Earth & Environmental Science Mr. Darden 2016-2017 Course Overview
“From Have To to Get To” — This is my big vision for our class this year. I can hear you now... “But Mr. Darden, what does that mean?!” Well, I’m glad you asked! For many of you, science is probably something that you have to do... not something that you get to do. For instance, you may tell a friend, “I have to do my science homework before I get to come play.” Why does is that? Why can’t exploring Earth be engaging, fun and worth telling others about? Earth and Environmental Science is an introductory course designed to give students a solid grounding in scientific thought and investigation. We will develop these skills while studying topics in astronomy (sun, solar system, moon and galaxies), geology (minerals, landmasses, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, weathering, the earth’s interior and plate tectonics), hydrology (including fresh water and oceans), and meteorology (weather, climate, winds and weather prediction). From climate change to the energy crisis to natural disasters, earth and environmental issues are in the news on an almost daily basis. This class will develop the background knowledge and scientific thinking skills necessary to critically assess scientific claims and evaluate sustainable options to meet our social, environmental and economical needs. Throughout the course, the scientific method will be used incorporating process skills (observations, math skills, measurement, graphing and graph interpretation, classification and inferring) that are fundamental to the study of science. The higher level thinking skills of students (analysis, synthesis and evaluation) will be developed through lab activities, problem solving, discussion, debate, writing, technology and reading.
Course Standards: Goal 1: The learner will develop abilities necessary to do and understand scientific inquiry in the earth and environmental sciences. Goal 2: The learner will explain how processes and forces affect the lithosphere. Goal 3: The learner will understand the structure and processes in the hydrosphere and evaluate how humans use water. Goal 4: The learner will understand the structure of and processes within our atmosphere and analyze the patterns of global climate change over time Goal 5: The learner will explain the earth’s role as a body in space.
Course Topics: Unit 1: Scientific Method Unit 2: Plate Tectonics & Earthquakes Unit 3: Rocks, Erosion, Soil & Weathering Unit 4: Water Unit 5: Oceans & Atmosphere Unit 6: Weather Unit 7: Climate & Energy Unit 8: Sustainability Unit 9: Astronomy
My Background Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved to explore. Whether it was climbing huge trees, crawling under a parked truck to see how it worked or staring up at the sky watching the airplanes fly above me, I’ve always been fascinated by technology, the world, and just “how things work”. This natural curiosity led me to study Communication and Entrepreneurship over at UNC Chapel Hill, where I graduated not too long ago. Science has always been fascinating to me, and I look forward to doing my best to make that curiosity contagious to you this year. I’m a Charlotte native, so there’s a special place in my heart for all of our sports teams—especially the Hornets and the Panthers. I attended CMS schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating from Providence High School just down the road! I’m really excited to be back in Charlotte for good, and I look forward to sharing my love for sports, music, leadership and exploration with you this year. We’re going to have a truly great year together!
Required Course Material The following materials are required for each student to bring to class every day unless directed otherwise. I stress: Bring all materials everyday - this is not negotiable! - Spiral-bound notebook (at least 8.5” X 11”) - Blue or black pen and a pencil - Looseleafpaper - Folder The following materials are recommended for studying at home but if needed for a homework assignment can be used in-class during tutoring hours. - Pack of 3” X 5” index cards - Envelopes for storing vocabulary cards and foldables - Glue stick - Colored pencils and/or highlighters - Scissors
Course Grading and Evaluation Your grades will be based on a variety of activities, projects, labs, writing/homework assignments, and assessments. The grading will be weighted as follows: 70% Tests/Labs/Projects/Quizzes 30% Homework/Classwork/Participation/Warmups *The midterm will count for 20% of the third quarter grade and the final exam will count for 20% of the final grade.* Students will be issued 3 progress reports per quarter, and current grades will be posted weekly, so keep track of your grades to ensure your academic success and let me know if you have any problems which we can address together.
*** LATE WORK: All assignments will receive 10 point deductions for each day they are late. However, students who miss class due to an absence (excused or unexcused) will have five school days to turn in a missing assignment before they start losing credit.
Grading Scale: 90 - 100 A 80 - 89 B 70 - 79 C 60 - 69 D 59 or below F
The Big 5 Rules: 1. Respect all people, belongings, and our school. We are proud to be Harding Rams! 2. Be present and prepared at all times during class. 3. Remain quietly in your seat and actively learning unless otherwise instructed. 4. Hold food, drinks, electronics, or hats/hoods till breaks.5. Save your cell phone battery till break.
Rewards may include: ∙ A Positive Post-It Note of Praise ∙ “Darden Dollars” — Classroom currency you can use to exchange for homework passes, a seat of your choice, leading the class for a day, hitting Mr. Darden in the face with a pie, etc. ∙ Phone call home to tell your family how truly great you’ve been in class ∙ Student of the Week: The Truly Great Award
Consequences may include∙ Verbal warning ∙ Loss of points from assignment or participation grade ∙ Isolation/removal from class ∙ Call home ∙ Referral to administrator Any serious infraction may result in seat being moved to exclude student from others or student may be removed from class completely to visit an administrator.
Tentative Daily Schedule Launch (Warm-up) Go over Launch Review Assessment from previous day Notes, videos, activities Individual coursework Group Work Exit Ticket before you leave.
Class of 2021, I am so excited to be your science teacher this year. I am proud to be at Harding, and I look forward to a great year with you. I care about you, and I want you to know that I promise to do everything possible to ensure your success at Harding this year. Please don’t be afraid to contact me via phone call, text message or email if there’s anything I can do to help you succeed during your time in my class. I’m looking forward to a truly great year!