2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit

Syllabus Outline for an Online/Blended Unit of Instruction

Template Self-Check
Course Hello everyone! Did you include course title,
Information instructor information, grade level,
Welcome to Mrs. Martin’s 2nd grade online science class! This class is taught subject area, office hours and
entirely online. All of the resources for this course will be online with the required textbooks or resources?
exception of the textbook. Each student has been issued the 2nd grade
Science textbook by McGraw-Hill from the Paulding County School District
(see picture). This book is going to house a lot of the reading material that
you will need to be successful in this course. It is going to be a great source
for your vocabulary words as well.

Here at Ragsdale Elementary School, we love

learning using our online classroom which you can
find at
https://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php#/The
Google classroom will be where you will find course
materials, assignments, and assessments.

Contact & office hours:

If you need to get in touch with me for any reason

please feel free to email me
at TMartin@paulding.k12.ga.us
You can also call the school at 770-443-2140 and leave a message and I'll
get back to you within 24 hrs. If you need to schedule a conference with me
to discuss grades or assignments my office hours are from 7-7:30 am or 3
pm-4 pm Monday- Friday.

** Office hours follow the school calendar. If there is a break in the school
calendar, then I will not have office hours available.

Expected Students are all second grade students between the ages of seven and nine. Is the expected student audience
Student They live in Paulding County Georgia and are a part of the Paulding County described? (Are your students in
Audience school district. All of my students are English speaking and have attended or the USA?)

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2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit
enrolled in an online course prior to this one.
Did you provide at least two forms
Teacher If you need to get in touch with me for any reason please feel free to email of communication are included in
Communication me at TMartin@paulding.k12.ga.us the syllabus?

You can also call the school at 770-443-2140 and leave a message and I'll
get back to you within 24 hrs. If you need to schedule a conference with me
to discuss grades or assignments my office hours are from 7-7:30 am or 3
pm-4 pm Monday- Friday.

I will typically answer any questions within 24 hours. Please do not hesitate
to ask questions or schedule a meeting.
Course In this course, 2nd grade students will learn the concepts of Life science Does this clearly identify the broad
Description outlines by the Georgia Standards of Excellence that can be found at goals or topics to be covered?
https://www.georgiastandards.org/georgia-standards/documents/science- Does it outline the general topics,
second-grade-georgia-standards.pdf concepts and skills to be covered?

Topics include:
• Digital Citizenship
• Online etiquette
• Life Cycles of common animals and plants found near the
geographical location of the school community.
• Concepts of pollination
• Concepts of change over a period of time,

In this course students will be learning to navigate between online and in

person learning. They will learn many aspects of digital learning and
familiarize themselves with online communications and etiquette.

This course is a science course and will explore concepts of life sciences at
the 2nd grade level. There will be discussions of plants and animals. Students
will learn how organisms grown, change, and survive. Several diagrams will
be presented and students will have the opportunity to discuss and explore
similarities and differences within organisms life cycles. This course is vetted
with several subject specific vocabulary words and scientific language.
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2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit

Learning Are these measurable and/or

Outcomes • Students will use technology 80% of the time to seek feedback that observable? Do they describe
informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning what students must know and be
in a variety of ways. able to do? Do they involve some
cognitive challenge and active
• Students will recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of learning?
living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and
they act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical 95%v of
the time.
• Students will curate information from digital resources using a variety
of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate
meaningful connections or conclusions 80% of the time.
• Students will communicate clearly and express themselves creatively
for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and
digital media appropriate to their goals 85% of the time.
• Students will use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of
backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden
mutual understanding and learning 95% of the time.
• Students will obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the
life cycles of different living organisms with 80% accuracy.
• Students will ask questions to determine the sequence of the life cycle
of common animals in your area 95% of the time.
• Students will plan and carry out an investigation of the life cycle of a
plant by growing a plant from a seed and by recording changes over a
period of time with 80% accuracy.
• Students will construct an 80% accurate explanation of an animal’s
role in dispersing seeds or in the pollination of plants.
• Students will develop models with 80% accuracy to illustrate the
unique and diverse life cycles of organisms other than humans.

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Topics by Week Week 1: Digital Literacy and Citizenship Did you list the topics to be
• Week 1 Discussion Post covered each week?
• Week 1 Quiz
• Initial reflection video
Week 2: Introduction of Life Cycles
• Week 2 Discussion Post
• Week 2 Quiz
• Life cycle digital diagram
Week 3: Common animals that inhabit the geographical areas we live in.
• Week 3 Discussion Post
• Week 3 Quiz
• Mid-course reflection video
• Geographical diagram of animal habitats
Week 4: Roles animals play in dispersing seeds or pollination of plants
• Week 4 Discussion Post
• Week 4 Quiz
Week 5: Development of summative project
• Week 5 Discussion Post
• Week 5 Quiz
• Summative project planning assignment
Week 6: Presentation of summative projects
• Week 6 Discussion Post
• Week 6 Quiz
• Final reflection video
• Summative project & presentation

Expectations of Students are expected to: Did you outline class participation
Student 1. Participate during in class discussions. with descriptions of how it is
Participation 2. Use material from the online classroom forum to participate in class. measured (expectations for
3. Write at least one original response to all discussion forum questions discussion forums, number and
posted and reply to at least 3 peers’ original posts. frequency of logins, amount of
• Responses can be a video or audio recording. Typed responses are time in online class, group project
not required. participation, synchronous
4. Complete online exercises independently. sessions, etc.)?

