• John Jay High School

    HONORS EARTH SCIENCE S361: 2022-2023

    Kristin Gargano

    Credits: 1 Rank Weight: 1.0

    Prerequisites: successful completion of Living Environment with an 85% or higher.

     

    COURSE OF STUDY:

    Physical Setting Earth Science is a New York State Regents course that requires extensive study time in the classroom, laboratory, and at home.   New, updated material has been added to the course in each of the following 11 topical areas.  Learning will take place both individually and in a cooperative classroom environment, with an emphasis placed on performance and problem solving techniques.  Multiple learning styles are present in this team class, so instruction will take place using a variety of methods. 

     The following topics will be covered throughout the year: (not necessarily in this order)

     PROLOGUE: (measurement, use of Reference Tables, density, percent deviation, classification, observation, etc.)

    1. PLANET EARTH (its size, shape, structure, mapping the surface)

    2. MINERALS ROCKS and RESOURCES (identification and analysis)

    3. THE DYNAMIC CRUST (earthquakes, volcanoes, continental drift, plate tectonics)

    4. WEATHERING, EROSION, DEPOSITION, and LANDSCAPES (glacial processes, soils, streams)

    5. INTERPRETING EARTH’S HISTORY (dating techniques, fossils, past events)

    6. PROPERTIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE (study of weather, atmosphere, wind, clouds)

    7. WEATHER SYSTEMS (synoptic weather maps, weather prediction, and natural hazards)

    8. WATER CYCLE AND CLIMATES (water cycle, insolation, and climate)

    9. EARTH IN SPACE (motions of celestial objects, constellations, angle of insolation, seasons)

    10. BEYOND PLANET EARTH (moon phases, eclipses, orbits, gravity, solar system, universe)

    11. STEWARDSHIP OF OUR PLANET (human influences, pollution, resource management)

     

    TEXTBOOKS:

    This will be provided and can be left at home for reference:

    Tarbuck, Edward J., and Frederick K. Lutgens. Prentice Hall Earth Science. Needham, MA: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006.

    Reviewing Earth Science/Physical Setting by Thomas McGuire

     LAB REQUIREMENTS:

    You will be in lab every other day.  During a laboratory session, students must be prepared to work for the entire length of two normal periods (about 90 minutes).  All students taking Regents Earth Science must complete a minimum number of laboratory investigation hours.  This is a New York State requirement.  The number of lab reports covering this requirement is typically about 45, but this will vary among teachers.  You will be notified if any lab reports are missing each marking period.  All required lab work must be completed by June 2nd or the student will not be allowed to take any portion of the Regents Exam in June, and will therefore likely fail the course. Note: All labs missed due to absence are to be made up within one week of the return to school.

     EVALUATION: Students will be evaluated each quarter through various means: 

    Tests = 35%       Quizzes = 25% Labs = 20%

    Classwork = 10%       Homework = 10%

    FINAL COURSE GRADE:

    First Marking Period = 25%        Second Marking Period = 25%    

    Third Marking Period = 25%     Fourth Marking Period = 25%     

    This course requires you to put extra time and effort into your academic studies.  Assignments turned in early or on time will be eligible for the maximum point value.  Late assignments will not be accepted!  Students who miss an assignment due to absence are responsible to make immediate arrangements with the teacher to schedule a make-up date & time.  Grades are assessed equally for all students, so you alone are responsible for your grade.  Always try to do your best and achieve as much as possible. 

     MATERIALS NEEDED EVERY DAY:

    I always have extra and can share but it would be best if you could come to class with the following:

    1. A pen and pencil

    4.  Colored pencils (optional)

    1. One inch binder (or can use binder shared with another class)

    5. A calculator - any kind (optional)

    1. Two pocket folder

    6.  Earth Science Reference Table (provided)

    ONLINE LEARNING:

    All work (handouts/notes) will be provided to students in class and will also be posted on google classroom. Please be sure you have joined our online class. 

    Honors Earth Science Period 2/3 - Code ssbu7n6

      EXAM STRUCTURE:

    The NYS Physical Setting: Earth Science Regents Exam will have the following structure:

    PART A: Content-based, multiple-choice questions (25-35% of exam, usually around 35 questions)

    PART B: Multiple choice and/or short, constructed response (20-25% of exam, usually around 15 questions)

    PART C: Extended constructed response items (involves real-world situations and current events; students will be asked to assess, interpret, write an essay, graph etc.) (20-25% of exam)

    PART D: Laboratory Performance Test - based on lab techniques students have learned to do during the year.   This portion of the exam is given first, usually around the first week in June. (10% of exam)

      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    STUDENT/PARENT (GUARDIAN) AGREEMENT

    WE HAVE READ THE EARTH SCIENCE COURSE OUTLINE AND THE GRADING PROCEDURE.  WE UNDERSTAND THE CLASS REQUIREMENTS, GRADING PROCEDURES, CLASS RULES, AND STUDENT EXPECTATIONS.

    AS A STUDENT, I AGREE TO DO MY BEST ALL YEAR LONG AND TO APPLY MYSELF AT ALL TIMES, AND TO GET MY WORK DONE ACCURATELY AND TURNED IN ON TIME.  I ALSO AGREE TO ALWAYS BE HONEST AND NEVER COPY ANYONE ELSE’S WORK.  

     ****Please note this document is subject to change based on updates from the state**

    STUDENT (please PRINT and SIGN): ______________________________________________________________________

    PARENTS (please PRINT): _____________________________________________________________________

    PARENTS (please SIGN): ______________________________________________________________________

    DATE: _______________________________

    EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________

    Since Part D will take place first (date to be announced) students must meet the minimum laboratory hours requirements as set forth by New York State prior to the date of Part D, or the student will be barred from taking any part of the exam.  Since Part D is typically given the first week of June, all lab reports must be submitted by June 9th 2023.

    If the student has not completed the necessary lab requirement, then the student will not be allowed to take the Regents Exam this year.  To achieve Regents credit, a student must achieve an overall grade of 65 or higher including a 65 or higher on the Regents Earth Science Exam.

     

     CONTACT INFORMATION:

    Please feel free to contact me at anytime Kristin.gargano@wcsdny.org 

    phone: 897-6700 x30036. 

    Please check my google classroom for up to date assignments and due dates.  The information provided is subject to change based on updated NYS requirements.