Welcome from Mrs. Gardner
10th Grade Lit/Comp ~ Spring 2015 Newsletter
Please scroll down and work through the steps that follow to start your course on time.
Step 1: COMPLETE THE SOC
The following items are required for the completion of the Student Orientation Course (SOC):
· students complete all sign off
· students complete all agreement quizzes
· students make a 100% on the final Student Orientation Quiz.
OR
- Students may choose to opt out of the Student Orientation Course; however, students who elect to opt out of the Student Orientation Course are still responsible for all content presented in the course.
Students must finish or opt out of the SOC before gaining access to the course. Students will not gain access to the course until the first start date or one workday after the semester has begun on August 4th, 2014.
Regardless of the start date, the course ends July 11th, 2014.
D2L Help Sessions for Students and Parents:
- These will be posted on the GaVS "My Home" page when the fall semester starts.
Where: This is an online event in the Adobe D2L Help Classroom.
You will join by entering the meeting as a Guest. Your username is your first and last name.
The space for each session is limited. We ask everyone to join the session using only ONE computer at your home. If the session is full, the recording will be posted within the learning management system and you will have an opportunity to review the recording OR attend another upcoming meeting. The schoolwide D2L meetings are separate from individual Welcome sessions held by each teacher. Please plan to attend the meeting with your teacher as well. Your teacher will notify you about the date of that meeting.
In the meantime, feel free to browse the Help Center for several D2L tutorials:
Print Your Course Schedule & Work in Order
How much time should I plan to spend on my course?
You are expected to login and participate in your online course on a DAILY basis.
Fall/Spring semester: Plan to spend at least 60 to 90 minutes per weekday (5 to 8 hours per week) for a half unit course or 90 to 120 minutes per weekday (7 to 10 hours per week) for a 1 unit (AB or block) course.
The estimates above are per course, so if you are taking more than one course, please plan accordingly.
Technical difficulties are not an excuse for assignments to be late. Students must have computer access to complete GaVS work. It is the student’s responsibility to secure backup computer options when technical difficulties arise. Many public libraries offer computers with internet access. Additionally, GaVS courses can be accessed on a variety of mobile devices so it may be that a mobile device could be used to complete some coursework when there are computer problems.
If a student is suspended from the local school, GaVS course access remains open. Unless a student is directed otherwise by the local school, he or she may continue working in the GaVS course while suspended at the local school. Note that under no circumstance is a school suspension grounds for an extension under the GaVS late policy.
Fall and Spring Semester:
Please be aware of the pacing guide and due dates for all assignments. Extensions past the last day of school will NOT be granted. Student work is due bi-weekly on Fridays at midnight. Check course schedules for specific due dates. Work turned in after the deadline on the course schedule will be accepted within 1 week with a late penalty assessed. Late penalty begins on Saturday and is deducted at a rate of 10% of the assignment value per school day. Work submitted on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday is considered 1 day late.
At the end of the semester, all classwork must be submitted prior to the time period the final exam is available. Thus, if final exams begin Wednesday of the last week of school, all other assignments except the final exam must be submitted by Tuesday of the last week of school.
Fall & Spring late work policy example: David turns in an assignment at 3:15 pm on Sunday. He scores a 7 out of 15 on the assignment. David will lose 1.5 points on this assignment (15 * .10) and the score recorded in the grade book is 5.5/15. A note should be made in the grade book detailing the late work deduction.
Parents Can View Grades ~ Follow These Directions
The Parent Account gives you information about your child’s grades and progress in their course. If your child’s grade drops below a 75, you will receive an automated phone call. If your child’s grade drops below a 70, you will receive a phone call from me.
If you already have a parent account please do NOT create a new one.
1) Please check to see that your parent account is linked to your student’s account.
2) For more information click Help on the Log in page or click the following link: Parent Account Information Link
If you are uncertain about whether you have a parent account or not,
1) Log in to GAVS at www.gavirtualschool.org and at the Log In page type in your username and password.
2) For more information click Help at the top of the Log In page or click the following link: Parent Info from Helpdesk
*Information for parents who have NEVER created a parent account.
1) Login to our website www.gavirtualschool.org
2) Click the “Log In To GAVS” icon
3) Click “Create An Account” from the navigation bar.
4) You will need to know your child’s GTID and date of birth.
5) Please follow the directions on the screen.
6) Be sure you have linked your parent account to your student’s account.
7) For more information simply click HELP at the top of the Log In page or click the following link: Parent Information Link
10th Lit/Comp A
Required Texts: A novel of choice will be used. Students in this course will choose ONE novel to read for the course. These will need to be purchased or checked out from a library. Choose from the following list (also found in the Novel Research Unit). You can begin reading now, so that you have less to read when the course starts.
Group Choices:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
A Lesson Before Dying by Earnest J. Gaines
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
* Students should also familiarize themselves with MLA format, as this will be utilized throughout the course.
* Refer to this website for MLA help: http://mlahelp.weebly.com/
10th Lit Comp B
Required Texts: A novel of choice will be used. Students in this course will choose ONE novel to read for the course. These will need to be purchased or checked out from a library. Choose from the following list (also found in the Novel Research Unit). You can begin reading now, so that you have less to read when the course starts.
Group Choices:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austen
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
Dracula by Bram Stoker
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
* Students should also familiarize themselves with MLA format, as this will be utilized throughout the course.
