C.H.S.

Virtual Biology
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Deb Cook
Contact Information
Email: biomonsters@gmail.com Website: http://moodle.ccs.k12.va.us & www.biomonsters.com Twitter: biomonsters YouTube Channel: CHSBiomonsters Phone Number: 434.245.2410 Help Hours: Tuesdays (3:45-4:35pm) & Thursdays (3:45-4:35pm) or by appointment

Course Summary
Parents and students should refer to the Virginia Department of Education website as a guide for understanding the content to be learned in this course and for SOL exam preparation. Biology is a very fast-paced and challenging course. Students are expected to study and do homework assignments nightly. There will be many virtual laboratories and activities in this class to teach and reinforce course material. Students will participate in virtual laboratories and have laboratory reports assigned. There will be individual projects throughout the course. Group work will also be assigned during class. This work will require a great deal of cooperation. Students are expected to display maturity, professionalism, and proper digital citizenship when working with others and dealing with course lecture material.

The Virtual Classroom:

This virtual course requires students to have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet daily. Students will also need access to the Internet away from school to complete out of class laboratories and projects. Access to technology and a willingness to learn new Web 2.0 tools will be essential for student success in this course. Students are also expected to use a calendar (electronic or paper) to keep track of due dates and assessment windows. Please refer to the course calendar to help you plan your academic schedule accordingly.

Sequence of Topics:
An Introduction to Online Learning & E-Portfolios The Nature of Science & Experimental Design Biochemistry The Cell Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Cellular Division & Genetics Evolution The Web of Life Ecology 1

Course Calendar:
A detailed weekly calendar of events can be found on the Biology Moodle Site. Assignment due dates will be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays by 11:59 p.m. unless otherwise posted.
October 8th 12th October 15th 19th October 22nd 26th October 29th Nov. 2nd November 7th 9th November 12th 16th November 19th 20th November 26th 30th December 3rd 7th December 10th 14th December 17th 21st January 7th 11th January 14th 18th January 22nd 25th January 28th Feb. 1st February 4th 8th February 11th 15th February 20th 22nd February 25th March 1st March 4th 8th March 12th 15th March 18th 22nd March 25th 28th April 8th 12th April 15th 19th April 22nd 26th April 29th May 3rd May 6th 10th May 13th 17th May 20th 24th May 28th 31st June 3rd 7th

Dates

Topics
Introduction to virtual learning & electronic portfolios Module 1: Nature of Science & Experimental Design Module 1 Assessment Module 2: Biochemistry

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17 Week 18 Week 19 Week 20 Week 21 Week 22 Week 23 Week 24 Week 25 Week 26 Week 27 Week 28 Week 29 Week 30 Week 31 Week 32

Module 2 Assessment Module 3: The Cell Module 3 Assessment / Midterm Examination Module 4: Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration / Module 4 Assessment Module 5: Genetics

Module 5 Assessment Module 6: Evolution Module 6 Assessment Module 7: The Web of Life Module 7 Assessment Module 8: Ecology Module 8 Assessment SOL Preparation SOL Preparation 5 Habits of Mind E-Portfolio Preparation 5 Habits of Mind E-Portfolio Presentation Final Examination

Course Assessments & Quizzes:

All module assessments and quizzes must be completed in the presence of the course proctor or instructor. It is the students responsibility to email the instructor to set up a time before, during, or after school to complete these benchmarks. All module assessments must be completed by Friday (or the last day of the week) of the assessment window. Assessment & quiz format will include short answer, long answer, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, labeling, matching, and multiple-choice. A cumulative examination will be given at the end of each semester (Dec. 17-21 & June 3-7). Each semester examination will count for 20% of the final semester grade.

Students will be administered the Biology SOL examination at the end of the course. A score of 400 or higher denotes a passing grade for this examination. 2

Grading Policies:
The C.H.S. grading scale will be used to determine the letter grade award for the course. Please refer to page 17 of your student agenda book for further information. The categories and associated weights for each assignment are listed below: Discussion Board: 10% Class Work: 20% Assessments/Laboratories/Projects: 50% 5 Habits of Mind Biology E-Portfolio Presentation: 20%

Required Daily Course Materials:

Students are expected to bring their C.H.S. issued tablet, keyboard, and charger when reporting to the flex laboratory for class, and when reporting to their instructor for tutorials and assessments. Students are expected to bring their agenda books to EVERY CLASS EVERY DAY. Important due dates will be recorded here. Students cannot leave the flex laboratory without their OWN personal agenda.

Electronic Biology Portfolio:

Students are expected to keep a Biology E-Portfolio throughout the course. This portfolio will allow the instructor to assess student understanding and growth throughout the school year. In order to complete portfolio assignments, students must bring their tablet, tablet charger, and keyboard to class daily! Please reference the Biology E-Portfolio addendum for specific information about EPortfolio expectations and end of year presentation.

Daily Student Flex Laboratory Responsibilities:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Come to class on time & prepared. Be willing to work/study for 90 minutes. Login to the Biology Moodle site. Read announcements and check the weekly to do list. Update your student agenda book with important dates. Read and complete relevant course assignments and projects. Email your instructor if you have questions or need to set up an appointment (for tutorials or assessment completion).

Course Policies
We work EVERYDAY in class for the full 90 minutes. Students and guardians are always encouraged to reach out to the instructors. Feel free to call, email or schedule a conference. We want to help. Students are expected to visit the class webpage regularly for additional support. All CHS and Charlottesville City School policies presented in the Student Agenda Book are enforced in this course, especially those pertaining to attendance and tardiness. Students have received these agenda books, and are expected to take them home for parents to read. Students are expected to be in the classroom by the end of the ringing of the bell & actively completing Daily Student Responsibilities. If a student fails to meet this expectation, they will be counted as tardy. Students are expected to refrain from consuming food and drink in the Flex Laboratory. Students are expected to check their agenda books nightly. Students are expected to complete their homework every night. Students are expected to hand all work and projects in on time. Students are expected to be in class everyday. If you are unable to attend class, it is your responsibility to email or speak to your instructor in order to receive your makeup work, and check www.biomonsters.com Students are expected to participate in class discussions and activities. If you have a special situation (i.e. difficulties with class notes, activities and/or laboratories, illness, family emergencies, conflicts with other courses, technology issues, personal situations, etc) it is your responsibility to communicate with the instructors. Students are expected to communicate with their instructor as soon as possible. We cannot help you if you do not let us know what is happening outside of the classroom. Students are expected to be dedicated and willing to immerse themselves in science. You will get out of this class what you are willing to contribute!!!

Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Please refer to page 10 of your student agenda book for detailed information about this policy. In accordance with the policy stated in the CHS student handbook, any attempts of academic dishonesty, including cheating on examinations and plagiarism, will result in a failing grade of zero, parent contact, and an immediate office referral.