08/20/08

Environmental Science - Syllabus

Mrs. Mohr

2007

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of ILS II/Biology I

UNIT A: NATURAL RESOURCES

1. Introduction to Natural Resources

Exploring Natural Resources

Understanding Ecology and Ecosystems

Understanding Human Demands on Natural Resources

Comprehending Natural Resource Conservation

Exploring Careers in Natural Resources

Understanding Recycling and its Relationship to the Environment

2. Soil

Understanding the Importance of Soil

Determining Land Use

Understanding Soil Color

Understanding Soil Texture and Structure

Explaining a Soil Profile

Understanding Moisture Holding Capacity

Understanding Soil Erosion and Management Practices

Using Surveying, Maps, and Legal Land Descriptions

3. Water

Understanding the Water Cycle and Its Importance to the Environment

Determining Uses of Water

Identifying Water Sources and Quality Standards

Identifying and Reducing Water Pollution

4. Air

Defining Air Pollution and its Effect on Humans

Monitoring Air Quality

5. Outdoor Recreation

UNIT B: PLANT WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

1. Introduction to Forestry

Understanding Forest Ecology

Recognizing the Importance of Forests

Recognizing Important Tree Species and Their Products

2. Tree Growth and Development

Examining the Structures of a Tree

Measuring Trees and Timber Stands

Examining Reforestation Practices

3. Prairie Ecosystems

Understanding the Importance of Prairies

Exploring Prairie Ecology

4. Wetlands

Determining the Importance of Wetlands

Understanding Wetland Ecology

UNIT C: ANIMAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

1. Introduction to Wildlife

2. Wildlife Biology and Ecosystems

6. Safety and Ethics

 Grading System:  Grades will be based on assignments, homework, daily work, lab reports, projects, quizzes, tests, and daily grade or participation points.  The grading scale is as follows:  94 – 100 A; 86 – 93 B; 77 – 85 C; 70 – 76         D; and Below 70 F.

 Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date unless otherwise noted.  All assignments will receive a fifty percent reduction in the grade when it is one day late.  If the assignment is two or more days late, 75% of the possible points will be deducted.  Tests and quizzes must be made up within three days to receive credit (after three days, they become a zero).   Tests must be made up during non-classroom time. 

 Make-up Work:  For each school day that is missed, a student will be allowed one additional day for each absence upon returning to make up missed work.  If students miss an experiment, they will be given an alternate assignment to complete.  Students are not allowed to make up any work for unexcused absences except in disciplinary circumstances, such as suspensions – assignments that are due the day that the student is unexcused absent will receive 0 points.

 Students are required to have a 3-ring binder to put their notes, handouts, assignments, and tests in.  The notebook will be collected periodically (announced and unannounced).  The binder must be organized and labeled either chronologically according to units and chapters OR by sections such as notes, assignments, tests and quizzes, projects, and other.

 Participation Grade:  Students receive 60 points per quarter for attending class when they are on time; bring their homework, book, notebook, a pen or pencil; pay attention, stay on task; abide by science safety rules; follow laboratory procedures; and for behaving in an acceptable manner.  Any violation of the rules and procedures will result in points being deducted. 

Extra credit will be available periodically and must be completed during the allotted time.  Extra credit can only be used to raise the student’s grade by one letter grade.

 Contacting Mrs. Mohr:  Mrs. Mohr is available to students on most days from 8:00 – 8:20 am and 2:00 – 4:15 pm.  She can also be reached at 309-379-5911 or chrisembry.mohr@olympia.org.

 A new website contains copies of some assignments and due dates.  It is available at http://www.staff.olympia.org/external/classes/embrymohr/index.htm OR to access this website go to www.olympia.org and click on the OHS link on the left-hand side of the page.  Click on Teacher Pages and then on Mrs. Mohr’s Science website.