AP Environmental Science 2014
Cedar Heights Jr. High
Stephanie Winslow
Scoring Components
360-874-6021 Winslow@skitsap.wednet.edu
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The course provides instruction in Earth Systems.
The course provides instruction in Earth Resources.
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The course
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The course provides students with the scientific principles required to
understand the interrelationships of the natural world and draws upon
various scientific disciplines.
The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting information.
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provides
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instruction in the Living World.
instruction in Population.
instruction in Land Use.
instruction in Water Use.
instruction in Energy Resources.
instruction in Energy Consumption.
instruction in Pollution.
instruction in Global Change.
The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting experimental
data.
The course includes methods for analyzing and interpreting mathematical
calculations.
The course teaches students how to identify and analyze environmental
problems.
The course teaches students how to critically examine various solutions for
resolving or preventing environmental problems by evaluating the
associated ecological risks and human health risks.
The course includes a laboratory and/or field investigation component.
A minimum of one class period, or its equivalent, per week is spent engaged in
laboratory and/or fieldwork.
Course Description
Class Size and Scheduling:
Class size is not to exceed 31 because of district class size limits. The class periods are 50 minutes long
five times a week. [SC17] Each semester consists of two nine-week periods.
Course Prerequisites and Requirements:
AP Environmental Science is open to freshmen students who have taken algebra. The students must be
prepared to work outdoors for many of the labs. AP Environmental Science is an applied science course.
Therefore, it is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and
methodologies of the natural world and draws from various scientific disciplines. [SC11]
Textbook & Resources:
Living in the Environment, 18 ed. by G. Tyler Miller Jr., Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2015, 2012
Various Videos: NOVA Presentations, An Inconvenient Truth, Cane Toads, TED Talks, National
Geographic Presentations, etc.
Web Sites: Environmental News Network, Oxfam, Population Reference Bureau, etc.
Course Outline:
Topic
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Approximate Duration
First Semester
Environmental Problems, Their Causes,
2 weeks
Sustainability [SC 1]
Science, Matter, Energy, and Systems
1 week
Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do
1 week
They Work? [SC 3]
Biodiversity and Evolution [SC 10]
1 week
Biodiversity, Species Interactions, and
1 week
Population Control [SC 4]
The Human Population and Its Impact
1 week
[SC 4]
Climate and Biodiversity [SC 2]
1 week
Aquatic Biodiversity [SC 6]
1 week
Sustaining Biodiversity: Saving Species and 1 week
Ecosystem Services [SC 10]
Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: Saving
1 week
Ecosystems and Ecosystem Services
[SC 10]
Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity and
1 week
Ecosystem Services [SC 6, 10]
Food Production and the Environment
1 week
[SC 5]
Water Resources [SC 6]
1 week
Nonrenewable Mineral Resources [SC 2]
1 week
Nonrenewable Energy [SC 7]
1 week
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25.
Second Semester
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
1 week
[SC 8]
Environmental Hazards and Human Health 1 week
[SC 3]
Air Pollution [SC 9]
1 week
Climate Disruption [SC 10]
1 week
Water Pollution [SC 6, 9]
1 week
Solid and Hazardous Waste [SC 5, 9]
1 week
Urbanization and Sustainability [SC 4]
1 week
Economics, Environment, and
1 week
Sustainability [SC 10]
Politics, Environment, and Sustainability
1 week
[SC 10]
Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and
1 week
Sustainability [SC 3, 10]
Lab Component:
Students work in small groups to complete labs. All experiments and activities have a purpose,
procedures and data tables prewritten by the student in his or her own lab book before commencing lab
work. Completed experiments must include purpose, procedures, data tables, data manipulation (basic
statistics), analysis of results and errors. Lab reports must be submitted within two days of completing
the experiment in the class. Lab experiences are always hands on, and include activities with set
procedures as well as open-ended, student designed investigations. A minimum of one period per week
is spent performing lab work. Students have at least one, on-going experiment each semester. Students
are responsible for contributing to the course’s on-going field study on water quality in our local
community throughout the year.
Daily Responsibilities: Students are required to bring their composition books (one lined, one with
graph paper) notebook, planner (agenda), and pen and/or pencil on a daily basis.
Homework: Students should complete approximately 5 hour of homework per week.
Attendance and Late Work: It is important that students attend class daily. As this is a lab based
science class, there are many learning opportunities that cannot be completed at home. If a student is
absent, they are responsible for finding out what is missed; late or absent work is only accepted during
the time the class is working within the chapter. Required Cedar Time may be assigned to complete
assignments or take assessments.
Tardy Policy: Students need to arrive to class on time; this includes being in your seat ready to learn.
Each tardy will be documented and coded daily “live” through the online program “Skyward”. Parent
contact will be made via email or phone call for the 2nd and 3rd tardy; a referral is written for the fourth
tardy and every time thereafter.
Class Expectations: These expectations were developed to create a positive learning environment.
 Act in a safe and healthy way.
 Respect yourself and others.
 Take responsibility for learning.
 Treat all property with respect.
Classroom Management: The following steps are taken when students fail to meet the above
expectations.
1. Verbal warning.
2. Conference between student and teacher.
3. Communication home.
4. Referral to administration or counselors.
Safety: Safety is an integral part of any science class. A lab safety contract must be signed and dated in
pen by both parent/guardian and student, and student must earn 100% on a lab safety test prior to
participation in lab activities. A set of clearly defined expectations is outlined on the safety contract; if
the expectations are not met a student may be removed from the activity and may have limited
participation in future activities.
Grades: Students will be graded on their understanding of information, lab work and daily Learning
Targets (posted both online and in the classroom). Students will have opportunities for both practice
and demonstration of mastery. Practice assignments are not graded, but will be tracked for completion
in the gradebook. The breakdown of grade by percentage 75% assessments and 25% lab activities.
A=100-90%
B=89%-80%
C=79-70%
D=69-60%
F= 59% and below
Academic Dishonesty: It is expected that each student complete their own work. Students that
misrepresent the work of others as their own will receive a zero on their assignment or assessment.
This includes copying assignments and answers on quizzes and tests. Work that is shared will be defined
by the teacher.
Leadership:
Students in Integrated Science will have opportunities to lead lab groups, lead classroom activities and
build leadership skills relative to a scientific environment. Leadership assessments may be formative, or
may be reflected in assessment scores. Leadership opportunities will also be available afterschool.