COURSE TITLE:    Environmental Science

PROJECT MANAGER:  Dr. Worthylake

PHONE:  505-891-0757 x 203            

EMAIL: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  (Link to course descriptions)  

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:  

  What you can expect from me and from class:

• Presentation of key concepts through a structured curriculum based on State Standards
• Time in class to practice applying the concepts to solve problems and analyze natural phenomena.

  What is expected from you:

• Active participation in class (Most of your learning should take place in class! )

• Ask questions if you don’t understand!  
• Completion of Notes in class
• Completion of Classroom Assignments during class.  Can be finished for Homework if needed
• Work on longer term projects will involve time outside of class
• Studying for quizzes and tests may require tim outside of class

  What is in the Course

• Intro to Environmental Science
• Biosphere 1:  Ecology Basics
• Biosphere 2: Species and Population Ecology
• Biosphere 3: Biomes and Community Ecology
• Atmosphere:  Weather, Biogeochemical cycles
• Geosphere 1:  Plate tectonics
• Geosphere 2:  Mining and Soil resources
• Geosphere 3:  Energy, renewable and non-renewable resources
• Hydrosphere 1:  Freshwater resources and use
• Hydrosphere 2:  Marine biomes and Water Pollution
• Land Use and Sustainability
• Space Science

STANDARDS:  This course is aligned with the New Mexico Public Education Standards. 

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: 

Quarter Grades:

20% Weekly Skills	Weekly quiz on vocabulary or data analysis skills practiced during the week
20%  Classroom Assignments	Selected classroom assignments collected throughout the unit and graded for thoughtful and thorough completion
30%  Minor Assessments	Small projects or quizzes assessed periodically during a unit
40% Major Assessments	Major project or test typically assessed at the end of a unit

Semester Grades - Scholar’s semester grades will be calculated as follows:

Quarter 1 – 40%      Quarter 2 – 40%      Semester Final – 20%

Quarter 3 - 40% Quarter 4- 40% Semester Final - 20%

 GRADING SCALE:   The grading scale will follow the ASK Academy standards:

A+ = 96-100 % 

A = 90-95 %

B = 80-89 %

C = 70-79 %

N/C(No credit) = Below 70 %

HOMEWORK POLICY:   Unfinished classroom assignments counted for a grade may be completed as homework turned in the next school day with no penalty.  

LATE WORK POLICY:  Late work will be accepted up until the end of the current Unit, with a 50% deduction in points.  

ABSENCES:  

Scholars should check the Google Classroom to determine what notes and classroom assignments need to be completed, and consult with Dr. Worthylake if there are any questions.  

Scholars are responsible for learning missed material and turning in any graded assignments.   Make ups for missed in class quizzes and tests must be scheduled (not taken) the first day back at school.  

In the case of prolonged multi-day absences, scholars are advised to consult with Dr. Worthylake for a make up plan. Additional time for completing graded assignments is per School policy.

PROJECT EXPECTATIONS:

Scholar work should be original 

Grading for projects will be based on a rubric that includes dates for completion of specific benchmarks to keep scholars on track for successful completion. Grades for benchmark due dates will follow the same policy as listed above for Late Work and Absences.

Because feedback and reflection are essential skills for scholars to develop, a component of the grade will be given on feedback and reflection techniques that we will practice in class.

Grades for group projects will include a collaboration component, determined by a peer evaluation rubric

2023-2024 SEMESTER 1*:  (Include a list of the major due dates and schedule from the curriculum map here: 

2023-2024 SEMESTER 2*: (If applicable)

*Subject to change