AP Environmental Science Guidelines 2014-2015
Welcome! There are three goals in this course:
1. to assist students in understanding environmental issues, to appreciate their
impact on the environment, and to realize their key role in sustaining our
environment.
2. To prepare students for the AP Environmental Science exam.
3. To help prepare students for the college experience.
Topic Sequence
Fall Semester:
Scientific Method
Human Population Issues
Ecology
Biodiversity and endangered species
Eating: Food production
Breathing: -Air Pollution Issues
Spring Semester:
Fossil Fuel Use
Global Climate Change
Alternative Energy and Efficiency
Waste Management and Recycling
Water Supply and Pollution Issues
Advanced Placement credit
This course is accredited by the College Board AP program as a half-year college
credit. The AP exam for credit eligibility will be given on May 4, 2015. Each college or
university sets its own standards for granting college credit to students who take the AP
test. In the past, students who make A’s and B’s in the class and attend review
sessions have all passed the test. Those students who do not study or take the test
seriously do not pass. Students who enroll in this course should plan on taking the AP
exam.
Homework policy and Testing
Testing is a way for me to assess your learning, and I take it very seriously. Understand
that if a phone or other electronic device is visible or used during a test, the test will be
invalidated. The electronic device will be picked up according to YWCPA policy and the
student’s test materials will be immediately picked up and not returned. A zero will be
assigned for the test unless a retake is completed per the YWCPA retake policy. If a
retake has already been completed for that six weeks, the student will not be able to
retake the invalidated test and will keep the zero.
Homework will be given on an almost daily basis. Plan on an average of 45 min per
night. All assignments will be on the objective sheet calendar. I am responsible for
providing an accurate calendar. YOU are responsible for checking it, especially if you
are absent. The calendar will be available on the class website under lesson plans.
Some homework is stamped the following day, but not collected until later. Stamps are
always part of a grade and show that you are keeping up with the work. If you are
absent the day of a stamp, you are responsible for getting the stamp immediately when
you return. If you wait until the due date, you will not get the points for the stamp.
Classroom expectations:
RESPECT and focus! Examples of classroom respect and focus:
*Work space is for focused work without distractions. Phones and other
distractions should be in your bag on the floor.
*Phones need to be on silence during instructional time. Ringtones distract and
interrupt learning.
*Respect my desk and office as I will respect your personal belongings.
*Be respectful of one another and of me.
*Come to class with all materials every day.
*Leave the class clean.
*Come to class prepared to work and to participate. Contribute to substantive
conversation.
*Be responsible by checking the objective sheet calendar every day.
Grading System:
Tests, labs, and major projects are considered “major grades” and will be 70% of your
average grade. There will usually be at least three major grades each six weeks. All
other grades are considered “minor grades”, and will account for 30% of your six weeks
grade. Grades and averages will be posted on Gradespeed. You are responsible for
checking your progress in the class. I do not “give” you your grade. You earn your
grade.
What you will need for this class:
1. Three-ring binder, preferably with pockets and dividers. Keeping on top of your
grade means being able to find your work. You will find it most helpful to divide
your binder into the following sections: objective sheets and answers, notes, and
graded work.
2. Text: Living in the Environment by Miller.
3. Two different colored writing implements or a pen/pencil combo every day.
4. A composition notebook with sewn binding for labs.
Absences and Make-up work and Late work policy
It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed. When you are absent from
class (excused), you will have the same number of days to make up the work without a
loss of points. You will receive a calendar for each unit so that you can keep track of
assignments, even when you are absent. Missing a test or due date for a lab: DON’T
DO IT!! You will know these dates well in advance; being in class on these dates is
even more of a point of emphasis than non-test days, for obvious reasons.
If you are absent only on a known test day, you will be expected to take the make up
test when you return. If you have been absent only on the day before a test and no new
material has been covered, you will be expected to take the test at the regularly
scheduled time.
You will also know the due dates for labs well in advance. Labs are major grades, just
as tests are. You must turn in your lab at the beginning of the period when I ask for
them. Failure to do so will result in a late grade which is a reduction of 20% of your
score. If you are going to be absent the day a lab is due, you should make
arrangements to turn in the lab a day early or to have a VERY TRUSTED friend bring it
in for you. This includes doctor’s visits, athletic engagements, etc.
Late work – I do not accept late work for daily grades. That means if you do not turn
it in when I ask for it, you will have earned a 0 for that assignment.
The Retake Policy
We are committed to student learning and mastery of content. Students may only
retake ONE major grade per six weeks. No daily grades can be retaken. To qualify for
the retake, you will need to attend one tutorial to improve your understanding and a
second tutorial to retake the grade. The tutorials and retakes must be completed within
a week of the grade being returned to you. Major grades below 75 can be retaken, with
a cap of 75 for the retake grade.
Tutorials – From time to time, you may need assistance to ensure your success in this
class. My regular tutorial times will be Tuesday after school. Most of these sessions will
be like a college professor’s office hours – you come in and we work on what you need.
If you are attending a tutorial to retake a grade, you must be in the tutorial for the full
time with all needed materials. If you arrive late to the tutorial, you will not be given
credit for attendance and you will have to come in again for credit on the retake policy.
Let’s go!
We’re ready to start the year! Please remember that my door is always open to you.
First period is my conference period, and I’m usually here before school and after
school for some time. My email is pcaggia1@houstonisd.org. PLEASE use it if you
need to reach me! I check it at least twice every school day.
“All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.”
-Chief Seattle, 1855
“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi
“You are brilliant and the Earth is hiring!”
-Paul Hawken, environmental economist