Ms.

Morales
Environmental Science
Syllabus

Contact Information:
Ms. Morales Room 207

School Phone # 904-573-1170 ext. 1207 E-mail Address: [email protected]

Course Description:
Environmental Science is designed to promote scientific inquiry and discovery through the discussion and laboratory based
study of our environment. The students will be introduced to a range of ideas that explain how and why the Earth around
them reacts as it does. This is a course with real relevance. It encourages curiosity and provides opportunity for students to
learn through hands on lab activities and develop relationships through collaboratively learning.
Course Content
Quarter 1
Unit 1- Nature of Science
Unit 2- Ecology

Quarter 2
Unit 3- Ecology (continued)
Unit 4 -Human Health &
the Environment
Unit 5 Evolution and
Diversity

Quarter 3
Unit 6- Climate
Change
Unit 7- Earth's Resources

Quarter 4
Unit 8- Energy Conservation
Unit 9 -Bridge to Biology

Course Goals:
I expect every student to perform on a very high level to challenge themselves and to be competitive with their peers.
Students will complete rigorous work in class and demonstrate their mastery through the unit assessments. This IS a
challenging course. It is also a fun course of inquiry. If you complete assignments and keep your journals up to date you will
excel in my classroom. Please ask questions and seek help immediately. The concepts are designed to build upon each
other. If you do not understand the foundation it could be disastrous down the road.
1. Big Goal for Science Skills: Every student will earn 80% or higher on all learning goals.
2. Big Goal for End of Course Exam: 100% of students will pass the CGA exam.
3. Big Goal for Success: Come to class prepared with all supplies and ready to work.
Class Materials:
School Supplies
Composition Book
Paper
Pencil
Color Markers
Glue Sticks
Color Paper
Color Pencils

Quantity
1
1 pack
24 pack
1 pack
6 pack
1 pack
1 Pack

Grading Categories:
Student assessments make up 40% of their overall grade in the course. Class work accounts for 30%, Labs and Lab books
account for 25% and Homework counts 5% of the students accumulate grade. Students will be asked to turn in numerous
assignments such as bell ringers, guided reading, skill sheets, lab write ups, and exit slips in order to learn the material and
improve on the assessments of academic skills.

Letter grades will be assigned pursuant to the following scores based on the percent of the total possible points that you earn
in the course.
Percentage of Total
Grade
Grading Categories:
Assessments
Class work
Labs
Homework

Percentage :
40
30
25
5

Points
100-90
89-80
79-70
69-60
59-BELOW

A
B
C
D
F

Class Policies
Arrival / Dismissal These are a part of your routines and rituals that are expected to be followed. You arrive on time and
begin the Do Now, then remain orderly until instruction begins. The bell does not release you, I do!
Champs, Rituals and Routines These are posted on the wall. They are also embedded in the power point daily. You will
follow these specific guidelines or be subject to disciplinary actions.
Attendance / Absent Policy Students are expected to attend class regularly and promptly, but in the event you miss class
it is the students responsibility to get the missed work out of the absent folder. You will not be excused from any assignment
due to an absence; even if you have an excused absence. To receive full credit the completed assignment is due on the next
class meeting after the return. The power points and assignments may also be accessed on line.
Tardy Policy Do not be late to class. Excessive tardiness will negatively affect students overall grade because Do Now
bell ringer activities are given within the first 5-10 minutes of class and are part of the cumulative quiz grade. Additional time
will not be given for students who fail to make it to class on time on a regular basis.
Late assignments Most assignments are due at the end of class each day. Late assignments will be accepted for partial
credit if they are turned in no later than one week after the assigned due date and will lower the students final grade. Late
assignments will not be accepted for any assignment given the last week of the grading period to ensure grades are recorded
accurately and in a timely manner. Grade recovery is not available. Complete all assignments!
Office Hours I will be available for tutoring and make-up tests/quizzes after school every day until 3pm. I will establish and
post specific days after the beginning of the semester.
Absent For a Test If you are absent for a unit test you will take the test the next class period or after school, but it may be
in short answer form. If you know you are going to be absent for a unit test you should plan ahead and take the test ahead of
time.
Hall Passes Bathroom passes will not be issued under any circumstances during the first 30 minutes of class, last 30
minutes of class, during assessments, or during labs. This is a school wide policy. We will engage in a ticket exchange for our
classroom.
Checking Your Grades All grades will be updated in FOCUS every Sunday night. If you do not have access to FOCUS
please talk with the guidance department to get your username and password. This will be the only way for students to check
their grades frequently. Progress reports and/or scholarship warnings will be sent home every 3 to 4 weeks.
Academic Dishonesty Any form of academic dishonesty will result in an automatic zero for the assignment. You will not be
allowed to make up the assignment. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, doing someone elses work,
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plagiarism. Any student caught looking at another students test, talking, or if students have any electronic devices out during
an assessment will result in an automatic zero. THIS IS YOUR WARNING!
Plagiarism is the act of claiming someones work or ideas as ones own. I expect academic honesty and for students to
cite and give credit to others when using their ideas or information to explain topics assigned during research projects.
Students caught plagiarizing will receive no credit and will not be given another opportunity to complete the assignment.

