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Environmental Science Syllabus
Teacher—Susan Tuckniss
Contact: 843-4707 or tuckniss_s@hcde.org
Unit 1—Earth System/Abiotic Factors (two-three weeks)
a. Climate--Earth’s Position
b. Plate Tectonics—Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis
c. Rock Cycle, Soil
d. Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, Biosphere
Essential Question: How do abiotic factors sustain life on Earth?
Special Feature: Earth-The Biography
Unit 2—The Living World/Biotic Factors (A Review) (one week)
a. Energy Flow
b. Biodiversity, Co-evolution
c. Earth’s Major Biomes
d. Succession
e. Biogeochemical Cycles
Essential Question: How do living things interact with each other and the abiotic factors of the environment?
Unit 3—Human Population (two-three weeks)
a. Food Production, Healthcare, Sanitation, Industry
b. Ecological and Economic Consequences of Human Population Growth Globally
c. Social and Economic Factors Affecting Growth Rate and Life Expectancy
Essential Question: What factors affect human population growth?
Special Features: Food, Inc., World in Balance
Unit 4—Water and Land Resources/Humans and Natural Resources (two-three weeks)
a. Resource Use—Agriculture, Forestry, Urban/Suburban Development, Mining, Fishing
b. Management of Water and Soil
c. Preservation and Conservation
d. Human Impact on Natural Resources
Essential Question: How can natural resources be sustainably managed for the benefit of all living things?
Special Feature: The Cove
Unit 5—Energy Resources and Consumption (one-two weeks)
a. Renewable vs. Nonrenewable
b. Compare and Contrast Different Energy Resources
c. Past and Present Use of Energy Resources
d. Predict Future Trends of Resource Use
Essential Question: What are the environmental consequences of energy use?
Special Feature: Kilowatt Ours
Unit 6—Waste Production and Pollution (land, air, water) (two-three weeks)
a. Cause and Effect of Different Sources of Pollutions
b. Controlling/Preventing Pollution
c. Pollution and Human Health
d. Methods of Remediation
e. Local and Federal Legislation Protecting Resources
f. Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Waste Disposal Locally and Globally
Essential Question: How can we mimic nature to provide goods and services for humans without polluting the
environment?
Special Project
Unit 7—Global Change and Civic Responsibility (two-three weeks)
a. Consumer Choices and Impact
b. Government Protection and Biodiversity
c. Ozone and Climate Change
Essential Question: How do the decisions of one generation create opportunities and impose limitations for future
generations?
Special Feature: Impact Man
Number One Rule: RESPECT—FOR ME AND EACH OTHER!
Other Number One Rule: COME TO SCHOOL—PREPARED! Absences Hurt!
We will discuss specifics of class rules on the first day.
Title 1
Grading/Expectations
Grading
Daily Points (basic stuff): Daily assignments, worksheets, lecture/notes, pictures, essays/reports, labs,
videos, quizzes
Test Points (bigger stuff): Tests, Projects
Mid-Term Test = two test grades
End of Course Exam = Final Exam = 25 % of final grade!
Lectures/Notes:
You must be quiet and attentive during the lecture; however, questions about the content are welcomed!
You must take notes in your notebook. You must show your notes to the teacher to receive points. If you
are absent, you are responsible for getting missed notes.
Daily Assignments/Worksheets:
You must complete your OWN work even when working in partners or groups. Copying of a classmate’s
work will result in a grade of zero. Directions must be followed, and work must be neatly written and
turned in at the end of the allotted class time. If you are absent, you are responsible for asking for missed
assignments.
Pictures:
Drawing should be neat and clear. Everything should be colored and labeled.
Essays/Reports:
All writing assignments should be neatly written or typed, using complete sentences and well-constructed
paragraphs as indicated by the directions.
Labs:
You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for a lab and lab report. Directions must be followed, and work
must be neatly written and turned in at the end of class. All questions must be answered in complete
sentences. If you are absent you may receive a lab report for review. The grade will not count against you
if the absence is excused.
Videos:
You MUST BE PRESENT to receive credit for watching educational videos and any written assignment
associated with it. Videos may be made up during lunch if the absence is excused.
Quizzes:
Any material presented in class may appear on a quiz. Please review your class work every day to help you
be ready for a quiz at any time; however, MOST quizzes will be announced the day before or at the
beginning of class. If you are absent, you must make up the quiz within two school days when you return.
Tests:
Any material presented in class may appear on a test. Please review your class work every day to gradually
get ready for a test. A study guide will be given before most tests. Notes, all class work, and quizzes
should be used to complete study guides. If you are absent, you must make up the test within three school
days when you return.
Projects:
All projects should carefully follow directions and be neat and orderly. Remember special projects require
TIME and PREPARATION. Give projects your best effort!
Number One Rule: RESPECT—FOR ME AND EACH OTHER!
Other Number One Rule: COME TO SCHOOL—PREPARED! Absences Hurt!
We will discuss specifics of class rules on the first day.