Environmental Science
Mr. Kloeckl
School phone: (320)629-4186
email: [email protected]
*This page is to inform you of the major emphasis of Environmental Science as well as classroom procedures, expectations, and major topics. Environmental Science is an elective semester course or 2 quarters in length.
Course description and major topics covered:
“Environmental protection begins with environmental education. Only by learning how we relate to our environment can we contribute to making and keeping the world around us a safer, cleaner place to live” --C. M. Browner
Environmental Science students will examine the relationships between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem and their physical surroundings, focusing on human factors that impact the environment. Topics included in this course are global climate change, pollution problems, energy concerns, food and agriculture, and the human population and its impact on Earth. We will look at how our culture and values relate to the many environmental issues on earth and also study the global implications of environmental changes. Students will investigate local and regional issues to enhance the connection to our immediate environment and learn methods for citizenship action.
Materials used and curriculum:
Environmental Science is a very broad area of study and we will not have text books. It has only been offered as an elective for a couple years so many of the curriculum materials are still being assembled. I will be pulling much of the information from numerous environmental science textbooks that I have gathered up over the last ten years. We will be using various magazine and newspaper articles, and the internet for research and current events. Videos, DVDs, and television programs relevant to environmental science will also be used; for example, the program “An Inconvenient Truth” will be contrasted with other information regarding the climate change debate.
Students will be expected to research various environmental topics of interest on the internet and report back to the class for discussion. The students may also be asked to arm themselves with information on topics and debate a certain perspective with their peers.
I would especially like to get the class involved with some local projects dealing with environmental issues and science. Some possibilities could be: studying Rock Lake and starting a process to rejuvenate the lake as a viable fishery; helping the city with improving the local trail system; designing an energy efficient home with alternative energy options. I’m open to other suggestions of local projects if any parents or students have ideas they would like us to pursue.
Disclaimer: Parents/Students
If you have any questions or concerns regarding materials or subjects covered in Environmental Science, please contact me at the number above or email to discuss curriculum. If we can’t come to a mutual agreement, there is a form and a procedure for you to supply alternative assignments. I’d like to think you will find me open, flexible, and friendly.
Current topics and controversy
I believe that discussing and learning about current topics in science is one of the best ways to keep the subject interesting and relevant for students. Most topics picked will be due to high interest or relevance to student learning. Due to the investigative nature of science and because scientific research is used in so many ways by members of our society, certain topics become controversial. This is not new to science or our society and is most often an important part of scientific discovery, debate, peer review, and the acceptance of new information.
I will encourage students to contemplate these topics with a scientific mind. To me that means: thinking logically; trying your best to understand; gathering information from many credible sources; recognizing bias; being open-minded yet skeptical; discussing intellectually with a polite and even temperance; thinking about causation vs. correlation; and recognizing the difference between information based on research versus thoughts and opinions.
Again, please contact me if you think there are problems so that we can avoid misunderstandings and work together to solve problems should one come up.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kloeckl
Student Syllabus
Students,
You will be required to know and follow the guidelines on this syllabus. These guidelines will provide you with a positive learning environment.
Attendance
It is important for you to be in class every day. You cannot learn if you are not in class. If you are absent, ask your classmates what you missed and pick up any hand outs or assignments from the teacher. Do not forget about the school attendance policy stated in the Dragon Folder! You have two days for every day that you had an excused absence to complete your work. There is no additional make-up time for assignments missed due to an unexcused absence, and may be treated as a late assignment (see below).
Assignments
I will give students “two strikes” on late work by exempting a maximum of two assignments for the quarter. Any additional late work will count as zeroes. Keep all returned assignments in a folder to prepare for tests and as evidence until the end of the quarter so you have proof of completed work should there be any disagreement between your records and the grade book.
Tests and Quizzes
Throughout the quarter there will be a number of tests and quizzes given. Each test will be announced 3-5 days in advance. However, there will be both announced and surprise quizzes given. Therefore, students should make sure that they complete their assignments every day. If you are absent on the day of an announced test or quiz, you will be expected to take it the day you return. If you were in class the day a test/quiz was announced, but absent the day before the test, you will be taking the test with the rest of your class unless prior arrangements are made with your teacher.
