Honors Earth/Environmental Science Course Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. Marcus Pate
Contact Information:
Phone: 252-321-3232 Ext: 7479
GoogleVoice: (252) 493-6308
Email: [email protected]
Website: marcuspate.weebly.com
Course Description:
This course will focus on in-depth study of two of the earth science strands: earth in the universe and earth systems, structures and processes. Emphasis includes how human activity impacts the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Also, students will investigate how sustainable practices may impact local and global resources. Topics studied include: Earth’s role as a body in space, how processes and forces affect the lithosphere, structure and processes of the hydrosphere and within the atmosphere, human influence on the lithosphere and hydrosphere, analysis of global climate change over time, how the biosphere is affected by the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and how human behaviors affect earth’s natural resources. The student will develop and apply critical thinking and research skills associated with the planning and implementation of independent science projects. They will read, discuss, and interpret current scientific research literature. Upon completion of the course, students will have a clear understanding of the dynamic forces at work in the world around them, becoming better caretakers of our planet.
Materials
Each student will need to bring the following items to class each day:
Grading Criteria:
Students will receive documentation of their progress in the course periodically throughout the semester. Students will receive progress reports every three weeks, and report cards every six weeks. Grades will be calculated based on the following criteria:
Honors
Standards 85%
Other 15%
What is Standards Based Grading (SBG)?
SBG is a grading system that measures students’ mastery of clearly defined course objectives. The goal of SBG is to give students accurate feedback about which skills or concepts they have mastered, and which still need work. Too often grades can be interpreted as a “final judgment‟ but SBG allows students the opportunity to continue working, without penalty, until they are able to demonstrate mastery of the standards
Why is Standards Based Grading (SBG) good for students?
How exactly will Standards bases Grading work in this Earth/Environmental Science Class?
For each unit, key learning goals (standards) have been identified. Standards will most often be in the form of “I can…” or “I know…” The standards are designed to give students chunks of knowledge and skills that they can focus on clearly. Students will be given the standards at the beginning of a unit. This practice will allow students to focus on the standards or goals for each unit.
Assessments
Student understanding of Earth/Environmental Science will be shown through demonstration of mastery of the standards. There will be a test at the end of each unit covering all that unit’s standards. On any quiz or test, a student’s mastery of the standards being assessed will be rated. Note that students will not receive a traditional grade on their assessments (such as a 75 or an 89), rather they will receive a score (no mastery, developing mastery, or mastery) for each standard being assessed. The current level of mastery of these standards, together with the level of mastery on any past standards will determine the course grade at that moment.
NM = No Mastery.
The student is still working on the basic concept, or perhaps they have not even attempted an assessment on this standard yet.
DM = Developing Mastery.
The student has the basic concept, but still make makes errors in applying it. Most of the time, these are habitual errors that they make again and again. They most likely need more practice, with attention to reflection after each exercise.
M = Mastery.
Mastery has been clearly demonstrated.
Re-Assessments
Students will have the opportunity to complete an additional assessment, or re-assessments, on any standards they have not yet demonstrated mastery. Re-assessments will only cover standards not yet mastered and must be initiated by the student. Upon completion of the re-assessment, if a student demonstrates mastery of standards not previously mastered their grade will improve without penalty for the delay in mastery. To qualify for a re-assessment, a student will need to:
o Have all required items in their lab notebook for that unit (via notebook check)
o Complete the additional practice for the model that the teacher will assign
Assignments
Tests- Tests will be given as we conclude each unit. Tests will be mostly free-response and multiple choice.
Lab Notebook Checks – At the beginning of each unit students will receive a list of the items we will complete throughout the unit. These will be the items that I will be looking for when I collect lab notebooks for grading. Grading will take place at the conclusion of each unit (on test day).
Labs- Each student will participate in labs as a group but will be required to turn in their own individual lab write-ups for an individual grade.
Other Assignments- From time to time we will have short quizzes on ideas that are very important to make sure you are following along with me. Also, I may collect and grade class work as needed to make sure you are on task.
Classwork/Homework- All classwork must be turned in on the day it is due. If you are absent and miss a classwork/homework assignment it is your responsibly to ask the teacher for your make-up work and complete it within a three-day window of your return to school. Late homework is not accepted. If you were absent on the day a homework assignment is due, you must turn it in upon your return to school. All notes, handouts, homework and labs are to be kept in the 3-ring notebook.
Final Exam- Each student will take a state mandated exam during the designated exam period for our class which will count as 25% of your final grade for the course.
Miscellaneous
Participation- Students are responsible for participation in all class activities, discussions, and assignments.
Folders- You will each have a folder in my classroom. We will use the folders to keep up with your tests. Test will be returned to you so that you can see them and then they will be placed in your folder.
Late Work & Absences- You should always strive to turn in your work on time! However, I will accept work 1 day late for half credit. This is the only time late work will be accepted! If you are absent, you are responsible for getting any missed labs or worksheet solutions from your lab group. If you are absent for a school related function then you are responsible for making arrangements to receive and complete your work ahead of time!
Academic Integrity- Cheating will not be tolerated on any level in this course. If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero and your parents will be notified. Cheating via storing information in your calculator will result in a loss of calculator privileges for the rest of the semester. Basically, cheating is the one thing you really do not want to do in my class so please do not even think about it!
Website/Class Technology- We will use various forms of technology to enhance instruction in this course. Our class website will be your home base to find out what is going on in class each day, to find assignments, announcements, and other information. Other technology will be used including GoogleVoice, Remind101, etc.
