REGENTS
EARTH SCIENCE
SYLLABUS
& CONTRACT
Instructor:
Ms. Greenhouse
Phone
Number: (516) 561-4493
WELCOME!! You are about to embark on a journey
that will take you to places beyond your wildest imaginations. As we
learn about Earth Science we will go back in time to uncover and identify
processes that led to the development and formation of some of the Earth’s most
incredible features. How was the
Course
Outline
The class will follow the New
York State Core Curriculum Guide for Earth Science. Throughout the year
we will be investigating the following units:
Unit
1 Prologue
(Lab skills, observation/inference, density, % error, graphs and
ESRT’s)
Unit 2 Planet Earth (shape, size, internal
& external structure, latitude, longitude, time zones, Polaris, field maps
and topographic maps)
Unit 3
Rocks & Minerals
Unit 4
The Dynamic Crust (Plate Tectonics,
earthquakes, waves & convection currents)
Unit 5
Earth’s History (geologic time
scale, correlating rock layers, radiometric dating)
Unit 6
Weathering, Erosion, Deposition (physical/mechanical
weathering, agents of erosion, streams, how particles settle,
Unit 7
Landscapes & Groundwater (glaciers, long shore drift, NYS
landscape regions, groundwater quality and quantity, LI streams)
Unit 8
Energy transfer, Insolation, Seasons
& Climate (conduction, convection, radiation, angle & intensity of
insolation, earth’s motions, seasons, temperature lag curve, climates &
planetary wind belts).
Unit 9
Atmospheric Variables & Weather (weather
equipment, air pressure, temperature, humidity, dew point, wind, land/sea
breezes, high/low pressure systems, air masses, greenhouse effect & frontal
boundaries).
Unit
10 The Earth in
Space (rotation, revolution, Foucault pendulum, coriolis
effect, orbits and ellipses, our solar system, the HR diagram, spectral
analysis).
This is a Regents level course. All
students (you) taking Regents level courses are required to meet the laboratory
requirement set forth by the NYS Commissioner of Education. * Failure
to complete 1800 minutes (30 hours) of laboratory assignments will prevent you
from taking the Regents Exam.
Laboratory
Lab for this class will meet for one
period every other day-this is part of your regular schedule. Failure to complete
laboratory assignments will result in an automatic failure for this course. If you are absent labs MUST be made-up within one week.
Classroom
Procedure
·
You are expected to come to class prepared with
a notebook and a pen or pencil.
·
Upon entering the class you must turn in your
homework, pick up any handout and begin quietly working on the Do Now.
·
Bathroom passes will not be issued during the
first or last 10 minutes of class.
·
Working in groups is an important part of this
class, be prepared to work with any and all of your classmates.
·
Your seating assignment may be changed at
anytime.
Supplies
1.
A 3-ring binder
2.
Loose-leaf paper
3.
Three divider tabs (notes/handouts,
labs, tests/quizzes)
4.
A working pen and
pencil
5.
Earth Science Reference Tables
(supplied by me)
6.
UPCO Earth Science Review Book (this
costs $10, and will be used everyday)
ALL MATERIALS MUST BE WITH YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU ATTEND
CLASS. FAILURE TO BE PREPARED WILL AFFECT YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE.
If you miss school, you are
still responsible for notes, homework assignments, and class handouts. Exchange
telephone numbers with two of your classmates so that you will be able to keep
up with your class work if you are absent; you will also be able to discuss
homework problems with them if you have questions. One of your two
classmates should take an extra copy of a handout for you if you are
absent. In addition, I will maintain a “While You Were Out” folder in the
classroom which will contain all notes and handouts distributed in class. Please
refer to this book upon your return to class.
Grades
Your grades for this course
will be determined based on your achievements in five specific areas which
include: class participation, tests, laboratory assignments, quizzes and
homework. Grades will be derived from a point value system (Points Earned/Total
Possible Point = Final Grade). The requirements for each of these areas are
summarized below.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be administered
on a weekly basis to assess your understanding of a specific concept. A
make-up quiz will be available if, and only if, you have a legitimate medical
reason and written note from a parent or guardian explaining your absence from
school on the day of the quiz. Quizzes must be taken the day you return
to school. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of each
marking period.
Tests
At the end of each major
topic you will be assessed on how well you understand the material
covered. The tests are formatted like the New York State Regents Exams
and are comprised of multiple choice and short answer response type
questions. Provided you actively participate in class, keep good clear
legible notes and STUDY you should
do fine on all of the tests. A make-up exam will be available if, and
only if, you have a legitimate medical reason and written note from a parent or
guardian explaining your absence from school on the day of the exam.
Additionally, the exam must be taken within 2 days of your return to school.
Homework
– A Test Grade
Homework will be given as a
means to prepare you for discussing a certain topic and/or assessing your
understanding of a specific topic. Homework completed and submitted on
the day it is due will receive a grade of 100. Your homework grade will
be decreased by 10 points for each day it is late (except if you are absent)
and will not be accepted after it is 2-days late. If homework is not
completed within 2-class days of the due date you will receive a 0 grade for
that assignment. If you are absent, you will be given 24 hours to make up the
assignment without being penalized. Your
homework assignments will count for 1 test grade.
Extra
Help!
If by chance you are having
difficulty with a specific topic and would like additional help, extra help is
always available on Monday and Thursday from 2:30 to 3:00 PM. Additional
extra help is also available before or after school by appointment only.
Extra help sessions can be used to review questions you have on class
discussion, homework, lab activities, and/or quizzes and tests. Do not be
afraid to take advantage of these extra help sessions!
STUDENT
COPY – TO BE KEPT IN SCIENCE BINDER AT ALL TIMES
CONTRACT
TO SUCCEED!
I _______________________
have read and understand the attached course requirements for Regents Earth
Science at
____________________________
_________________
Student
Signature
Date
____________________________
_________________
Parent or Guardian
Signature
Date
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEACHER
COPY – TO BE KEPT ON FILE
CONTRACT
TO SUCCEED!
I _______________________
have read and understand the attached course requirements for Regents Earth
Science at
____________________________
_________________
Student
Signature
Date
____________________________
_________________
Parent or Guardian
Signature
Date