AP Environmental Science Guidelines (aka “the fine print”)
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
Tests will be given on Wednesdays and Thursdays, following Westside policy. 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 WHS 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 WHS 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.
Field Work
This course involves a substantial amount of field work. This means that there will be days that we go
outside during our regular class time to work through a lab or activity. It is expected that you will
participate in these classes. In case of inclement weather, field work will be rescheduled. Sunshine,
misting rain or cold are not considered inclement weather. You are responsible for dressing
appropriately. I am responsible for getting you back inside with enough time to get you cleaned up for
your next class. There will also be several field trips off campus.
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 Westside grading policy applies to this work.
The Westside 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 and Thursdays during lunch. 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
cklein@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