Grading
Assignments, quizzes, and tests will be recorded as points, and not by the letter grade. The final quarter grade will be based on the following percentages:
Tests & Quizzes 45%
Assignments & projects 45%
Participation & Attitude 10%
Letter grades are determined by the following percentages:
100-90% A
89-80% B
79-70% C
69-60% D
below 60% F
Guidelines for classroom expectations
If what you are doing distracts from what we are here for ...it is unacceptable. Interference with the teaching/learning process will not be tolerated. We all want a polite learning environment. Therefore the following expectations apply:
1. Be Prompt
-Students are expected to be in the room and get to their assigned seats when the tone sounds or they are considered tardy. When you enter the room you should collect handouts, take your seat, and begin working on the bell ringer.
2. Be Responsible
-Be in your desk with materials (book, paper, folder, and pencil),
-Stay in your assigned seat. (The teacher will dismiss you from seats. No lining up at the door.)
-Only three out-of -class passes will be allowed per quarter.
3. Be Attentive
-Listen while others are speaking.
-Follow instructions the first time.
-Stay on task. No heads on desk and obviously no sleeping
4. Be Considerate
-Respect yourself, others, and their property.
-Raise hands and wait to be recognized before speaking.
-No physical or verbal abuse.
-We will work to keep behavior and comments positive and polite
If a student chooses to break a rule:
1st consequence - warning
2nd consequence - loss of points in attitude and/or participation area
3rd consequence - time-out/change of seating/no credit/ conference with teacher
4th consequence - detention assigned, parent will be notified, student may be removed from the classroom
*Severe disruptive behavior demands immediate removal from the classroom.
*Repeated inappropriate or disruptive behavior will lead to consequences that will be determined after meeting with parents and staff
********cut or tear here ...return the signed bottom portion and keep the rest for your records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Please read the course syllabus and sign below. Have your son or daughter return this bottom portion of the syllabus to the teacher. If you have any questions please feel free to visit our classroom or call us at the numbers above. Thank You!
Mr. Kloeckl
Student Signature_______________________________ Date_______________
Parent or Guardian Signature_________________________________
Mr. Kloeckl
School phone: (320)629-4186
email: [email protected]
*This page is to inform you of the major emphasis of Environmental Science as well as classroom procedures, expectations, and major topics. Environmental Science is an elective semester course or 2 quarters in length.
Course description and major topics covered:
“Environmental protection begins with environmental education. Only by learning how we relate to our environment can we contribute to making and keeping the world around us a safer, cleaner place to live” --C. M. Browner
Environmental Science students will examine the relationships between the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem and their physical surroundings, focusing on human factors that impact the environment. Topics included in this course are global climate change, pollution problems, energy concerns, food and agriculture, and the human population and its impact on Earth. We will look at how our culture and values relate to the many environmental issues on earth and also study the global implications of environmental changes. Students will investigate local and regional issues to enhance the connection to our immediate environment and learn methods for citizenship action.
Materials used and curriculum:
Environmental Science is a very broad area of study and we will not have text books. It has only been offered as an elective for a couple years so many of the curriculum materials are still being assembled. I will be pulling much of the information from numerous environmental science textbooks that I have gathered up over the last ten years. We will be using various magazine and newspaper articles, and the internet for research and current events. Videos, DVDs, and television programs relevant to environmental science will also be used; for example, the program “An Inconvenient Truth” will be contrasted with other information regarding the climate change debate.
Students will be expected to research various environmental topics of interest on the internet and report back to the class for discussion. The students may also be asked to arm themselves with information on topics and debate a certain perspective with their peers.
I would especially like to get the class involved with some local projects dealing with environmental issues and science. Some possibilities could be: studying Rock Lake and starting a process to rejuvenate the lake as a viable fishery; helping the city with improving the local trail system; designing an energy efficient home with alternative energy options. I’m open to other suggestions of local projects if any parents or students have ideas they would like us to pursue.
Disclaimer: Parents/Students
If you have any questions or concerns regarding materials or subjects covered in Environmental Science, please contact me at the number above or email to discuss curriculum. If we can’t come to a mutual agreement, there is a form and a procedure for you to supply alternative assignments. I’d like to think you will find me open, flexible, and friendly.
