Digital Learning Department

Our credit retrieval courses have been designed to be completed within a 6-week session. Although we encourage all students to formulate a plan to complete the course within six (6) weeks, we do allow students up to a maximum of twelve (12) weeks to complete the course. This is a six-week credit retrieval course for students who have already taken this class and not earned credit. A diagnostic assessment, given at the beginning of the course, indicates what standards have been met, and what skills need to be practiced and demonstrated. Based on the results of the diagnostic assessment, an individual plan for completing the course is developed by the teacher and communicated to the student. Upon successful completion of the course, the student earns a passing grade (C) and .5 credit in Freshman English.

Content for the course covers grammar review, basic writing skills, plot elements, characterization, literary elements, reading skills, creative, narrative and expository writing. This course helps meet the state minimum requirements of 3.0 English credits. Please check with your district for more specific requirements.

Washington State Standards

Objectives stated within course lessons. Washington State Standards guided the design of the course. Learning expectations are found within the course itself.

 

EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
1.2 Use vocabulary (word meaning) strategies to comprehend text.

EALR 2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
2.1 Demonstrate evidence of reading comprehension.
2.3 Expand comprehension by analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing information and ideas in literary and informational text.
2.4 Think critically and analyze author’s use of language, style, purpose, and perspective in literary and informational text.

EALR 3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
3.1 Read to learn new information.
3.4 Read for literary experience in a variety of genres.

 

Course Outline [top]

Based on the diagnostic assessment taken at the beginning of the six week session, an individual plan will be developed to show the student meets standards for Freshman English. All or part of the following lessons will be included in the individual student's learning plan.

• Reading
• Grammar Review
• Writing Strategies
• Lesson 1: Summary, Main Idea, Paraphrasing
• Lesson 2: Plot Elements
• Lesson 3: Conflict in Narrative
• Lesson 4: Characterization and Expository Expression
• Lesson 5: Point of View, Foreshadowing and Creating Suspense

Course Work [top]

First, students take a diagnostic assessment which will determine which lessons need to be completed to satisfactorily meet standards for Freshman English. The teacher develops an individual learning plan based on the results of the diagnostic assessment and communicates the plan to the student.

Next, using the online gradebook as a guide for required assignments, each student progresses through the course according to their individual written student learning plan, completing and submitting assignments through e-mail, communicating questions to the teacher, following instructions for revisions if needed, and celebrating success.

Finally, upon completion of all required assignments at a passing level, students will earn .5 credit in Freshman English.

Important keys for success:

• Don't wait a minute. Get started right away and keep working. The session lasts only six weeks! Tick tock . . .
• Set aside a consistent time EVERY DAY to work on class assignments. Set up a schedule and stick to it!
• Ask questions when needed. Read the instructions again, and then ask if you need help. Don't hesitate even three seconds!
• Use the online gradebook as a list of assignments required for course completion.
• When given instructions for revising an assignment, follow them.
• Be curious, determined, persistent, humorous, independent, and curious again.

Assignments: All assignments are sent to your teacher via IA email. Instead of using any attachments, copy work and paste it directly into an email. It is the student's responsibility to be sure assignments are saved, in case an assignment is not received.

Proof-reading and editing tools, including spell-check are expected for every assignment and email. IA email includes formatting menus and spell check as well. Saving assignments in email folders helps students stay organized and not loose work. Any variation in assignment directions will be outlined in the checklist, or in the teacher office.

Reading: Most reading materials are all included within this credit retrieval course. Some students may choose a classic novel from a reading list as part of their Written Student Learning Plan. Students will obtain a copy on their own, from the library, an online, retail, or used bookstore. Recommendations are to obtain a copy of their own, to build their library, and to be able to highlight passages.

Students are expected to keep up with the course schedule outline on the checklist. If assignments have not been turned in for the current week, a MISSING grade will be entered, factoring in a zero score for that assignment. When the assignment has been completed, the actual score for the work will replace the MISSING grade.

Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. The learning is what is important, whether it takes one try, or several. Remember that a C equivalent must be earned in this course to retrieve credit.

• No grade penalty for revised work.
• Revisions need to be resubmitted within one week, with revised sections clearly marked in another color.
• If the original assignment is resubmitted, a final score will be recorded.

Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole lesson or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule.

Grades: Students will earn a "pass" or "not meeting standards" score for assignments. All course work needs to be submitted by the last day of the credit retrieval session.

Updated Grades will be posted online frequently - at least twice a week during the summer session. Parents are always welcome to email the teacher with questions regarding progress.

Grading Description [top]

 

The goal is for students to meet standards and earn credit for this class. Assignments that meet standards are marked as passing in the gradebook. If needed, the student is given instructions to revise an assignment in order to demonstrate that standards have been met. Grades are regularly posted online for student and parent access.

Completion of all required assignments in a satisfactory manner, within the six week session, results in a passing grade (C) and .5 credit earned.

 

Policies and Requirements [top]

 

Establishing a consistent schedule to work daily provides the student the opportunity for maximum teacher interaction, revision, and successful completion of their learning plan and earned credit.

Academic integrity is essential to learning. Students are expected to complete their own work. Copying, plagiarizing, cheating or other methods of intentional deception are prohibited and may result in loss of grade or credit for the assignment or the course.

Expectations for assignment and course completion: IA students assume the major responsibility to be self-motivated, and to stay on target with the class. All work for the course must be completed at a passing level to earn credit, and must be completed within the 6 week session. Students are expected to work consistently with their instructor and their individual learning plan, to successfully complete the class. Successful students use their online gradebook and checklist to determine required assignments.

Students are given the feedback needed to revise assignments to meet standards. Students who wait until the end of the session to turn in the majority of their assignments lose this opportunity and risk successful completion of the course.

E-mail and software agreements: Students agree to maintain electronic integrity and face disciplinary measures if they do not abide by their promise.

Teachers reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

 

 

Expectations [top]

Students taking this class are expected to:

1. Stay in contact with their instructor daily. This lets the Internet Academy, parents and guardians, the school district, and the state know that students are attending class. It also helps students move at a steady pace toward completing the class within the six week timeframe.
2. Have the computer hardware and software necessary for the class work.
3. Communicate with the instructor in a clear, friendly, courteous manner. This includes signing communications with their full name and the name of the class they are in.
4. Communicate in Standard English. "e-english," the informal, lower-case, run-together communications used in chat rooms, is appropriate for the audiences and purposes of some e-mail. It is not appropriate for communicating with an instructor in class.
5. Turn in original work. Internet Academy teachers monitor for intentional deception through the use of an on-line subscription service and IA email archives. The consequences for intentional deception (copying, plagiarism, cheating, using someone else's work) may result in:
   • No credit for the assignment
   • Parent contact
   • Proctored testing
   • Failing the course
6. Do their very best work at all times.
7. Proceed at a steady pace toward finishing the class.
8. Have fun writing, reading, and learning!!

The instructor of this course is expected to:

1. Know the course material.
2. Communicate at least weekly with students and guardians in a clear, friendly, and courteous manner.
3. Respond to emails within a reasonable amount of time. It is your instructor's goal to answer QUESTIONS and HELP requests within 24 hours during the school week. Assignments will be graded and returned within two-three school days of receipt.
4. Be available for appointments and return phone calls promptly..
5. Keep accurate records.
6. Encourage and maintain high standards.
7. Help make learning fun!

Tech Support:

• Tech Help
  • 253-945-2249
  • helpdesk@iacademy.org

Weekly Contact Requirements: Students are expected to submit work each week following the provided checklist. They are also expected to maintain weekly communication with their teacher, ask for assistance when needed, and respond to e-mails from the teacher. If they are having trouble keeping up with the checklist, they should email their teacher immediately. The teacher is flexible and willing to work with students to meet their needs as they are communicated. If students are unable to meet these expectations, they will be dropped from the class for lack of attendance.