|
NAME
OF COURSE: EARTH
AND SPACE SCIENCE |
|||
|
NAME
OF TEACHER: Brian Schwarzmann |
|||
|
E-MAIL
ADDRESS: bschwarz@aptoshs.net |
|||
|
VOICE
MAIL # 688 |
ROOM
#D-205 |
PREPARATION
PERIOD: 4 |
|
|
I |
COURSE
DESCRIPTION/Outline (reflects
needed skills)
This course meets one year of the University of California elective ÒGÓ
requirement. It also satisfies the Aptos High School graduation
requirement for physical science. This is a course with frequent homework
assignments and regular exams and laboratory activities. It offers a
comprehensive overview of the major areas of study in earth science and the
study of some important topics in astronomy through a variety of learning
experiences, including reading, lecture, discussion, laboratory
investigations, modeling and computer simulations, projects, presentations
and individual research. Students are expected to have passed
biology with a C or better grade and to have basic elementary algebra skills. |
||
|
II |
MATERIALS
PROVIDED (name
of textbook, other resources, video used, etc.)
Textbook: Earth
Science by
Feather and Snyder Copyright 1999, Glencoe
And/or Earth
Science by
Tarbuck and Lutgens Films
may include: . The ÒSavage EarthÓ PBS series , formation of the Grand Canyon
and others. Appropriate films will be added at teacher discretion Interactive
software such as :ÒTopographic MapsÓ, ÒRocks and Minerals ( Tasa Graphics) The
Internet will be used frequently. |
||
|
III |
MATERIALS
REQUIRED
1. Part of a three-ring binder - organized and dedicated to Earth /
Space Science. Lined binder paper Pens and pencils (colored pencils or pens would
also be helpful) Scientific calculator (graphing calculator NOT
required) |
||
|
IV |
GOALS
(knowledge
to be acquired, technical skills, etc., specific reference to ESLRs and state
standards) 1. Scientific progress is made by
asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. The
scale of processes studied often precludes the use of controlled laboratory
experiments or even direct observation to answer many of these questions in
earth science, so pertinent information is collected to build testable and revisable
models of earth systems and processes. Students will be able to: a.
make objective, meaningful, clearly stated and appropriate observations b.
select and use appropriate technology to perform tests, collect data,
and analyze relationships c.
identify sources of experimental error d.
distinguish between hypotheses and theories, and distinguish between facts
and models e.
recognize the limits of models to describe reality f.
investigate science-based societal issues and communicate their findings g.
present data collected from investigations in appropriate tables and
graphs h.
carry out laboratory investigations
(Expected School-wide Learning Results--ESLRÕs-- A,B, C, D) Specific
content areas to be investigated include the following California
Science Standards (ESLRÕs A,B,C, and D are involved): 0.
Astronomy
and planetary exploration reveal the solar system's structure, scale, and
change over time. 0.
Earth-based
and space-based astronomy reveal the structure, scale, and changes in stars,
galaxies and the universe over time. 0.
Plate
tectonics operating over geologic time has changed the patterns of land, sea,
and mountains on Earth's surface. 0.
Energy
enters the Earth system primarily as solar radiation and eventually escapes
as heat.. 0.
Heating
of Earth's surface and atmosphere by the sun drives convection within the
atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean currents.. 0.
Climate
is the long-term average of a region's weather and depends on many factors. 0.
Each
element on Earth moves among reservoirs, which exist in the solid earth, in
oceans, in the atmosphere, and within and among organisms as part of
biogeochemical cycles 0.
Life
has changed Earth's atmosphere, and changes in the atmosphere affect
conditions for life. 0.
The
geology of California underlies the state's wealth of natural resources as
well as its natural hazards. |
||
|
V |
UNITS
OF STUDY (activities) 0.
Chemistry
basics – necessary for understanding following units 0.
Minerals
and rocks 0.
Mapping
and geologic landforms 0.
Weathering
and Erosion 0.
Plate
tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes, 0.
Mountain
building and geologic history – Study of Ancient Earth 0.
Weather
and Climate 0.
Environmental
Issues and Problems / California Resources and Hazards 0.
Astronomy 0.
Oceanography |
||
|
VI |
REQUIRED
PROJECT – MILLION
WORDS READING ASSIGNMENT Each
student is required to read one book during the month assigned
period
4 November
period 6
March, I
want you to read things that you enjoy as this will encourage more reading. We
have lots of books you may borrow from the classroom or you may find your own
books. Rules 1.
