Earth Science

"Built on the ROCK!" ~ Psalms 18:2

Course Information

• Two semester course
• Two credit
• Open to grades 10, 11, 12
• Prerequisites: SC 210 and MA 160 or higher
• Instructor: Mr. John Ellenberger

Course Description

This is a science course for the college or non-college bound student. The course consists of units of study in astronomy, geology, meteorology, and environmental science. The relevance and practical application of the earth sciences is emphasized. Teaching methodologies include lecture, reading, video presentation and laboratory investigation. 

 

 

 

Instructor

Mr. John Ellenberger           414-461-6000 ext. 249

                                                         

 

I am available to for extra help before school at 7:30 am (except Monday mornings), and after school most days. I have prep periods 3rd and 7th hour, so those are also opportunities for help.  Please let me know if you plan to come in after school a day ahead so I can prepare to help you. Taking the responsibility to ask for help is awesome, and I am more than happy to help students who want it, need it and earn it!

 

Required Materials

• 3 ring binder with dividers or Folder (3 ring binder works best)

• Loose-leaf paper or spiral notebook

• Calculator

 

Textbook

Phillips, Clifford; Ramsey, William; Sager, Robert; Watenpaugh, Frank. Modern Earth Science. Holt, Reinhart and Winston. 1998.

This book is a resource and will be used periodically in class, so make sure you have it at class every day. Class notes and other handouts will compose the rest of the written material for Earth Science.

 

Course Objectives

Psychomotor

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• Follow a set procedure for laboratory activity and complete the procedure

• Analyze and draw conclusions from lab data

• Demonstrate their ability to devise their own lab procedure and analyze data from it

Content

• Use a topographic map

• Explain the theory of plate tectonics

• Describe a watershed and it’s purpose.

• Design an earthquake-safe structure

• Identify different types of volcanoes

• Forecast the weather

• Deduce causes of growth or lackthereof in plant life

• Discuss themes within astronomy

• Perform tasks using the global coordinate system

• Analyze what encompasses a healthy biome

Affective

• Take chances, step out of the box, be creative!!!

• Appreciate God’s creation

• Discuss examples of the intricacy of God’s design and finely tuned workings

• Appreciate the scientific technological advances in our society

Evaluation Procedures

1. Homework: Responsibility and turning homework in is extremely important to your success in this course. Assignments will be given and will be checked for completion. We will often go through the answers in class and correct mistakes, so homework cannot be “made up”. If you are absent it is your responsibility to show it to me when you return. Extensions will be granted for special circumstances discussed in private between the student and teacher.

2. Test Average: Tests will be given at the end of each unit or few units depending on size. Retesting is available for students who have completed all their work for the unit and completed the retesting prerequisite process designated by the teacher. This test has the same content but different questions. The 2^nd test grade is retained no matter what.

3. Lab Work: Science is an active field of learning and exploring and therefore lab work is an integral aspect of the course. We will do labs frequently throughout the year. You will be expected to complete the lab by the assigned due date, so know your due dates.

4. Quizzes: Quizzes will happen about once a week and will cover weekly topics. They are meant to prepare you for the test and will include questions about the lab and videos, etc. 

5. Projects: An open ended semester project may be given to the class. This project will have options and you may pick one. Futher details upcoming.

6. Final Exam: This is a cumulative test as many of the topics in science are very closely linked and have definite connections. It will include questions off of previous tests, quizzes, labs as well as some questions you haven’t seen before on the same content from the semester.

Overall grades will be determined based on the number of total points earned, divided by the total points available.  This will result in a percentage, which corresponds to a letter grade.

GRADING SCALE	A  100-95	A– 94-92	B 91-89
B 86-88	B- 85-83	C 82-80	C 79-77
C- 76-74	D 73-71	D 70-68	D- 67-65

Retesting

Tests will be given when appropriate. All tests may be retaken. This test will not be the same as the first and the retest score will be counted (even if it is less than the original test). In order to retest, the following criteria must be met:

1. You must have all homework, labs and reviews completed and turned in by due dates.

2. You must correct the mistakes on your old test.

3. Meet with me to answer questions you have.

4. Complete retake within two weeks of the original test date or by end of current 6 weeks grading period.

 

Absences

If you are absent it is your responsibility to make up work assigned while you were gone. Absence the day of an assignment is due or a test is given means you will be expected to show the assignment or take the test the period you return. Exceptions may be granted for extended illness or unusual circumstances.

 

Planned Absences

If you are absent for a planned reason (vacation, field trip, retreat, early release for sports, student council, band, choir, etc.) you will be expected to turn in work due that day before you leave. If this is not done, credit will be lost on that assignment. Any tests or quizzes missed should be made up the day you return. If you are leaving for an extended period, see Mr. E in advance and get the work you will miss.

 

Tardy Policy

If you do not have two feet in the door when the tone sounds, you are tardy. If you come late to class bring a pass or you will be sent to the attendance office to receive one. No excused tardies without a pass. I follow the school tardy policy explicitly.

 

My Needs

• Students’ attention when I speak

• Responsibility on the part of the student

• Students’ openness to try things and have fun

• Students’ full effort

• To know when I mess up or am wrong

 

My Likes

Students who…

• Respect each other

• Are willing to step out of the box and try new things/take risks

• Participate in class

• Act with integrity and class

• Give maximum effort and want to succeed

• Want to have fun

 

My Dislikes

Students who…

• Procrastinate

• Don’t give their maximum effort

• Talk when others are trying to talk/listen

• Are dishonest