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Life Science A

Course Description:

Life Science deals with the study of all types of living organisms, such as microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans. The field focuses on their organization and life processes. Life Science A begins with the basic unit of life—the cell. You’ll discover how cells build up tissues, organs, and systems. You will study the growth and development processes of different organisms and see how genes are responsible for the traits of organisms. You’ll also explore natural selection and artificial selection and their effects on the genetic traits of organisms.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Life Science A
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Life and Physical Sciences—Other
Course Provider : New Haven Community Schools
Content Provided By : My Virtual Academy
Online Instructor Provided By : My Virtual Academy
Standards Addressed : Michigan Merit Curriculum, Common Core State Standards
Academic Terms : Semester, Trimester, Open Entry / Open Exit, Accelerated
NCES SCED Code : 03999
Subject Area : Life and Physical Sciences
Course Identifier : Life and Physical Sciences—Other
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 2

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://www.myvirtualacademy.com/section21f
Email : [email protected]
Phone : 800-297-2119

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

None

By the end of this course, you will be able to do the following: - Use the steps of the scientific method to plan an investigation, use evidence to explain that living things are made up of cells, and create a model that shows cellular organelles. - Conduct an investigation of cells and use evidence to argue that the human body is made up of tissues, organs, and systems. - Gather and use information to explain that sensory receptors respond to stimuli by sending messages to the brain. - Use life cycle models to compare and contrast the growth and development of different organisms. - Develop models to describe the similarities and differences between the two types of reproduction. - Perform an experiment and use the results to predict whether a cabbage plant will be genetically identical or different from its parents, and identify the reproductive parts of a flower. - Develop an argument that explains how animal behaviors and special plant structures affect an organism’s chances for reproduction. - Create a Venn diagram to compare the characteristics of different types of organisms. - Evaluate your own genetic characteristics, investigate different patterns of inheritance, and identify the causes and effects of genetic mutations. - Construct an explanation that describes how some traits increase an individual’s probability of surviving. - Gather and use information to explain how technology has changed the way humans influence the traits of organisms. - Explain why genetic diversity allows a species to adapt to its environment, and create an explanation to show the causes and effects of shifting genetic diversity.

