It’s finally here! The district’s plan for online has been approved and we are able to continue our school year *officially* starting April 20th. I have shared this information in a document on Google Classroom and have posted new assignments for the week.
From now on, I am only planning on updating this blog about once per week, so please use Google Classroom for updated information.
Here are some answers to questions about how things will work. This information applies to Sociology, Psychology and AP Psychology classes.
Is the work required?
Yes! Grades from April 20th through the end of the school year (May 21st if you’re a senior) will determine your grade and whether or not you earn credit for the 2nd semester. You MUST complete this work, regardless of your grade prior to the shutdown.
How do I find my assignments?
Work will be assigned through Google Classroom, similar to what we have been doing.
- Each Sunday, a new set of directions for the week will be posted on the stream in Google Classroom. This will be an overview of all of the assignments for the week.
- The actual assignments will be found under the “Classwork” tab. Instead of using the “Unit” folders, I will be organizing work into weekly folders. For example, the first week’s folder will say “Week 1: April 20th-24th”. Here you will find all of the week’s assignments.
- Each week’s assignments will be due by Friday at 10 am.
- Please make sure to take a look at the assignments prior to the due date to make sure you understand what to do and are able to access all of the materials. If you wait until the last minute, it may be too late to get help.
How will I be graded?
The new district plan requires students to complete weekly assignments (“participation”) and check in with their teachers twice per week (“engagement”). You will earn one of three grades:
A=75-100 (yes, you can get an A with a 75!)
PASS=60-75 (you get credit but it doesn’t affect your GPA, although some colleges consider this a D)
NO CREDIT= < 60%: (you may have to make up the course in summer school)
From now on, you will receive two weekly grades:
Engagement:
100= Attended 2 Google Meets (or watched recordings) and completed 2 check ins
60= Attended 1 Google Meet (or watched recording) and completed 1 check in
MISSING= Did not attend Google Meets or complete check ins.
Participation
100= Completed all assignments and showed understanding of material
75= Completed most assignments or showed some understanding of material
60= Completed some assignments or did not show understanding of material
MISSING= Did not complete any assignments
What are Google Meets?
Google Meets are video conferences that allow us to interact face to face. Teachers are expected to offer these 2x per week. After each Meet, there will be a “check in” question you will need to answer to show that you attended (like an “exit ticket”).
It is preferred that you join the Meet live, but if your schedule does not allow for this, you will have the opportunity to watch a recording of the meeting and complete the check in to count as your “engagement” grade.
Schedule for Google Meets:
| Monday & Wednesday | Tuesday & Thursday | |
| 1:00-1:40 | 1st hour | 4th hour |
| 1:40-2:20 | 5th hour | |
| 2:20-3:00 | 3rd hour | 6th hour |
How to join Google Meets:
- Go to meet.google.com at the scheduled time
- Enter your class code (see Google Classroom)
What to do in a Google Meet:
- Once the lesson gets started, please MUTE YOUR MICROPHONE. There is an icon in the lower left hand corner for you to do this. Every little sound you make can be heard on the mic, so this gets very distracting when there are many people in the meeting. If you are unable to mute your mic, I can mute it for you. If you are asked to speak, just unmute yourself.
- Use the chat feature (on the right side of the screen) to type in any questions you have. I will look at these and answer questions throughout the meeting.
- Please remember to use appropriate language and conduct in the Google Meets. This is still school. If you need to be removed from a Meet for inappropriate behavior, you will not receive credit and your parents will be notified. The Meets will be recorded.
What if I am unable to complete the work?
We understand that there is a national crisis going on right now. If you or a family member is sick, or some other serious situation prevents you from completing your school work, please contact your teachers and/or administrator/counselor. We would like to support you, but we can’t help if we don’t know what’s going on.
Likewise, school staff will be checking MiStar each Monday to see who has/hasn’t completed the past week’s work. If you are missing work, they will likely be reaching out to your family to make sure everything is ok and that you understand the requirements.
What if I still have questions?
Please email me with questions about the material and/or policies. Another good way to ask questions is by commenting on assignments or posts within Google Classroom. I am here to help and happy to give one on one assistance though Google Meets if needed!
-Mrs. V
