How to Teach Biology Remotely Using Our Curriculum

Understanding What We Offer

Here at USBIOLOGYTEACHING.COM we have a Full Biology Curriculum. This curriculum offers teachers detailed biology lesson plans about what to teach and how to teach it along with all of the resources all in one place. Throughout the lesson plans, classroom management tips, alternative approaches and how to address misconceptions is laid out for you so you can give your students the best opportunity for success right out of the gate.

• Detailed Lesson Plans with NGSS Alignment
• Daily Agendas
• Bell Ringers
• Presentations with Guided Notes (Go along with video presentations as well)
• VIDEO PRESENTATIONS ( Great for if your Online for COVID-19, Flipped Classroom, Absent Student, Sick Day) We Have You Covered!
• Labs
• Worksheets
• Assessments Including Modified Versions
• Bell-to-bell activities 
• Video Connections
• Technology Integration and Alignment with Other Online Resources (Quizlets, Quizziz, Edpuzzles, Socratives and Kahoots-DONE)
• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)! 
• Members Only Facebook Group
• Support Forum 
• Scope and Sequence with Materials List 

What Units Are Covered?

“You are the BEST place for resources I have ever found -thank you,thank you!!! ❤ -Therese

Units Covered

• Experimental Design (Scientific Method)
• Lab Equipment
• Characteristics of Life 
• Macromolecules
• Enzymes
• Cell Structure and Function 
• Cell Transport
• Photosynthesis 
• Cellular Respiration 
• Cell Reproduction
• DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis
• Genetics
• Mutations and Biotechnology
• Ecology 
• Evolution
• Classification 
• Population Ecology 
• Properties of Water  
• Human Body Systems

How to teach remotely using our curriculum.

As a classroom teacher (yes…I AM still a teacher and on the front-lines of this with you!) my students have been 1:1 with iPad’s for a while now so I have already been using the USBT curriculum to teach “online”.

Online Platform

Many schools have recently purchased an online platform that is going to host their courses, we use Moodle but anything will work as long as your students have to login to access the files you upload you are allow to host our curriculum there as long as you are up -to-date on your membership license.

How long does it take to plan using an online platform if you have access to the USBT curriculum?

The answer to this question will vary depending on the system. All you need to do is download the documents from USBT and upload them as assignments to your platform and set a due date . In 30 minutes I am able to have a plan for the entire week scheduled and ready for students.

How is it possible to do it that quickly?

Everything is done for you already. The worksheets are all there and laid out in order. You also have a variety of online resources that are already aligned as optional assignments….oh….and Quizziz, Edpuzzle and Socrative grade everything automatically for you.

Even the lectures are pre-recorded and ready to use with the guided notes that students can watch as many times as they need to get a concept they are struggling with. Just the pre-recorded presentations will save you at least 3 hours a week!

What about labs?

Obviously, we cannot expect students to purchase their own lab supplies. There are several ways to deal with this but none of them are as ideal as the experience of doing the lab in person.

Do Live Demos or Record Demos of the Labs

One way I have been combating the lab experience is to do live zoom labs with my students. Some labs are over multiple days so I will set it up live on zoom, ask questions and then follow up with either another live video or a recording of the data collection. If you make it back into your classroom, I do recommend getting some standard lab equipment and keeping it at home just in-case the schools get shut down again. Get permission prior to doing this! You will then be prepared to run labs and demo the use of equipment.

Online Simulations

There are few resources that are my go-to for online simulations but none have been able to accommodate all of the labs that we do in-person. The links to virtual versions of some of our labs are being added but some experiences do not have suitable substitutes so …we move on. and do an alternative assignment.

Data

If all else fails and you cannot run a lab you can provide students with data from previously run labs or you can provide them with hypothetical data that can be used to analyze results, draw conclusions and create reports.

Assessments

When COVID-19 hit my school put a moratorium on traditional summative assessments (high point value, culminating exams) and I agree with their perspective. Although it is possible to use them to get a feel for how students understand content, it is not possible to ensure the assessments are completely valid. I am sure my students are celebrated the moratorium. The assessments in the USBT curriculum are rigorous. To assess students, I am grading more small items for accuracy after ensuring I have provided them with the necessary guidance. I am using several online platforms to help me do this in a way that minimizes the time that I have to physically grade digital files (it is a pain!).

• Socrative.com– Socrative allows users to create quizzes, play a space race game or do quick exit quizzes/polls. You can create a free account and copy quizzes that have already been made by other teacher you may know. I have made mini quizzes available to our members so all they need to do is login in and create a copy.
• Quizizz.Com-Teachers can access pre-made quizzes or make their own using the question banks and their own questions.  I have one for each unit in the USBT curriculum and the last few are being added within the next few days. Our members can access them from the Member’s Area and simply assign them to their students.  Teachers can customize how many times students can take the quiz, how long it lasts and what types of feedback they get. We have linked quizzes that align with each unit. It  has been very helpful!

Large Assessments

Need to give a make up test or are required to do an assessment? When COVID-19 hit, I had a few students that needed to make up a test and I just couldn’t excuse them in fairness to the other students. Here is how I did it.  I created an answer sheet for the students to fill in as I show the test using screen share via zoom. I slowly scrolled through the test and moved through it at their pace. It went pretty well. It still allowed me the best opportunity to get the test to the students and maintain a fair and consistent grade book. If you have a better way (without recreating an entire assessment to a digital version in google forms) let me know so I can share it. 

Office Hours- I made myself available to all of my students every Tuesday and Thursday via zoom for at least 30 minutes so they could come to the meeting and ask any questions they may have had. I also allow students to make appointments if necessary.

A Quick How to Video for Zoom

Deadlines: Many of you are probably struggling with this adjustment (I know I am) and so are your students. I am making sure that my students have an opportunity to work ahead so they can plan for anything they may have going on. Many of your students have likely taken on new roles within the household. With that consideration, I have also reduced the work load for my students. This is a unique time and it requires compassion and understanding.

My Favorite Video Editing Instructional Resource

• Edpuzzle.com-This website allows teachers to use videos and integrates questions within the videos that students must answer to move on.  It keep students accountable and grades it automatically. In the USBT curriculum there are already video presentations for each unit. Members can simply link the presentations to Edpuzzle and add notes, questions or even voice overs to our presentations.

Save Time, Engage Students, Love Teaching

Although the USBT curriculum was designed before COVID-19 hit, our online tie-ins and having everything you need to teach Biology is a huge time saver. You will be able to help your students better because you will have more free time (time that would have been spent searching for resources) to help your students when they need it most. If you have any questions email: Brad@usbiologyteaching.com.