Betty Nuñez Principal ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2015-2016 Amelia Estrada Assistant Principal Jennifer Kairalla Assistant Principal Instructor: Mrs. Wasilewski Room Number: 1212 Email: swasilewski@ppmhcharterschool.org Office hours: Mondays 8:00 8:30 am & Wednesdays 4:00 4:45pm Course Description Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, (including but not limited to Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Soil Science, Geology, Atmospheric Science and Geography) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems. Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. The content should include, but will not be limited to the following: the nature of science, ethics and environmental policy, matter, energy, earth cycles, ecosystems, biodiversity, evolution and speciation, species interactions, population growth, community stability, climatic influences, biomes, land use and management, renewable energy, and sustainability. Required Materials Folder or Binder for handouts and returned work 4 subject notebook with pocketed dividers Glue sticks Number 2 pencils Blue, Black, and Red ink pens Graph paper Erasers 4 Required Books Course Fee A $10.00 course fee will be collected after Labor Day - September 7th. This fee will be used to purchase supplemental instructional materials and Home learning workbooks for each student. Class Requirements All science students are required to create and maintain an account with, Turn It In, and the class PPMH Homework page. PPMH account Students are expected to use a planner and check their homework notifications on a daily basis. Explore Learning: Grading Criteria Students will be assigned different throughout the school year. They can be graded as homework, classwork, and/or formatively (quiz grade or lab grade). 14901 Southwest 42 Street Miami, Florida 33185 PHONE (305)559-8583 FAX (305)559-8584
Course Outlne UNIT 1: The Practice of Science UNIT 2: Sustaining Our World UNIT 3: Dynamic Earth UNIT 4: Principles of Ecology UNIT 5: A Planet of Life UNIT 6: Population Dynamics UNIT 7: Our Biosphere UNIT 8: The Human Population UNIT 9: Resource Management UNIT 10: Nonrenewable Energy UNIT11: Our Future Planet UNIT 12: Renewable Energy **PLEASE NOTE: FINAL CUMULATIVE EXAM WILL BE ADMINISTERED IN THIS QUARTER** First Nine Weeks Book: The Sacred Balance by David T. Suzuki Second Nine Weeks Book: The River of Grass by Majory Stoneman Douglas Third Nine Weeks Book: Jaguar One Man s Battle to Establish the World s First Jaguar Preserve by Alan Rabinowitz Fourth Nine Weeks Book: Hope for Animals and their World by Jane Goodall 14901 Southwest 42 Street Miami, Florida 33185 PHONE (305)559-8583 FAX (305)559-8584
Methods of Assessment Exams / / Lab Reports Quizzes / Labs / Projects Classwork Home learning 40% 30% 20% 10% Grading Scale Percent Letter Grade 90% 100% 80% 89% 70% 79% 60% 69% 0% 59% A B C D F Grade Point Average (GPA) 3.50 4.00 2.50 3.49 1.50 2.49 1.00 1.49 0.00 0.99 *As per the MDCPS Student Progression Plan, students must earn 10 points to pass an annual course, five of which must be earned in the second semester for students in grades 9-12. Classroom Expectations Be organized. Be responsible. Be respectful. Be Safe. Expect and accept high expectations. It is crucial for students to follow all classroom rules and procedures. In a science lab there are many mistakes that can cause damage to people or property; we emphasize lab rules and safety procedures. It is very important that our students clearly understand and consistently follow directions. Classroom Norms 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be in your seat, ready to begin the class before the bell rings. Bring required materials to class every day. Follow directions / instructions first time given. Raise your hand to be recognized before speaking or standing up from your seat. Respect, respect, respect. Listen when others are talking; keep hands, feet, objects, and negative comments to yourself. This is our classroom. 6. There are no electronic devices permitted unless stated otherwise (No CD, MP3 or ipod players, food, cell phones, etc.). 7. It is VERY important that no food be consumed in class. We are in a scientific laboratory, and as such, will have exposure to harmful chemicals if consumed. 8. Turn in completed assignments on time. 9. Communicate and participate. 10. Follow the Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High School Code of Conduct (link: http://ehandbooks.dadeschools.net/policies/90/index.htm ) 14901 Southwest 42 Street Miami, Florida 33185 PHONE (305)559-8583 FAX (305)559-8584
Consequences for not Meeting Classroom Expectations 1st Consequence Verbal warning and / or parent contact (phone call or e-mail) 2nd Consequence Detention and / or classroom expulsion. Parent contact will be at least 24 hours prior to scheduled detention. 3rd Consequence Referral to the administration Depending on the severity of the classroom disruption or behavior, the teacher may bypass consequences listed above. Academic Dishonesty Students are expected to be honest and ethical in their academic work. As per MDCPS Code of Student Conduct, Academic Dishonesty is a minimum Level II Violation and is defined as an intentional act of deception in one of the following areas: Cheating the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information or study aids Fabrication falsification or invention of any information Assisting helping another commit an act of academic dishonesty Tampering altering or interfering with evaluation instruments and documents Plagiarism representing the words or ideas of another person as one s own As a condition of taking this course, all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Attendance Policy Make-up assignments will be given to all students; however, only students whose absence has been marked excused will receive an academic grade without penalty for the assignment. Made-up work for an unexcused absence will remain with a letter grade of Z until the absence is marked excused. Students are expected to be on time to class. Tardiness will entail disciplinary consequences. Make-up Work As per school policy, make-up work, including homework, must be completed within 24 hours (per missed day) after returning to school. All assignments must be made-up within the allotted time or the student will be issued an incomplete (Z). It is the student s responsibility to follow up with me after school to ensure he/she makes up any missing assignments. Please sign and return the student/parent Acknowledgement Form found on the last page of this document by August 28, 2015. Thank you, Stephenie Wasilewski PPMH Science Team 14901 Southwest 42 Street Miami, Florida 33185 PHONE (305)559-8583 FAX (305)559-8584
STUDENT / PARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN BY AUGUST 28TH. We the parent / guardian(s) have fully read, understood, and agree to abide by the course expectations contained in this syllabus. Parent / Guardian Name (Print) Date Parent / Guardian s Signature I,, have fully read, understood, and agree to abide by the (Student Name) course expectations contained in this syllabus. Student Name (Print) Period Date Student Signature 14901 Southwest 42 Street Miami, Florida 33185 PHONE (305)559-8583 FAX (305)559-8584