Course Syllabus

 

SYLLABUS:  EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2023-2024 School Year (Semester 1) – Ms. Stacie Makous Stacie.Makous@ucps.k12.nc.us  /  Voicemail: 704-296-0105 (x5916)

     Earth and Environmental Science is a one-semester course required for graduation.  This includes three six-week grading periods and a teacher-made Final Exam at the end of the semester.  Earth and Environmental Science is not a lab-intensive course, though hands-on activities will be included when possible.  According to UCPS Policy, each grading period will be worth 25% of the final semester grade (75%) and the Final Exam will be worth 25%.  This course is eligible for exam exemption for students who meet the exemption criteria.  For students who are exempted from the final exam, the final course grade will be the average of the three term grades.

 

HONORS (H) AND COLLEGE PREP (CP) PROGRAMS

     At CHS, Earth and Environmental Science blends the Honors and College Prep students into the same classes.  Honors students are responsible for mastering the same curriculum goals and objectives as the College Prep students, and will take the same county and state assessments.  However, Honors students are expected perform at an advanced level in day-to-day lessons.  They can expect to have higher level extension assignments, activities, quiz/test questions, projects, etc., beyond the College Prep program, and their GPA will be calculated using the Honors Program scale.  Though students in the Honors program will have more rigorous work to accomplish, the emphasis is more on “quality” than “quantity.”  More information about the College Prep and Honors programs can be found in the 2023-2024 UCPS High School Handbook. 

 

REQUIRED DAILY MATERIALS

3-Ring Science Binder (1.0” ring is a good size; a huge binder is not necessary) Dividers for notebook sections (8 dividers -- one for each unit) Headphones/Earbuds (for online video resources) Colored pencils (at least 8 colors) Loose-leaf paper Pencils and Pens (typical writing utensils) Charged student computer and charger

Nice to have but not required: Scissors, Highlighter, Glue Sticks, etc. It might make life a little easier to keep an “All Day Supplies Binder” with a 3-ring zipper pouch to use with all of your classes.  This helps keep supplies organized in one place.   Just sharing an idea.

 

CURRICULUM

     The primary focus of this course includes “Earth in the Universe” and “Earth Systems, Structures, and Processes.”  The NCDPI Essential Standards are:

Earth’s role as a body in space (EEN.1.1) Processes and forces that affect Earth’s lithosphere (EEN.2.1) How human influences impact Earth’s lithosphere (EEN.2.2) The structure and processes within Earth’s hydrosphere (EEN.2.3) How humans use water (EEN.2.4)

The structure and processes of Earth’s atmosphere (EEN.2.5) Patterns of global climate change over time (EEN.2.6) How the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere individually and collectively affect the biosphere (EEN.2.7) Human behavior and Earth’s ability to sustain life (EEN.2.8)

     After an initial Introductory/Review Skills Unit (Week 1), we will begin our studies with the Astronomy Unit (EEN.1.1) with emphasis on the Sun-Earth-Moon system.

 

GRADING PLAN

     UCPS uses the following scale for report cards:

A = 90-100    

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

     I generally grade assignments and assessments with a point system.  Most assignments and quizzes are graded with a 100-point scale.  (Quizzes might not be announced, so be ready each day to “show what you know!”)  Smaller assignments and quizzes are worth fewer points, as appropriate.  In the term grade, unit tests, special projects, and larger assignments are weighted more heavily than regular assignments and quizzes.  (More info to come about this semester’s grading policies.) 

      A paper copy of lesson notes (sometimes "interactive notes") are supplied as we work through each unit.  These notes should be kept in the student's 3-ring Science Binder/Notebook throughout the semester.  The materials in the binder will be an important study resource for unit tests as well as the Final Exam.  Poor-quality work and maintenance of the Science Binder will result in poor-quality study materials.  Let’s do a good job from the start so we can enjoy great success throughout the grading period.  A digital copy of these notes will also be posted to the Canvas MODULES page.

     My online Canvas pages are usually up-to-date and students should check their class page regularly.  Many of my warm-ups, assignments, quizzes and tests will utilize Canvas.  If I am absent (or you are absent), please check my “TODAY IN SCIENCE CLASS” Canvas page for the day’s instructions.  (Click on the appropriate UNIT icon on the Home page to find the "Today in Science Class" page.)

 

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

     Most of my communication with parents is through email.  However, phone calls, virtual meetings and in-person meetings are certainly an option when needed.  Please be sure to keep your contact information up-to-date in PowerSchool.  (FYI – For confidentiality, I always put the email addresses in the “BCC” section when emailing all parents.  Please do not ever "Respond to ALL.")

     Parents are strongly encouraged to sign up for a PowerSchool Parent account and a Canvas Observer account so you can keep track of your student’s progress throughout the semester.

• • See the Front Office to establish a POWERSCHOOL PARENT account.
  • Go to this link for directions to open a CANVAS PARENT OBSERVER account:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d73ZQ1_XIHYuvm74uVUDR4eqUpLm7-hZ/view?usp=sharing

 

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT

     SHORT VERSION:  For more detailed information about rules and consequences, please read through the UCPS/CHS Code of Student Conduct booklets.  General classroom rules tend to be about the same for every grade level, and the ones you learned in Kindergarten are still good for high school.   (Silly, yes, but true!)

Be polite and kind to others. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. If it is not yours, do not touch it without permission. Raise your hand to speak during instruction. Stay in your seat unless you have permission to get up. Be on time and prepared for class. Give your best academic efforts each day.

A few more to know for high school science class: During class, CELL PHONES must be powered OFF and kept in your bag. No, you may not take it to the restroom with you. NO FOOD should be out or eaten in the classroom. EAR BUDS, AIR PODS, etc., should not be in your ears during class, especially during a lesson.  They should only be used when we are working individually with video resources for an assignment. HOODS, hats, and other head-coverings may not be worn on your head in the school building.  This is a safety & security issue. You are encouraged to have a WATER BOTTLE with you in class; something that will not spill or break.  Please do not bring sugary drinks or energy drinks to class.  WATER.

     THE LONGER VERSION (Advice from someone who has been around for a while):

     Basically, do your best each day to be a good person and a responsible student.  Show kindness and respect to others and to yourself.  Strive to practice honor, integrity, compassion, tolerance, patience.  Do work that you are proud of with the knowledge that you did your best.  Take responsibility for your own actions and learning efforts.

     Your personal energy is contagious, whether positive or negative.  Come to class with a smile, ready to participate, and let your positive attitude shine for others to enjoy!  (Please confidentially let an adult know if you are feeling troubled by negative inner struggles.  We care about you and will do our best to help.) 

     Celebrate our similarities; respect our differences.

     Be curious and innovative!

     Have a sense of humor.  Remember, “Pobody’s Nerfect!”  Forgive yourself when you make a mistake.  See it as a learning experience, accept the consequences with grace, reflect, and then put it behind you.  Forgive others for their mistakes, too.

     Make life at school easy for yourself:  Read the STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT for UCPS and CHS and then comply with it.  It is not worth the trouble it brings if you decide to break school rules (plus it annoys the people around you).  Be cool at school.

     Consequences for infractions will be assigned according to CHS and UCPS policies.  The cliché is true:  “You are free to make your own choices, but you are not free from the consequences of those choices.”  Positive choices are rewarded with positive consequences; negative choices... negative consequences.  Let yourself and others enjoy a positive day.

     Invest yourself in your school.  Cuthbertson High is a fantastic place to be each day – one of the best schools in the state – and our students and families are a huge part of why our school is so wonderful!   Personally, I love it here.  I hope you do, too.

 

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  I hope you enjoy our semester together!