• ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

    Instructor:  Regina List-Grace

    Room Number: 1648D

    Email: gracer@pearlandisd.org

    Tutorial Hours: 2:30-3:30 Thursdays & by appointment before and after school

     

    Course Description:

    Environmental Systems is a year-long course for junior and senior level students designed to show thematic connections between a variety of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, and physics. It gives students a coherent and realistic picture of the applications of a variety of scientific concepts as they manifest in our ever-changing environment. During this year of environmental systems, students will focus on natural resources, ecosystem dynamics, human population growth, and health concerns. The aim of this course to increase student’s knowledge of the environmental challenges of today, while continuing to cultivate scientific critical thinking skills.

    Materials Required Daily:

    • Pen (blue or black ink only) or Pencil
    • Loose leaf paper
    • Composition book 

    Course Content Skills and Standards

    Science Skills

    Students will:

    • Use science process skills in laboratory or field investigations, including observation, classification, communication, metric measurement, prediction, inference and, collecting and analyzing data.
    • Use traditional reference materials to explore background and historical information regarding a scientific concept.
    • Learn and use, on a regular basis, standard safety practices for laboratory or field investigations.
    • Identify the significance of accurate, precise, and subjective/objective measurements, use of reliable tools, safety measure, and career training in environmental monitoring.

    Course Content Standards

    Students will:

    • Investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within an ecosystem and relate these phenomena to human society.
    • Demonstrate an understanding that the Earth is one interconnected system.
    • Describe stability and change in ecosystems.
    • Understand and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other resources
    • Recognize that human beings are part of the global ecosystem and will evaluate the effects of human activities and technology on ecosystems

    Classroom Format, Requirements, and Evaluation:

    This course uses a variety of classroom methods, including lectures, class discussions, group work, individual work, labs, field studies, student written and oral projects, and active student participation. Students are expected to participate in, and complete all aspects of required work to the best of their ability.  Student achievement will be evaluated in a holistic manner, taking into account all aspects performance.

    Tests and quizzes will be given regularly throughout the semester, with a comprehensive final exam the conclusion of the semester.

    Grading System:

    Student grades will be recorded in the district on-line portal, Skyward     

    Grades will be weighted as follows:

    Tests/Quizzes                            60%

    Labs & Research                        30%

    Class Work/Participation             10%

    Exam Grade Remediation:

    Students will be given the opportunity to participate in exam remediation for exams that they earn a non-passing (69% or lower) grade on. This is an opportunity for students to correct an exam. 

    The guidelines for this opportunity are as follows:

    • Exam remediation occurs during tutorial hours ONLY (not during class).
    • Exam remediation is available only to students who earn a 69 or below on an exam grade.
    • Exam remediation must be completed within one week of the return of the graded exam.

    Student Success:

    I am very interested in the success of every student. If you are having trouble with a particular assignment or concept, do not hesitate to seek help from me. I am available for extra help during tutorial hours, and also before and after school by appointment. Students and parents are encouraged to also use email in order to contact me at gracer@pearlandisd.org

    Policies & Procedures:

    Attendance

    • In order to succeed in this class a student MUST be present. After returning from an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to provide the instructor with an excuse form issued by the attendance office within 3 days of returning from an absence. 
    • It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve the assignments and the notes missed when absent for any reason. Make-up work will not be addressed during class. Students must see Ms. Grace during tutorial hours or by appointment in order to receive any make-up work.  Remember: students are responsible for making up all assignments and notes missed due to an absence for any reason.

    Tardiness

    Tardy students will not be admitted into the classroom without an excuse from the attendance office. A student is considered tardy if they are not seated inside of the classroom when the tardy bell rings. Loitering in the hallway or at the classroom door until the bell rings is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

    Make-up Work

    It is the student’s responsibility to inquire about what assignments, notes, and class work they have missed when they are absent with an excuse for any reason.  Work turned in after the due date will be graded for reduced credit. In order to receive make-up work from an excused absence, students must come to tutorial, or make an appointment to do so.  Make-up work will NOT be addressed during class.

    Academic Integrity:

    • Do your own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. While it is expected that students will discuss homework and classwork assignments, a student should never submit another person’s work or ideas as their own. Quizzes, tests, and exams are always individual assignments and are never collaborative. 
    • If a student is observed copying answers from another students completed work or attempts to submit another’s work or ideas as their own, then a grade of “0” will be assigned. To remove the “0,” the assignment must be completed, from the start, in tutorial under the teacher’s supervision and a grade no higher than 70% can be earned.
    • When group work is assigned, all members of a group are expected to complete every part of that assignment themselves, in tandem. 

    Classroom Conduct:

    It is necessary for all students to present themselves in a mature and appropriate manner that creates the best learning environment for everybody. Students must maintain respect for themselves, other students, the instructor, and our community at all times. Inappropriate behavior will result in the involvement of the student’s parent/ guardian and the school administration to aid in both correction and disciplinary action.

     

    Miss Something??? Look here for assignments, TED Talks, and notes.

     

    Fall Semester Exam Review

    Spring Semester Review

     

    Need the Textbook?? Look online in Skyward.