late until 7:15 AM on the date of the module test to excuse the zero with a minimum score of a B. Late assignments submitted scoring below a B will result in the score being entered as the grade. Sufficient time is provided in class and more than sufficient time is provided between the assignment being assigned and the closing date to have completed the assignment, sometimes as much as 10 to 12 days.
TESTS: A module test is provided at the end of each module. The test is twenty-five questions in length, unless stated otherwise. The test questions are scrambled throughout the lessons and do not follow a particular order; however, the answers may be found in the notes or derived from information from the notes as discussed in class. Students have been told they may use their notes on the test but tests do have a time limit. Students may not use other students notes to complete the test. Students caught using another student's notes will earn a zero on the test. Students will be assigned the test in class to complete. If the test is not completed in class then there will be a 20 point deduction (out of 100) from the test score due to the reduction in test validity. This deduction will also be applied if a student accesses the test before it is assigned in class, even if its available to the student in Teams. Students that qualify for extended time accommodations via a 504 or IEP extended time accommodation - must be specifically stated in the 504 or IEP - will be able to access the test without penalty if they were appropriately utilizing test time in class. All tests will close at 11:59 PM on the date assigned. Failure to submit the test will result in a zero. A student that is caught skipping, is present in class and does not take it as directed, or fails to submit the test when assigned will have their score reduced by 50 points (out of 100) due to the reduction in test validity. If a student is absent for a justified reason under the DCPS criteria for an excused absence and provides appropriate documentation, the student will be provided a make up test so long as they did not already access the test. Make up tests, retakes, or alternatively assigned tests may not be the same test that was provided in class and may include short and extended response questions, fill-in-the-blank (spelling counts), and may be timed (with an auto-submit feature). The regularly scheduled test date is the date all assignments for the respective module close without exception.
SUBMISSION OF WORK: Students will access assignments through Teams. Under each assignment there is a link to the assignment to be completed in Microsoft Forms. This can be done from a desktop computer, laptop or even a phone. I have included an "email receipt" checkbox at the end of each exit ticket, assignment, and module test so that students will be emailed a receipt of their answers and proof of completion. This is something they may check on their own to verify whether they have submitted an assignment. Unfortunately, submission of an assignment in Microsoft Forms does not communicate back with Teams, so do not trust what Teams states concerning whether the assignment has been submitted. Students may mark an assignment submitted in Teams without completing the assignment. Always trust the existence of the emailed receipt with their name and title of the assignment on it. I require students to provide me the forwarded copy of their email receipt if there is ever a question about their grade. Parents may also ask to see the receipt for proof that the assignment was completed and may even use the link to review the answers submitted (the student must be logged in to do this). Failure to click the submit button does not excuse an assignment from being late. Students have all the resources necessary to verify whether an assignment has been submitted or not.
STUDENT GRADES AND ATTENDANCE: You may check student grades and attendance using Focus. Attendance should be entered by the teacher before 2:25 PM each day. Grades are entered into Focus continuously throughout the quarter. Teachers should have assignments input to Focus within 10 school days of the date the assignment is due (or submitted by the student). Once a closing date is reached, the grade will remain as a zero.
LATE CREDIT: Students do not receive late credit for late work. Students failing to submit work on time will earn a zero on the assignment. Students may have their assignment excused for a late assignment if it is completed with a minimum of a "B" score. If a "B" score is not earned, the student will earn the score earned. No work will be accepted late after the module has closed (7:15 AM the date of the module test).
Students with extended time accommodations may submit work until the module closing with no penalty as long as the student has made sufficient effort in class to complete the assignment. Note that being off task (e.g., talking with friends, sleeping, playing on electronic devices, etc.), as determined by the teacher, forgoes any accommodated extended time opportunity. Further, it is the responsibility of the student with an extended time accommodation to request the extended time prior to the due date and time to receive this accommodation. Closing dates are not extended, as all extended time accommodations will have been provided prior to the closing date.
RECOVERY POINT OPPORTUNITIES: Students will be provided recovery point opportunities throughout each Module. The recovery points available through these opportunities are designed to recovery points lost on assignments and tests. Since recovery point opportunities do not count against the grade, there will be no make-up provided for recovery point opportunities.
COURSE CALENDAR: Students are provided a weekly calendar on Teams outlining what we are doing in class and notes on what is due or closing each day. This weekly announcement is also posted on the course website, IsonBiology.com, each week for parents to follow along. There is also a calendar posted for each quarter at the start of the quarter. This calendar is tentative.
COURSE OVERVIEW: The curriculum has been broken down into 15 modules that we will cover over the course of the academic year. The plan will be to cover four modules per quarter. Each module is broken down into several lessons. These lessons will have notes and an associated assignment. We conclude each module with a module test. Teams is utilized to provide access to all the Cornell Notes templates, assignments, and tests. Students complete and submit their responses digitally, this is specifically demonstrated multiple times to the class, even drawing attention to the "email receipt" checkbox on each assignment.
NOTES: Students are provided a Cornell Notes template to complete for each lesson. Students must be present in class to complete the Cornell Notes template. The name of the lesson should correlate to the name of the assignment. The Cornell Notes Template is optional for the student to complete. This helps students who are easily distracted to follow along with the lesson and they may be used during the module tests. If a student is absent from class the date the notes are covered they can utilize the online textbook linked on our website to read and take notes of the correlating topics. Further, there are tutorials available for students to view under the Anatomy & Physiology tab separated by units. Remember, attendance and participation in class is very important for understanding of concepts. Notes are designed to summarize, not replace, what is taught in class.
ASSIGNMENTS: Each daily assignment will include an introduction, lesson check questions, and post-lesson assignment questions. Reviews and other activities may be included as assignments.
