In this FLEX course, students will learn several important concepts of biology through the study of axolotls. For students who have taken my one-time course, "Meet the Adorable Axolotl," be aware that some of that material will be repeated, however, this course dives deeper into not only characteristics of axolotls, but into several other topics as well. 

I will provide a link to a lesson in the classroom each Monday for 4 weeks. The lessons will be delivered through Kahoot. This makes the learning interactive and engaging! Students do not need a separate device or an account to access the lessons. In each lesson, students will answer questions about what they know before, during, and after the delivery of the content. Content is delivered through videos which are linked to slides in Kahoot. Note that these videos are housed on YouTube. The content videos are created by me using slides with pictures and illustrations, and vocabulary review. I may also include some clips that further enhance the learning experience. These additional clips will be no more than 3 minutes long. I want to assure you that learners are not simply watching YouTube in this course! The before, during, and after questions included in the lesson will require students to make connections, predictions, and demonstrate understanding as well as learning facts.

Learners will be actively engaged in these lessons. The content is delivered in small chunks, with questions interspersed. 

Learners will be given an assignment to complete after each class. The assignments will require pen/pencil and paper, and colored pencils or crayons. Assignments range from creatively assimilating learned information (plan an axolotl party and include various assigned words or facts, for example) to taking their learning beyond the classroom. Learners will post pictures of their assignments to the classroom, and respond to each other's assignments. Additionally, I will post questions/prompts (connect, understand, predict) in the classroom related to the week's lesson.  Questions and prompts are purposefully designed to help learners see the "big picture" of the course, and biology as a whole. These questions and prompts will also be posted on Mondays, and learners are free to answer them any time during the week. Learners will answer via writing or video message, and will respond to each other's answers.

The lessons are as follows:
Class 1: What are Axolotls? A Closer Look 
Class 2: Characteristics of Axolotls: Adaptations, Natural Selection, and Artificial Selection
Class 3: Where do Axolotls Live? Ecosystems, Food Chains, and Invasive Species
Class 4: Axolotls in our Lives: Humans and Other Animals Connected

A note about the age range: The class is open to students ages 9-12. Developmentally, this is a wide range, and each learner is in their own stage regardless of age. Due to the nature of the content, some of these ideas are abstract. My philosophy is that it certainly doesn't hurt children to be exposed to big ideas, and if there are concepts that your learner struggles with that is OKAY. The "aha" moments may come later, even years later! Please read the class titles to decide if the concepts are appropriate for your learner.

This FLEX course will have no live meetings. Interaction will be included in the following ways:
Instructor to Learner: videos, games, and questions through Kahoot!; questions in the classroom, I will answer questions
Learner to Instructor: participation in the Kahoot! lesson, asking and answering questions in the classroom, completing assignments
Learner to Learner: answering questions in the classroom, commenting on each others' assignments, sharing insights in the classroom

My teaching style is friendly, energetic, and professional. Please see the reviews on my profile for comments relating to my classroom manner. If you have questions, please ask! I hope to see your learner, virtually, in class!
:) Mary