- Description
BIOLOGY
Length: 1 Full Year
Grade Level: 8-12
Prerequisites: Middle School Life Science
Class Information Video-CLICK HERE
Description:
This subject is designed to provide a general background for the understanding of the science of Biology. This course develops an appreciation of the beauty of life from its simplest composition at the molecular level to the global spectrum of complex ecological issues. It discusses Genetics, Cytology, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, Populations, and Ecology. Issues, concerns, and problems with life are also included. It also deals with the basic principles and processes in the study of biology. It covers life processes and interactions at the cellular, organism, population, and ecosystem levels.
Course Length: A Full Year (2 Semesters)
Course Format: Self Paced Online
Inquire about this class being taught 1:1 for your child or a friend group.
Course Type: Core Science Credit
General Standards:
The learner demonstrates an understanding of basic concepts and processes in Biology as deepened by other disciplines to analyze/solve problems critically, think innovatively / creatively, and make informed decisions to enhance the integrity and wellness of the human person, protect the environment and conserve resources to sustain the quality of life.Students should expect daily assignments as well as projects, quizzes, tests, and laboratory reports. Students will also learn problem solving skills and important study skill tips during the course.
Why is Biology important? Biology is known as the prerequisite class for all high school science classes. Biology is normally taken in 9th grade. A strong foundation in Biology provides success in high school. The SAT and ACT, needed for college admission, is predominately over Biology and Life Science. So a strong foundation is key.
This video shows you a clip of what Google Classroom looks like, how each week has 5 tasks to complete, and how students are provided a code for assessments-CLICK HERE FOR SAMPLE
Curriculum Resources:
https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-biology-flexbook-2.0/
https://www.generationgenius.com/science-videos-for-kids/
https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Lumen_Learning/Biology_I_Laboratory_Manual_(Lumen)
Recommended Textbook:
Super Simple Biology from Amazon (recommended, but not required).
State Laboratory Requirement:
This course does meet the state laboratory requirement, and will require students to practice labs using step-by-step laboratory processes and with the use of lab reports. Students will upload images and video responses to lab assignments. This course has more than the usual lab activities which makes this class very popular. The instructor believes in hands-on learning to help with comprehension. Students will take notes in a science spiral, create notecards of new vocabulary, draw science diagrams, research topics, create summary paragraphs, and perform lots of labs during the session.
Unit Topics:
Living vs Nonliving
Cells & Cell Types
Cell Processes
DNA Helix, RNA
Genetics & Heredity
Genetic Conditions
Mitosis vs Meiosis
Punnett Squares
Homeostasis
Body Systems
Diseases Of The Body
Health
Ecology
Pollution
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This class is offered using a self paced, asynchronous format.
Self Paced Online Format
This includes access to a customized Biology Google Classroom, online textbook, labs to try at home, and interactive graded assessments. The course will follow a self paced format, with 5 tasks to complete each week for a total of 17 weeks (85 assignments) in a semester. Each task provides takes around 25-30 minutes to complete. Biology consists of a full year course broken up into two semesters. Students will log on each week to complete the lessons provided. The lessons will be videos from the teacher or Youtube, slideshows, or chapters to read. Then the week will consist of tasks to complete to help with comprehension of the topic-making notecards over new vocabulary, visiting Quizlet to practice the new terms/match the terms, codes to take practice assessments or end of the unit tests on Quizizz, labs to try at home, virtual labs to watch via Youtube links, science diagrams to draw/label, chapter questions to answer via image upload or video response, research projects, and case studies to complete. Self paced is perfect for students who like to move at an advanced or more relaxed pace. No deadlines are given, but the goal is to finish a week at a time. All students are provided a template with a checklist for each week, parents are encouraged to do a weekly check in to make sure the pace is flowing well for the student. If the student needs help they are able to add question comments to the assignment, and Mrs. Collins will respond the same day or the next. Additional tutoring Zooms are available, if needed. Students take notes in a spiral notebook, and use the spiral to study for assessments. Assessments are taken in Quizizz with a teacher provided code. All tests can be retaken as many times as needed, and then students are asked to record the score on the provided grade template. At the end of the semester the family is able to add up the scores for an average.Why self paced curriculum works for so many students? Self paced can be used in two ways. First, it can be used by parents. Many parents teach from self paced curriculum. It takes the guessing out of what is needed each semester in regards to state standards, and the hassle of lesson planning. Everything the parent needs to teach the class will be provided. Over 30% of self paced classes purchased from Mrs. Collins is used by teachers or parents.Mrs. Collins has experience as a curriculum writer for school systems-creating Canvas units for school teachers.This provides an easy way to provide everything the student will need for a great Biology experience. The second way self paced is used is by students' independently. Self paced is great for students who want to move at a slower or quicker pace, for students who are athletes or actors that travel, or for family that RV fulltime having intermittent wifi access.
Biology Grade Level Assessment: $25 (Optional)
If your child has recently finished Biology, left the school system mid year to homeschool, or will be going into Biology; a pre-assessment is a great key to check mastery. Using Quizizz a code will be provided for the student to take the assessment. The assessment will cover all of the state standards needed to check Biology mastery. The student will need to devote 40-70 minutes to the assessment. The parent will be needed to supervise that additional windows or internet help is not used during the test to have true test of accuracy/comprehension. Biology assessments can be taken at any time during the year. The parent will then receive a copy of the test and a recommendation regarding skill mastery. If the student recently left a Biology course, this is a great way to guage what topics the student has left to complete. Then a tailored class can be provided over the units remaining instead of retaking Biology.
Biology Supplies:
I have organized all of the common supplies into an Amazon list, CLICK HERE.
Note: If you are a Tandem Edu student, this class meets the science requirement. Please see the Tandembrochure for more information. Tandem Edu students take this course using the self paced format to meet the science credit requirement.