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High School Biology | Quarter 1 | Exploring the Dynamics of Ecosystems

Dive into the fascinating world of life! Explore the intricate dynamics of ecosystems including interactions between species, conservation, migration, and populations.
Mrs. Victoria Laird, M.S.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(21)
Class

What's included

14 live meetings
10 hrs 30 mins in-class hours
Assignments
1-2 hours per week. Students may be required to complete 30-60 minutes of assignments, reading, activities, etc. per week depending on the flow of the class.
Grading
Assessments will be given as an indication of how well a student is learning the content and skills for the class and to help me continuously develop a better curriculum. Students will be assigned a number on a proficiency scale* that lets the student, parent, and teacher know how the student is doing. Each assignment will have a rubric attached to it letting the student, parent, and teacher know the expectations for the assessment. Assessments may be multiple choice, free response, modeling, or many other types. Most assessments will be taken in class, but some may be at-home projects. Assessment retakes and/or revisions will be provided and encouraged. *See Grading Policy for our Proficiency Scale

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
*Students DO NOT need to take quarter classes in order*

Structure of the Class: 
In my dynamic classroom, students dive into a myriad of learning experiences, from live debates and hands-on projects to intriguing educational escape rooms and enlightening lab sessions. But it doesn't stop there - we also incorporate games and direct instruction to ensure a well-rounded education.

Each live session comes equipped with a set of slides and activity guidelines, readily accessible for students during and post-class. Plus, I've got a slew of videos and resources at the ready to shed light on those trickier concepts and deepen your background knowledge.

Student Requirements:
Students will be required to keep their cameras turned on during class. This allows me to better interact with students and helps them to interact with their peers. 

My Teaching Style: 
My mission is to ignite a spark of scientific curiosity in my students, fostering lifelong learners who are scientifically savvy. I pour my energy into crafting lessons that aren't just informative, but also a whole lot of fun, ensuring students genuinely relish the learning journey.

I'm a firm believer in connecting classroom knowledge to real-world experiences, encouraging students to view their surroundings through an exploratory lens. 

Prior Knowledge: 
Students will not be required to have any prior knowledge of life science to participate in this course. 
*Students DO NOT need to take quarter classes in order*
Learning Goals
Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy.
Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.
learning goal

Syllabus

Standards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
2 Units
14 Lessons
over 7 Weeks
Unit 1: Ecosystem Dynamics
Lesson 1:
Why do ecosystems need protection?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
What can case studies tell us about ecosystems and conservation?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Why do the animals in the Serengeti migrate?
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
How is food driving the wildebeest migration?
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Supply List
1 pencil with an eraser
1 notebook, lined
1 pack of colored pencils, colored pens, markers, or crayons
Access to a Gmail account (many of our assignments are in Google Docs and Slides)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
I will be referencing the OpenSciEd as well as the Utah Science Curriculum Consortium's SEEd Storylines and Jordan School District's (Utah) open-source curriculum. All are created by certified expert teachers and curriculum designers. If you would like more information please see https://www.openscied.org/ https://www.seedstorylines.org/ https://middlescience.jordandistrict.org/7th-8th-grade-exemplary-units/
Joined November, 2023
5.0
21reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Utah Teaching Certificate in Science
Master's Degree in Science from University of Utah
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Brigham Young University
I have a BS in Biological Education and a MS in Earth Science and I have taught integrated science at the middle school level as well as high school Biology, Wildlife Biology, and Zoology.
During the last two years, I have worked as a Science Specialist for a large school district in Utah, supporting teachers and administration in science education. 

Reviews

Live Group Course
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$33

weekly or $231 for 14 classes
2x per week, 7 weeks
45 min

Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
2-6 learners per class

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