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5. Upload all assignments on time as required by the course calendar.
6. Join synchronous class sessions.

Student 1. Always use kind words. Did you describe the expectations
Communication 2. Proofread your posts and comments. for student behavior when
Expectations 3. Use appropriate digital etiquette when responding to online discussions. communicating online?
4. Reply to emails and telephone calls from Mrs. Martin within 1 day.
5. Reply to emails and telephone calls from classmates within 1 day.
6. During sync sessions: listen, look at the speaker, raise virtual hand, and
be positive and kind.

Late Work Policy In the event that you have an illness or a family issue that hinders you from Did you explain the consequences
completing your work on time please contact me and discuss this prior to the for not submitting assignments on
assignment deadline. I understand emergencies happen. I will work with you time?
as best I can.

NOTICE:
Extra-curricular events and practices are not considered as emergencies.
Please plan accordingly for your assignments.

For every late day 2 points will be deducted from the final grade of the
assignment.
Example: you score a 100 on your discussion post, but it is turned in 2 days
late your final grade will be a 94.

All students will have a 1-week grace period for previously discussed late
assignments. After 1 week the assignment will be given a 0 in the grade
book.
Grading Policy All assignments have equal weighting and are worth 100 points. Is a grading policy defined with
point distribution or weighting
Assignments include blog posts, video reflections, exercises, quizzes, tests, scheme? Is the grading scale is
and discussion forums. included?

Grades are posted every Thursday.

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The cumulative grading scale for Ragsdale Elementary:

90%-100% 4
80%-89% 3
70%-79% 2
69% and lower will require intervention

All averages will be rounded to the nearest whole number percentile.

Example: 85.6 rounds to 86 and 73.2 rounds to 73.

Assessments • There will be an online quiz at the end of every week that correlates to Area a variety of assessment
that week’s learning outcome. types included? Is at least one
• At the end of the unit there will be a summative project and assessment requiring either
presentation to assess students’ understanding of the unit concepts. applying, analyzing, evaluating, or
• Students will be required to engage in discussion forums each week. creating?
• Students will also complete 3 reflection videos documenting their
knowledge prior to the unit, during the unit, and after completing the
unit.
Each quiz will be automatically graded through the online platform. Student
discussion forum posts, video reflections, and summative project will be
graded based on a rubric. **Rubrics will be presented to students during the
assignment introduction.
Academic Do conduct and academic
Honesty Students are expected to complete their work independently unless honesty requirements clearly
otherwise noted. If students feel confused or in need of extra instruction, explain the policy on cheating and
please let Mrs. Martin know ASAP. plagiarism. Are consequences for
Consequences for academic dishonesty may include: inappropriate behavior included?
1. Warning for first offense
2. Call to parents
3. Academic penalty such as a grade of 0 out of 100 given for the
assignment
4. Failure of course with the requirement to retake it from the beginning
5. Revoke the privilege of learning in a blended environment.
Acceptable Use Security and damages responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the Is the Acceptable Use Policy
Policy individual owner. (AUP) described or linked? Are

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2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit
consequences for noncompliance
The Paulding County School District, its staff, or employees, are not liable for described?
any device lost, stolen or damaged on campus. If a device is lost, stolen or
damaged, it will be handled through the administrative office similar to other
personal artifacts that are impacted in similar situations.

Student Agreement

The use of personal technology to access educational material is not a

necessity or a right but a privilege. When abused, privileges may be taken
away. When respected, they will benefit the learning environment as a whole.
Students and parents/guardians participating in BYOT must adhere to the
Student Code of Conduct, as well as all Board policies, particularly
Technology Acceptable Use and Internet Safety policy (Policy IFBG).

