Embedded Files
Login Directions
Login Directions
Attendance and Progress Expectations
Attendance and Progress Expectations
Apex Login and Progress:
To remain on track, students should follow the suggested pacing. Students can work ahead, but should not fall behind more than 6% (one week) recommended pacing or could be considered absent.
Students are encouraged to follow the recommended pacing and suggested due dates to remain on track.
To remain on track, "Teacher Scored" practice assignments should also be submitted by the end of each unit.
Apex Student Dashboard
Apex Student Dashboard
Welcome to the Apex Student Dashboard!
Welcome to the Apex Student Dashboard!
The Apex Dashboard is the main launch screen for students. From here you can access classes, review grades/progress, and review Apex announcements.
Click on the link below to learn more:
Student Dashboard Overview Video
"Teacher Scored" vs. "Computer Scored" Assignments
"Teacher Scored" vs. "Computer Scored" Assignments
Most items in Apex are computer scored (including quizzes and tests). This means that that there is no teacher grading these items. There are several custom assignments (developed by Medina teachers) and Apex practice assignments that are teacher scored by MODA consulting teachers. These assignments are submitted using Google Docs through Apex. See additional information below.
Progress Report Colors
Progress Report Colors
If a student is behind the suggested due dates for practice assignments, the student progress bar on the Apex dashboard will appear red. There also will be a red highlighted notification on the dashboard indicating how many assignments are missing. Keep in mind that as long as students submit the assignments eventually, the final grade will not be impacted. To remain on track we encourage students to submit all practice assignments by the suggested due dates.
Checking Student Grades and Progress
Checking Student Grades and Progress
There are two (2) grade indicators on the student Apex dashboard and parent weekly progress report:
Quality of Work:
Quality of Work:
This is the student mastery of learning grade without any missing assignments included. It reflects student achievement on all current assignments and assessments (quizzes and unit tests). It does not include missing "teacher scored" practice assignments.
Grade to Date:
Grade to Date:
This is the student grade given what has currently been completed (and not completed) and based on the set “Due Dates” to inform student progress. Again, due dates are a soft guideline to keep students on track. Missed due dates will not adversely impact a student grade unless the student fails to complete the assignment or assessment altogether.
Units, Lessons, and Activities
Units, Lessons, and Activities
Curriculum Structure
Curriculum Structure
The Apex curriculum is organized into units, lessons, and activities (practice assignments, quizzes, tests). The number of units for each course varies; however, on average there are 6-7 units per course.
Although the curriculum is not the same as the Medina City Schools curriculum, the curriculum is based on the Ohio Learning Standards.
In some cases we have made revisions to Apex courses to better align to what we offer students learning in person. This is the case with all of the gifted "plus" courses and several of the general education courses.
Units are number sequentially (i.e unit 1, unit 2, unit 3). Lesson numbers follow suit (lesson 1.1, lesson 1.2, lesson 1.3). Lesson components follow from there (section 2.6.1, 2.6.2, 2.6.3).
Click the link below to view a video overview of Apex units and lessons:
Apex Feedback Features to Support Learning
Apex Feedback Features to Support Learning
Lesson Components
Lesson Components
1.1 Overview
1.1 Overview
Provides an introduction and preview to the lesson. Learning objectives and learning standards are stated.
1.1.1 Study
1.1.1 Study
The majority of instruction comes from the "Study" component of the lesson. This is where content is presented to students through videos, interactive activities, and reading. This is also where students will access the lesson study guide.
The study guide is an important resource and should be used as a tool to provide structure for students. If it is used correctly, it will guide students through the lesson and will be a place for students to take notes.
When the "Answer Reveal" feature is enabled, students can go back and check the correct answers to prepare for the lesson quiz and unit tests. Study guides do not have to be printed. They can be uploaded to Google Drive; however, this is not required.
1.1.2 Checkup
1.1.2 Checkup
This component serves as a quick check of student understanding and provides opportunities for skill practice and application of learning from the "Study" section of the lesson. Often there are interactive multiple choice "quick check" activities in this section.
1.1.3 Review
1.1.3 Review
The review component is often a video overview of the lesson. It is intended to provide students a brief review before completing the lesson quiz.
