 Mrs.
DeBoard’s Contact Information
 Phone:
615-583-9227
 E-mail:
kristin.deboard@mnps.org
 Website:
deboardvirtualbio.wikispaces.com
 Office Hours: Monday, 10:00am –
1:00pm
Your Goals for AP Environmental
Science

Understand the interrelationships of the natural world

Identify and analyze environmental problems that are
natural and human-made.

Evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems

Examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing
problems.

Laboratories support student content mastery in both
hands-on and virtual experiences.
Topics You Will Study This
Semester

Module 1: Environmental Problems and
Sustainability

Module 2: The Living World

Module 3: The Physical World

Module 4: Population

Module 5: Energy
AP Exam




Scored 1-5. Passing is generally considered 3 – 5, but check with your
potential colleges to see what they accept.
3 hours long, 2 sections
NO CALCULATORS but there are math questions in both sections
Multiple choice section
100 questions
 60% of the total grade




Free response section

Four in depth questions with multiple parts

Two of the questions will involve synthesis and evaluation

One question will be document-based

One question will be a data-set question requiring mathematical analysis
Come to the coaching labs!
Take your practice exam and data chats seriously!
Coursework


Read the Lessons and TAKE NOTES (keep a “hard-copy”
notebook as well as an Environmental Sciencefolder on your
computer)
Know how to navigate the virtual classroom
Lessons
 Assessments
 Discussions
 Grades


Know how to submit a help ticket for technical issues
Go to the Virtual School website: vlearn.mnps.org
 Click “helpdesk”
 Click “Submit a Ticket”
 Give the details of your problem

Deadlines and Grading
 Keep
up with the pacing guide!!!! You can find it
under “Syllabus”  “Course Outline.” Feel free to
work ahead but DO NOT get behind!
Each week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
Your assignments are due each week by Saturday at
11:59pm.
 You may turn in late assignments; however, your life
will be much easier if you will stick to the pacing
guide!

When
an assignment is late, I will put a “zero” in the
gradebook until you complete that assignment. This will
drastically affect your average!
 If
you receive less than an 80% on an assignment, you
can re-do it for additional credit!
Communication
Check your e-mail!
 Get a g-mail account so that we can use
“Google Hangout”
 Respond to e-mails from me.
 Call or text me back if I leave you a message.
 I will respond to your calls, texts, and e-mails
within 24 hours (48 hours on the weekend).
Please treat me with the same respect by
responding to me in a timely manner.

Announcements

Read my Week at a Glance Announcements- these will be
posted by Sunday every week. The announcements will
contain helpful information such as:
A quick summary of the assignments due on Saturday.
 Clarification of any confusing directions
 A link to my Wikispace that will have resources to assist you in
completion of your assignments (videos, articles, study
guides, DBA questions)
 Reminders about upcoming lab supplies you may need to
purchase
 Extra credit opportunities
 Information about when I will be available for DBAs that
week
 Any upcoming Virtual School events such as progress reports,
exams, help sessions, etc.

Environmental Science
Wikispace
 If
I took the time to put something on my
Wikispace, please look at it!
 The
things on my website are NOT extra work!
They are items to help you with the work you
have!
Discussion Based Assessment
(DBA)
 Schedule
with me in advance. Use
appointlet if Mondays, early morning or
late at at night work for you. Otherwise text,
e-mail, or call to set up a time.
 It is a gated assignment. You will not
be able to turn in any other assignments
until you have completed a DBA.
 Prepare for it! If I post a study guide on my
Wikispace, use it!
Discussions and Collaboration
Class discussions and partner work are a required part of
the course!
 Put thought and effort into your discussion postings and
responses! Some examples of unacceptable responses:

“I agree with what Josh said”
 “I think animals are the most interesting kingdom because I
like dogs.”

For the partner project, communicate with each other on
the discussion boards to find a partner. The sooner you
do this, the better off you will be!
 Communicate with and respond to your partner! Do your
share of the work!
 If you are having problems, be sure you tell me.

Eco-Vacation: A Collaborative
Project

Design an ideal "eco-vacation." You should include these
items:

A list of all the features that make it "green"

At least one aspect of transportation, one aspect of
lodging, and one aspect of entertainment/recreation

A description of each "green" feature with at least three
sentences

Six to eight "green" features will earn an average grade;
more "greenness" will increase your grade

A map of your destination(s)

A list of your references
How is a “virtual teacher”
different than a “regular
teacher”?
 You
don’t have to share me with other
students in the classroom.
 If
you have a question ASK me, you are not
in this alone!
I
am available for “study sessions”
 Get
a g-mail account so that we can use
Google Hangout