Download Waterloo High School

2016-2017
Waterloo High School
Regents Earth Science
Mrs. Moore
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.teacherweb.com/NY/Waterloo/MrsMoore
Introduction:
Welcome to Earth Science! Let’s address the elephant in the room right away… you are all
expected to take the Regents exam at the end of this school year in Earth Science. It sounds scary
now, but by the end of the year, you all should be more confident about the test.
That being said, Earth Science is a very broad topic that includes many fields of study, many of
which are truly fascinating. Through a variety of different and interesting activities, we will explore
topics such as geology (rocks), meteorology (weather), astronomy (space), and paleontology (fossils
& geo history).
By the time we are done, I hope that you will have a better understanding of the planet we
live on, and even some knowledge about the other planets and stars in our galaxy. The following
information will give you a little more insight in to what materials and attitudes you’ll need, and a bit
more info about what we’ll be studying.
Materials:
For this class, you will need, every day, the following materials:
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A large, three ring binder (2 folders with prongs will work too). You will put everything I hand
out to you in this- so make it big. D ring binders seem to work the best
Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT) will be used on all assignments as well as labs, daily
notes, class activities, note reviews, and tests. It’s extremely important that you have this with
you every day for class. These will be given before your first graded assignment is due.
Some type of paper to write on-make sure it will go in the binder
Something to write with. A pencil is best, but blue or black pen is OK, except on lab days!
PENCILS are required for lab activities and write-ups!!!
An Agenda of sorts… this can be the school issued one or a notebook you put all of your
assignments in but it is a key to your success in this class and ALL of your other classes as well.
2016-2017
Course Grades:
Your overall grade will be calculated from the total points you earn each marking period. Out of class
assignments will be worth 5-10 points per assignment, classwork, participation, and projects will be
worth between 10-40 points each. A project is going to be worth more than a classwork assignment.
Lab activities will be worth between 50-75 points each, there will be approximately 25 labs over the
course of the year. Assessments, which include note reviews and unit tests, will be worth between 2560 points each. A note review will have fewer points than a unit exam.
At the end of each marking period, the number of points you earned will be divided from the total
points given, multiplied by 100 and rounded to the nearest whole number, this is your marking period
grade! I always round up, so make sure your rounding skills are on point when you check your grades!
Each marking period, approximately 1000 points will be given in the form of out of class assignments,
classwork assignments, projects, participation, note reviews, labs, and unit tests.
Every person begins this course with a 100%! How long you keep it depends on your attitude and how
hard you work. Remember that hard work and doing your best pay off!
The Student’s role:
 You’re the student, and it’s your job to learn!
 A good attitude will allow you to be successful in life not just the classroom!
 Learn the vocabulary necessary to be successful.
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The Teacher’s role:
 To facilitate learning in the classroom.
 I do not just “give the answers”, I will help you to come up with answers on your
own and allow you to make your own conclusions.
 I must be fair and consistent.
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2016-2017
Text: Glencoe Earth Science Geology, the Environment and the Universe
Miscellaneous:
We will be purchasing a review book this year! Just before midterms, I will provide you and your
parents with the paperwork explaining the purpose of the review book, how much it will cost, and
when the money will be due.
What we will learn: this is an approximate time frame, conference days, snow days, student
behavior, etc. all have an effect on how we will move through the material.
First Marking period: September-early November
1. Unit 1-Prologue (Primarily review)
a. Scientific method
d. Metric units and
b. Observation and
conversions
inference
e. Graphing and graph
c. Measurement
reading
2. Unit 2- Measuring the Earth
a. Introduction to Earth
Science
b. Earth’s shape and
evidence
3. Unit 3-Topography
a. Isolines & Contour
lines
b. Topographic maps
4. Unit 4- The Earth in Space:
a. The Earth in Space
b. Apparent path of the
sun
5.
a.
b.
c.
Unit 5- Modern Astronomy:
The Sun
Electromagnetic spectrum
The Solar System
6. Unit 6-Earth Materials
a. Earth chemistry
b. Minerals of the
Earth’s crust
f. Density
g. Percent error
c. Layers of the Earth
d. Maps of the Earth
e. Latitude and
Longitude
f. Time zones
c. Fields and gradients
d. Map profiles
e. Landscapes on Topo
maps
c. Seasons and orbits
d. Moons and tides
e. Eclipses
d. Kepler’s laws
e. Stars and Galaxies
c. Rock cycle
d. Rocks and their
formation
e. Natural Resources
and Energy
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7. Unit 7 - Weathering, Erosion and deposition
a. Weathering
e. Deposition and
b. Water and Erosion
sedimentation
c. Groundwater and
f. Soils
erosion
g. Glaciers and Erosion
d. Porosity and
permeability
8. Unit 8-The Dynamic Earth
a. Hot spots
b. Mantle convection
c. Continental drift
f. Volcanoes
g. Earthquakes
9. Unit 9- Earth History
a. The Rock record
b. A view of the Earth’s past
c. Relative and absolute dating
10. Unit 10-Energy in Earth Systems
a. Convection, conduction, radiation
b. Energy from the Sun
c. Energy transfer by air
11.
a.
b.
c.
Unit 11-Weather/Meteorology
The Atmosphere
Water in the Atmosphere
Water cycle
12. Unit 11 – Climate & Climate Change
a. Factors that affect climate
h. Erosion by Wind
and waves
i. Landscape regions
of NY
d. Tectonic plates and plate boundaries
e. Deformations of the crust
h. Locating epicenter of earthquakes
i. Triangulation
d. The history of the continents
e. Fossils and ancient environment
d. Energy transfer by water
e. Affect of latitude on Sun’s energy
d. Weather
e. Weather systems and prediction
b. Climate change
Finish the year reviewing for the Regents exam
Important Information:
- If you miss class, come see me ASAP to get missed notes, assignments, etc.
- If you’re missing notes or assignments, go to my website. At the end of each school day I will
upload any notes from class, these can be downloaded and printed either at home or school.
- If you miss a lab, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to make it up. If you do not
make arrangements to make up a missed lab, it will still count against you in your grade unless
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2016-2017
there are extenuating circumstances. Either way, it is your job to come and talk to me about
the situation.
You can email me questions either from my website or the school website, however, if you do
not leave your email or a way for me to get back to you then I obviously cannot answer your
questions. I will not use your email to spam you or send random messages and I expect the
same from you!
Review Assignment #1: You and your parent/guardian need to go through the course outline
together. If you have questions pertaining to any of the information found in the document, email or
call me so that I can answer them for you. Below, I need both the student and parent/guardian
signatures showing that you’ve gone through the document. This is due back to Mrs. Moore
September 8, 2016.
Student’s PRINTED name
Signature
Date
Parent/Guardian PRINTED name
Signature
Date