1.1.4 Practice
1.1.4 Practice
In some of the lessons practice assignments will be required. These are teacher scored assignments that will be submitted to a consulting teacher through Apex for a grade.
1.1.5 Quiz
1.1.5 Quiz
Each lesson concludes with a computer scored quiz. This is a graded assessment and will be calculated as part of the student grade. There are opportunities for multiple attempts at completing a quiz. See information below.
Computer Scored Test (CST) at conclusion of each unit. This is a graded assessment and will be calculated as part of the student grade.
Apex Assessments (Quizzes and Computer Scored Tests)
Apex Assessments (Quizzes and Computer Scored Tests)
Quiz Resets
Quiz Resets
There is a quiz at the end of every lesson. Quizzes are intended to provide students immediate feedback on their learning.
Students have two (2) opportunities to attempt a quiz.
If the student does not achieve the preset mastery learning score of 70%, then he or she can reset the quiz and redo it again. Quizzes do count for a grade.
Students can reset their own quiz twice before it locks.
At this point the homeroom teacher will need to intervene. Sometimes students are asked to complete an Apex Tutorial to reinforce a weak skill area or misunderstanding.
Other times a student might be referred to a consulting teacher or another study session (i.e. ELA or Math Lab) or the teacher might automatically reset the quiz if resets are not a common pattern for the student .
Test Unlocks
Test Unlocks
There is a test at the end of every Apex unit.
These tests are labeled in Apex (CST) or Computer Scored Test.
Unit tests are locked until the homeroom teacher unlocks them.
The tests will not be unlocked until practice assignments for that unit have been completed and submitted. This is to ensure that students are prepared for the test.
There are no test resets. Students have one opportunity to complete each unit test. Unit tests do count for a grade.
Exams are only required for high school credit courses.
Take Time on Quizzes and Tests
Take Time on Quizzes and Tests
Students should take their time to work carefully when completing quizzes and tests. Students who are locked out of all of their courses typically are not taking the time needed to be successful on these assessments.
What to do if a Student is Locked Out of a Course
What to do if a Student is Locked Out of a Course
If a student is locked out of a course because a quiz needs to be reset or a test needs to be unlocked, follow the directions above. The best thing to do is start working on another course until the course is unlocked.
Practice and Custom Assignments
Practice and Custom Assignments
Practice Assignments
Practice Assignments
Practice assignments are required in some lessons, but not all lessons. These assignments provide a brief opportunity for skill application. The assignments are teacher scored and are submitted through Apex following the procedure below. After a consulting teacher grades the assignment, it is then sent back to the student with feedback and a grade. The grade will also be posted on the Apex student dashboard. Most practice assignments are worth 5 points.
Custom Assignments
Custom Assignments
Some units also include custom assignments. These are assignments designed by Medina teachers and added to the Apex curriculum to provide enrichment and additional skill practice. Gifted plus courses include more custom assignments than general education courses. These assignments are teacher scored and are submitted through Apex following the procedure below. A few custom assignments include "Mobymax Math Mondays" and "Fluency Fun Fridays" which are both opportunities for additional skill practice and reinforcement. There is also an independent reading assignment each quarter to promote love of reading and hone reading skills.
Special Area Courses
Special Area Courses
Elective Courses
Elective Courses
MODA students will complete special area elective courses. Each of these courses is 18 weeks long (full semester). Health is a required elective for all 7th grade students.
6th Grade: Art and PE
7th Grade: Art or PE and Health
8th Grade: Art and PE
A Note about Art
A Note about Art
Many middle school students enjoy art class. Apex does offer an art course; however, we learned first semester that this course was extremely challenging and not appropriate for most of our middle school art students. The courses was intended for high school students, and even with some custom revisions to the course, it still was too challenging.
We wanted to continue to provide an art experience for students; therefore, we worked with our MODA art consulting teacher, Mrs. Kennedy from Claggett, to develop a more hands-on and middle school appropriate alternative MODA art course.
If a student is enrolled in art this semester, he or she will receive an invitation to Mrs. Kennedy's MODA art Google Classroom. All assignments and instructional materials will be included in the Google Classroom. Assignments will be submitted through the Google Classroom as well.
Art will still appear on the Apex student dashboard. When a student clicks on the art class, there will be a prompt to login to Google Classroom.
Page updated
Report abuse