• COURSE SYLLABUS

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     Honors/Gifted Environmental Science  8

    Instructor Name: Mrs. Bertina Wilson 

    Contact Information: 

    • School Phone & Room Ext.: (434) 799-6446
    • Email address:  bmwilson@mail.dps.k12.va.us
    • Planning Period/ Office Hours:  7:50 - 8:50

    Course Description: 

    Environmental Science is designed to prepare students to be college and/or career-ready. The course scope and sequence has been developed using the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). Topics listed here reflect the program of study for both face-to-face and virtual (asynchronous/synchronous) instruction. The Virginia Environmental Science Course Content and Process Guidelines are designed to continue the student investigations that began in grades K-8.  These outcomes integrate the study of many components of our environment, including the human impact on our planet.  These outcomes focus on scientific inquiry, the physical world, the living environment, resource conservation, humans’ impact on the environment, and legal and civic responsibility.  Instruction should focus on student data collection and analysis through laboratory experience and field work.  These should include descriptive and comparative studies as well as investigation (i.e. meaningful watershed educational experiences). It is expected that teachers will collaborate with museums, aquaria, nature centers, government agencies, associations, foundations, and private industry in efforts to engage the community, provide diverse points of view about the management of natural resources, and offer a variety of learning experiences and career education opportunities. 

     

    Instructional Philosophy:

    I encourage students to walk into the classroom with a positive attitude toward learning. The best classes occur when students know that they are expected to do their best each and every day.  The students need to be prepared to learn something every day. A typical day will include teacher instruction and time for students to practice new skills.  I aspire to be a teacher who instills a love of learning and critical thinking in all the students I encounter.  Students have multiple ways to ask for assistance if they need help at any time while they are practicing.  All school rules apply to this classroom.

     

    Course Assessment Plan:

    This class will use a variety of activities to help your learning; however, the daily structure and routines will be the same.

    1. Warmup and/or discussion.  These must be completed within the first 5 minutes of class.
    2. Notes: Examples and Instructions.  You will be responsible for copying the examples and notes into your notebook/binder.
    3. Practice. Labs, projects, & daily logs. 
    4. Summary and/or Exit Ticket

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    GRADES 

    Grading Scale:

    Grade Weights:

    A= 90-100 

    B= 80-89 

    C= 70-79

    D= 60-69

    F= below 60

    Gold: Assessments, Test, Projects    40 %

    Silver: Quizzes 35 %

    Bronze: Classwork, HW, and Participation  25 %

    Final Exams = 10% of overall grade for high school courses (SOL tests count as final exams)

    *Your daily grades and attendance are based on completing all of the above.  I will share the agenda and links in daily announcements (Canvas Home Page).

     

    Course Competencies/Learning Objectives: 

     

    Unit Name

    Standards of Learning (SOL)

    Big Ideas

    Suggested Time Frame

    Unit 0: Intro to Environmental Science

    Priority SOL: ENV.1

    Complementary SOL: ENV.1

    Engaging in the practices of science and engineering. 

    10 days

    Unit 1: Geosphere

    Priority SOL: ENV.2d, ENV.4c, ENV.6e 

     Complementary SOL: ENV.2abc, ENV.3c, ENV.4abd, ENV.10.ac

    Geosphere is a dynamic system that supports life

    19 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation

    5 days

    Unit 2: Biosphere A

    Priority SOL: ENV.3a, ENV.5ad, ENV.6g

    Complementary SOL: ENV.3bc, ENV.5bce, ENV.6a, ENV.10b

    Living System Interdependence: Characteristics and Components

    20 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation 

    5 days

    Unit 3: Biosphere B

    Priority SOL: ENV.6bcdfh

    Complementary SOL: ENV.6a

    Living System Interdependence:

    Stability and Change

    20 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation 

    10 days

    Unit 4: Atmosphere

    Priority SOL: ENV.3ab, ENV.6g, ENV.11bd

    Complementary SOL: ENV.3c

    Atmosphere is a dynamic system that supports life 

    16 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation 

    5 days

    Unit 5: Hydrosphere

    Priority SOL: ENV.2e, ENV.3ab, ENV.6.g, ENV.11ab

    Complementary SOL: ENV.2a, ENV.3c, ENV.6a, ENV.10acd, ENV.11c

    Hydrosphere is a dynamic system that supports life 

    19 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation

    5 days

    Unit 6: Energy Resources 

    Priority SOL: ENV.6c, ENV.8b, ENV.9b

    Complementary SOL: ENV.6a, ENV. 8acd, ENV.9.acd, ENV.7ab, ENV.10ad

    Earth is our home; take care or lose it. 

    19 days

    Buffer Days: Assessment, Enrichment, and Remediation 

    5 days

    Unit 7: Show What You Know

    Review SOL based on data. Students should have differentiated learning opportunities to continue to show mastery of year-long expectations.

    29 days