Hybrid AP Environmental Science
FORSYTH COUNTY COURSE SYLLABUS
2015-2016
COURSE TITLE: Hybrid AP Environmental Science
TEACHER NAME:
Greer Martin
E-MAIL:gmartin@forsyth.k12.ga.us
ROOM:
East Hall 1322
PHONE: 770-781-2264 EXT: 101322
Course Description: This course conforms to College Board topics for the Advanced Placement Environmental Science Examination. The major themes for this course as indicated by the AP Environmental Science course guide include Earth systems and resources, the living world, populations, land and water use, energy resources and consumption, pollution, and global change. Students are expected to take the AP exam in May. This course requires a rigorous college level lab component and utilizes a college text. Students are required to complete two days of week online.
Course Materials: One 1½” or 2” three ring binder, safety goggles (OPTIONAL PURCHASE – to be purchased at a later date using My Payments Plus), loose leaf notebook paper, graphing paper, pens (blue or black), pencils, colored pencils, pack of index cards, and dividers for notebook (recommended sections: Reading Outlines, Lecture Notes, Activities and Labs, and Graded Assignments).
*Strongly recommended: 2 GB flash drive and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Learning Resources/Textbook(s): With the emergence of technology as a tool for learning, South Forsyth High School will be utilizing various resources to assist with instruction, including ItsLearning, online textbooks, and interactive websites. This is a hybrid course which will meet face to face two times a week, and Monday and Friday will be online lessons through ItsLearning. Students are required to log on to ItsLearning on a daily basis for hybrid courses.
Textbook: Cengage online Miller textbook. 18th ed
Summer Reading Assignment:
Check the SFHS website.
AP Examination Review:
Barron's AP Environmental Science - newest edition Kaplan's AP Environmental Science - newest edition 5 Steps to a 5 AP Environmental Science – newest edition
Course Outline: The order and dates that topics are covered may change in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the course. Activities are subject to change as well.
Online Learning Days: These lessons will be posted on ItsLearning and organized by week. Typically there are two online learning days per week. For each online lesson, you need to refer to the content page which lists all activities students are expected to complete for that lesson. All assessments/activities that need to be completed/ submitted will be located under an assessment folder organized by units. You must submit the online lessons before the deadline or it will be considered late (refer to late policy).
Topic/Activities Duration :Fall Semester
I. Intro to APES 2 weeks
a. Tragedy of Commons Lab b. Ecological Footprint c. Lorax vs. Truax
II. Cyling of Matter/Nutrients & Earth Systems 2 weeks
a. Scientific Method Lab
b. Biogeochemical Cycles Project c. Ecosystems
III. Climate, Biomes, & Aquatic Ecosystems 3 weeks
a. Climatograms b. Biome Characteristics
c. Aquatic Biome Characteristics and Zonation d. Flora & Fauna
e. Climate
IV. Ecology & Biodiversity 3 weeks
a. Case Studies b. HIPPO
c. Invasive Species Wanted Poster Project d. Ecosystem Interactions
e. Biodiversity Conservation
V. Evolution & Populations 4 weeks
a. Natural Selection & Beetle Morphology Lab b. Wolf, Moose, & Fir Tree Case Study c. Human Population Growth
d. Population Dynamics
VI. Risk & Toxicology 2 weeks
a. LD50 Lab
b. Case Study on Mercury Levels c. Infectious Disease
Spring Semester
VII. Water & Water Pollution 3 weeks
a. Dam Project b. Water Conservation c. Water Treatment d. Water Laws & Acts e. Parts per Million Lab
VIII. Land, Agriculture, & Mining 4 weeks
a. Soil Analysis Lab b. Soil Conservation c. Soil Sanitation
d. Sustainable Agriculture e. GMOs
f. Mining Practices/ Pollution/ Laws & Acts g. Cooper Extraction Lab
IX. Air, Air Pollution, & Climate Change 3 weeks
a. Layers of the Atmosphere b. Air Laws & Acts
c. Climate Change d. Ozone Depletion
X. Waste & Energy 3 weeks
a.Solid & Hazardous Waste b.Waste Laws & Acts
c.Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Energy d. Energy Conversions & Calculations e. Bioremediation Lab
AP Exam Information: This course will prepare students to take the AP Exam. The three hour long exam will be divided equally between a Multiple Choice and a Free Response Section. The multiple choice section consists of 100 questions and constitutes 60% of the final grade. The free response section emphasizes the application of the principles to a greater depth and comprises 40% of the exam grade.
Makeup Work: When students are absent from school, they are responsible for all missed work and assessments. A student who is absent on the class day immediately before a regularly scheduled assessment/assignment will be responsible for completing the assessment/assignment on the regularly scheduled day and time. Students who have been absent more than two consecutive days (including the assessment day) will be given five (5) school days to make up the assessment and/or other assignments. This does not include major projects, research papers, tests, etc. where the deadline/date has been posted in advance. The teacher has the discretion to grant a longer period of time to make up work if there are extenuating circumstances. Long-term projects must be turned in on the previously scheduled date. If a student is absent on that day, they must turn in the project the day they return to possibly receive full credit.
Late daily assignments can be turned in. Assignments turned in late will earn a maximum grade of a 70%. All late work must be turned in by the unit test. Once that unit test is over, no daily (formative) assignments will be accepted. Online lessons will follow the above guidelines for late policies. If you do not complete the online learning assignment before the deadline it will be considered late. If you have an excused absence documented for the online learning day, you will have 5 days to make up the online assignment.
