What's included
16 live meetings
13 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Students may intermittently be given optional, short assignments to complete outside of class meeting times. These assignments will be given to help introduce new topics, practice skills learned, and/or reinforce learning goals. All assignments outside of class will be optional according to parental discretion.Assessment
Formative assessments will be given regularly in each class meeting to assess student learning and connections. The grade for this course will be determined by weekly quizzes, a midterm exam and final exam. All quizzes and exams are optional according to parental discretion but will be available to all students.Grading
All homework, quizzes and exams are optional, per the preferences of each family. If assignments are completed, grades can be recorded in the digital notebook (provided in the course). If requested, a formal grade report will be provided at the conclusion of the course.Class Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Topics Covered: Week 1: Plant Processes Week 2: Invertebrates Week 3: Arthropods Week 4: Ectothermic Vertebrates Week 5: Endothermic Vertebrates Week 6: Introduction to the Human Body Week 7: Protection: Integumentary and Lymphatic Systems Week 8: Midterm Review and Exam Week 9: Support and Movement: Skeletal System Week 10: Support and Movement: Muscular System Week 11: Transport: Respiratory System Week 12: Transport: Circulatory System Week 13: Energy: Digestive and Urinary Systems Week 14: Communication: Nervous and Endocrine Systems Week 15: Reproduction, Growth and Development Week 16: Review and Final Exam Each lesson will include some form of lecture instruction using slides, images and/or video clips; and a variety of short, formative assessments such as multiple-choice questions, discussion, collaboration boards, matching games, drawing, writing activities, and interactive skills activities. This model allows for frequent assessment and student interaction. Throughout the course students will be given the tools to build a digital notebook to organize class handouts, grades, resources, and notes. The notebook will be given in the Google Slides format, so a Google account is helpful. The notebook will be available in another format upon parent request. Here is an example tentative schedule for each lesson: 2-5 minutes: Introduction to the class, student expectations, and each other. 5-7 minutes: Engage - Interactive activity to introduce the topic 10-15 minutes: Explore - Lecture style instruction and scaffolded practice 5-7 minutes: Explain - How does the topic relate to the real-world? 10-15 minutes: Evaluate - Formative assessments and/or quiz This course will be taught using Nearpod lessons, which allows for the interaction mentioned above. If your student will be using a tablet or phone, they will need to download the free Nearpod app, which can be found in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. I will be posting a link to the Nearpod website and a code into the chat box when class starts and students using a computer will be able to access the lesson via the link or by going to the Nearpod website and entering in the code.
Learning Goals
By the end of this course students will be able to...
Discuss the importance of classifying living things
Compare viruses to bacteria
Depict the structures and movements of common protozoans
Draw and label the structure of a mushroom
Diagram the structure of leaves, stems and roots
List the characteristics of animals and give examples
Use a t-chart to compare endotherms and ectotherms
Describe the general characteristics of arthropods
List the three main types of ectothermic vertebrates and their major characteristics
Compare the major orders of mammals
Summarize the function of each system in the human body
Describe the purposes of the skin
Relate the different joint structures to their movements
Differentiate between the three kinds of muscle and describe their roles
Diagram the process of breathing
List the organs of the digestive system and describe their functions
Explain how kidneys filter and recycle the materials in blood
Label the parts of the brain
Describe the function of the different glands and the hormones they secrete
Describe the function of the human reproductive organs
Trace the development of an embryo from implantation to birth
Syllabus
16 Lessons
over 16 WeeksLesson 1:
Plant Processes
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Invertebrates
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Arthropods
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Ectothermic Vertebrates
50 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This course will be taught using Nearpod lessons, which allows for the interaction mentioned above. If your student will be using a tablet or phone, they will need to download the free Nearpod app, which can be found in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. I will be posting a link to the Nearpod website and a code into the chat box when class starts and students using a computer will be able to access the lesson via the link or by going to the Nearpod website and entering in the code.
The student notebook for this course will be given in the Google Slides format, so a Google account is helpful. The notebook will be available in another format upon parent request.
Kahoot will be used as a review game a couple of times during this course.
Pre-Requisites
Students should complete Biology Semester 1 for High School before enrolling in this course.
Supply List
Students will be provided with a digital notebook containing handouts, quiz links, grade recording sheet, and a place to take notes.
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Teaching Certificates
Indiana Teaching Certificate in Science
Texas Teaching Certificate in Science
Master's Degree in Education from Texas A&M Commerce
I have a bachelor's of science degree in chemistry with a minor in mathematics, and a master's of science degree in secondary education with a minor in chemistry. I also currently teach adult education classes for at my local community college. I have been a certified 8-12 science teacher in Texas for the past 10 years, spending 5 of those years teaching in public school and community college, 3 years teaching at a homeschool co-op and rest of the time teaching online. I am certified to teach and have experience teaching chemistry, biology, earth science, life science, forensic science, astronomy, integrated physics and chemistry in grades 8-12.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$325
for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
50 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-17
3-10 learners per class