Course Syllabus

Overview

This class is a mixture of Earth Science and Environmental Science and will cover PA Standards for both of those areas. Classes will include regular classroom settings as well as outdoor work and computer assignments.  While a computer at home is helpful, students will have adequate access to computers at the school so do not feel required to provide one.

Requirements for class. 

Students are expected to take notes, study, complete homework, in class assignments, labs, lab reports, participate in indoor and outdoor activities, study and complete pop quizzes, announced quizzes and tests, one major project per marking period, a comprehensive midterm and final are required and any other activities assigned by the teacher.

We will also be expanding the use of computers in all 9th grade science classes. Students will be using computers extensively and are expected to stay on task and be working on school related material at all times. Computer access outside of class time is required, but access from home is not. Discovery time is available for those who do not have access at home. Loss of computer privileges in school will not change assignments, so students are encouraged not to engage in behaviors that could result in loss of school internet privileges.

Topics.

This is a general overview, additional topics maybe covered dependent on class interest and world events.  The order may be subject to change.

 Class Rules

1st Marking Period:

Review of metric and computer systems, atmosphere, weather

2nd Marking Period:

Geology: geologic time, earth structure, earthquakes,  

3rd Marking Period:

Ecology: populations, communities, ecosystems and biomes

4th Marking Period:

Aquatics: watersheds, lentic and lotic systems, wetlands, stream study, aquifers.

Text:  1st Semester Earth Science    2nd Semester Environmental Science

Note we will not be following sequential chapters in the book.  It is considered supplemental material and used to support, not lead class.

Homework: Assignments will be assigned and will be done every Monday (or the next school day if school is not is session) at 7:30am.  You will have a week to complete the assignment and you can retake the homework "quiz" as many times as you want, open book, until the due date.  Once the due date has passed, only partial credit is available.

Honors Class: Will have a Blogging project in addition to more depth on announced material.

Make-up work and Extra credit.

Students can make-up work from previous marking periods until they have a 70% in that marking period.  Students cannot redo work, just make-up work that is marked as a 0.

I do not offer extra credit assignments, there is a lot of bonus points available throughout the marking period.  If student's don't take advantage of those bonus opportunities, additional assignments are not going to help.

You can contact me at mcintoshb@hasd.us or call/text 896-0622

Thank you, Mr. McIntosh