AP Environmental Science
2015-2016 Curriculum Map
Unit 1: History and Chemistry Review
August 6-21
Chapters:
1.
Environmental Problems, Causes and Sustainability
2.
Chemistry
Labs:
Introduction to Experimental Design
The Tragedy of the Commons: Fishing Simulation: Degradation of free
common renewable resources
Who Took Jerril’s iPhone? Identifying carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Technology: Environmental Legislation Project
Yours, Mine, and Ours-Who do the resources belong to?
Reading:
The Truax by Terri Berkett
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race by Jared Diamond
Writing:
FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Book Review, Video Critique, Reaction Essay, Nutrient
Cycle Stories/Comics
Video:
“The Lorax”, “The 11th Hour”
A&H:
Nutrient Cycle Stories/Comics
PL:
Environmental Legislation Project: Impact on our daily lives
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,2,3,6,7
11.W.1,5,6,8,9,10
11.SL.1,2,4,
Unit 2: Ecology
August 24-October 2
Chapters:
3.
Ecosystems
4.
Biodiversity and Evolution
5.
Biodiversity, Species Interaction and Population Control
7.
Climate and Biodiversity
8.
Aquatic Biodiversity
Labs:
The Guppy Game: Investigating Natural and Sexual Selection
Calculating Biodiversity
Food Webs and Energy Transfer
Technology: Continental Drift Webquest
Graphing Population Changes
Reading:
Biodiversity-Extinctions expected to increase strongly over the Century
The Kaibab Deer Incident: Myths, Lies, and Scientific Fraud, Charles Kay
Writing:
FRQ’s, Lab Reports
Video:
Trials of Life-Living Together
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,2,3,6
11.W.2,4
11.SL.1,2
Unit 3: Human Population Diversity
October 5-November 6
Chapters:
6.
Human Population and Its Impact
22.
Cities and Sustainability
Labs:
Human Population Growth
Age Distribution Graphs
Technology: Interpreting World Population Clock
Operation Infection Detection, CDC
Reading:
Population numbers, projections, Graphs and Data, SUSPS-Sierra Club
World Population to 2300-UN Report
Beyond 7 Billion Series-Kenneth R. Weiss
Population growth and earth’s human carrying capacity-Cohen
Writing:
FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Informational Text Essay-Human Population Growth
Video:
World Population Growth over Time
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,3,6
11.W.2,6,8
11.SL.1,
Unit 4: Sustaining Biodiversity
November 12-December 20
Chapters:
9.
Sustaining Biodiversity
10.
Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
11.
Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
Labs:
Know Your Neighborhood-watersheds and potential for pollution
Critically Thinking about Coyotes: A Dilemma in Wildlife Management
Technology: Save the __________! Plan and presentation
Reading:
Human Population in the Biodiversity Hotspots-Cincotta et al
Homage to Santa Rosalia, or why are there so many kinds of animals?Hutchinson
Skepticism towards Santa Rosalia, or why are there so few kinds of
animals?-Felsenstein
Writing:
FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Comparative Essay between two texts
Video:
“The Vanishing of Bees”, “The Cove”, “The End of the Line”
PL:
Career Focus: Wildlife Management
A&H:
Wanted Posters for Exotic and Non-Native Plants
Speaker:
Park Ranger/Wildlife Management Authority
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,2,3,5,6
11.W.2,4
11.SL.1,2
Unit 5: Water and Soil Resources
Chapters:
12.
Food, Soil, and Pest Management
13.
Water Resources
20.
Water Pollution
Labs:
Water Filtration Systems
How Salinity Affects Germination
Water and Soil Quality Testing
January 4-February 4
Reading:
Writing:
Video:
Literacy:
Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen
The Water footprint of biofuels: a drink or drive issue?-Dominguez-Faus
FRQ’s, Lab Reports
“Food Inc.”, “FLOW: For the Love of Water”, “Blue Gold: World Water
Wars”, Chipotle Sustainable Farming Commercial
11.RIT.1,3
11.W.2,4
11.SL.1,2
Unit 6: Energy
February 7-March 8
Chapters:
14.
Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
15.
Nonrenewable Energy
16.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Labs:
Electricity Use and Efficiency
Alternative Energy Sources (Model home, solar oven, wind turbine, etc;)
Technology: Energy Audit and Home Strategies
Sustainable Land Use: Google Earth Project
Reading:
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Writing:
FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Interview a Coal Miner, “Day in the Life Of…”
Video:
“Gassland”, “Harlan County, USA”
A&H:
What would it be like without… (renewable and non-renewable resources)
Mapping and model town project
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,2,6
11.W.1,2,4
11.SL.1,2,4,5
Unit 7: Pollution
March 9- April 31
Chapters:
17.
Environmental Hazards and Human Health
18.
Air Pollution
19.
Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion
21.
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Labs:
Cleaning Up Oil Spills
How Hot Is It Here on Earth?
Technology: Where Rivers Meet the Sea: Estuary Cleanup Game by NOAA
Reading:
Prince William’s Oily Mess
Bioabsorption: a solution to pollution?-Vieira
Video:
“Story of Stuff”, “Tapped”, “Plastic Planet”
Field Trip:
Waste Treatment Plant
Speaker:
Recycling Plant Representative
PL:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Project: Decided upon by student
Literacy:
11.RIT.1,2,6,7
11.W.1,2,4
11.SL.1,2,4,5
Unit 8: Human Society
Chapters:
22.
Cities and Sustainability
April 11-May 3
Reading:
Writing:
Video:
Speakers:
Literacy:
23.
Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
24.
Politics, Environment, and Sustainability
25.
Environment World View, Ethics, and Sustainability
The Tropic of Chaos-Climate Change and the of New Geography of
Violence by Christian Parenti
FRQ’s, Oil Drilling in the Wilderness (Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge)
“The 11th Hour”
Representatives from Federal, State, and Local Government
11.RIT.1,2,3,5
11.W.1,2,4
11.SL.1,2,3
**Note** Current Event videos and readings that correlate with the current unit will be
incorporated into each week’s schedule in addition to videos and readings already listed.