VOCABULARY LIST/CARDS GUIDELINES
Purpose:
 ‰to become familiar with new vocabulary related to environmental science
 ‰to improve long-term vocabulary & conceptual retention
 ‰to prepare environmental science students for the AP exam
 ‰to personalize and differentiate vocabulary development related to the APES content
Through the year in APES you will be exposed to a vast amount of vocabulary, most of which will likely be
new. However, depending on the courses each of you have taken prior to this class, including but not limited
to science courses, some vocabulary and concepts you may have a firm grasp of already. In order to avoid
redundancy and make your lists personal, you will decide which words to list and write down in your own
personal vocabulary list. The list should be cumulative over the year, must be handwritten, and must include
a definition and an example of the vocabulary word. The vocabulary words typically will come from the bold
and italicized words of the text, but certainly are not limited just to those, as long the words are related to the
environmental science content. In short, each of you will then have different vocabulary lists that are
personalized and focused to your specific learning needs. Given the large volume of vocabulary, I require that
your vocabulary lists are a minimum of 160 words. Again, these lists will be due near the end of each nine
weeks. Do not procrastinate in construction of your vocabulary lists, as delaying construction of the
vocabulary lists subverts the purpose of constructing one. I also reserve to check or have you hand in your
vocabulary list for instructor review at any time. Vocabulary lists that are not current will be recorded,
and will receive a lower grade when the vocabulary guides are ultimately turned in at the end of the semester
and graded for points. In addition, it may help to quickly thumb through the text to see what the vocabulary
load is like, as some chapters are more vocabulary intensive than others. Like most undertakings in life, the
benefits you gain from this activity will be directly correlated to the amount of time and effort you put into
your work.