Current topics and controversy
I believe that discussing and learning about current topics in science is one of the best ways to keep the subject interesting and relevant for students. Most topics picked will be due to high interest or relevance to student learning. Due to the investigative nature of science and because scientific research is used in so many ways by members of our society, certain topics become controversial. This is not new to science or our society and is most often an important part of scientific discovery, debate, peer review, and the acceptance of new information.
I will encourage students to contemplate these topics with a scientific mind. To me that means: thinking logically; trying your best to understand; gathering information from many credible sources; recognizing bias; being open-minded yet skeptical; discussing intellectually with a polite and even temperance; thinking about causation vs. correlation; and recognizing the difference between information based on research versus thoughts and opinions.
Again, please contact me if you think there are problems so that we can avoid misunderstandings and work together to solve problems should one come up.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kloeckl
Student Syllabus
Students,
You will be required to know and follow the guidelines on this syllabus. These guidelines will provide you with a positive learning environment.
Attendance
It is important for you to be in class every day. You cannot learn if you are not in class. If you are absent, ask your classmates what you missed and pick up any hand outs or assignments from the teacher. Do not forget about the school attendance policy stated in the Dragon Folder! You have two days for every day that you had an excused absence to complete your work. There is no additional make-up time for assignments missed due to an unexcused absence, and may be treated as a late assignment (see below).
Assignments
I will give students “two strikes” on late work by exempting a maximum of two assignments for the quarter. Any additional late work will count as zeroes. Keep all returned assignments in a folder to prepare for tests and as evidence until the end of the quarter so you have proof of completed work should there be any disagreement between your records and the grade book.
Tests and Quizzes
Throughout the quarter there will be a number of tests and quizzes given. Each test will be announced 3-5 days in advance. However, there will be both announced and surprise quizzes given. Therefore, students should make sure that they complete their assignments every day. If you are absent on the day of an announced test or quiz, you will be expected to take it the day you return. If you were in class the day a test/quiz was announced, but absent the day before the test, you will be taking the test with the rest of your class unless prior arrangements are made with your teacher.
Grading
Assignments, quizzes, and tests will be recorded as points, and not by the letter grade. The final quarter grade will be based on the following percentages:
Tests & Quizzes 45%
Assignments & projects 45%
Participation & Attitude 10%
Letter grades are determined by the following percentages:
100-90% A
89-80% B
79-70% C
69-60% D
below 60% F
Guidelines for classroom expectations
If what you are doing distracts from what we are here for ...it is unacceptable. Interference with the teaching/learning process will not be tolerated. We all want a polite learning environment. Therefore the following expectations apply:
1. Be Prompt
-Students are expected to be in the room and get to their assigned seats when the tone sounds or they are considered tardy. When you enter the room you should collect handouts, take your seat, and begin working on the bell ringer.
2. Be Responsible
-Be in your desk with materials (book, paper, folder, and pencil),
-Stay in your assigned seat. (The teacher will dismiss you from seats. No lining up at the door.)
-Only three out-of -class passes will be allowed per quarter.
3. Be Attentive
-Listen while others are speaking.
-Follow instructions the first time.
-Stay on task. No heads on desk and obviously no sleeping
4. Be Considerate
-Respect yourself, others, and their property.
-Raise hands and wait to be recognized before speaking.
-No physical or verbal abuse.
-We will work to keep behavior and comments positive and polite
If a student chooses to break a rule:
1st consequence - warning
2nd consequence - loss of points in attitude and/or participation area
3rd consequence - time-out/change of seating/no credit/ conference with teacher
4th consequence - detention assigned, parent will be notified, student may be removed from the classroom
*Severe disruptive behavior demands immediate removal from the classroom.
*Repeated inappropriate or disruptive behavior will lead to consequences that will be determined after meeting with parents and staff
********cut or tear here ...return the signed bottom portion and keep the rest for your records.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Please read the course syllabus and sign below. Have your son or daughter return this bottom portion of the syllabus to the teacher. If you have any questions please feel free to visit our classroom or call us at the numbers above. Thank You!
Mr. Kloeckl
Student Signature_______________________________ Date_______________
Parent or Guardian Signature_________________________________