A daily synopsis of class and any handouts given out in class will be posted on ItsLearning. We will also utilize ItsLearning as a communication resource. Below are the following websites where these resources can be found:
http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/schools/staff.asp?stID=2279
https://www.itslearning.com
Exam Exemptions: Any student desiring to exempt their final exam must have a 90 overall average in their semester, or yearlong course to exempt the final exam in that course. End-of-Course-Tests cannot be exempt.
Work Habits are behaviors that have the potential to increase academic achievement, promote lifelong learning, and foster personal accountability.
Middle and High School Work Habit Categories and Scoring
1: Does not meet 2: Meets 3: Exceeds
Responsibility (RE)
The student adapts to classroom practices.
1. Requires frequent redirection; strays off-task; disrupts learning environment; fails to follow class procedures.
2. Is a self-starter; remains on-task; asks questions for clarifications when needed; applies strategies for meeting learning goals; follows class procedures.
3. Displays independent initiative; maximizes opportunities; solves problems.
Participation (PA)
The student pursues learning through active involvement.
1. Disengages from the learning environment; responds only to teacher prompts.
2. Engages in activities and discussions.
3. Leads others to participate; explores new class ideas and approaches.
Work Habit Categories and Scoring 1: non-compliant; 2: successful; 3: initiating
Assignment Completion (AC)
The student completes work by the designated time/date and according to directions. 1. Fails to complete assignments or submit work; struggles to follow directions.
2. Produces completed work on a consistent basis by the designated time/date; follows directions.
3. Demonstrates new applications and examples of standard; exceeds assignment expectations; extends personal learning.
Interpersonal Skills (IS)
The student interacts with others to create a positive learning environment. 1. Lacks flexibility when working with peers; isolates self.
2. Works well with peers; listens and speaks respectfully; questions ideas rather than the person.
Calculations:
Course Average = 50% (1ST Semester Course Work) + 50% (2ND Semester Course Work) 1ST & 2ND Semester Course Work = 75% Summative + 25% Formative
Concept of formative assessment: http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=8&n=9
Grading Policy:
A = 90 – 100 B = 80 – 89 C = 70 – 79 Failing = Below 70
*Formative grades are assignments such as homework, class work, quizzes, drafts or portions of essays, projects, research papers, and presentations. They provide practice while learning. These assignments, observations, and conversations are used to inform both the teacher and student about the learning process and lead to potential success on summative assessments. Online lessons will be majority formative grades.
*Summative grades are assignments/assessments such as unit tests, projects, essays, research papers, and presentations which may integrate multiple standards. These grades reflect student mastery of standards after the learning activity is completed. There will be at least 1 summative grade per unit.
Academic Honesty
Plagiarism and Cheating of any kind on an examination, quiz, or assignment will result at least in an "F" for that assignment (and may, depending on the severity of the case, lead to an "F" for the entire course) and may be subject to appropriate referral to the Administration. See the student code of conduct handbook for further information. I will assume for this course that you will adhere to the academic creed of this school and will maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. In other words, don't cheat by giving answers to others or taking them from anyone else. I will also adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity, so please do not ask me to change (or expect me to change) your grade illegitimately or to bend or break rules for one person that will not apply to everyone.
Copyright
This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do not copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.
Third-Party Software and FERPA
During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these are required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do not post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will not require you to disclose any personally identifiable/sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.
Honor Code:
“Assigned work enables teachers and students to find out what students are learning. Assignments, examinations, papers, and projects also teach responsibility. Part of this responsibility is academic honesty: the work the student turns in represents his or her best effort and that alone. The work is not copied from an outside unacknowledged source or another person.
Academic honesty creates a trust between students, teachers, and parents which increases each student’s ability to learn and grow as a person. For this reason, academic honesty is of the highest priority at South Forsyth High School. This extends to all
assignments, large and small, in all subjects. While teachers will continually instruct students on the nature of academic honesty, each student is ultimately responsible for his or her own integrity. If a student does not understand the difference between cheating and being honest, then it is his or her responsibility to ask a teacher.
South Forsyth High School is a learning community of trust focused on the authentic development of our students. High standards of academic honesty reflect our intentions to nurture lifelong learners who also lead with integrity.”
Parents are strongly encouraged to use the “Parent Portal” system on log onto ItsLearning to monitor student progress!
Test Format: Tests will examine your ability to recall information and apply the knowledge. Tests will have two sections: multiple choice (~60%) and an FRQ (~40%). If you miss a test due to an excused absence, you must see me on the day you return. See example questions below.
Multiple Choice:
According to the World Bank what is the predicted stabilization number for the worldwide population? A. 11 billion B. 9 billion C. 8 billion D. 15 billion
FRQ: Answer parts of the questions
The 1990 United States census revealed that for the first time, a majority of Americans live in suburbs of major cities or in suburban-like communities.
A. List three factors why this trend may not be sustainable from a resource point of view. B. Explain why each of the three reasons you have listed is not sustainable and the possible consequences of each.
C. What national public policy decisions made the United States into a suburban country as opposed to Europe that is largely urbanized?
D. Many environmentalists think the 21st century as the “Century of the City.” State whether or not you agree or disagree with this statement and include three reasons as support.
