Mrs. Gardner's Tips for Success
Grade Improvement Strategies
Take A Moment to Reflect
1. Getting behind on the course schedule
2. Not submitting work
3. Not reading feedback from your instructor
4. Not communicating with your instructor
5. Unable to find content/assignments
6. Not using extra resources
7. Not spending enough time on assignments
Read the newsletter below and find my suggestions for focusing your efforts in the course. Please contact me if you need additional help.
# 1 - Follow that Schedule
There are two ways you can get organized!
- Print out your schedule and use it as a daily checklist.
- When you log in daily, immediately check the course calendar to see what tasks are to be completed today.
Submit late work...
Please be aware of the pacing guide and due dates for all assignments. Extensions past the last day of school will NOT be granted. All work for a summer school course is due the day assigned by midnight EST. For the first weekday an assignment is late, 25% will be deducted; for the second day late, 50% will be deducted. After 2 school days, a grade of 0 will be given.
At the end of the semester, all class work must be submitted prior to the time period the final exam is available. Thus, if final exams begin Thursday of the last week of school, all other assignments except the final exam must be submitted by Wednesday of the last week of school.
Summer late work policy example: David turns in an assignment at 3:15 pm on Sunday. He scores a 7.5 out of 10 on the assignment. David will lose 2.5 points on this assignment (10 * .25) and the score recorded in the grade book is 5/10. A note should be made in the grade book detailing the late work deduction.
Watch the video below to review how to read your schedule correctly.
# 2 - Read that Feedback
Here is a tutorial on how to see each type of feedback: Quiz, Dropbox and Discussion:
# 3 - Communicate
I don't know if you are having trouble with something unless you tell me. Please ask questions, and ask for help if you are struggling with something.
Create an Email Signature
Communicate Effectively
Attend Chat Sessions
# 4 - Interact with the Course Content
# 5 - Use Extra Resources Provided by Your Teacher
- Unit Overview Videos (these are specific to your class)
- Adobe Connect Recordings
- MLA Basics ~ Tutorials for Everyone
- Can't See Course Content? Click Here
- Personal Narrative Writing Prompts Replacement Link
- Did You Submit Work Correctly? Check Here
- How to Take a Screenshot - On Any Computer
- Want Your Content Read to You? - Try Natural Reader
- No Fear Shakespeare ~ Shakespeare in Modern Language
- Larger Text - You Don't Have to Squint
- Open House Playlist - How to Do Stuff in GaVS
- Digital Citizenship ~ How to Take an Online Class
- Get Organized ~ Graphic Organizers for Students
- Write, Print, Scan, Upload ~ Need to Scan Something on Your Phone
# 6 - Put in the Time
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.
Summer Semester
Students completing the 6 week course should plan to spend:
9th or 10th Lit/Comp B
At least three to five hours per weekday (15 to 25 hours per week) for a half unit (A or B) course.
10th Lit/Comp AB
At least six to eight hours per weekday (30 to 40 hours per week) for a 1 unit (AB or block) course.
Time required to complete work increases if the student enrolls in a 5 week course.
The estimates above are per course, so if you are taking more than one course, please plan accordingly.
Please note: You may not be logged in to the course the entire time, but you need to plan on your work taking that much time. You may be able to complete some of your work offline, but you do need access to your computer and the internet every day Monday through Friday. Allow more time if you are not comfortable using a computer.
Contact Me
Email: kelly.gardner@gavirtualschool.org
Phone: 706-871-4287
Twitter: @kgardnerenglish