Download AP Environmental Science - Advanced Technologies Academy

Advanced Placement
Environmental Science
Course Expectations
Advanced Technologies Academy
2016/2017
Ms. Shane
MATERIALS: The following materials are required to be brought to class
everyday.
u Class Notebook
u BLACK pen and pencil
u Laboratory Notebook /Journal(spiral, three-subject, college-ruled)
COURSE SCOPE
This one-year course is designed with an emphasis on meeting the
requirements of the college board Advanced Placement AP Environmental Science
examination. This college-level curriculum provides students with the conceptual
framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with
the rapidly changing field of environmental science. Instructional practices
incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures
and their important contributions to our society. The appropriate use of
technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills one credit of the
Nevada high school graduation requirement for science and qualifies as a
laboratory science for college entrance.
COURSE GOALS
The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide
students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to
understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze
environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risk
associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving
or preventing them.
Topic Outline
The following outline of major topics serves to describe the scope of the AP
Environmental Science course and exam. The order of topics in the outline holds
no special significance, since there are many different sequences in which the topics
can be appropriately addressed in the course.
Earth Systems and Resources
Earth Science Concepts
The Atmosphere
Global Water Resources and Use
Soil and Soil Dynamics
The Living World
Ecosystem Structure
Energy Flow
Ecosystem Diversity
Natural Ecosystem Change
Natural Biogeochemical Cycles
Population
Population Biology Concepts
Human Population
Human population dynamics
Population size
Impacts of population growth
Land and Water Use
Agriculture
Feeding a growing population
Controlling pests
Forestry
Rangelands
Other Land Use
Urban land development
Transportation infrastructure
Public and federal lands
Land conservation options
Sustainable land-use strategies
Mining
Fishing
Global Economics
Energy Resources and Consumption
Energy Concepts
Energy Consumption
History
Present global energy use
Future energy needs
Fossil Fuel Resources and Use
Nuclear Energy
Hydroelectric Power
Energy Conservation
Renewable Energy
Pollution
Pollution Types
Air pollution
Noise pollution
Water pollution
Solid waste
Impacts on the Environment and Human Health
Hazards to human health
Hazardous chemicals in the environment
Economic Impacts
Global Change
Stratospheric Ozone
Global Warming
Loss of Biodiversity
Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and
extinct species
Maintenance through conservation
Relevant laws and treaties
GRADING POLICIES
Grading Scale
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 50% = F
Grading Procedures
For each 9-week grading period:
u Assignments = 10%
u Tests/Quizzes = 70%
u Laboratory Work = 20%
Semester grades will be calculated by weighting each 9-week period 40% each and the
semester exam the remaining 20%
General Grade Information
Grades can be viewed by checking Infinite Campus. Grades will be updated once
per week. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Shane. Grades will not be given
during the school day. You may ask about grades during assistance.
Citizenship
Students will be given citizenship mark for each grading period that will reflect
their overall behavior in the classroom. The following will be used to determine
the Citizenship mark.
O - Outstanding
Student shows a mature attitude in which he/she follow the established classroom
rules and procedures, work independently and uses his/her imagination to further
his/her own growth through self-evaluation
S - Satisfactory
Student usually follow the established classroom rules and direction to complete
work.
N - Needs Improvement
Student too frequently is not on task or not following classroom rules and
directions. Students has been referred to administration for tardies.
U - Unsatisfactory
Student shows an immature attitude in which he/she refuses to follow the
established classroom rules and/or fails to demonstrate adequate self-control. A
referral to the administration for inappropriate behavior must be sent before a
“U” is given. Students has been referred three times for tardies during quarter.
LABORATORY WORK
Each student will be required to return BOTH copies of the Laboratory Safety
Contract and pass the Safety Quiz with minimum score of 80% to participate in
lab activities. Both copies of the safety contract must be completely filled out.
All safety protocols MUST be followed. This includes, but is not limited to, NO
sandals/open toed/sandal-like shores, no loose clothing, long hair must be
securely tied back, and wearing of the proper personal protection equipment.
VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY PROTOCOLS WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT
RECEIVING A ZERO FOR THE LAB ASSIGNMENT. If the problem continues, the
student will be removed from lab work until a conference is held with parent/guardian
the teacher and administration. Students who miss laboratory work must meet with the
teacher during assistance time to receive the alternative assignment. The time frame
for this will be the same as for missed work. There is to be NO whiteout used in the lab
notebook. The lab notebook is to be kept in BLACK ink. The lab notebook is a spiral
bound, college-ruled notebook that is 8 ½" x 11". The other section of this notebook is
your journal.
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
u The student is expected to follow ALL written and verbal directions. If
the directions are not followed, the student will not receive credit for
the work.
u The student is expected to be in class and seated when the bell rings.
u Students are to be prepared when they come to class.
u Clark County School District dress code will be enforced.
u Other course assignments done in class will be tossed out unless all
assigned AP Environmental Science work is done, AND you have the teacher’s
permission.
u Derogatory slang including racial, ethnic, or sexually harassing remarks
toward anyone will get the student referred to the administration.
u Corridor passes will only be given for emergencies.
u NO food or drink (other than water) may be brought into class.
u Water bottles with caps will be allowed unless laboratory work is
being done.
u Students are expected to leave the lab areas neat and clean.
u While the students are doing in-class assignments they are expected to be
quietly working.
u There is not to be any combing of hair or putting on of makeup in class.
u The student will be expected to use school property correctly.
u While in lab, the students will be expected to act appropriately and be dressed
for lab.
u The student will be expected to leave the room neat and orderly.
u Personal electronic devises can not be used in place of a calculator.
u Personal electronic devises can only be used if given permission from the
teacher.
u Property of the teacher and/or other students is NOT to be touched.
u NO LOTION IS TO BE USED IN CLASS.
u NO GUM IS ALLOWED IN CLASS.
u The bell does not dismiss class, the teacher does.