Rules, Consequences, and Expectations

Class Rules:
The following rules are non-negotiable and must be followed 100% of the time by 100% of the students.
1. Refrain from the use of profanity.
2. Keep all hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. Eating and drinking during instructional time is only permitted during breakfast.
4. No backpacks or electronic devices such as cell phones, mp3 , iPad, iPod allowed in the classroom.
5. Hats or head coverings of any kind are not permitted in the classroom (e.g. hoodies, bonnets, bandanas).
6. NO heads down on your desks.
Consequences:
1. A verbal warning.
2. Your seat will be reassigned.
3. Time out in another class.
4. Parent phone call.
5. Student-teacher conference to review rules and sign behavior agreement.
6. Parent-teacher conference.
7. Referral.
8. Loss of classroom privileges (possible reflection assignment)
*Depending on the severity of the offense I reserve the right to skip over certain consequences. Consequences are not
listed in any particular order for failing to adhere to classroom, school, and district rules and policies.
Class Expectations:
Preparation: Be prepared to learn when you walk into the classroom.
Come to class well-rested, on time, with all of your materials needed for that day, with homework completed, mentally ready
to work, and with enthusiasm, focus, and positivity.
Respect: Respect your room, your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.
Respect is not just given, it is earned. You will earn it by coming to class prepared, working hard, telling the truth, and treating
others respectfully; let the small stuff go and leave your problems at the door. I will earn your respect by being prepared, by
being fair to all, and by working as hard as I can to help you succeed.
Participation: Actively participate in classroom activities.
Silence in the classroom does not always mean you understand. By actively participating (i.e. asking questions, answering
my questions, taking notes), I know that you are following the lesson and pushing your minds for understanding. Knowledge
is not given to you; learning is an active process and requires hard work.
Determination and Perseverance: Work hard; do your very best.
The learning process often involves making mistakes. Mistakes are not failures; the only failure that springs from making
mistakes is throwing in the towel and giving up. We all learn in different ways, at different paces; limit your frustration by
realizing mistakes are learning opportunities and by seeking help when needed.

YOU MUST RETURN THIS SIGNED*

Lab Safety Guidelines/Agreement:
Student Safety Agreement Duval County (FL) Public Schools
The purpose of this document is to provide you with information and instructions about general safety procedures for science laboratory
activities. You are expected to read, understand, and follow the safety rules below. Your parent or guardian is asked to read and sign also
so he or she knows what the safety expectations are for your science class.
I shall:
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Follow all instructions given by the teacher, including safety procedures.

Use only materials, equipment, and directions authorized by my teacher.
Not play around in the lab.
Protect eyes, hands, face, and body while conducting lab activities.
Wear approved safety goggles when lab activities involve chemicals, glassware, heat, and/or projectiles. (This includes those who wear
glasses or contact lenses.)
Never enter the chemical storage area.
Never remove chemicals or equipment from the classroom or lab area.
Know the location and proper use of safety equipment: fire blanket, eyewash, safety shower, spill containment materials, and fire extinguisher.
(Tampering with safety equipment is not allowed.)
Know the proper exit route in case of a fire or fire drill.
Never run if clothing should catch fire. (Smother the flame with a fire blanket or use the safety shower.)
Notify the teacher if there is a safety hazard.
Report any accident, injury, spills, or glass breakage immediately to the teacher. (Do not try to clean up broken glass yourself.)
Pull back and secure long hair and long sleeves.
Wear proper clothing and shoes for lab work (no open toe shoes, bulky winter coats, or long hanging jewelry).
Not chew gum or consume food or beverages in lab unless they are part of the planned activity and I have the teachers approval to do so.
Never taste or sniff chemicals or touch chemicals with my bare hands. (If a lab requires you to detect the odor of a chemical and you are not
allergic to it, use the wafting method taught to you by your teacher.)
Be careful when using a hot plate or Bunsen burner and not reach across an open flame. (Turn them off when not in use and do not leave
them unattended.)
Point the open end of a test tube away from myself and others when heating it.
Not touch glassware that may still be hot. (Hot glass looks the same as cold glass.)
Be sure that electrical cords from hot plates, microscopes, computers, or other equipment are not in or near water or obstructing walking
through the lab area.
Never work alone in the lab.
Clean my work area when finished and return supplies and equipment to designated places.
Wash my hands after lab activities.
For science projects, know which kinds of projects require prior approval from the Regional Science Fair committees (IRB/SRC) and which
kinds of project should not be done at home.

IF YOU WEAR CONTACT LENSES, CHECK HERE: ___________

LIST ALL ALLERGIES TO A SUBSTANCE OR ORGANISM HERE:
___________________________________________________________
I have read, understand, and agree to follow the safety procedures stated above. I also agree to follow other written or verbal safety
procedures specific to a particular lab activity.
___________________________________
Printed student name

_____________________________________
Student signature

______________
Date:

I have read the above safety procedures and discussed them with my student.
____________________________________
Printed parent or guardian name

______________________________________
Parent or guardian signature

_______________
Date

Student/Parent Acknowledgement Form

To be reviewed by Parent/Guardian with student:
Review the syllabus with the student going over any potential questions or concerns.
To be filled out by Parent/Guardian:
Student Name: ______________________________________________
Parents Name(s):__________________________________ Relationship to Student: _______________________

Initial next to the following if it applies:

________ - I have read the Syllabus and understand how my child will be evaluated.
________ - Check grade portal bi-weekly.
Preferred Method of contact?
(Check one)
Phone: C) _________________________ H) _____________________________ W)___________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________
Does the student have access to:

Computer

Internet

Special Concerns / Other Comments

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Signing this form means you have gone over the syllabus and you understand the information in it. I am excited and thrilled
to work together with you towards your son/daughters success this upcoming school year. If you have any questions
throughout the year dont hesitate to contact me (contact information is on first page of syllabus). Please return this sheet to
your Physical Science teacher.
Parent Guardian: ____________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Student: ___________________________________________________

Date: ______________________

Thank you,
Ms. Morales
Physical Science
Westside High School
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