Welcome to Earth Science
2016-2017
Dear Student: I am excited to have you in this class! Earth Science will prepare you for more
advanced science classes through lectures, discussions, and activities. You will experience
success if you apply yourself, stay organized, pay attention and capitalize on all learning
opportunities brought to you courtesy of your classmates and myself! Let us have a wonderful,
valuable and FUN experience learning about our fascinating Earth. Ms. Angie Hammang, NBCT
Room: 40
Phone: 683-2361
Email: [email protected]
CLASSROOM and SCHOOL RULES
e Responsible
-Take every opportunity to learn as much
as you can every day.
-Do the right thing!
ome Prepared
-Bring your binder, book, and pencil daily.
-Come to class with an attitude ready to learn.
ave Good Character
-Do your own work.
-Ask for help and lend a helping hand.
how Respect
-Treat all classroom materials with respect.
-Treat your teacher and peers with kindness.
Required Materials:
 TEXTBOOK: Prentice Hall Earth Science by Tarbuck and Lutgens (provided)
 Writing utensils, paper, 3-ring binder (or separate folder for this class)
Rules
 Homework/Late assignments:
o Assignments are due at the beginning of the period.
o If you are absent, turn in homework the next day I see you.
o If there will be a problem, make arrangements before you leave.
o Late work will be reduced in value. For any unit of study, late work will only be
accepted before the date of the quiz or test.
 Leaving the Room:
o You must have the hall pass with you when you leave.
o One person may leave the room at a time.
o If another teacher needs to see you, you must show me a pink pass.
 No Food and Drink (during lab days or days we use the Google Chromebooks)
 Discipline: Appropriate behavior is very important for smooth operation and optimal learning.
Positive behavior and class participation will be rewarded and reflect positively on your grade.
Disruptive and inappropriate behavior will be handled in accordance with school policy.
Sustained behaviors may result in detention, removal from class and/or parental contact.
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Substitute Teachers: Please treat them with courtesy and respect. This person has the same
authority as any other teacher. If your name is negatively mentioned by any guest teacher,
you will be assigned detention.
General Rules:
1. Clean up your area every day.
2. Do not touch the sinks (unless lab requires water or you need to fill up your water bottle).
3. You are financially responsible for the equipment you use.
4. Cheating: you will receive a zero for the assignment. Your parents and administration will
be notified. If you are copying someone else’s paper, I will give both papers a zero.
5. Make sure to complete your planner/handbook signoffs (computer use, dance form, etc.)
Communication: Use my website for weekly plans, links to virtual labs, activities, and
classroom assignments (that may be printed at home). Use my homepage as a guideline,
but always remember what is written on the board daily (daily activities, lecture, lab, readings,
homework for the following day, etc.) is what goes in your planner.
Science is dynamic. We may complete more (or not as much) as originally planned.
o Some topics will be discussed on a classroom site. You will be notified of how to use
that later in the school year.
o Email me with questions/concerns. I will be more than happy to solve them with you!
Curriculum: Adapted from the Next Generation Science Standards
Earth’s Place in the Universe
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
1. Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear
fusion in the sun’s core to release energy that eventually reaches Earth in the form of radiation.
2. Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra,
motion of distant galaxies, and composition of matter in the universe.
3. Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements
4. Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in
the solar system.
5. Evaluate evidence of the past and current movements of continental and oceanic crust and the
theory of plate tectonics to explain the ages of crustal rocks
6. Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other
planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.
Earth’s Systems
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
1. Develop a model to illustrate how Earth’s internal and surface processes operate at different
spatial and temporal scales to form continental and ocean-floor features.
2. Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth’s surface can create
feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems
3. Develop a model based on evidence of Earth’s interior to describe the cycling of matter by
thermal convection.
4. Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems
result in changes in climate
5. Plan and conduct an investigation of the properties of water and its effects on Earth materials
and surface processes.
6. Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere,
atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere
7. Construct an argument based on evidence about the simultaneous coevolution of Earth’s
systems and life on Earth.
Earth and Human Activity
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources,
occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
2. Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral
resources based on cost-benefit ratios
3. Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among management of natural
resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
4. Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural
systems.*
5. Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based
forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to
Earth systems.
6. Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how
those relationships are being modified due to human activity
Earth Science Grading:
Your grades will be composed of the following categories.
o Tests and quizzes
o Semester Final exam
o Homework
o Classwork, Labs and Participation
o Notebook:
Percentage
93 and Above
90-93
87-90
83-87
80-83
77-80
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
Percentage
73-77
70-73
67-70
63-67
60-63
Below 60
Letter Grade
C
CD+
D
DF
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I have read, understood and agree to abide by these Earth Science rules and guidelines.
Student (print) _________________________ Student Signature _____________________________
Parent (print) __________________________ Parent Signature ______________________________