Simeon Career Academy
Science Department
8147 S. Vincennes, Chicago, IL
773. 535.3200
Syllabus 2011-2012 School Year
Teacher: C. Hill
Course Description
The Course is designed to provide a basic understanding in Earth and Space Science and its relationship
with other branches in science which includes many subdivisions of geology such as geochemistry,
geophysics, geobiology, and paleontology, as well as oceanography, meteorology, and astronomy. This
course will also integrate topics of ecology such as biomes and species interaction. In addition, the
course is designed to meet Illinois State Learning Standards Goals 11-13 and Earth Science Topics
indicated in the Science College Readiness Standards.
College Readiness Standards
This class will focus on the 16-19 score range of the Science College Readiness Standards established by
ACT. A copy of these standards is available on the class web page and at your request from your
instructor.
Illinois Learning Standards
STATE GOAL 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to
investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
STATE GOAL 12E: Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the
Earth and its resources.
STATE GOAL 12F: Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the
universe and Earth’s place in it.
STANDARD 12B: Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each
other and with their environment.
STATE GOAL 13: Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in
historical and contemporary contexts.
Course Learning Objectives
After completing the course, students will be able to
1. Utilize scientific reasoning to demonstrate various skills for college readiness.
2. Apply the basic concepts in science. More specifically, students will be able to use the
metric units to measure distance, volume and mass, use a compound microscope, use the
scientific method and techniques to acquire and analyze data and communicate results
and findings using a standard laboratory report format that includes tables, charts,
graphs and figures.
3. Understand the fundamental concepts of Earth Science: More specifically, the type of
rock formations and the processes involved with their formation. Classify the types of
minerals based on their physical and chemical composition.
4. Understand the concepts of geology and the Earth’s major resources. Describe the
processes in weathering, soil formation, surface and ground water, glaciers, deserts, and
wind. Explain the processes involved with plate tectonics including earthquakes and
volcano formation.
5. Understand the fundamental concepts of Oceanography. Describe certain features of the
ocean floor, the water cycle, factors involved at different depths of the ocean, marine
biomes, as well as the role of currents in the global climate.
6. Understand the fundamental concepts of Astronomy. More specifically, Students will be
able to describe the physical characteristics of galaxies and the objects within galaxies.
Analyze Earth’s role in our solar system. Explain the processes involved with star
formation and classification. Describe the physical characteristics of the sun and know
that solar events can cause phenomena such as auroras.
7. Understand key concepts in Meteorology. More specifically, students will be able to
explain how weather (over a short time) and climate (over a long time) result from the
transfer of energy and water in and out of the atmosphere. Also, understand the effects
on climate of latitude, elevation, topography (especially the presence of mountains and
valleys), and proximity to large bodies of water, and cold or warm ocean currents.
Understand that Earth's climate has changed over time, corresponding to changes in
Earth's geography, atmospheric composition, plate movement, and the cyclic changes in
the orientation of Earth's axis of rotation and the shape of its orbit around the sun.
8. Understand that biomes such as rain forests and deserts are distributed in bands at
specific latitudes and how this results from the interaction of wind patterns, ocean
currents, and mountain ranges. Also, understand that a vital part of an ecosystem is the
stability of its producers and decomposers. Analyze the effects upon the population of a
species caused by various ecological factors, particularly (a) the presence of another
species with competitive feeding habits, (b) the presence (or absence) of and number of
predators, (c) the abundance or scarcity of food sources.
Instructional Strategies
A wide variety of instructional strategies will be employed to address the diverse learning styles.
These instructional strategies includes the following: Reading for comprehension, Science
Vocabulary Development and Fluency and Writing as a way of learning science,
Differentiated Learning with special emphasis on Making Inferences, Summarizing,
Inquiry Driven Instruction, Interpreting Tables, Figures, Charts and Graphs, as well as
Cornell Note Taking..
Assessment and Course Requirements
1. Quizzes- are given at the end of every learning unit. Quizzes are usually 10-15 minutes and they are
primarily used to determine whether a student has mastered the concept. There are no makeup
quizzes.
2. Exams- are given at the end of every unit, approximately every 2 wks. Cumulative quarterly
exams and semester exams will be administered every 5 weeks. Exams may be multiple choice,
fill in the blank, essay, authentic problem solving or a combination. Students will be
responsible for everything presented in class, lab and any Internet based assignments
given during the 5 week period. Students will be provided with a study guide for test
preparation. Students, who miss an exam, must make arrangements with their teacher for a
makeup, following the presentation of a written excuse from a parent or guardian explaining the
student’s absence.
