Mrs. DeBoard’s Contact Information Phone: 615-583-9227 E-mail: kristin.deboard@mnps

1. Mrs. DeBoard’s Contact Information • Phone: 615-583-9227 • E-mail: kristin.deboard@mnps.org • Website: http://deboardvirtualbio.wikispaces.com/Fall+Semester+Biology • Office Hours: Monday, 10:00am – 1:00pm

2. Topics You Will Study This Semester • Module 1: The Scientific Method • Module 2: Ecology • Module 3: Cells • Module 4: Genetics

3. Coursework • Read the Lessons and TAKE NOTES (keep a “hard-copy” notebook as well as a Biology folder on your computer) • Know how to navigate the virtual classroom • Course Info/Lessons • Assignments/Assessments • Discussions • My Grades • Know how to submit a help ticket for technical issues • Go to the Virtual School website: vlearn.mnps.org • Click “helpdesk” • Click “Submit a Ticket” • Give the details of your problem

4. Deadlines and Grading • Keep up with the pacing guide!!!! You can find it under “Course Info/Lessons.”Feel free to work ahead but DO NOT get behind! • Each week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. Your assignments are due each week by Saturday at 11:59pm. • You may turn in late assignments; however, your life will be much easier if you will stick to the pacing guide! • When an assignment is late, I will put a “zero” in the gradebook until you complete that assignment. This will drastically affect your average! • If you receive less than an 80% on an assignment, you can re-do it for additional credit!

5. Communication • Check your e-mail! • Get a g-mail account because we will be using “Google Hangout” throughout the semester. • Respond to e-mails from me. • Call or text me back if I leave you a message. • I will respond to your calls, texts, and e-mails within 24 hours (48 hours on the weekend). Please treat me with the same respect by responding to me in a timely manner.

6. Announcements • Read my Week at a Glance Announcements- these will be posted by Sunday every week. The announcements will contain helpful information such as: • A quick summary of the assignments due on Saturday. • Clarification of any confusing directions • A link to my Wikispacethat will have resources to assist you in completion of your assignments (videos, articles, study guides, DBA questions) • Reminders about upcoming lab supplies you may need to purchase • Extra credit opportunities • Information about when I will be available for DBAs that week • Any upcoming Virtual School events such as progress reports, exams, help sessions, etc.

7. Biology Wikispace • If I took the time to put something on my Wikispace, please look at it! • The things on my website are NOT extra work! They are items to help you with the work you have!

8. Discussion Based Assessment (DBA) • Schedule with me in advance. Use appointlet if Mondays, early morning or late at at night work for you. Otherwise text, e-mail, or call to set up a time. • It is a gated assignment. You will not be able to turn in any other assignments until you have completed a DBA. • Prepare for it! Use the study guide I will post on my Wikispace.

9. End of Course Test • You will take this state-mandated exam in the spring. • It will count for 25% of your second semester grade. • There are some standards that are covered on the EOC exam that are not in your virtual course. I will help you with those– check my announcements and Wikispace for practice tests and resources. • Come to the coaching labs! • Take your practice EOC and data chats seriously! • You will have 2 student-specific assignments this semester to help you prepare for the EOC test.

10. Virtual Partner Projects • Class discussions and partner work are a required part of the course! • Put thought and effort into your discussion postings and responses! Some examples of unacceptable responses: • “I agree with what Josh said” • “I think animals are the most interesting kingdom because I like dogs.” • For the partner projects, communicate with each other on the discussion boards to find a partner. The sooner you do this, the better off you will be! • Communicate with and respond to your partner! Do your share of the work! • If you are having problems, be sure you tell me.

11. How is a “virtual teacher” different than a “regular teacher”? • You don’t have to share me with other students in the classroom. • If you have a question ASK me, you are not in this alone! • I am available for “study sessions” • Get a g-mail account so that we can use Google Hangout

12. Honors? • To receive Honors credit on your transcript, complete all the regular assignments in a module PLUS the extra honors assignments (typically only 1 – 3 per module) and take the honors tests and honors exam • You do not need to take the regular tests, just the honors versions

13. Biology- The Study of Life • What does it mean to be alive? • List some characteristics of living things. • List 3 things that ARE alive and 3 things that are NOT.

14. Characteristics of Living Things • Capable of reproducing • Made up of cells • Homeostasis (maintains a stable internal environment) • Takes in and uses energy • Grows and develops • Responds to the environment

15. Is it Made of Cells? • Imagine you could examine the objects and materials listed below with a powerful microscope. Which items are made up or once were made up of cells? • Flowers - skin - apples • Sand - proteins - worms • Rocks - bacteria - milk • Leaf - bone - seeds • Lungs - water - paramecium • Hamburger - molecules - blood • Chromosomes - DNA - sugar • Cell membrane - saliva - calcium • Chlorophyll - mushrooms - atoms