COURSE OUTLINE / SYLLABUS:

 

Weeks,

Unit & Subtopics / Activities

 

1-3

Chapter 1 – Intro to Environmental Science

Human Impact on the Earth Quick Write

Scientific Method

Environmental Decision Making Model

 

4-6

Chapter 2 – Living Things

Ecological Terms

Symbiotic Relationships Research

Natural Selection

 

7-9

Chapter 3 - Ecosystems

Biogeochemical Cycles

Population Growth Issues

 

10-12

Chapter 4 –Biomes

Biome Brochures & Presentations

Quiz over each set of biomes (Study for them!!!)

 

13-15

Chapter 5 – Water

Writing: How Polluted Water Affects Life on Earth

Review of Erin Brokovich Movie – Bonus!

Flow Video Documentary review

Tapped Video Documentary review

Lots of Articles on Bottled Water, BPA, Coal Ash, Recreational Water Illnesses, etc.

 

16-18

Chapter 6 – Air

Primary Air Pollutants & their Sources

Ban on Smoking Letter

Lots of Articles: Smoking, Gasoline, Ethanol, etc.

 

19-21

Chapter 7 – Atmosphere & Climate

Writing: Is the Global Warming a Real Threat?

Greenhouse Effect

Ozone Depletion

Lots of articles on Ice Melting

Large Coastal Cities (effect of global warming)

 

22-24

Chapter 8 –Land

Writing: The Future of our Land

The Earth as an Apple

Soil Conservation

Silent Spring overview (Rachel Carson)

 

25-27

Chapter 9 - Food

Brochure: World Hunger (Hunger Wars Article)

Organic Foods

Arsenic in Foods Article

Vegan Diet Analysis

 

28-30

Chapter 10 – Biodiversity at Risk

Endangered vs. Threatened Species

Endangered Species Act

 

31-33

Chapter 13 -  Human Population Growth

World Population Growth Clock

Birth vs. Death Rate Comparison: Why?

 

34-36

Coal Module – The Truth About Coal

Research & Informative Writing about the truth of coal (not an argument – Facts only!)

 

Grading Criteria:

Quizzes – Lots of them! (~ 30 points, ~ 2 or 3 per unit)

One Summative Exam per Unit (~100 pts)

Homework for Review (~ 10 pts – NOTE: I will exempt homework grades with high test scores!)

Occasionally: Writing Assignment, Participation, and/or Research Presentation!

Article Reviews – Students must read, summarize, and share personal comments about various current environmental issues.

 

KEYS FOR SUCCESS: Be present in body AND mind, permanently record notes on paper or pictures, and study for the quizzes! Once you master the quizzes, the tests will be a piece of cake!

 

Full Bags of #2 Plastics for extra credit!