AP Environmental Science SY

Transcription

1 AP Environmental Science SY Teacher s Information: Name: Ms. A. M. ALCORIZA ms.alcoriza@gmail.com a.alcoriza@yahoo.com Class website: School website: Course Description: This course is an Advanced Placement elective science and is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. It is designed 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 risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. (Source: CollegeBoard) Course Objectives: At the end of the course, each student will identify and analyze environmental problems, evaluate the relative risks associated with those problems and examine solutions; practice safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices during field/lab activities; demonstrate critical thinking and scientific problem solving skills to make informed decisions; apply critical thinking to environmental and social concerns, and; display responsibility as caretakers and stewards of the living world. (Source: CollegeBoard) The AP Exam: The AP Environmental Science exam is scheduled on the morning of May 5 th. This is a timed exam and calculators are NOT allowed. Textbook: Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment, 12 th ed (provided by school) Book Reports: Summer Reading (for Fall Semester) Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Winter Reading (for Spring Semester) Perkins, John. Confessions of an Economic Hitman AP Environmental Science Page 1 of 6

2 Summer Reading Assignment: The assignment has been posted on the class and school websites since May Supplies: Writing materials #2 Pencils with eraser, and standard blue or black pen Folder or binder to keep all worksheets organized Loose-leaf paper for notes, quizzes, tests, etc. Composition notebook black/white cover, 100 sheets; for your lab/activity write ups Classroom Expectations: Be respectful. Be on time and on task. Be prepared. Be responsible. Consequences: Verbal warning. Student-Teacher conference. Lunch detention. Parent-Student-Teacher conference. Referral to the office. Grading Policy: Students earn a grade based on the quality and accuracy of their completed work. Tests / Quizzes 50% Labs / Activities 30% All Others 20% Tests are patterned after the AP Environmental Science exam (fifty multiplechoice items and two free response questions) and are administered over a two day period. Tests are double the weight of quizzes. Quizzes are both announced and unannounced. Labs related to the topic will be completed throughout the year. You will be required to submit a pre-lab report prior to doing a lab. Once the lab is done, you will have one week to submit the rest of the report. The rubric and format for the lab report will be given to you separately. Projects, portfolios, and other long-term assignments are graded as Activities. All Others include classwork, homework, participation, and other similar shortterm assignments. NOTE: Even though these assignments may not be directly evaluated, you are responsible for your own self-evaluation of these assignments, and getting assistance if you fail to understand the concepts involved. AP Environmental Science Page 2 of 6

3 Student Responsibilities and Classroom Procedures: Class Culture: 1. Come to class on time, prepared and ready to work. Part of being prepared means bringing your textbook and school materials to class every day. 2. Attend to your personal needs before coming to class. 3. Food, drink, gum/candy, cell phones, music/video/game players and other such non-school related items are not permitted. Confiscated items will be returned to you only through your parent/guardian. 4. Demonstrate academic integrity by being obedient to Carnegie s Honor Code. Cheating, copying, and plagiarism are major offenses in any academic setting. You will not get credit for that work and you will automatically get a conduct grade of P for the grading cycle. You will also be referred to the Principal for administrative sanctions. 5. Safety first! We want to keep you safe during any lab activity therefore it is important that you observe safety rules. Violations of safety rules will result in a maximum grade of 70. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may be timed out from the activity. Once that happens, you automatically get a zero for that particular activity, a conduct grade of P for the grading cycle, and a referral to the Principal for administrative sanctions. 6. Always write your name, date, and period in order to get credit for any and all work that you turn in. Five percent (5%) will be taken off your grade for incomplete or missing header information. 7. Write neatly and legibly. Neatness does count. I will grade only what I can read! Absences, Make-ups, Retakes, and Deadlines: 8. Buddy up with one or two classmates from whom you may get the assignments or handouts that you missed during your absence. 9. Assignments are designed to be finished within the time given to you. Be aware of deadlines and turn in your work on or before it is due. To be considered on time, your complete work must be received by the date and/or time specified in the assignment. If your bus is late, you will need to bring your work to me before you proceed to 1 st period. Any deviation from this will count as late work. Late work will be accepted up to one day late and no later. The highest possible grade on late work is 70%. If you are absent or not in class on the day that it is due, you are responsible for finding a way to get it to me in a timely fashion. It is your responsibility to come to me to turn in your work even if you leave early or arrive late. Should you turn in a late assignment, you MUST fill out and attach a late form before your work can be accepted. Major assignments must have a parent signature on the late form. 10. You must make an appointment to take your missed tests and quizzes during the beginning of lunch. You will get a zero if you are tardy or fail to come in during your scheduled make-up day. Take note that the format for make-up tests or quizzes is at the teacher s discretion. AP Environmental Science Page 3 of 6

