Earth Space Honors
Mrs. Roberts 7th grade
Earth Science Honors Syllabus
What is Earth Science?
Nearly everything we do each day is connected in some way to Earth: to its land, oceans, atmosphere, plants, and animals. The food we eat, the water we drink, our homes and offices, the clothes we wear, the energy we use, and the air we breathe are all grown in, taken from, surround, or move through the planet. By 2025, eight billion people will live on Earth.
If we are to continue extracting resources to maintain a high quality of life, then we, as individuals and citizens, need to know more about our planet — its processes, its resources, and its environment. Through this course, students will be able to understand and appreciate our complex planet and its relationship to other objects in space.
Overview
While the content focus of this course is consistent with the Earth/Space Science course, students will explore these concepts in greater depth. In general, the academic pace and rigor will be increased for the advanced level course work.
Laboratory investigations that include the use of scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, laboratory apparatus and technologies, experimental procedures, and safety procedures are an integral part of this course.
The student is expected to be able to work with others as any scientist working in the field because many of the classroom lessons, activities and projects will be done in collaborative groups as in the real world.
Classroom Details
As you know, our school is one of a few digital schools in Orange County. This translates into no paper textbook at home. The textbook and most of the classwork will be done electronically. We will still be doing laboratory investigations pair with digital investigations and plenty group work.
As part of the class, Edmodo will be use for posting all of the work, assignments, test reviews, projects and others. Every student is expected to go into Edmodo even when the person is absent or if I'm absent. Please follow all of the instructions and submit the work on time to stay current with the class material and assignments, especially in case of absences. Once the students join my group in EDMODO parents can follow the website using the same OCPS student login for the computer; I include the parents on every post and everyday.
Textbook
Earth Comm: Florida from It’s About Time will be the textbook of choice.
This textbook was designed to meet State Standards for grades 9-12. The textbook is available using launchpad and students will be taught in class how to reach and login into the book website.
Parent/Teacher Contact
Parents may contact me using the OCPS email system, is the easiest and fastest way to contact me.
(407)249-6440 ext 5152291
Topics
We will be covering the following topics:
Nature of Science
Earth Systems
The Universe
Movement in the Solar System
The Sun and the EM Spectrum
Stars and Space Exploration
Plate Tectonics
Geologic Time
Ocean Circulation
Thunderstorm Conditions
Severe Weather
Climate
Grading Policy/Assignments
At Liberty Middle School the grading scale is based on a 1000 points scale. This scale in the science classroom is divided as
follows:
Tests—300 points
Quizzes—100 points
Classwork— 200 points
Projects - 100 points
Laboratories— 200
Homework—100 points
Materials
Laptop
Headphones
Composition notebook (from school list)
Pen/Pencil
Enrichment fee - $5.00