Book must be at least 150 pages long. 2.
Science or science fiction suggested but not required
- anything in REASONABLE TASTE IS OK BUT you must check it with me early in
the month
NOT ALLOWED - books required in other school classes
NO books made into movies in the past 5 years - NO HARRY POTTER !!! |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
VII |
METHODS
OF ASSESSMENT (may
include tests, portfolios, projects, essays, etc.) 1.
Homework (2/3 times per week) and other written assignments--20% 2.
Lab activities (1-2 times per week) and lab write-ups--30% 3.
Tests and Quizzes-- 40% 4.
Participation, and in-class work --10% Extra
credit will
occasionally be offered to the whole class Note - due to this weighting
scheme your grade is NOT just the average of your individual scores Each
quarterÕs results count for at about 45% of the semester grade, and the
semester final exam will count for about 10% of that grade. |
|
VIII |
METHODS
TO ACCOMMODATE LANGUAGE LEARNERS AND OTHER TARGET POPULATIONS Frequent use of visuals and hands-on activities
to reinforce concepts. Heterogeneous group and pair work on many
activities. Review sessions before tests. 5.
Instructor available before school, during most lunches, and tutorial
periods. |
|
IX |
UNITS
OR ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS LANGUAGE AND MATH STANDARDS NEEDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL
EXIT EXAM (FOR CLASSES OTHER THAN LANGUAGE ARTS AND MATH) Elementary arithmetic and algebraic problem
solving: cartography, laboratory measurement and unit conversions, graphing
of data and description of resulting line, radioactive dating problems, scale
and proportion of solar system, temperature conversion and calorie equations Language Arts: extensive reading of
textbook and other articles; comprehension and application questions are a
frequent part of the homework of this course; observation and report writing
are part of many of the laboratory activities; expository writing on earth
science subjects is occasionally required. |
|
X |
CLASS
PROCEDURES (missed
assignments, make up work assignment format) All
assignments:
due (complete) at the beginning of the class period of the day that they are
due. Missed
assignments:
Students have one day plus however many days they are absent to make up
missed work for full credit. Tests
and quizzes should be made up as soon as possible during tutorial, lunch or
after school. Students
are responsible for all material covered in class whether they are present in
class or not – Missed labs will normally need to be done in the NEXT
tutorial period. |
|
XI |
BEHAVIORAL
EXPECTATIONS (and
consequences) All
students can succeed in this class. Please seek help when you need it. Rules
which promote a positive learning environment include:
1. Being seated and ready to work when the bell rings.
2. Being respectful and courteous to everyone else in the class.
3. Following directions and doing all work with honesty and integrity.
4. Participating fully in all class activities.
5. Following all laboratory safety guidelines and treating all
equipment with respect. Copying
othersÕ work may result in zero points on the assignment for both parties When
you work in a group on a lab all students will be actively involved in data
collection and enter data on individual lab reports. After that point proof
of individual effort is expected.
1. Papers will not be handed to another student.
2. Copying a lab from another student will result in referrals. The
consequences of choosing not to follow these rules are as follows: Behavioral
Infractions 1stÉ..warning
2nd....possible separation & student-teacher conference 3rd....detention
& parent
contact
4th....referral to administration Severe
infractions
(outrageous or unsafe behavior, fighting, vandalism, refusal to follow
directions)--immediate
referral to administration. Tardies
School-wide policy will be followed |
|
XI |
GRADING
POLICY: Points are assigned for all
graded assignments and the points are weighted according to the distribution
described above, under ÒassessmentÓ. Quarter and semester grades will
be assigned using the typical 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% scale for grades of A-, B-,
C-, and D-, respectively. In
order to receive full credit on a written assignment, the assignment must
also be complete , legible and on time (complete before the start
of class on the day it is due). You can lose 40% of the credit on an
assignment if it is late and we went over it in class! With other assignments the
maximum point value decreases as the amount of time past due increases No
assignments will be accepted more than 2 weeks late. |
|
I HAVE READ & UNDERSTAND THE ÒCOURSE
SYLLABUSÓ
FOR EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE 2007-08 STUDENT
NAME (PRINT) ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ PERIOD ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ PARENT/GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE................................................................................................................. STUDENT
SIGNATURE ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ.
DATE: ÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉ |
Please
sign the portion above and return to teacher