3. Attendance-each student is required to attend class and arrive on time every day. Attendance will be
strictly enforced according to the guidelines for the Chicago Public Schools. Cutting any class will be
reported to the parents and the office immediately. In the an absence, a written statement from a
parent or guardian must be presented to the teacher explaining the student’s absence.
4. Laboratory work- Students are required to participate in all laboratory activities. The format for the
laboratory report will be detailed with each lab. In the event that a student misses a lab, the student
must make arrangements with the teacher for a makeup.
5. Projects and Other Research work Presentations- Every student will be required to write at least
2 research papers and present the summary in class. Topics for each project are presented in class.
6. Homework- Students are expected to complete and submit assignments by due date.
Homework is assigned daily and the due dates may vary.
7. Class Participation- Credit will be given for class participation and any other work which
enhances learning for the individual student or the whole class.
8. Grading Policy
Grading Criteria-The semester course grade will be based on:
Grade Weights
Regular
Total=100%
59% - 0% of total points will equal an F
Assessments (Tests & Quizzes) –30%
Class work & Homework -25%
Lab Reports & Projects -25%
Academic Excellence -20%
100% - 90% of total points will equal an A
89% - 80% of total points will equal a B
79% - 70% of total points will equal a C
69% - 60% of total points will equal a D
Honors
100% -93% - A
92% -83% - B
82% - 73% - C
72% - 65% - D
64% - 0% - F
Progress Reports
Students will receive their grade every 5 weeks. During the 10th week, the grades will be
given to the parent on Report Card Pickup/Parent Teacher Conference Day.
Class Fee
There is a $15.00 Lab Fee for this class to replace consumable materials and support lab
activities. DO NOT give money to your instructor. Submit all monies to the Finance Office in
ROOM 234. You will receive a receipt that you will show your teacher to indicate that the fee
was paid.
Online Access
Students and Parents will be able to access student Grades at http://www.cps.edu-gradebook
at any time.
Contact Information School Phone Number (773)535-3200 Please leave a message
The syllabus, along with other class information (such as homework assignments), will be available
online at www.simeonca.org. In addition, information about individual student grades may be found
from IMPACT under http://impact.cps.k12.il.us/applications.asp . Please fill free to contact us by email
for any concerns and to schedule conferences.
Teacher
Available Times
Extension/ V. Mail
C. Hill
Email Address
cthill@cps.edu
Upon request
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Cut----------------------------------------------------------I ____________________________________________ the parent or guardian of
______________________________________________, (Please print full name) have received, read the
syllabus and understand the expectations of the class, teacher and student.
Parent’s email Address _________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ ________________
Parent Signature
Date
____________________________________________________ ________________ Period _____
Student Signature
Date
Earth & Space Science Course Outline by Quarter
Topics: Brief Description
Quarter 1
Introduction to Earth & Space Science: Nature of Science, Inquiry, Making analogies, Concept mapping,
Measurement, SI Units, Scientific Inquiry, Graphs, Pattern Recognition, identifying variables within an
experiment, comparing types of data within scientific research.
Astronomy: Origins of the universe, the development of astrology as a science, Galaxies and their
formation, Our solar system, Star formation and classification, Studying our star; the sun.
Earth’s Materials: Rocks and minerals formation and classification, Earth’s natural resources.
Quarter 2
Earth’s Dynamic Processes: Composition of the geosphere, Earthquakes, Plate tectonics, Volcanoes, and
Mountains.
Earth’s Surface Formation: Weathering and erosion, Surface and ground water, Glaciers, Deserts, and
Wind.
Historical Geology: Geological Time, Earth’s History, Fossils
Oceanography: The water table, The Hydrosphere, The ocean floor, Ocean water and marine life, Ocean
currents, Groundwater and freshwater.
Quarter 3
Earth’s Atmosphere: Atmospheric structure and temperature, Air pressure and trade winds, Water cycle,
Cloud types and formation.
Meteorology: Comparing weather and climate, weather patterns, Climate and Climate change, Latitudinal
effects on climate.
Biomes: Biome location and formation, geological and biological features of biomes, meteorlogical
features of biomes.
Quarter 4
Ecology: Interdependence of Life on Earth, Ecosystems within the biosphere.
Species Interactions: Predators vs. Prey, commensalism, mutualism, Parasitism.
Energy Transfer: Food chains and Food webs, Energy pyramids.
Humans and the Environment: Succession, Pollution, Extinction, Invasive species, Pesticies, Biological
Magnification