COMPUTER USAGE
Computers may be used for AP Environmental Science class work ONLY.
You are responsible for knowing and following CCSD and A-TECH
acceptable use policies for computer and internet use.
You must save work to a removable storage device or your network account.
DISCIPLINE
Failure to follow the basic guideline for appropriate behavior will result in the following:
u 1st offense - verbal warning
u 2nd offense - parent contact
u 3rd offense - discipline referral
ATTENDANCE AND TARDIES
Attendance
It is the position of the Clark County District’s Board of School Trustee’s that if a
student is absent, no learning can take place. The educational experiences lost
during an absence are irretrievable as the interaction in the classroom setting can
seldom be duplicated through makeup work. Clark County School District policy is
that when a student exceeds 10 unapproved absences in a class they will lose credit
for that class.
After any absence you will be required to initiate contact with the teacher to
obtain makeup work within three(3) days of returning to class. Once contact has
been made with the teacher, the time interval allowed for completion of the
homework will be determined. Students shall be allowed a minimum of three (3)
days to complete makeup work. If these requirements are not met, a zero will be
recorded in the grade book for that assignment. Makeup tests will need to be
done after school.
Tardies
In the “real world,” employees must be on time at work. Coming late to work or taking a
longer break than is allowed is unacceptable. Tardiness to class at A-TECH is also
unacceptable. Student tardiness is a serious disruption to the educational process.
“Tardiness interferes with time to teach and infringes on the educational right of the
students.” (CCSD regulation 5113)
You are expected to be in the classroom and seated when the bell rings. If you
come to class late, you need to sign the tardy sheet and be seated quietly.
A-TECH will be enforcing the magnet contract regarding tardies for the 2016-17 school
year. Please include the following in your Course Expectations for the appropriate grade
levels you teach.
As defined within the Magnet Program Contract, the Tardy Policy at
A-TECH shall be as follows:
u 9th – 11th grade: any student who accumulates 5 tardies in one class
or 15 total during one semester shall be placed on attendance
probation.
u Any student in 9th to 11th grade on attendance probation
who accumulates 5 tardies in one class or 15 total while on
attendance probation shall be dismissed from the magnet program.
u 12th grade: any student who accumulates 5 tardies in one class or 15
total in one quarter shall be placed on attendance warning.
u Any 12th grade student who accumulates 5 tardies in one class or 15
total while on attendance warning shall be placed on attendance
probation.
u Any 12th grade student on attendance probation will also be placed
on non-participant status and will not be allowed to participate in
extracurricular school activities.
u 12th grade student on non-participant status may remove
themselves from such status by reducing their tardies to under 5
in one class and under 15 total for the academic quarter in which
they are on non-participant status
Consequences for being late
1st: Warning
2nd: Warning
3rd: Discipline referral (and for all subsequent tardies
Tardies are counted by SEMESTER!
ASSIGNMENTS
Make-up Work
After any absence you will be required to initiate contact with the teacher to obtain
make-up work. The contact MUST be made within three (3) school days of your return
to class.
Late Work
A reduction of 30% of earned points will be taken on work submitted after the due date
up to the time of the assessment. Work submitted after the assessment will not receive
credit.
ASSIGNMENT/PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
There will be a variety fo projects assigned during the school year. If you are absent
the day the project is due, it is due the DAY you return to class. Late projects will
be handled in the same manner as late work.
ArcGIS
We will be using ArcGIS this year in class. This is a method of doing data analysis using
maps. The program we will use is from ESRI. You will be required to obtain a public
account from ESRI. You will also be doing the tutorials and keeping track of your earned
certificates. A copy of each certificate must be turned in to Ms. Shane. There will be a
schedule for completing these tutorials. By the end of all the tutorials, you will have the
skill set equivalent to a college introduction to GIS class.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM
u Google Classroom will be used throughout the school year.
u Students are expected to follow all appropriate guidelines for Google Classroom
use.
QUALITY OF WORK
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
Work is to be turned in neat and legible.
The paper should be flat and not wrinkled or folded.
Check your grammar and spelling.
Do assignments in pencil unless directed to use ink.
Use BLACK ink for assignments that are to be done in ink.
Do not use blue ink for any assignments.
If your name is not assigned work you will not get credit for the work.
HONESTY
If you cheat, you only cheat yourself and no learning takes place. Cheating includes
plagiarism (copying directly from a source and not citing the source) and will not be
accepted. You need to do your own work. If you are caught cheating, you will
receive a zero for the assignment, the lab, the quiz, the test, etc.
GOALS OF SCIENCE INSTRUCTION
u Reason scientifically and think flexibly.
u Communicate scientifically.
u Understand science concepts and value science.
u Exhibit confidence in the ability to solve scientific problems.
u Collect, manipulate, and present data using proper mathematical form.
MISCELLANEOUS
If you feel, lost, or have questions, please see Ms. Shane as soon as you can. You
can reach me via email.
Email: [email protected] (Be sure to include the student’s name in the
subject, or the email will not be read)