Notasulga High School

Ms. Mauldin - Science

Notasulga High School

Ms. Alethea Mauldin’s 10th Grade Environmental Science

2021-2022 Syllabus

About the teacher:

I am a Science teacher at Notasulga High School.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Biology from Tuskegee University.  I obtained my Education Certification from Troy University in Dothan.

Contact Information:

Email:   amauldin@maconk12.org

Telephone:  334-724-1240

Course Description:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Environmental Science is a course that introduces students to a broad view of the biosphere and the physical parameters that affect it. The course incorporates the scientific and engineering practices reflecting the scientific processes used in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) fields. The scientific and engineering practices are implemented through a student-centered and collaborative classroom environment that is laboratory-intensive and includes field investigations and case studies.

Core ideas are explored and developed in more detail and refined with increased sophistication and rigor based upon knowledge gained in earlier grades. Students learn by constructing explanations from evidence acquired through analysis and interpretation of data from laboratory investigations, field investigations, and case studies. Students integrate and evaluate multiple sources of authentic information to address issues or suggest possible solutions to problems in the environment based on current findings. The academic language of the core idea is used in context to communicate claims, evidence, and reasoning for phenomena and to engage in argument from evidence to justify and defend claims.

Students are encouraged to use creativity in designing engineering solutions to solve various problems affecting Earth and its environment.

 

This course is taught using the Alabama State Course of Study and Macon County Pacing Guide.  The textbook for this class is Enger, Environmental Science (14e) – McGraw Hill.  Students we will also work to improve comprehension skills, critical thinking skills and improve students’ achievement scores on college entrance exams.  

 

Course Objective:  The objective of Environmental Science is to gain an understanding of basic concepts covered in the objectives listed in the Alabama Course of Study associated with using science to solve problems, make wise decisions investigate how specie interact with each other, and research the flow of energy in the universe.

 

Course Topics:

The course will cover the following topics:

  1.  Process skills
  2. Class rules and procedures, lab and equipment safety, scientific method, measurements and graphs
  3. 4. Engage in argument from evidence to evaluate how biological or physical changes within ecosystems
  4. Communicate information from historical experiments
  5. Engage in argument from evidence to compare how individual versus group behavior (e.g., flocking; cooperative behaviors such as hunting, migrating, and swarming) may affect a species’ chance to survive and reproduce over time.
  6. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe how human activity may affect biodiversity and genetic variation of organisms, including threatened and endangered species.
  7. Engage in an evidence-based argument to explain how overtime Earth’s systems affect the biosphere and the biosphere affects Earth’s systems
  8. Solve stoichiometric problems involving relationships among the number of particles, moles, and masses of reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
  9.  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate geological and biological information to determine the types of organisms that live in major biomes.
  10. Use models to illustrate and communicate the role of photosynthesis and cellular respiration as carbon cycles through the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.
  11. Obtain and evaluate information from published results of scientific computational models to illustrate the relationships among Earth’s systems and how these relationships may be impacted by human activity
  12.  Investigate and analyze the use of nonrenewable energy sources (e.g., fossil fuels, nuclear, natural gas) and renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal) and propose solutions for their impact on the environment
  13. Distinguish among endothermic and exothermic physical and chemical changes.
  14.  Describe the structure of carbon chains, branched chains, and rings.
  15.  Construct an explanation based on evidence to determine the relationships among management of natural resources, human sustainability, and biodiversity

 

Notebook:

Students must keep an organized notebook with the following dividers: Bell Ringers, Class Work, Vocabulary, Lab Activities, Test Prep, Reading Assignments and Journal.

Text and Required Materials

  1.  Textbook:  Enger Environmental Science.  McGraw Hill
  2. Required materials:  See list below.

Course Requirements/Grading Scale:

Tests: 35%                                                     Projects & Lab Write-ups: 20%

Quizzes: 10%                                                 Homework: 10%

Class work & Lab Activities: 15%                Class Participation 10%

Required Material:  Materials will be provided by the system.

  1. Folder
  2. Paper, pens (black or blue only), pencils, ruler, etc.
  3. Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, crayon, index cards, etc.)
  4. Scientific Calculator
  5. Glue sticks
  6. Project board

Attendance/Late or Missing Assignments:

Students are to adhere to Macon County Board of Education attendance/make-up policies. This class will be fast-paced, so it is imperative that students attend class everyday! If a student missed one day, it is like missing 2 because of the block schedule. It is the student’s responsibility to make-up missed assignments.  Late assignments will only be awarded partial points unless an excuse is provides.  Students will not be allowed to make-up work for unexcused absentees and unexcused tardy.

 

Classroom Rules of Conduct

  1.  Always respond respectfully to adults and classmates.
  2. All school rules are to be strictly followed in the classroom.
  3. Absolutely no cell phone usage in class without the permission of the instructor.  All phones should be placed in backpacks or other places so that they are not visible.
  4. No eating or drinking is allowed without permission by your instructor..
  5. Always clean your area upon entering the and before leaving class.
  6. Bring all materials to class EVERYDAY/Never be tardy!  Be responsible.
  7. You will only be able to leave class if there is a school function or if there is an emergency.  Enter the class, obtain permission, and scan the card on your desk before going to the bathroom.  Return immediately after class. Be resourceful.
  8. Never take anything off my desk without my permission.
  9. The bell does not dismiss you.  Please remain seated until your teacher dismiss you.
  10. You must complete your homework as assigned.
  11. Be focused.
  12. Think before you speak.  I highly encourage discussion on a daily basis as long as the topic is relevant to the day’s lesson.  Please be sure that your input is relevant and adds value to our discussions rather than is disruptive.

Discipline

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Parent-teacher conference
  3. Discipline Referral

Cooperation: I expect full cooperation at all timesJ

I ask that all students follow all classroom rules: among the most important are bringing all materials to class everyday, always completing homework assignments, and never using a cell phone during class (Important note: I will follow the Macon County Board policy).   Our students need to be in a structured learning environment and they can’t have that if students are disruptive or are forgetful of their materials. I want to try and help each student, but I can’t without everyone’s cooperation. If a student fails to cooperate, I will give verbal warnings first, I will contact parents second, I will schedule conferences with parents third, and if all that does not work—I will request that further action is taken against the student. I am hopeful that it will not get to that point. Please sign that you understand and accept the rules and consequences of my classroom.

_______________________________________                        ___________________________________

  Parent Signature & Phone Number                                              Student Signature & Phone Number

 

______________________________________.                           __________________________________

Parent  - E-mail  Address                                                                  Student  -  E-mail Address



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