Hi! Welcome to my class! I am so excited to be your teacher. Read on to learn how to successfully complete your course. If you have any questions at any point, please let me know!
One of the first things you’ll do in this course is talk to me for your welcome call. Please log in to my next Zoom session with your parent or guardian and we will discuss any questions you have. Make sure both you and your parent or guardian have read this whole welcome letter before you Zoom me so you are aware of all of the course policies and procedures. Click here to see how and when to log into my Zoom room for your welcome call! If you are not available during any of my Zoom times, please call me whenever you are free. This goes for any time you need to reach me throughout the course. Please leave a message and I will call you back by the end of the next school day (or sooner).
How to successfully complete your course:
Step 1: Verify you are in the correct enrollment (Honors vs. Regular). If you are not sure, ask me. You only have five days to switch from Honors to Standard or vice versa.
Step 2: Find the pace chart for your course and enrollment level. All Pace Charts are located here: http://teachers.stjohns.k12.fl.us/lemons-r/pace-charts/. Bookmark your pace chart, print it out, or write down the due dates in your calendar. The dates on the pace charts are the due dates for the assignments. You may turn in assignments early and work ahead, but it is very dangerous to fall behind pace. Also, keep in mind that some assignments will take much longer than others. As soon as you finish one assignment, peek at the instructions for the next one so you get an idea of how long it will take.
Step 2: Start working! Start with the first lesson, read it in its entirety, and take good notes. You can use your notes on all of the DBAs and tests. When you reach an assignment in the course, the instructions will be right there for you! Complete the assignment (all work must be typed – no handwritten work) and turn it in to the assessments area. Be sure to turn it in on or before the due date.
Step 3: Complete your DBA. When you reach a Discussion Based Assessment (DBA) in the course, simply log in to my next Zoom session (Log in link: https://tinyurl.com/mrslemonszoom2). There is no need to schedule a DBA. Just log into my next Zoom session. I will admit you from the waiting room when it is your turn. Then all you have to do is briefly explain at least two things you learned about in the module. You can choose the topics! DBAs in my class are very easy. For logistical purposes, you may temporarily (for one week) work into the next module while you wait to complete your DBA. Do not skip over a DBA for longer than one week. It is a course rule that you can only do one DBA per day, even if you are behind on DBAs – so don’t fall behind! Learn more about DBAs here.
Step 4: Take your module exam. I will give you the exam password at the end of your DBA. Please know that you can only take your module exams and segment exam one time each. Resets/repeated attempts are not allowed for module exams and your segment exam. After taking your module exam, repeat steps 2-4 for each module in the course. Note: all collaboration assignments will be exempt once we are a ways into the semester. Just ignore them in the meantime! The same goes for any “blank assignments”, enrichment assignments, honors assignments for students enrolled in regular enrollments, and regular version exams for honors students when there is a separate honors exam.
Step 5: After you have finished every assessment in the course and there is nothing left in your assessment queue except your segment exam…take your segment exam! You will need a password for the segment exam, and you will get it at your final DBA. You may not submit or resubmit any work after taking your segment exam!
So to recap: be aware of your due dates, read the lessons, complete and submit your assignments by their due dates, complete your DBAs and module exams, and finally complete your segment exam.
Other important policies to know:
– You must submit work for at least two weeks before you can finish a segment. You cannot finish a segment faster than two weeks, no exceptions.
– The first three weeks of the course is a grace period during which you may withdraw without penalty to your transcript. If you do not reach at least 18% complete during your grace period, I will withdraw you from the course. Full-time SJVS students do not have a grace period and will not be withdrawn. If you believe you are in the wrong course, please contact guidance within the first week of school.
– Only submit your own, original work. Academic integrity is very important, because I need to know what you know.
– Remember, you can only do one DBA per day (even if you fall behind on DBAs).
– Check your VSA and Educator emails daily. Also, check them every time you log in – make it a habit!
– Please make sure you have an updated student phone number and parent/guardian phone number in your VSA account. Update email addresses too! I can only contact you if I have the correct information.
A note about your grade book:
The grade book in your course is an invaluable resource. If you need to redo any assignments (which you can do!), you simply go to your grade book and click on the assignment or quiz to retake it. Some assignments need to be reset by me, so if you want to redo one of those please contact me. Remember all re submissions must happen BEFORE you take your segment exam. Your grade book also shows your overall grade, percent complete, the last time you submitted work, the grades on all of your completed work, and much more. Parents/guardians – this is a great thing to look at with your student, especially if you have questions about how your student is doing in the course. For more information about progress monitoring using the student gradebook, click here!
Please note the second semester deadlines for all work and exams:
- Seniors – May 3rd
- Underclassmen – May 10th
Please, please, please contact me whenever you have any questions at all. Remember in virtual school I cannot see you in my classroom, so I need you to let me know when you have a question. You can email, call, or text me. My phone number is 904-701-3092, and my email address is [email protected]. Please allow 24 hours (not including weekends and holidays) for me to get back to you. When you contact me, please include your first and last name as well as the course you are taking so that I will know how to assist you!
Thank you very much for reading this important information! Now get started! And please log in to my next Zoom session (information on how and when to do that can be found here) complete your welcome call.
Here’s to a great school year!
Mrs. Lemons
904-701-3092
[email protected]