At the start of class students should access the assignment through Teams and complete the introduction while the teacher takes attendance. The introduction will generally be based on an article provided related to the topic discussed that day during the lesson, but requires no prior knowledge of the topic. Introduction questions are generally short response, but may be multiple choice.
The lesson check questions should be completed while the topic of the day is being taught. These questions are generally multiple choice, but may include a short response answer. The lesson check questions follow along with the notes. If there is anything asked in the lesson check questions that is not specifically stated on the notes, I draw attention to it by telling the class, "You need to make sure you write this down."
Students should have sufficient time in class to ask questions and complete the entire assignment. If there is a concept that a student struggles with I am more than happy to go over a concept again, but I will not give away answers to questions on the assignments. The post-lesson assignment questions will also follow along with the notes unless otherwise stated in the class and may include multiple choice, short response, and extended response questions.
I will tell the students if there are any additional resources they need and provide them access. This includes handouts and the textbook. The syllabus contains the URL for a supplemental digital textbook that students may use. Assignments may vary in length depending on how many multiple-choice or extend response questions it contains, and the amount of detail required in each response. Assignments can easily be completed during the allotted class time. Assignments not submitted by the end of class will result in a zero for the assignment. An assignment may be submitted late until 7:15 AM on the date of the module test to excuse the zero with a minimum score of a B. Late assignments submitted scoring below a B will result in the score being entered as the grade. Sufficient time is provided in class and more than sufficient time is provided between the assignment being assigned and the closing date to have completed the assignment, sometimes as much as 10 to 12 days.
TESTS: A module test is provided at the end of each module. The test is twenty-five questions in length, unless stated otherwise. The test questions are scrambled throughout the lessons and do not follow a particular order; however, the answers may be found in the notes or derived from information from the notes as discussed in class. Students have been told they may use their notes on the test but tests do have a time limit. Students may not use other students notes to complete the test. Students caught using another student's notes will earn a zero on the test. Students will be assigned the test in class to complete. If the test is not completed in class then there will be a 20 point deduction (out of 100) from the test score due to the reduction in test validity. This deduction will also be applied if a student accesses the test before it is assigned in class, even if its available to the student in Teams. Students that qualify for extended time accommodations via a 504 or IEP extended time accommodation - must be specifically stated in the 504 or IEP - will be able to access the test without penalty if they were appropriately utilizing test time in class. All tests will close at 11:59 PM on the date assigned. Failure to submit the test will result in a zero. A student that is caught skipping, is present in class and does not take it as directed, or fails to submit the test when assigned will have their score reduced by 50 points (out of 100) due to the reduction in test validity. If a student is absent for a justified reason under the DCPS criteria for an excused absence and provides appropriate documentation, the student will be provided a make up test so long as they did not already access the test. Make up tests, retakes, or alternatively assigned tests may not be the same test that was provided in class and may include short and extended response questions, fill-in-the-blank (spelling counts), and may be timed (with an auto-submit feature). The regularly scheduled test date is the date all assignments for the respective module close without exception.
SUBMISSION OF WORK: Students will access assignments through Teams. Under each assignment there is a link to the assignment to be completed in Microsoft Forms. This can be done from a desktop computer, laptop or even a phone. I have included an "email receipt" checkbox at the end of each exit ticket, assignment, and module test so that students will be emailed a receipt of their answers and proof of completion. This is something they may check on their own to verify whether they have submitted an assignment. Unfortunately, submission of an assignment in Microsoft Forms does not communicate back with Teams, so do not trust what Teams states concerning whether the assignment has been submitted. Students may mark an assignment submitted in Teams without completing the assignment. Always trust the existence of the emailed receipt with their name and title of the assignment on it. I require students to provide me the forwarded copy of their email receipt if there is ever a question about their grade. Parents may also ask to see the receipt for proof that the assignment was completed and may even use the link to review the answers submitted (the student must be logged in to do this). Failure to click the submit button does not excuse an assignment from being late. Students have all the resources necessary to verify whether an assignment has been submitted or not.
STUDENT GRADES AND ATTENDANCE: You may check student grades and attendance using Focus. Attendance should be entered by the teacher before 2:25 PM each day. Grades are entered into Focus continuously throughout the quarter. Teachers should have assignments input to Focus within 10 school days of the date the assignment is due (or submitted by the student). Once a closing date is reached, the grade will remain as a zero.
LATE CREDIT: Students do not receive late credit for late work. Students failing to submit work on time will earn a zero on the assignment. Students may have their assignment excused for a late assignment if it is completed with a minimum of a "B" score. If a "B" score is not earned, the student will earn the score earned. No work will be accepted late after the module has closed (7:15 AM the date of the module test).
Students with extended time accommodations may submit work until the module closing with no penalty as long as the student has made sufficient effort in class to complete the assignment. Note that being off task (e.g., talking with friends, sleeping, playing on electronic devices, etc.), as determined by the teacher, forgoes any accommodated extended time opportunity. Further, it is the responsibility of the student with an extended time accommodation to request the extended time prior to the due date and time to receive this accommodation. Closing dates are not extended, as all extended time accommodations will have been provided prior to the closing date.
RECOVERY POINT OPPORTUNITIES: Students will be provided recovery point opportunities throughout each Module. The recovery points available through these opportunities are designed to recovery points lost on assignments and tests. Since recovery point opportunities do not count against the grade, there will be no make-up provided for recovery point opportunities.
COURSE CALENDAR: Students are provided a weekly calendar on Teams outlining what we are doing in class and notes on what is due or closing each day. This weekly announcement is also posted on the course website, IsonBiology.com, each week for parents to follow along. There is also a calendar posted for each quarter at the start of the quarter. This calendar is tentative.