Academic Syllabus
Welcome to MGLA:
Hello! I am Andrea Garrison and I will be teaching your child in his/her Biology course this year. Let’s get off to a great start! The purpose of this course is to provide exploratory experiences, laboratory and real-life applications in the biological sciences. This class is FLIPPED and will call for internet and computer access at all times.
Class content:
The content includes: The nature of science (matter, energy, and chemical processes of life) •Cells (biology, reproduction, and communication) •Genetics (principles, molecular basis, diversity, and biotechnologies) •Levels of organization (classification, and taxonomy) •Structure, function, and reproduction of plants, animals, and microorganisms
Global connections:
We will be actively growing our global influence through projects with foreign countries, universities, museums, libraries, hospitals, and other public and private entities around the world, but more so in Greater Charlotte, North Carolina and the United States. We will strive to create positive and productive learning environments, builds meaningful and collaborative networks, and work with students and our other stakeholders to understand and address our shared specific goals and projects that we seek to complete to better the community-at-large. We will seek to understand how science and technology are advancing the world and inspiring new ideas that will save lives, shape governments, create new leaders and ultimately reshape the way we think about and treat ourselves as the human race! *Special thanks to
Required materials:
Daily Internet access, 7 dividers, blue and black pens ONLY (work written in other colors will not be accepted), loose leaf paper (college rule)*paper “torn out” will not be graded, composition (bound) notebook, sharpened pencils, index cards on hand, Highlighter, Ruler, glue sticks, Scissors, Google Drive, Gaggle, compass
Daily preparation and communication:
Flipped learning is a concept that is not new but has statistically been proven to be a best practice in the science field. Entire high schools and parts of entire districts around the United States are shifting towards that idea that the student will complete homework and rigorous labs in class with the teacher and watch the lessons online at home. Because this class is flipped, it is expected that the students watch the videos in class before their next meeting to be prepared to participate fully during lab/class time. After watching each video, the student should write down any questions or concerns that were not understood from the video to be discussed in the next class; this is a DAILY requirement (the students will have access to the library and computers to make sure that the lesson is seen). There is a course pack at the bottom of my Biology Wiki that will allow the students to work at their own paces and stay abreast of what is expected. The required videos are all preloaded onto the website. It is expected that each video be viewed before the corresponding class; homework will usually be completed in class. This way, lessons are not missed during absences, the students are getting more one-on-one time with the teacher and their peers, collaboration (a 21st century skill) is being sharpened each day, problem-solving skills are being utilized and honed, etc. Late work will be a considerably lessened issue and help is always available. If there are any questions that you as a parent have, please email me at the address above with your name, name of your student and the best way in which to contact you. I’ll be sure to get back with you within 36 hours. Thank you!
Grading:
A: 93 – 100 B: 85 – 92 C: 75 – 84 D: 70 – 74 F: 0 – 69
Tutoring schedule:
Tuesday mornings from 8-8:45 Please understand that your child will need to have his/her own transportation.
Please sign below indicating you have read and understand the expectations of this course. Please do not detach signature from page. Thank you.
Student Signature: ______Date:______
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