2009-2010
Instructor: Mrs. Elizabeth Meredith
Email: MeredithE@HaydenHigh.org
Course
Description: Earth and
Space Science is a course designed in part to prepare students for the
admission to a university. The
curriculum is correlated to include the Kansas Curricular Standards. The students will develop an understanding of
energy in the Earth system, geochemical cycles, the formation and organization
of the Earth system, and the organization and development of the universe. In addition, through laboratory activities,
the students will develop the abilities necessary to do and understand
scientific inquiry. The students will develop, question, and identify concepts
that guide scientific investigations.
The students will design and conduct scientific investigations. The
students will cooperate in group discussions that will lead to a better
understanding of Earth and space science theories.
Text: Earth Science, Spaulding & Namowitz,
McDougal Littell inc., 2003
Course
Outline with Outcomes for the Syllabus:
I.
The
students will develop an understanding of the sources of energy that power the
dynamic Earth system.
II.
The
students will develop an understanding of the actions and interactions of the Earth’s
subsystems: the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere,
and biosphere.
III.
The
students will develop an understanding of the origin and evolution of the
dynamic Earth system.
In order to
achieve the for-mentioned outcomes, the students will achieve understanding of
the following topics:
1.
The
Earth as a System – the
system’s four spheres; cycles within the system
2.
The
Earth’s Matter –
structure and motion; atoms and minerals; rocks; resources and the
environment. This will include the
chemistry concepts necessary to understand the material of this topic. In addition, biology concepts will be covered
to help the students understand the biological and environmental interactions
of the Earth.
3.
Dynamics
of Earth- plate
tectonics; volcanoes; earthquakes; mountain building.
4.
The
Earth’s Changing Surface-
weathering, soil, erosion; surface water; ground water; glaciers; wind, waves,
and currents.
5.
Weather
and Atmosphere-atmosphere;
water in the atmosphere; atmosphere in motion; weather; climate and climate
change
6.
Earth’s
Oceans- oceanography;
the ocean floor; currents.
7.
Space- the Earth’s moon; sun and the solar
system; planets of the solar system; stars and galaxies.
8.
Earth’s
History- the past
(fossils and time); views of the past.
Laboratory
activities and mini-labs:
Labs and
mini-labs will be included in many of the topics covered in the curriculum to
foster the development of the abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry. Labs
are essential to learning, but do require responsible actions on your
part. Misuse of equipment or misbehavior
in labs will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action.
Quizzes will be
given at the end of each chapter or topic covered. These will be announced.
Tests will be
given at the end of each unit. One test
will carry the weight of two or three quizzes.
Options to
improve TEST grades below 70% are:
1.)
Re-testing
for an 80% maximum score
2.)
Correct
tests- Students can make corrections to incorrect test questions, however,
corrections are only worth 50%
Grading:
Hayden High
Schools grading scale will be used. (see agenda)
Grades for each
quarter will be weighted as follows:
50% quizzes/test/other assessments
25% homework
25% labs.
*Late Policy on
Homework and Labs- 10% will be deducted
every day from any work turned in late.
* There are 2 semesters/
4 quarters in the year. Each semester’s overall
grades will include the two quarters’ grades worth 45%, and the final exam will
comprise 10% of a semester’s grade.
|
Semester 1 |
Quarter 1 =
45% |
Quarter 2 =
45% |
Final = 10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Semester 2 |
Quarter 3 =
45% |
Quarter 4 =
45% |
Final = 10% |
Materials
Needed:
Spiral Notebook
Loose-leaf paper
Writing utensil and colored pencils
Scientific calculator
1.
Respect- Show respect for your peers and instructor
at all times. This means serving others, listening considerately, and
responding with kindness.
2.
Responsibility- As young adults you now have greater
responsibilities. Others depend on you
fulfilling those responsibilities. Neglecting responsibilities means that you
will lose respect.
3.
Promise- As your teacher, I will never ask you
to do something I would not be willing to do myself, and I will always keep a
promise I make to you. This means that I
will expect the same in return. Breaking
your promises means you will lose respect. Challenge yourself.
4.
Students
must be familiar with and obey all of the rules for
5.
Always
bring your materials. You will NOT be
permitted to go to your lockers after the bell has rung.
6.
Be
in your seat ready to learn when the bell rings.
7.
Whenever
you need to use the restrooms you MUST have one of the two hall passes. ALSO
you must sign in and out on the log sheet.
These things can be found on the podium by the door.
Honors Expectations
The honors Earth/Space
classes will be faster paced and more in depth in content. This also means that tests will have more
detailed questions. Honors students will
also be expected to participate in individual quarterly projects and special
class activities.