* Refer to this website for MLA help: http://mlahelp.weebly.com/
10th Lit Comp AB
Required Texts: A novel of choice will be used. Students in this course will choose ONE novel to read for the course. These will need to be purchased or checked out from a library. Choose from the following list (also found in the Novel Research Unit). You can begin reading now, so that you have less to read when the course starts.
Group Choices:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
A Lesson Before Dying by Earnest J. Gaines
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Emma by Jane Austen
The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
Dracula by Bram Stoker
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain
* Students should also familiarize themselves with MLA format, as this will be utilized throughout the course.
* Refer to this website for MLA help: http://mlahelp.weebly.com/
Accepted File Types
Checking Dropbox Receipts
Use the Help Desk
How do I participate in discussions?
How do I take quizzes or tests using the quizzing tool?
How do I view feedback on quizzes and tests?
Naming & Saving Your Files
Submitting Work Correctly
https://docs.google.com/a/gavirtualschool.org/file/d/0B4brRxBffOXAZ3lRTjN3R2o2dmM/edit
A Note About Using MLA Format in English Courses
* ALL submitted documents should have an MLA header (Name, Instructor, Course, Date)
* All work quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from other sources should use an in-text citation.
* A sample first page of an MLA style paper/assignment can be seen below.
MLA Tutorial Website: http://mlahelp.weebly.com/
Student Code of Conduct ~ Plagiarism Policies
Unless your teacher expressly states otherwise, all work must be original and entirely the student's own work without any outside help which includes other students, parents, textbooks, internet or any other outside source. Assignments that require documentation and/or references must adhere to guidelines presented by the teacher. When in doubt, clarify with your teacher before beginning an assignment or submitting it.
Special Accommodations
* Please note that GaVS teachers cannot make accommodations without a copy of the plan on file.
* A copy of the plan must be submitted EACH semester.
Where Can I Go To Find answers to other questions?
1. Start with the GaVS Knowledgebase, a searchable database of tutorials on the most common questions:
Click here to use the GAVS Helpdesk/Knowledgebase!
2. Look within the news announcements (in the Course) or other communication from me.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Student Handbook: Click here to access the Student Handbook.
4. Feel free to contact me directly via phone or email.
Spring 2015 Important Dates
October 1, 2014- Registration open for all students
January 7- Last day to start 18 week session (AP and non-AP)
January 19- MLK Holiday
January 20- 16 week session begins
January 21- Last day to start 16 week session (AP and non-AP)
January 26- Last day to apply for 14 week session (AP courses)
February 2- 14 week session begins
February 4- Last day to start 14 week session (non--AP)
February 9- Last day to apply for 12 week session (non-AP)
February 12- Last day to pay for Spring courses (non-AP)
February 16- President's Day Holiday
February 17- 12 week session begins
April 6-10- Spring Break
May 6 and 7- Final Exams
May 8- All classes end
May 14- Final grades released
School Break Policy
Students should stay on the GaVS schedule that they choose upon entering their course. Even if the local school breaks do not coincide with the GaVS break, students must meet the assignment due dates. Students should communicate their school breaks with their teacher as soon as possible and if necessary discuss with their instructor how to get ahead.
Symbaloo
~ Unit Overview Videos: These are videos of me walking through EACH unit in the course, while I explain assignments, expectations, and assessments.
~ Course Resource Videos: These videos contain information on how to read a schedule, how to navigate your course, and how to use proper email etiquette.
~ MLA Help: These links describe how to use MLA format, as well as how to format items correctly.
~ Online Navigation Videos: These videos include how-to information about how to take a screenshot, enlarge text, use Natural Reader, view mixed content in a browser, and use a camera scanner.
* Please review this Symbaloo page before you begin our course. Complete the form on that page to earn an extra point on your first quiz.
Would You Like a Head Start on the Reading?
10th A
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket"
"The Bet"
Shmoop Literature Guides: This site has helpful study guides for most of the reading selections listed above. Students can use Shmoop to better understand the reading selections. Students will be responsible for the actual text, but Shmoop can help with some explanations.
10th AB
"Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket"
"The Bet"
Much Ado About Nothing by No Fear Shakespeare
Shmoop Literature Guides: This site has helpful study guides for most of the reading selections listed above. Students can use Shmoop to better understand the reading selections. Students will be responsible for the actual text, but Shmoop can help with some explanations.
10th B
Much Ado About Nothing by No Fear Shakespeare
Shmoop Literature Guides: This site has helpful study guides for most of the reading selections listed above. Students can use Shmoop to better understand the reading selections. Students will be responsible for the actual text, but Shmoop can help with some explanations.
Contact Me: Kelly Gardner
Email: kelly.gardner@gavirtualschool.org
Phone: 706-871-4287
Twitter: @kgardnerenglish
Emergency Situations
Keep my phone number & email address in a place that is easy to reach. If you have a special circumstance, please let me know. Here are some situations that might merit an immediate contact:
* Medical situation (hospitalization, extreme sickness, injury): Contact me BEFORE a due date if you have been too sick to complete work. Please note that a note from the doctor may be required to authorize any extensions for sickness.
* Technology emergency: Please notify me BEFORE a due date if you experience a technology issue. If you lose power, get kicked out of a test, have a computer crash, or other extreme situation, please let me know immediately. We understand that these things happen, but also expect students to have a back-up plan for technology issues. Plan to use a computer at school, the library, a friend or family member's computer, etc.
* General Assignment/Course Questions: These are best answered by email, but feel free to call me as well.