1.  Mrs. DeBoard’s Contact Information  Phone: 615-583-9227  E-mail: kristin.deboard@mnps.org  Website: http://deboardvirtualbio.wikispaces.com/ Fall+Semester+Biology 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 Wikispace that 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