Harrells Christian Academy Course Syllabus
Credit Hours 1 unit
Grade Levels 9
Description The Earth/Environmental science curriculum focuses on the function of Earth’s systems. This course is divided into 2 sections. The first semester deals with environmental science and issues that affect the environment. The second semester emphasizes earth science.
This is an honors level science. The pace of Honors Earth/Environmental Science is fast and thorough. There may be special projects or assignments, and the use of word banks is limited. Honors students are expected to be able to think more analytically and be able to process more information on their own. In other words, they will not be “spoon fed”. All students in honors chemistry are required to complete a science fair project..
1 st semester will include the following topics
Scientific Methods
The “Spheres”
Ecosystems
Energy in Ecosystems
Biomes
Populations
Environmental Problems
2 nd semester will include the following topics
Rocks & Minerals
Glaciers
Plate Tectonics & related forces
Weather
Astronomy
Geologic Time
Textbooks Arms, Karen. Holt Environmental Science. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2008.
Tarbuck, Edward, and Frederick Lutgens. Earth Science. 10 ed. UpperSaddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2003.
Instructor Dee Cannady
532-4575 School
532-4235 Home
Required Materials
Writing instruments
3-ring binder
2 rolls of paper towels (bring in as assigned)
Optional Materials
Graph paper
Colored pencils
Calculator
Index Cards
I. Major Course Objectives
1. Scientific Thinking
2. Lithospheric materials, tectonics
3. Human & Environmental impacts of natural & human-induced changes
4. Origin of the Earth system, both Christian & scientific viewpoints
5. Hydrosphere
6. Atmosphere
7. Astronomy
II. Course Requirements and 6-week Grading
Students are expected to complete their homework and participated in class. There will be quizzes, both announced and unannounced, that are given periodically throughout each chapter. It is the responsibility of the students to ake up all work missed due to excused absences. Lab work will be a major component in which everyone must participate.
Honors
Homework 20%
Labs & Quizzes 20%
Tests 60%
III. Classroom Policies
Rules
1. Be on time.
2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. Be respectful of others both in word and deed.
4. Do your own work.
5. Follow instructions the first time they are given.
6. Keep the noise level appropriate for the type of class activity.
7. Sign out if you need to leave the classroom (only one student at a time).
Suggestions
1. Come to class and be on time.
2. Participate: Ask questions.
Take notes.
Keep everything in a notebook.
Study a little every night.Keep an assignment book.
3. Homework must be completed so use the Activity period wisely.
4. Put your name of all your papers and date on all papers to be graded.
5. Date your notes. Take notes in ink.
6. Use flash cards for vocabulary and other memory work.
7. Feel free to bring water to class, but it must be in a closable-top bottle.
Discipline
Failure to follow rules either written or verbal will result in the following:
1 st offense Verbal Warning
2 nd offense Friday Morning School or a writing assignment
3 rd offense Referral to Mr. Weeks
IV. Competencies Goals
1. Develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences.
2. Build an understanding of lithospheric material, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere.
3. Build an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system.
4. Build an understanding of the hydrosphere and its interactions and influences on the lithosphere, the atmosphere, and environmental quality.
5. Build an understanding of the dynamics and composition of the atmosphere and its local and global processes influencing climate and air quality.
6. Acquire an understanding of the earth in the solar system and its position in the universe.
This is a fun class, but tends to be one in which freshmen have trouble adjusting. Let’s have a good year and communicate from the start.