iNACOL National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Academic Content Standards and Assessments Rating Comments
The goals and objectives clearly state what the participants will know or be able to do at the end of the course. The goals and objectives are measurable in multiple ways. Fully Met Syllabus provided to students upon enrollment with standard alignment. All objectives are clearly stated in the course tutorial.
The course content and assignments are aligned with the state’s content standards, Common Core curriculum, or other accepted content standards set for Advanced Placement® courses, technology, computer science, or other courses whose content is not included in the state standards. Fully Met
The course content and assignments are of sufficient rigor, depth and breadth to teach the standards being addressed. Fully Met Objectives are fully met.
Information literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum. Fully Met
Multiple learning resources and materials to increase student success are available to students before the course begins. Fully Met Assignments, videos, quizzes, etc.
Course Overview and Introduction Rating Comments
Clear, complete course overview and syllabus are included in the course. Fully Met Syllabus provided to students upon enrollment in the course. Units have specific objectives.
Course requirements are consistent with course goals, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
Information is provided to students, parents and mentors on how to communicate with the online instructor and course provider. Fully Met Parents are provided a login for the parent portal of Edmentum. They are able to communicate and access student progress. Parents and students are also contacted by the instructor.
Legal and Acceptable Use Policies Rating Comments
The course reflects multi-cultural education, and the content is accurate, current and free of bias or advertising. Fully Met
Privacy policies are clearly stated. Fully Met Privacy policy is presented, reviewed and signed with student at enrollment.
Expectations for academic integrity, use of copyrighted materials, plagiarism and netiquette (Internet etiquette) regarding lesson activities, discussions, and e-mail communications are clearly stated. Fully Met All policies are presented, reviewed and signed with student at enrollment.
Instructor Resources Rating Comments
Online instructor resources and notes are included. Fully Met Resources are available for students in the software program and teachers upload notes for some individual assignments.
Assessment and assignment answers and explanations are included. Fully Met
Instructional and Audience Analysis Rating Comments
Course design reflects a clear understanding of all students’ needs and incorporates varied ways to learn and master the curriculum. Fully Met Courses have incorporated varied ways to learn and have multiple learning styles built in. All courses are provided with video instruction. Students have access to tools to help with reading as well.
Course, Unit and Lesson Design Rating Comments
The course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Each unit and lesson includes an overview describing objectives, activities, assignments, assessments, and resources to provide multiple learning opportunities for students to master the content. Fully Met Each unit has an overview of objectives to be mastered by the student.
Instructional Strategies and Activities Rating Comments
The course instruction includes activities that engage students in active learning. Fully Met Written response and discussion questions allow students to be actively engaged.
The course and course instructor provide students with multiple learning paths, based on student needs that engage students in a variety of ways. Fully Met Course provides a learning path that includes both short answer and and multiple choice questions.
The course provides opportunities for students to engage in higher-order thinking, critical reasoning activities and thinking in increasingly complex ways. Fully Met
The course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate students’ needs. Fully Met Instructor can upload enrichment activities as needed.
Readability levels, written language assignments and mathematical requirements are appropriate for the course content and grade-level expectations. Fully Met
Communication and Interaction Rating Comments
The course design provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student interaction, including opportunities for timely and frequent feedback about student progress. Fully Met Students can interact with their instructor via phone, email, text, instant message, and/or video message.
The course design includes explicit communication/activities (both before and during the first week of the course) that confirms whether students are engaged and are progressing through the course. The instructor will follow program guidelines to address non-responsive students. Fully Met MVA policy states that students will communicate with their instructor multiple times during a week to ensure engagement and learning within the course.
The course provides opportunities for appropriate instructor-student and student-student interaction to foster mastery and application of the material. Fully Met Teacher-student interaction is available. Student to student interaction consists of daily posts, colloboration and discussion boards.
Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Students have access to resources that enrich the course content. Fully Met Students have access to translator, dictionary, reader tools, notebook etc.
Evaluation Strategies Rating Comments
Student evaluation strategies are consistent with course goals and objectives, are representative of the scope of the course and are clearly stated. Fully Met
The course structure includes adequate and appropriate methods and procedures to assess students’ mastery of content. Fully Met
Feedback Rating Comments
Ongoing, varied, and frequent assessments are conducted throughout the course to inform instruction. Fully Met
Assessment strategies and tools make the student continuously aware of his/her progress in class and mastery of the content. Fully Met Student can view their progress within the program and through communication with the instructor.
Assessment Resources and Materials Rating Comments
Assessment materials provide the instructor with the flexibility to assess students in a variety of ways. Fully Met Short answer, quizzes and mastery tests allow instructors to assess students understanding.
Grading rubrics are provided to the instructor and may be shared with students. Fully Met Student written responses include a grading rubric at start of assignment.
The grading policy and practices are easy to understand. Fully Met Students are able to see a progress report throughout the course.
Course Architecture Rating Comments
The course architecture permits the online instructor to add content, activities and assessments to extend learning opportunities. Fully Met Teachers are able to flex assignements, add projects, outside links, etc. to course materials.
The course accommodates multiple school calendars; e.g., block, 4X4 and traditional schedules. Fully Met Courseware is available at any time throughout the set school calendar.
User Interface Rating Comments
Clear and consistent navigation is present throughout the course. Fully Met Students are provided with an orientation for every course.
Rich media are provided in multiple formats for ease of use and access in order to address diverse student needs. Fully Met
Technology Requirements and Interoperability Rating Comments
All technology requirements (including hardware, browser, software, etc...) are specified. Fully Met
Prerequisite skills in the use of technology are identified. Fully Met
The course uses content-specific tools and software appropriately. Fully Met
The course is designed to meet internationally recognized interoperability standards. Fully Met
Copyright and licensing status, including permission to share where applicable, is clearly stated and easily found. Fully Met
Accessibility Rating Comments
Course materials and activities are designed to provide appropriate access to all students. The course, developed with universal design principles in mind, conforms to the U.S. Section 504 and Section 508 provisions for electronic and information technology as well as the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility guidelines (WCAg 2.0). Fully Met
Data Security Rating Comments
Student information remains confidential, as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Fully Met Student work is kept confidential within the school database system and courseware.
Certification Rating Comments
Course instructors, whether faceto-face or virtual, are certificated and “highly qualified.” The online course teacher possesses a teaching credential from a state-licensing agency and is “highly qualified” as defined under ESEA. Fully Met
Instructor and Student Support Rating Comments
Professional development about the online course delivery system is offered by the provider to assure effective use of the courseware and various instructional media available. Fully Met
Students are offered an orientation for taking an online course before starting the coursework. Fully Met
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, receive instructor professional development, which includes the support and use of a variety of communication modes to stimulate student engagement online. Fully Met
The provider assures that course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, are provided support, as needed, to ensure their effectiveness and success in meeting the needs of online students. Fully Met
Course instructors, whether face-to-face or virtual, have been provided professional development in the behavioral, social, and when necessary, emotional, aspects of the learning environment. Fully Met All staff attend ongoing professional development sessions throughout the year to remain current with students and families needs.
The course provider offers technical support and course management assistance to students, the course instructor, and the school coordinator. Fully Met Support is available from the course provider as well as the school.
Accessing Course Effectiveness Rating Comments
The course provider uses multiple ways of assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met
The course is evaluated using a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness and the findings used as a basis for improvement. Fully Met The course is evaluated for effectiveness by provider and software developer continuously.
Course Updates Rating Comments
The course is updated periodically to ensure that the content is current. Fully Met

Review Conducted By: My Virtual Academy
Date of Review: 04/09/2018

Unit 1: Cells Unit 2: Structure and Functions of Living Organisms Unit 3: Genes

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Open Entry / Open Exit 04/02/2024 12/02/2024 500 $400
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Must pass course with D- (60%) or higher. Open Entry / Open Exit 04/02/2024 12/02/2024
In order to be successful in our program, it is important for the student to remain in constant communication with the online instructor. The online instructor will be communicating with the student 1-2 times per week. Communication between the student and online instructor will be phone, email, texting, and/or discussion boards. Online instructors provide families with their weekly office hours and My Virtual Academy is open Monday – Thursday from 8 AM – 8 PM, Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM and Saturday from 8AM – 2 PM with staff available to answer questions/concerns. Messages received after hours will be returned the next school day. Parents/Guardians/Students will have access to the curriculum and gradebook 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
School Year Enrollment Count Pass Count Completion Rate Notes
23-24 0 0 0.0%

My Virtual Academy Tech Support is available Monday - Thursday, 8 AM - 8 PM, Friday 8 AM - 4 PM, and Saturday 8 AM - 2PM. Browser: Edge (latest), Internet Explorer® 11, Chrome (latest), Firefox (latest), and Safari (latest). Plug-Ins: Adobe Flash®, Java, Office compatible software. For a small percentage of our legacy content, you may need the following plug-ins: Shockwave® and/or Plato® Xtras. Pop-Up Blockers: How to turn off pop-up blockers Mobile Browser Support: We support the following tablet configurations: OS - Android; Browser- Chrome (Latest version) OS - iOS; Browser - Safari (Latest version) Please note, voice recorder for World Languages works with Flash.