Additionally:

1. The technology is allowed for educational purposes and only to enhance

the classroom experience. Under no circumstances should BYOT be
utilized in areas such as the lunchroom, in hallways, in the cafeteria or in
locker rooms. Teachers will decide when it may be used and for what
purpose(s). The technology may only be used to access files on
computer or Internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum.
2. Students take full responsibility for their personal electronic/digital
devices. The school/district is not responsible for the security of the
electronic devices. Additionally, students are responsible for
management, trouble shooting, and technical support of their personal
devices. The school/district is not responsible for technical support of or
repairs to personal devices.
3. The technology may not be used to cheat on assignments or tests.
4. The technology may not be used for non-instructional purposes (such as
making personal phone calls and text/instant messaging) unless
authorized by the teacher of administration.
5. ONCE APPROVED BY ADMINISTRATION, STUDENTS MAY UTILIZE
THEIR PERSONAL PHONE IN THE FRONT OFFICE TO CONTACT
PARENTS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
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6. The technology may not be used to record, transmit or post photographic
images or video of a person, or persons on campus during school
activities and/or hours unless authorized by the teacher or administration.
Students acknowledge that:
7. Each teacher will decide if, when and how BYOT will be used in his/her
classroom.
8. The school’s network filters will be applied to one’s connection to the
Internet, and there will be no attempts to by-pass those filters.
9. Bringing on premises, attempting to infect, or infecting the network with a
Virus, Trojan, Malware, or program(s) designed to damage, alter,
destroy, or provide access to unauthorized data or information is in
violation of Policy IFBG and the student acceptable use policy outlined in
the Code of Conduct.
10. Processing or accessing information on school property related to
“hacking”, altering, or bypassing network security policies in in violation of
Policy IFBG, and the student acceptable use policy outlined in the Code
of Conduct.
11. The school district may collect and examine any device at any time for
the purpose of enforcing the terms of this agreement, investigating
student discipline issues, or for any other school-related purpose.
12. Printing and scanning from personal devices will not be possible at
school.
13. Personal devices must be in silent mode while on school property.
14. Personal technology must be charged prior to bringing it to school and
run off its own battery while at school.
15. Students remain subject to all other school behavior rules.
Student Right to At Ragsdale Elementary we follow the rules for student privacy as outline in Did you include the conditions for
Privacy the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which can be found sharing or not sharing student
at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html information?

1. Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the
student's education records maintained by the school.
2. Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent in order
to release any information from a student's education record.
3. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a
student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth,
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2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit
honors and awards, and dates of attendance.

**If you have questions about student privacy, please contact our Principal
Mrs. Ann Arnold at AAronold@paulding.k12.ga.us
Technology Students must have the following tools to participate effectively in class: Do the technology requirements
Requirements 1. Internet capable device outline technical specifications for
2. Webcam or device with a webcam student computers? Did you
3. Email address describe the procedures to follow
4. Download Microsoft Office (provided free from the school district) when technical problems occur?
5. Basic peripheral devices such as keyboard and mouse.

If you have a technical problem that cannot be solved by yourself, please

contact the school IT help line at 770-443-8003 EXT. 11411
Copyright This course is managed by me, Mrs. Martin. All content within the course is Did you provide a copyright
Statement mandated by the GSE standards and is owned by the Paulding County statement and disclaimer that
School District. Textbook and online material must be properly cited if used identifies the owner of the course?
within an assignment. Textbook and materials are protected by copyright law.
Course and course materials are not to be copied, edited, or redistributed for
any purpose. If you have questions regarding materials created by Mrs.
Martin, you may request details at TMartin@pauldingk12.ga.us
Students with Paulding County School District has an obligation under the Individuals with Did you indicate your willingness
Disabilities Disabilities Education Act (IDEA ‘04) to identify, locate, and evaluate all to provide reasonable
students with disabilities in the district who are in need of special education accommodations to a student with
and related services from ages 0 through 21 years, regardless of the severity a disability?
of their disability. Under the IDEA, Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
is defined as an educational program that is individualized to a specific child,
designed to meet that child's unique needs, provides access to the general
curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and
from which the child receives educational benefit.

The Paulding County School District provides a free, appropriate public

education, in the least restrictive environment, to each student with a
disability. This includes individualized instruction to meet a student's
educational needs in an effort to prepare the student for post-secondary
education and/or employment and independent living. A full continuum of

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2nd Grade Life Science Blended Learning Unit
special education and related service options are available.

The Exceptional Students Educational Program (ESEP) provides services to

students with learning disabilities, emotional behavior disorders, intellectual
disabilities, significant developmental delays, visual impairments, hearing
impairments, orthopedic impairments, autism, speech and language
impairments, and other health impaired. Additional services include, but are
not limited to, related vocational instruction, community skills development,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, adapted physical education. A
program for preschool children is also available.

These services are delivered in a variety of models using a continuum of

services supporting students through the Least Restrictive Environment
(LRE). The models include: general education, consultation, supportive
instruction, collaboration, co-teaching, and small group. In addition to these
models, students' services are also delivered through the North West
Georgia Educational Program and the Special Education Pre-school
Program. The North West Georgia Educational Program provides instruction
in a small group setting for students with severe emotional behavioral
disorders. The Special Education Preschool Program provides half or full day
services for children with disabilities from three to five years of age.

*This document pairs with Designing a Syllabus for an Online Unit of Instruction (Peer Evaluation Checklist) by Lokey-Vega.

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