AP Environmental Systems Guidelines

AP Environmental Science Guidelines (aka “the fine print”)

Welcome! There are three goals in this course: 1. to assist students in understanding environmental issues, to appreciate their impact on the environment, and to realize their key role in sustaining our environment. 2. To prepare students for the AP Environmental Science exam. 3. To help prepare students for college and career.

Topic Sequence Fall Semester: Spring Semester: Scientific Method/Harvey Project Fossil Fuel Use Ecology Global Climate Change Biodiversity and endangered species Alternative Energy and Efficiency Population Waste Management and Recycling Breathing: -Air Pollution Issues Water Supply and Pollution Issues Harvey Project conclusion

Advanced Placement credit This course is accredited by the College Board AP program as a half-year college credit. The AP exam for credit eligibility will be given on May 10, 2018. Each college or university sets its own standards for granting college credit to students who take the AP test. I am excited that you are taking this course and committing to take on this challenge. Research shows that students who take AP classes AND take the exam have statistically higher college GPAs than students who take the class but don’t take the exam.

Homework policy and Testing Tests will be given on Wednesdays and Thursdays, following Westside policy. Testing is a way for me to assess your learning, and I take it very seriously. Understand that if a phone or other electronic device is visible or used during a test, the test will be invalidated. The electronic device will be picked up according to WHS policy and the student’s test materials will be immediately picked up and not returned. A zero will be assigned for the test unless a retake is completed per the WHS retake policy.

Homework will be given on an almost daily basis. Plan on an average of 45 min per night. All assignments will be available on the HUB. I am responsible for keeping the HUB updated and accurate. YOU are responsible for checking it, especially if you are absent. Some homework is stamped the following day, but not collected until later. Stamps are always part of a grade and show you are keeping up with the work. If you are absent the day of a stamp, you are responsible for getting the stamp immediately when you return. If you wait until the due date, you will not get the points for the stamp.

Field Work This course involves a substantial amount of field work. This means that there will be days that we go outside during our regular class time to work through a lab or activity. It is expected that you will participate in these classes. In case of inclement weather, field work will be rescheduled. Sunshine, misting rain or cold are not considered inclement weather. You are responsible for dressing appropriately. I am responsible for getting you back inside with enough time to get you cleaned up for your next class. There will also be several field trips off campus.

Classroom expectations: RESPECT and focus! Examples of classroom respect and focus: *Work space is for focused work without distractions. Phones and other distractions should be in your bag on the floor. *Phones need to be on silence during instructional time. Ringtones distract and interrupt learning. *Respect my desk and office as I will respect your personal belongings. *Be respectful of one another and of me. *Come to class with all materials every day. *Leave the class clean. Practice “Leave no Trace” principles. *Come to class prepared to work and to participate. Contribute to substantive conversation. *Be responsible by reading the white board carefully every day.

Grading System: Tests, labs, and major projects are considered “major grades” and will be 70% of your average grade. There will usually be at least three major grades each six weeks. All other grades are considered “minor grades”, and will account for 30% of your six weeks grade. Grades and averages will be posted on Gradespeed. You are responsible for checking your progress in the class. I do not “give” you your grade. You earn your grade. What you will need for this class:  Three-ring binder, preferably with pockets and dividers. Keeping on top of your grade means being able to find your work. You will find it most helpful to divide your binder into the following sections: objective sheets, notes, and graded work.  Laptop  Two different colored writing implements or a pen/pencil combo every day.  A composition notebook with sewn binding for labs.  One –time class donation: 2nd pd: Package of white board markers; 6th period: insect repellant pump (not aerosol); 7th pd: Box of Kleenex and hand soap

Absences and Make-up work and Late work policy It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed. When you are absent from class (excused), you will have the same number of days to make up the work without a loss of points. Unit plans are posted on the HUB at the beginning of a unit so you can keep track of assignments, even when you are absent. Missing a test or due date for a lab: DON’T DO IT!! You will know these dates well in advance; being in class on these dates is even more of a point of emphasis than non-test days, for obvious reasons.

If you are absent only on a known test day, you will be expected to take the make up test when you return. If you have been absent only on the day before a test and no new material has been covered, you will be expected to take the test at the regularly scheduled time.

You will also know the due dates for labs well in advance. Labs are major grades, just as tests are. You must turn in your lab at the beginning of the period when I ask for them. Failure to do so will result in a late grade which is a reduction of 20% of your score. If you are going to be absent the day a lab is due, you should make arrangements to turn in the lab a day early or to have a VERY TRUSTED friend bring it in for you. This includes doctor’s visits, athletic engagements, etc.

Late work – I do not accept late work for daily grades. That means if you do not turn it in when I ask for it, you will have earned a 0 for that assignment. You are expected to turn in work on time.

The Westside Retake Policy We are committed to student learning and mastery of content. Students may retake major grades only. No daily grades can be retaken. To qualify for the retake, you will need to attend one tutorial to improve your understanding and a second tutorial to retake the grade. The tutorials and retakes must be completed within a week of the grade being returned to you. Major grades below 75 can be retaken, with a cap of 75 for the retake grade.

Tutorials – From time to time, you may need assistance to ensure your success in this class. My regular tutorial times will be during lunch and in the morning and will be announced soon. Most of these sessions will be like a college professor’s office hours – you come in and we work on what you need. If you are attending a tutorial to retake a grade, you must be in the tutorial for the full time with all needed materials. If you arrive late to the tutorial, you will not be given credit for attendance and you will have to come in again for credit on the retake policy.

Let’s go! We’re ready to start the year! Please remember that my door is always open to you. Fourth period is my conference period, and I’m usually here before school and after school for some time. My email is [email protected]. PLEASE use it if you need to reach me! I check it at least twice every school day.

“All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.” -Chief Seattle, 1855

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Mohandas Gandhi

“You are brilliant and the Earth is hiring!” -Paul Hawken, environmental economist