A.P. Environmental Science 2011-2012
Gavin Gladding
Room: E-5
(559) 327-2088
Email: gavingladding@cusd.com
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/cw_gladding
Greetings and welcome to AP Environmental Science. This AP Environmental Science course is designed to be
the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. Unlike most other
college introductory-level science courses, environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments,
including geology, biology, environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, and geography.
The goal of this course is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies to
understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems and
examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. I look forward to getting to know you and
learning with you this year.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
As a science department, the goal of the staff is to try and have every student achieve grade level proficiency by
the end of the year. In order to try and reach this goal the staff at Clovis West High School has set up these
essential school wide agreements:
1. We AGREE that each student will be provided intervention in order to reach 70% proficiency on
essential assessments. We will provide the appropriate learning conditions with the necessary support
for each student to try and reach this goal.
2. We AGREE that each student will be able to demonstrate content proficiency in each subject area
through writing.
3. We AGREE to communicate with students and parents in a timely and meaningful manner concerning
student progress. At a minimum, this communication will take the form of Zangle updates every two
weeks.
4. We AGREE to create a culture that celebrates student academic success.
We as a department will do everything we can to prepare you with the necessary knowledge and experiences to
be successful in this class as well as future science classes. We look forward to a great year and many exciting
learning experiences!
Advanced Placement Environmental Science Topics
o
o
o
o
o
o
Scientific Critical Thinking, Models, and Systems
Ecosystems, Biomes, Biodiversity
Climate, Weather, Geologic Processes
Risk, Toxicology, and Human Health
Population Dynamics and Distribution
Deforestation, Global Warming, Ozone loss
o
o
o
o
o
o
Energy Efficiency, Renewable, and Nonrenewable
Pollution of Air, Water, Soil
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Food Resources, Pesticides
Forests, Rangelands, Parks, and Wilderness
Environmental Economics, Politics, and Ethics
Laboratory and Field Investigation
Because it is designed to be a course in environmental science rather than in environmental studies, the AP
Environmental Science course will include a strong laboratory and field investigation component. You will be required to
keep a comprehensive lab book. The goal of this component is to complement the classroom portion of the course by
allowing students to learn about the environment through firsthand observation and experience.
GRADING:
Grading policy is standard:
o A = 100% - 90%
o B = 89.9% - 80 %
o C = 79.0% - 70%
o D= 69.0% - 60%
o F = 59.9% - 0%
Grades are determined according to the following:
70% = Exams/Quizzes/Final Exam
20% = Labs/Activities/Homework
4% = Field Trip/Volunteer
5% = Current Events
1% = Citizenship
Extra Credit = 3% Maximum – Extra credit will be offered sporadically throughout the year.
A.P. Test – The goal of this class is for each student to be prepared to take and pass the AP Test. Any student
passing the AP Test with a 3, 4, or 5 will receive a full letter grade increase in grade for both semesters.
Tardies/Cell phones/Ipods
o Students must be in their seats when the bell rings to not be considered tardy. Tardies have been an
issue in the past and I cannot stress the importance of being on time and prepared for class. Timeliness
will ensure that the class can begin right away and make use of all available class time. It is important
to note that quite a bit of work will be done in class and timeliness reduces the need to complete
assignments at home. Consequences for tardies include the following:
o 1st - 3rd offenses are warnings; but a 1% grade deduction for each tardy/cell phone/ipod violation is still
counting against them.
o Teacher enters each violation as a loss of 1 point from citizenship grade, each violation results in
a loss of 1% off their overall grade.
o If the student never reaches their forth violation, all those points will be awarded back to them at
the end of the semester.
th
o 4 violation / -4 point deduction = 4% off the overall grade
o 5th violation / -5 point deduction = 5% off the overall grade
o 6th violation = etc
**If a student has reached their 4 + violation, the students has the option of serving either
Thursday/Saturday school in order to earn back 1 %. 1% earned back for each detention served.
Cheating: Serious Offense/Automatic zero, parent contact, referral to SRC
o Any student caught cheating on any assignment will receive a zero on the assignment, a parent
contact, and referral to SRC. This includes the person who gave the work to be copied.
o Any student caught cheating on a major assignment (test, quiz, project, etc.) will receive the
consequences listed above as well as a loss of 10% of the overall grade.
o Any electronic device found out during a test will result in automatic zero on that test and a loss of
10% of the overall grade at the end of the semester.
Test Retakes: There are no test retakes in this class. Your lowest test score of each semester will be dropped.
ATTENDANCE & MAKEUP WORK POLICIES:
o Attendance, behavior, and participation are important elements of the class. Students are encouraged to
participate in a positive manner.
o Missed work is the student’s responsibility! The classroom is set up to help students get any missed work
themselves.
Here are the procedures:
1. Student will locate make-up box in room.
2. Students find the handout related to missed assignment/lab in the make-up box.
o Any missing class work that is more than one unit behind will not be accepted. Missing work needs to be
handled before or immediately after an absence.
o Students will be given one day for every day they were absent in order to complete missing assignments.
o Only some labs will be allowed to be made up after an absence! If a lab cannot be made up then an
alternate assignment will be given.
o If absent on test day, you will be expected to make it up on the day you return to school.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
1. Homework is always due the next day unless told otherwise. Homework that is late will be given half
credit.
2. Behavioral issues will be handled according to the Clovis West’s Assertive Discipline Contract (ADC).
A.P. Environmental Science 2011–2012 SYLLABUS – MR. GLADDING
Signing below verifies that you have read the class syllabus and understand the policies and expectations.
Student name (PLEASE PRINT): __________________________________________
Student signature: __________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email addresses _____________________________________________________
** PLEASE PROVIDE! This is usually the easiest and most effective way to communicate any concerns
that may arise throughout the year.
If you have any questions please contact me or visit my website. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and
I am hoping for a great year!
Gavin Gladding
Room: E-5
(559) 327-2088
Email: gavingladding@cusd.com
http://qp.clovisusd.k12.ca.us/cw_gladding