4 11. There is no make-up for missing or incomplete work due to being off task. There is no make-up for unexcused absences. There is no make-up for longterm assignments or for group work. 12. If you fail a test or quiz you have a chance to retake it according to the school s policy. You will need to fill out and turn in a Retake Form to take advantage of this opportunity. Tutorials, Extra Credit, and Resubmissions: 13. If you are having difficulties in class or need clarification, you are welcome to come to my room during lunch on most days. You are also welcome to schedule an appointment if you d rather meet with me before or after school. 14. Please come see me if you re interested in improving your grade, either through extra credit projects or by resubmitting work. 15. Resubmissions are at the teacher s discretion and should meet the requirements as follows: (a) the original work should have been turned in on time, (b) you must show all work and explain how the new answer makes sense, and (c) it must be done before the last week of each grading cycle. Others: 16. You are required to bring your textbook and necessary school supplies everyday. 17. Do not misplace, lose, or dirty up handouts I distribute in class. I will not give you another copy. 18. There is always a seat plan to follow. Be in your assigned seat unless you have permission from me to be out of your seat. If you have poor vision or hearing or if you have any other physical condition that affects your learning, please let me know so I may assign you a proper seat. 19. Anything not covered here are subject to the rules and regulations of the Student Handbook and/or the teacher s discretion. AP Environmental Science Page 4 of 6

5 Topic Outline: The following is the outline for the AP Environmental Science curriculum. Dates Topics (Fall Semester) Test Days 08/26 to 09/13 09/16 to 10/04 10/07 to 10/25 10/28 to 11/15 11/18 to 12/20 UNIT 1 EARTH SYSTEMS & RESOURCES Chapter 1. Environmental Issues Chapter 2. Environmental History UNIT 2 THE LIVING WORLD Chapter 5. Evolution Chapter 6. Biogeography Chapter 7. Aquatic Ecology Chapter 8. Community Ecology UNIT 3 POPULATION Chapter 9. Population Dynamics Chapter 11. Human Population UNIT 4 LAND & WATER USE Chapter 10. Geology Chapter 12. Food Resources Chapter 13. Water Resources UNIT 5 ENERGY RESOURCES & CONSUMPTION Chapter 14. Geologic Resources Chapter 15. Energy Efficiency 09/ / / / /10-11 Dates Topics (Spring Semester) Test Days UNIT 6 POLLUTION Chapter 16. Toxicology Chapter 20. Pesticides and Pest Control 01/ /07 to Chapter 17. Air and Air Pollution 02/ /14 Chapter 18. Climate Change and Ozone Loss 03/13-14 Chapter 19. Water Pollution Chapter 21. Solid and Hazardous Waste 03/24 to 05/30 UNIT 7 GLOBAL CHANGE Chapter 22. Sustaining Wild Species Chapter 23. Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity Chapter 24. Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity Chapter 25. Sustainable Cities Chapter 26. Economics, Environment, and Sustainability Chapter 27. Politics, Environment, and Sustainability Chapter 28. Environmental Worldviews and Ethics Note: Schedules are approximate and subject to change. AP Exam: Monday morning, May 5th 04/ /28-29 The exam is three hours long. You will have 90 minutes to answer 100 multiple-choice questions and another 90 minutes to answer four freeresponse questions. Calculators are not allowed. ** The next page is to be completed and returned to Ms. Alcoriza by Friday, Aug. 30th. ** AP Environmental Science Page 5 of 6

6 ** Complete and return this page to Ms. Alcoriza by Friday, Aug. 30th. ** Role of the Parents: Parents fill a very important role in their child s education. They serve as an important enrichment and evaluation resource. Parents are encouraged to participate in their student s learning by checking binders and assignment notebooks for assignments, aiding students in projects and homework, and sharing any applicable knowledge or expertise with their child and the class. Please contact the teacher at any time to gain information about your child s progress. is the preferred method of contact STUDENTS: I have carefully read and I understand the rules, procedures, and guidelines for my AP Environmental Science class. I will honor them at all times. Student Name Student Signature Date Student s address (please print CLEARLY) PARENTS: I have carefully read and discussed these guidelines with my child. I understand and support them. Parent Name Parent Signature Date Parent s phone number Parent s address (please print) Parents please feel free to share any comments, questions, or concerns. Are you willing to help chaperone field trips? If yes, what is the best way to contact you? Are you willing to talk to the class as a guest speaker regarding an environmental science related topic? If yes, what topic would you like to talk to them about? AP Environmental Science Page 6 of 6