Course Information and Policies
Class CANVAS: Our class will utilize the CANVAS learning management system for organization.
Class Norms: Our norms are a list of thoughts and actions, agreed upon among members of the class, about how we will treat ourselves and one another.
<< NORMS WILL BE POSTED HERE ONCE COMPLETE! >>
In general, students can do as they like in this class, provided it doesn’t affect their learning or the learning of others in the class. We work quite hard to fulfill all the course requirements, so it is important for students to remain attentive and work with intention at all times. I trust that students will be responsible for their learning and will not engage in any activity that will take away from their own learning or from a classmate’s ability to learn. Nothing infuriates me as much as a student who disrespects another’s right to learn.
Remote Learning: Each class will meet virtually tree times per week through Zoom according to the remote learning schedule. On average, the live instruction and interactions will be about 30 minutes, but some days will be more and some less. We will begin each class with a live session, such as:
Additional tasks will be asynchronous, meaning that students will work independently to complete them. Such as:
Participation: You will demonstrate engagement in our class by regularly and thoughtfully participating in online meetings, engaging in discussions, completing assigned work, and completing assessments. As much as possible, you will have opportunities to express your learning in a model of your choice and will have multiple opportunities to express your understanding of the material.
Grading: grading policies for IB Biology I and IB Biology II. The only accurate place to check your most up to date grade will be Skyward/Family Access. The CANVAS gradebook may be used, but there is the possibility that a grade will not match and as a result please refer to Skyward for the most accurate grade.
Attendance: Regular attendance is very important for success IB biology. The attendance policy corresponds with the school-wide policy. For 2020-2021, while we run an online course, your participation is expected (either synchronously or asynchronously) according to the school schedule, and you will need to submit work according to the weekly schedule posted in CANVAS. However, I understand that life creates challenges, so please let me know if you need additional time and support during your at-home learning time.
Late Work: In general, please complete your work on time. However if you need extra time for assignments please speak with me in advance about your need for an extension and your plan for completion. I am extraordinarily flexible and accommodating of student circumstances and different needs, but advance communication is key. With advance communication, late work is accepted without grade penalty. Time sensitive items (i.e. initial knowledge audits) are not accepted late.
Extra Help Opportunities:
Responsible Technology Use: students will utilize a variety of digital tools. To participate, all students must agree to the Issaquah School District Responsible Use Agreement. Please review the document and adhere to the guidelines therein.
Photos of Students and Student Work: Students and families will be asked to opt-in or opt-out of student photos and/or assignment artifacts (with names redacted) being shared via this website and public facing social media (Instagram and Twitter using #shsibbio or #ibbio).
- Username: same as your school network/computer login
- Password: 7-digit student ID number + ISD
Class Norms: Our norms are a list of thoughts and actions, agreed upon among members of the class, about how we will treat ourselves and one another.
<< NORMS WILL BE POSTED HERE ONCE COMPLETE! >>
In general, students can do as they like in this class, provided it doesn’t affect their learning or the learning of others in the class. We work quite hard to fulfill all the course requirements, so it is important for students to remain attentive and work with intention at all times. I trust that students will be responsible for their learning and will not engage in any activity that will take away from their own learning or from a classmate’s ability to learn. Nothing infuriates me as much as a student who disrespects another’s right to learn.
Remote Learning: Each class will meet virtually tree times per week through Zoom according to the remote learning schedule. On average, the live instruction and interactions will be about 30 minutes, but some days will be more and some less. We will begin each class with a live session, such as:
- attendance
- warm up questions
- community building
- review of previous learning
- direct instruction of challenging topics
- group discussions and tasks
- directions for tasks and assignments
Additional tasks will be asynchronous, meaning that students will work independently to complete them. Such as:
- independently note taking
- watching course related videos
- performing hands-on investigations
- working on projects
Participation: You will demonstrate engagement in our class by regularly and thoughtfully participating in online meetings, engaging in discussions, completing assigned work, and completing assessments. As much as possible, you will have opportunities to express your learning in a model of your choice and will have multiple opportunities to express your understanding of the material.
Grading: grading policies for IB Biology I and IB Biology II. The only accurate place to check your most up to date grade will be Skyward/Family Access. The CANVAS gradebook may be used, but there is the possibility that a grade will not match and as a result please refer to Skyward for the most accurate grade.
Attendance: Regular attendance is very important for success IB biology. The attendance policy corresponds with the school-wide policy. For 2020-2021, while we run an online course, your participation is expected (either synchronously or asynchronously) according to the school schedule, and you will need to submit work according to the weekly schedule posted in CANVAS. However, I understand that life creates challenges, so please let me know if you need additional time and support during your at-home learning time.
Late Work: In general, please complete your work on time. However if you need extra time for assignments please speak with me in advance about your need for an extension and your plan for completion. I am extraordinarily flexible and accommodating of student circumstances and different needs, but advance communication is key. With advance communication, late work is accepted without grade penalty. Time sensitive items (i.e. initial knowledge audits) are not accepted late.
Extra Help Opportunities:
- There are multiple ways to contact me to ask questions, share concerns, or make comments.
- There are open office hours opportunities four times per week. During these times students may ask questions, complete missed assessments, get extra help in small groups or work individually with the teacher. The office hours are:
- Monday: 3:00 - 3:30
- Tuesday: 3:00 - 3:30
- Wednesday: 10:15-12:20
- Thursday: 3:00 - 3:30
- Additionally, the school Flex Time is a chance for students to have a longer chunk of time to access teaching and learning resources. Supplemental material for IB exam preparation may be presented during Flex Time. Flex Time is Friday, from 1:15 - 2:50.
- To sign up for office hours or Flex Time, please use the Canvas calendar appointments (how-to available here)
- Extra help may occur 1:1 between student and teacher, however the virtual meeting space is public and links are available to those with approved access (students, families and teachers).
Responsible Technology Use: students will utilize a variety of digital tools. To participate, all students must agree to the Issaquah School District Responsible Use Agreement. Please review the document and adhere to the guidelines therein.
Photos of Students and Student Work: Students and families will be asked to opt-in or opt-out of student photos and/or assignment artifacts (with names redacted) being shared via this website and public facing social media (Instagram and Twitter using #shsibbio or #ibbio).
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Preparation for Class: See the class materials list at Amazon.com. The items are sample items, not necessarily required brands or styles.
Materials needed (although not necessarily used daily):
Suggested for organization of your various papers and creations:
Turn it In: many assignments will be submitted to the website www.turnitin.com. You will need to register for the class using the course numbers shown below and the enrollment key "Biology"
Group Work: We will frequently work in pairs and teams. Sometimes I will allow you to choose your own partner, at other times I will assign students to work together. I expect you to accept these assignments without complaint/whining. Although we will do lab work in teams, each student will write up their own lab report. During group work, answers and solutions may be freely shared, but all members are expected to contribute. Simply copying answers from another student without having helped to produce the product is plagiarism and will be treated as such.
Safety: During labs, at school or at home, you must always follow ethical guidelines and adhere to the rules for lab safety . Laboratory Equipment Fines: In certain circumstances, school lab equipment can be check out to students for completing investigations at home. If you do not return, damage, brake or misuse school equipment, you are responsible for paying a replacement fee for the item. Cheating: Cheating will not be tolerated and is clearly a violation of course and school policy. The following acts of cheating are examples of behavior that will result in disciplinary actions as outlined in the student handbook.
It is assumed that Skyline students are honorable people. Only those lacking in intelligence believe that cheating on academic work is profitable. Students are here to learn; cheating makes learning impossible. |
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