Union Grove High School

Environmental Science Course Syllabus 2016-2017 Dutchtown High School 149 Mitchell Road Hampton GA 30228 Office: 770-515-7510 Fax: 770-515-7518

Course Instructors: Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] School Web Page: http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/dhs/site/default.asp

Course Name: Environmental Science Textbook Used: Environmental Science: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston

Supplementary Texts and Special Materials: Composition note book (200 pages)- 2 loose leaf paper, blue or black pens or pencils, colored pencils, 1 glue stick, 1 dry erase marker, a flash drive (will be used for research projects), and a roll of paper towels *Colored pencils, glue stick, dry erase marker and flash drive may be used for other classes, but should be with the student in class each day.

Technology Communication: Each teacher has a DHS webpage that will be updated with pertinent information including assignments, projects, and assessment dates.

Course Description: Environmental Science is the study of the impact of humans on the environment. It is a course that appeals to a diverse group of students. Students will participate in lab activities, hands-on and computer-based learning exercises, as well as informal classroom discussions in an attempt to gather the information they need to better understand the many interrelationships in the world around them.

Course Content will include: Scientific Principles and Concepts; the Dynamic Earth; Ecosystems and the Cycling of Materials; Biomes, Populations and Biodiversity; Water, Air, along with Land Resources use and Management; Mineral and Energy Resources (Renewable and Nonrenewable); our Health and Future

Course Objectives:  To understand what the environment is and how it works in terms of basic scientific principles.  To understand the relationships between humans and the environment.  To understand the major environmental problems facing modern societies including their causes and consequences and why environmental concerns have recently become so prominent.  To understand possible solutions to environmental challenges and the choices and trade-offs these challenges pose.  To understand how the issues discussed in the course are directly related to the decisions and choices you make in your personal life.  To understand that the environmental problems and issues we face are very complex and have no easy answers.

Student Achievement Targets: Students will be able to:  Attain at least 75% mastery on all materials covered throughout the year.

Course Expectations:  Students should arrive to class on-time.  Students should be prepared each day (assignments, notebook, paper, pencil, etc.).  Students be respectful to the teacher, their peers, and any visitors in the classroom.  Students are expected to put forth effort.  Students must adhere to the school and county rules stated in the hand book.

Students may be referred directly to an administrator for offenses such as fighting, dress code violations, possession of drugs or weapons, use of profanity or other behavior that is detrimental to the learning environment of the classroom. Texting and cell phone use in the classroom will not be tolerated.

Special Assignments and Projects: Major projects will be assigned at least 1 per semester. Projects will be weighed as a test grade. *Projects MUST be turned in on the due date in order to receive credit.

Grading Policy: It is the student’s and parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to make arrangements for make-up work. These arrangements should be made before or after school and should not disrupt instructional time. ALL work is expected to be turned in on time. Assignments are due during the scheduled class period and must be turned in at the beginning of class to be considered on time.

Classroom Rules and Discipline Procedures: Laboratory Safety: A separate Lab Safety Contract will be provided for review and signature by both the student and parent. It must be signed and returned before you can participate in lab. Failure to adhere by the safety contract during lab will result in not being able to participate in the lab and a grade of zero for the assignment.

Eating and drinking (including gum) are not allowed in class.

Grading System: Grades will be calculated based on the following information: Semester Exam (Fall and Spring) - 20% Course Work (broken down into the following subsections) - 80% Assessments (Tests/ Projects/Labs) - 50% Classwork (Quizzes/Daily classwork) - 40% Homework (Bell ringers/Daily homework/Current Events) - 10% **Grade calculation break-down is subject to change based on Henry County policies. Grade Scale: 90-100 (A), 80-89 (B), 74-79 (C), 70-73 (D), 69 or less (F).

*All assignments should be turned in on time to receive credit

Grades Reports: Grades are awarded at the end of each semester. However, official progress reports are provided at 9-week intervals. Students or parents may also check grades using the electronic resource Infinite Campus. Free tutoring is available at school on/before the school day; please check with your instructor for their tutorial hours (for schedule, check teachers’ webpage).

Academic Honesty Students are expected to do their own work. When a student is caught plagiarizing and/or cheating, the county’s disciplinary procedure will be followed AND a grade of zero percent will be given.

Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) Students are allowed to use digital devices to aid in their learning process. These devices are only to be used in the classroom at the discretion of the teacher. Any device being used for purposes that are not educational or beneficial to the learning process will be confiscated.

Consequences for violation of this rule are: 1st offense – student will receive a verbal warning (may include parent contact) 2nd offense – student will receive a detention 3rd offense – student will receive a referral-ISS 4th offense – student will receive a referral-OSS

Note: The instructor reserves the right to change any section of this course syllabus at any time during the semester to more adequately meet the needs, interest or abilities of the students. Environmental Science Course Syllabus 2016- 2017

Student Name: ______

Grade: Circle One (11th, 12th) Teacher ______Class Period ______

By signing below, the student and parents/guardian acknowledge that they have read the entire course syllabus and understand the manner in which the class operates.

In order to facilitate ongoing parent/teacher communication, it is highly beneficial to provide a working e-mail address as well as the phone number you can best be contacted at. E-mail is the preferred mode of communication as teachers are able to access our computers throughout the day, so please provide an e-mail address if possible. Please know that confidential information about your child’s progress in class will be the content of these e-mails.

Infinite Campus will be updated regularly in order for you to track the success of your child. Please feel free to contact me at any time using the e-mail address listed at the top of the syllabus.

Parent Name: ______Parent Email/Phone ______

Parent Signature ______Date ______

Student Signature ______Date ______

*** Please Sign and Return to your Instructor***