Links to resources for virtual learning
This journey we are all about to embark upon will definitely be different for all of us. All of the tools I will use for our new virtual learning are all tools we have used before. The only difference is that we will all need to depend on them a little more than we did before.
BEGINNING OF YEAR student and parent CHECKLIST
ABOUT ME
My name is Meredith Smith and I grew up near the zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. I was lucky enough to spend a year overseas in Austria as an AFS exchange student my junior year in high school. When I returned to the US I wanted to turn around and go back to Europe, so I graduated high school a semester early and went back to Austria. I joined the Army in hopes to go back to Europe, but I was sent to Texas where I met my husband, got married, and was honorably discharged from the Army. I spent the rest of his career moving, having kids, and trying to stay somewhere long enough to finish school. We spent time in Maryland (Washington D.C. area), Kansas (I received my BS at K-State University while in Kansas), and Puerto Rico before retiring back to Wisconsin. I have taught Environmental Science, Biology, and Physics. I am currently teaching Physical Science, Chemistry, Principles of Engineering (Applied Physics), AP Chemistry, and AP Physics at a small school in southern Wisconsin. In 2011 I received my MS in Physics Education from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. In 2015 I received my National Board Teacher Certification in the area of adolescent and young adulthood science. In 2016 I was honored to find out that I was chosen as the Crystal Apple Award winner for the NBC15 viewing area.
I have three children and three dogs. My children have all graduated and moved on, so my busy is a new busy. I love watching the soccer games, so I am hopeful that might be in my near future. I enjoy camping, biking, and anything outdoors. When I have a free moment to myself I like to read, play games, or watch TV.
I still love to learn and wish I could be a professional learner (get paid for it), but I have to support this expensive habit with a job. I do love my job and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Just like many of my students I didn’t like science when I was their age. I avoided it like it was “The Plague”. When I had to take science classes in college and move forward I decided I loved chemistry. I hope if you think you don’t like something you will keep an open mind and realize that you might like it if you allow yourself to. I don’t like hearing, “I’m bad at this.” or “I can’t do this.” Everyone can do anything if they try. Everyone is good at something. If we all were good at the same thing our world would be a very different place. It takes all of our different talents to make our “world” work.
I would like to dedicate my life and work as a science educator to the memory of my Grandpa Clay, a UW Madison Physics Professor. He could see the science in everything around him and his love of science was always shared with everyone he met.
Find what you enjoy, what you are good at, and do wonderful things!
~Mrs. Smith
CONTACT ME WEBMAIL SKYWARD HOMEWORK CENTRAL DISTRICT HOMEPAGE
I have three children and three dogs. My children have all graduated and moved on, so my busy is a new busy. I love watching the soccer games, so I am hopeful that might be in my near future. I enjoy camping, biking, and anything outdoors. When I have a free moment to myself I like to read, play games, or watch TV.
I still love to learn and wish I could be a professional learner (get paid for it), but I have to support this expensive habit with a job. I do love my job and I can’t see myself doing anything else.
Just like many of my students I didn’t like science when I was their age. I avoided it like it was “The Plague”. When I had to take science classes in college and move forward I decided I loved chemistry. I hope if you think you don’t like something you will keep an open mind and realize that you might like it if you allow yourself to. I don’t like hearing, “I’m bad at this.” or “I can’t do this.” Everyone can do anything if they try. Everyone is good at something. If we all were good at the same thing our world would be a very different place. It takes all of our different talents to make our “world” work.
I would like to dedicate my life and work as a science educator to the memory of my Grandpa Clay, a UW Madison Physics Professor. He could see the science in everything around him and his love of science was always shared with everyone he met.
Find what you enjoy, what you are good at, and do wonderful things!
~Mrs. Smith
CONTACT ME WEBMAIL SKYWARD HOMEWORK CENTRAL DISTRICT HOMEPAGE
General Classroom Information and Tools
Homework
Daily assignments and agendas will be updated on my class calendar, which can be found here on my website or on Homework Central.
During in person instruction the above information can be found on my board in class . Click here for an example.
Electronics Usage
You will not be allowed to use hall passes during the first and last ten minutes of class. Passes can be used if permission is granted and you abide by the following expectations: 1) you sign out on the sign in/out roster and 2) you take a hall pass. Hall pass usage can be denied for the following reasons: 1) we are in the middle of something important, 2) you choose to not use your passing time wisely, 3) and you don't return in a timely manner.
Moodle
Students in Chemistry and Physical Science can use Moodle to access the class calendar, complete quizzes and reviews, take exams, and access some lessons. Moodle is password protected and accessible to the students who are members of my classes. Students will be given the information for accessing Moodle on their first day of class.
turnitin.com
Students in Chemistry and Physical Science will use turnitin.com to turn in some of their student work. Students will be given the information for accessing turnitin.com on their first day of class, this information can also be found in their syllabus.
Slack
Slack is a communication tool that can be used to send messages to individual students, groups of students, or the whole class. Students will also be able to send me messages and ask questions. This will reduce the number of emails students will receive. Students will be given the information to register for their class on the first day of class.
Daily assignments and agendas will be updated on my class calendar, which can be found here on my website or on Homework Central.
During in person instruction the above information can be found on my board in class . Click here for an example.
Electronics Usage
- Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebook to class each day.
- Cell phones and all other personal electronic devices are not allowed in classrooms during the school day.
- If a student is using their personal electronic device in class the following consequences will apply
- 1st Offense: Staff will bring the student’s cell phone to the office for the student to pick up at the end of the day.
- 2nd Offense: Staff will bring the student’s cell phone to the office, and a parent(s)/guardian(s) will pick up the cell phone. The student must turn in his/her cell phone to the office for the next five (5) school days.
- 3rd Offense: Staff will bring the student’s cell phone to the office, and a parent(s)/guardian(s) will pick up the cell phone. The student must turn in his/her cell phone to the office for the next fifteen (15) school days.
- 4th Offense: Staff will bring the student’s cell phone to the office, and a parent(s)/guardian(s) will pick up the cell phone. The student must turn in his/her cell phone to the office for the next thirty (30) school days
- 5th Offense: Staff will bring the student’s cell phone to the office, and a parent(s)/guardian(s) will pick up the cell phone. The student must turn in his/her cell phone to the office for the remainder of the school year.
You will not be allowed to use hall passes during the first and last ten minutes of class. Passes can be used if permission is granted and you abide by the following expectations: 1) you sign out on the sign in/out roster and 2) you take a hall pass. Hall pass usage can be denied for the following reasons: 1) we are in the middle of something important, 2) you choose to not use your passing time wisely, 3) and you don't return in a timely manner.
Moodle
Students in Chemistry and Physical Science can use Moodle to access the class calendar, complete quizzes and reviews, take exams, and access some lessons. Moodle is password protected and accessible to the students who are members of my classes. Students will be given the information for accessing Moodle on their first day of class.
turnitin.com
Students in Chemistry and Physical Science will use turnitin.com to turn in some of their student work. Students will be given the information for accessing turnitin.com on their first day of class, this information can also be found in their syllabus.
Slack
Slack is a communication tool that can be used to send messages to individual students, groups of students, or the whole class. Students will also be able to send me messages and ask questions. This will reduce the number of emails students will receive. Students will be given the information to register for their class on the first day of class.