Contact Information:
Phone: 252-321-3232 Ext: 7479
GoogleVoice: (252) 493-6308
Email: [email protected]
Website: marcuspate.weebly.com
Course Description:
This course will focus on in-depth study of two of the earth science strands: earth in the universe and earth systems, structures and processes. Emphasis includes how human activity impacts the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Also, students will investigate how sustainable practices may impact local and global resources. Topics studied include: Earth’s role as a body in space, how processes and forces affect the lithosphere, structure and processes of the hydrosphere and within the atmosphere, human influence on the lithosphere and hydrosphere, analysis of global climate change over time, how the biosphere is affected by the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and how human behaviors affect earth’s natural resources. The student will develop and apply critical thinking and research skills associated with the planning and implementation of independent science projects. They will read, discuss, and interpret current scientific research literature. Upon completion of the course, students will have a clear understanding of the dynamic forces at work in the world around them, becoming better caretakers of our planet.
Materials
Each student will need to bring the following items to class each day:
- 1 inch 3 ring binder
- Notebook Paper
- Ear buds or headphones
- Colored Pencils
- Pen or Pencil
- Highlighter
- 11 Tab Dividers
Grading Criteria:
Students will receive documentation of their progress in the course periodically throughout the semester. Students will receive progress reports every three weeks, and report cards every six weeks. Grades will be calculated based on the following criteria:
Honors
Standards 85%
Other 15%
What is Standards Based Grading (SBG)?
SBG is a grading system that measures students’ mastery of clearly defined course objectives. The goal of SBG is to give students accurate feedback about which skills or concepts they have mastered, and which still need work. Too often grades can be interpreted as a “final judgment‟ but SBG allows students the opportunity to continue working, without penalty, until they are able to demonstrate mastery of the standards
Why is Standards Based Grading (SBG) good for students?
- SBG gives students a much clearer picture of the standards they have mastered or need to keep working on than a traditional numeric grade.
- SBG does not penalize students who do not demonstrate mastery on the first assessment.
- SBG requires students to reflect on their work in order to improve their mastery of the standards.
- SBG teaches students to produce quality work.
How exactly will Standards bases Grading work in this Earth/Environmental Science Class?
For each unit, key learning goals (standards) have been identified. Standards will most often be in the form of “I can…” or “I know…” The standards are designed to give students chunks of knowledge and skills that they can focus on clearly. Students will be given the standards at the beginning of a unit. This practice will allow students to focus on the standards or goals for each unit.
Assessments
Student understanding of Earth/Environmental Science will be shown through demonstration of mastery of the standards. There will be a test at the end of each unit covering all that unit’s standards. On any quiz or test, a student’s mastery of the standards being assessed will be rated. Note that students will not receive a traditional grade on their assessments (such as a 75 or an 89), rather they will receive a score (no mastery, developing mastery, or mastery) for each standard being assessed. The current level of mastery of these standards, together with the level of mastery on any past standards will determine the course grade at that moment.
NM = No Mastery.
The student is still working on the basic concept, or perhaps they have not even attempted an assessment on this standard yet.
DM = Developing Mastery.
The student has the basic concept, but still make makes errors in applying it. Most of the time, these are habitual errors that they make again and again. They most likely need more practice, with attention to reflection after each exercise.
M = Mastery.
Mastery has been clearly demonstrated.
Re-Assessments
Students will have the opportunity to complete an additional assessment, or re-assessments, on any standards they have not yet demonstrated mastery. Re-assessments will only cover standards not yet mastered and must be initiated by the student. Upon completion of the re-assessment, if a student demonstrates mastery of standards not previously mastered their grade will improve without penalty for the delay in mastery. To qualify for a re-assessment, a student will need to:
o Have all required items in their lab notebook for that unit (via notebook check)
o Complete the additional practice for the model that the teacher will assign
Assignments
Tests- Tests will be given as we conclude each unit. Tests will be mostly free-response and multiple choice.
Lab Notebook Checks – At the beginning of each unit students will receive a list of the items we will complete throughout the unit. These will be the items that I will be looking for when I collect lab notebooks for grading. Grading will take place at the conclusion of each unit (on test day).
Labs- Each student will participate in labs as a group but will be required to turn in their own individual lab write-ups for an individual grade.
Other Assignments- From time to time we will have short quizzes on ideas that are very important to make sure you are following along with me. Also, I may collect and grade class work as needed to make sure you are on task.
Classwork/Homework- All classwork must be turned in on the day it is due. If you are absent and miss a classwork/homework assignment it is your responsibly to ask the teacher for your make-up work and complete it within a three-day window of your return to school. Late homework is not accepted. If you were absent on the day a homework assignment is due, you must turn it in upon your return to school. All notes, handouts, homework and labs are to be kept in the 3-ring notebook.
Final Exam- Each student will take a state mandated exam during the designated exam period for our class which will count as 25% of your final grade for the course.
Miscellaneous
Participation- Students are responsible for participation in all class activities, discussions, and assignments.
Folders- You will each have a folder in my classroom. We will use the folders to keep up with your tests. Test will be returned to you so that you can see them and then they will be placed in your folder.
Late Work & Absences- You should always strive to turn in your work on time! However, I will accept work 1 day late for half credit. This is the only time late work will be accepted! If you are absent, you are responsible for getting any missed labs or worksheet solutions from your lab group. If you are absent for a school related function then you are responsible for making arrangements to receive and complete your work ahead of time!
Academic Integrity- Cheating will not be tolerated on any level in this course. If you are caught cheating you will receive a zero and your parents will be notified. Cheating via storing information in your calculator will result in a loss of calculator privileges for the rest of the semester. Basically, cheating is the one thing you really do not want to do in my class so please do not even think about it!
Website/Class Technology- We will use various forms of technology to enhance instruction in this course. Our class website will be your home base to find out what is going on in class each day, to find assignments, announcements, and other information. Other technology will be used including GoogleVoice, Remind101, etc.