Syllabus

Syllabus Instructor Information: Anne Asplund aasplund@ishpemingschools.com Birchview Elementary School 906-485-6341 Wikipage: http://animallifecycles3.wikispaces.com

**Course Name** – **Life Cycles of Animals: Adaptation and Survival (Grade 3)**

**Course Description** –
 * Through this course students will explore the way in which animals grow and change throughout their lives.
 * Students will study the main characteristics that are used to classify animals.
 * Students will identify the characteristics that allow them to survive and adapt to its environment.

**Resource requirements** – All students taking this online course will be expected to have access to a computer connected to the Internet and loaded with the appropriate Internet access software as well as MS-Office or a compatible package.

Students will complete most of the assignments in the school lab during assigned lab times, three times a week. Each class period is 50 minutes long. Students will be asked to complete any incomplete assignments by Friday.

**Prerequisites:** Students will need knowledge of Print Shop, Word (creating and saving), Google Docs, and editing and navigating the class wiki page. Instruction and assessment of these skills will be addressed prior to the start of the course. Tutorials will be available on wikipage: www.computerclick.wikispaces.com

**Introduction to the Textbook** – Grade Level Text: **Discovery Works. 2000. Houghton Miflin Company. Boston, MA.** We will be using Unit A: Life Cycles

**Learning Packet:** Students will receive a Learning Packet at the beginning of the course. It will contain hard copies of each online assignment. They will be used for guided instruction. It could also be used to complete assignments if necessary.

**Pretest/Post-test:** Students will take a pretest at the beginning of each lesson (week). It will help the instructor make any adjustments to the lessons. A post-test or activity will also be given to assess a students’ understanding of main ideas and vocabulary.

**Student Learner Responsibilities**– **__Specific Learner Expectations__** At the end of the course students will be able to: 1. Classify a variety of animals based on observable characteristics; for example, limbs, teeth, body covering, overall shape, backbone. 2. Observe and describe the growth and development of at least one living animal as the animal develops from early to more advanced stages. The animal(s) should be from one or more of the following groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. 3. Predict the next stages in the growth and development of at least one animal from each of the following groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and identify similarities and differences in their developmental sequences. 4. Identify the food needs of at least one animal from each of the following groups: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians and describe changes in how each animal obtains food through different stages of its life. 5. Demonstrate awareness that parental care is characteristic of some animals and not of others, and identify examples of different forms of parental care. 6. Demonstrate awareness that animals require different habitats in order to meet their basic needs of food, water, shelter and space. 7. Recognize adaptations of a young animal to its environment and identify changes in its relationship to its environment as it goes through life; for example, tadpoles are adapted for life in an aquatic environment; adult frogs show adaptations to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. 8. Identify examples of environmental conditions that may threaten animal survival.

Students will come prepared for the online learning experience. Each student will bring the **Learning packet**, **science textbook**, and **pencil** to the computer lab to class.

It is very important that students make every effort to manage their own learning. Students are strongly encouraged to record questions they may have and seek out the answers. They should actively look for ways to find out the answer before asking the teacher. But they are welcome to ask questions. The teacher will support the students’ knowledge through active learning techniques.

**Online Office Hours** – This course will meet three days a week for 50 minutes. In addition, Mrs. Asplund is available during school hours, 7:30-3:30. Because she travels between Birchview and Ishpeming Middle School, if she is not in the building, please leave a message in her mailbox, located in the school office. Students and parents are welcome to email questions to Mrs. Asplund at aasplund@ishpemingschools.com. I will make every attempt to answer all emails within 24 hours.

**Grading Policy and Scale** –

**__Grading Policy:__** This course is a portion of the semester science grade. Students will be expected to complete all assignments in the designated time period to the best of one’s ability. Students will have the same amount of days absent to complete work. (For example: 3 days absent=3 days to finish missed work.) Special circumstances will be taken into consideration. All accommodations required through IEPs will be fulfilled.

**__Incomplete Policy:__** Incomplete work will be accepted until the end of the grading period. A conference between parents and teacher will be requested to establish reasonable completion of work.

**__Grading Scale:__** Journal @ 20 points each 3 x 20 = 60 points Pretest @25 points each 6 x 25 = 150 points Changes Chart= 20 points Learning Packet= 20 points each Fact Sheets= 20 points Participation and Effort= 80 points Poster= 100 points (see individual rubric) Final Test @ 100 points
 * Weekly Assignments:**
 * Total Point Total = 550 points**

With a scale of: A= 90% or above (495-550 points) B= 80% - 89% (440-494 points) C= 70% - 79% (280-319 points) D= 60% - 69% (385-279 points) Failing - 59% or below (384 points or less)

**Attendance requirements** – Students will comply with the attendance policy set forth by the Ishpeming School district. Extended absences will be dealt with case by case and through the proper method as described in the school handbook. Details can be viewed on [|www.ishpemingschools.com]