Welcome to Integrated Science 2! I've prepared responses to Integrated Science 2 FAQs for your convenience. Thanks for reading!
Integrated Science 2 FAQs
What will my student be learning about in Integrated Science 2?
The sequence of content we offer at Big Sky is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. We begin with the year revisiting Science as a Way of Understanding the World. The emphasis on scientific process skills will continue throughout the year. We then transition into a unit on Ecology which will first emphasize stream ecology and then move into broader ecological concepts. From there we will move into Biogeochemical Cycles focusing particularly on the Carbon Cycle. From there we move into Evolution and Natural Selection, Microbiology, DNA, Cellular Reproduction, and Genetics. A Unit Plan detailing the learning targets of each content area is given out during the unit.
Why doesn’t my student have a textbook?
We do not use textbooks very often in this class. Instead, students build a notebook (3-ring Binder) that serves as a reference for what they are learning in the class. Successful students keep this organized and ensure that materials that I hand out in class get completed. Students should STUDY the materials in their binders!!!!!!! In a remote learning environment, all materials will be available electronically. Students need to keep those items organized on their google drive and should refer back to them.
How can I see if my student is missing any work?
If you want to know if your student has missing work, sign up for your student's Google Classroom Summaries. Traditionally. most assignments were completed during class, but with remote learning many assignments will be done at home to prepare students for our in-person classes. I collect notebooks once a progress period to give students credit for this work via a notebook score, but because we go over the content in class, I do not give them a separate grade. This work is spot checked through other formative assessments that use what was covered in the lesson or the actual lesson itself!
I don’t see grade for an assignment in the gradebook. Why not?
I usually enter grades over the weekend when I can give the process my undivided attention. Please do not think that because something was turned in by your student, it will instantly show up in the gradebook. To keep everyone informed about major assignments I will put upcoming summative assessments and notebook checks in the gradebook and indicate that they are “not graded.” Once I switch that to “graded” if your student does not have a score, they have either taken it later than the rest of the class or they have yet to take it. If you have concerns, please ask them to communicate with me so we can schedule a time to get that done.
