Semester 1/ Quarter 1

August 27th - Go over rules of the class. Homework: Return Information sheets by tomorrow!

August 28th - Play meeting game. Hand out books and lab materials.

• Define environmental science, and compare with ecology
• List the five major fields of study that contribute to environmental science
• Describe the major environmental effects of hunter-gatherers, the agricultural revolution, and the industrial revolution
• Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources.

September 2nd - Begin notes over section 1-1, Understanding our Environment. Homework: Complete section 1-1 review #1 on page 8, #1-5 in complete sentences due tomorrow!

September 3rd- Complete notes/discussion over section 1-1. Lab: Tragedy of the commons lab activity. Homework: Tragedy of the commons lab.

September 4th - Finish notes on 1-1. Page 15 #1-4, packet pages 12-13.

September 5th - Notes over 1-2. Homework: Page 21 #1-4.

September 5th - Complete the lab on pages 52-53 in your packet, graphing and interpreting data, and continue during a portion of the class tomorrow.

September 8th- Finish notes over Chapter 1.

September 9th - Pill bug lab. Homework: Packet pages 14-20.

September 10th - Pill bug lab and go over homework.

September 11th - Chapter 1 test.

• List and describe the steps of the experimental method
• Describe why a good hypothesis is not simply a guess
• Describe the two essential parts of a good experiment
• Describe how scientists study subjects in which experiments are not possible Explain the importance of curiosity and imagination in science

September 12th - Notes over 2-1. Homework: Page 37 #1-6.

Section 2-2 Objectives: Students will be able to:

• Explain how scientists use statistics
• Explain why the size of a statistical sample is important
• Describe three types of models commonly used by scientists
• Explain the relationship between probability and risk

September 15th - Notes complete over 2-2. Homework: Page 44 #1-6. Lab: Measurement of feet/ graphing lab.

September 16th - Work on packet pages 29-34, 37-38.

September 17th - Density Lab demos. Lab: continue with demos. Homework: Density calculations

• Describe three values that people consider when making decisions about the environment
• Describe the four steps in a simple environmental decision making model
• Compare the short-term and long-term consequences of two decisions regarding a hypothetical environmental issue

September 18th - Go over density problems on board. Finish notes over 2-3. Homework: Chapter Review page 51 #1-19

September 19th - TEST Chapters 2!

• Distinguish between the biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem
• Describe how a population differs from a species
• Explain how habitats are important for organisms

September 22nd - Begin notes/discussion over section 4-1, Ecosystems:Everything is connected. Lab: Outside to begin tree identifications for the upcoming labs. Homework: Section 4-1 review #1-6.

• Explain the process of evolution by natural selection
• Explain the concept of adaptation
• Describe the steps by which a population of insects becomes resistant to a pesticide.

September 23rd - Continue with notes over 4-2. Homework: Section 4-2 review #1-6

September 24th - Complete notes over 4-2. Lab: Outside to work on tree I.D.'s and also indoors in groups. Identify 3 trees

• Name the six kingdoms of organisms and identify two characteristics of each
• Explain the importance of bacteria and fungi in the environment
• Describe the importance of protists in the ocean environment
• Describe how angiosperms and animals depend on each other
• Explain why insects are such successful animals

September 25th - Notes on 4-3. Do worksheet packet pages.

September 26th - Finish notes over Chapter 4. Do section 4-3 review #1-6.

September 29th -Do section 4 review in the book #1-21 and go over.

September 30th - NO SCHOOL!!!

October 1st - Test Chapter 4. Lab: Go over leaf structures and check.

October 2nd - Group power point projects over Chapter 5 in computer lab.

October 3rd - Group computer lab projects.

October 6th - :)

October 7th -Do worksheets p. 103-106. Pass back tests.

October 8th - Begin presentations #1-3. Lab: work on "cycles" web quest.

October 9th - Continue with presentations #4-7.

• Describe how energy is transferred from the sun to producers and then to consumers.
• Describe one way in which consumers depend on producers.
• List two types of consumers.
• Explain how energy transfer in a food web is more complex than energy transfer in a food chain.
• Explain why an energy pyramid is a representation of trophic levels.

October 10th - Finish presentations and go outside to do a tree measurement lab.

• Describe the short-term and long-term processes of the carbon cycle.
• Identify one way that humans are affecting the carbon cycle.
• List the three stages of the nitrogen cycle.
• Describe the role that nitrogen-fixing bacteria play in the nitrogen cycle.
• Explain how the excess use of fertilizer can affect the nitrogen and phosphorous cycles.

October 13th - Do worksheets for pages in chapter 5 over presentations. Lab: Continue worksheets and go over in class tomorrow.

• List two examples of ecological succession.
• Explain how a pioneer species contributes to ecological succession.
• Explain what happens during old-field succession.
• Describe how lichens contribute to primary succession.

October 14th -Go over worksheets.

October 15th - Test/Career day.

October 16th - Test review pages 135-136 #1-19, 21, 23, 24.

October 17th - NO SCHOOL!!!

October 20th - Test Chapter 5. Lab: Mythbusters video.

• Describe the composition and structure of the Earth.
• Describe the Earth's tectonic plates.
• Explain the main cause of earthquakes and their effects.
• Identify the relationship between volcanic eruptions and climate change.
• Describe how wind and water alter the Earth's surface.

October 21st - Begin notes over 3-1.

October 22nd - Notes over 3-1. Lab: Leaf ID's in group to prepare for test.

October 23rd - Notes finished over 3-1. Homework: Section 3-1 review #1-6.

• Describe the composition of the Earth's atmosphere.
• Describe the layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
• Explain three mechanisms of heat transfer in Earth's atmosphere.
• Explain the greenhouse effect.

October 24th - Notes over 3-2. Lab: Go over all leaf diagrams.

October 27th- Notes completed over 3-2. Homework Section 3-2 review #1-6.

October 28th- Leaf Test

• Name three major processes in the water cycle.
• Describe the properties of ocean water.
• Describe the two types of ocean currents.
• Explain how the ocean regulates Earth's temperature.
• Discuss the factors that confine life to the biosphere.
• Explain the difference between open and closed systems.

October 29th- Notes over section 3-3. Lab: Volcano earthquake activity.

October 30th- Earthquake volcano mapping continued.

October 31st- NO SCHOOL!!!!

 

November 3rd - Do packet pages 143-151 and go over during lab period.

November 4th -Chapter 3 test.

November 5th - :)

November 6th - SUB

November 7th - Get into groups for Biome projects- computer lab to work.

• Describe how plants determine the name of a biome.
• Explain how temperature and precipitation determine which plants grow in an area.
• Explain how latitude and altitude affect which plants grow in an area.

November 10 - Notes over 6-1. Homework: Section 6-1 review #1-6. Lab: Computer lab to work on biome projects.

November 11 - Computer lab to work on projects

November 12th - Finish biome projects. Lab: Work on climatogram Excel computer project.

• List three characteristics of a tropical rain forest.
• Name and describe the main layers of a tropical rain forest.
• Describe one plant in a temperate deciduous forest and an adaptation that helps the plant survive.
• Describe one adaptation that may help an animal survive in the taiga.
• Name two threats to the world's forest biomes.

November 13th - Work on packet pages Biome Graphs.

November 14th - Begin first 3 presentations.

November 17th - Finish presentations. Lab: Page 187 in the packet due tomorrow.

• Describe the difference between tropical and temperate grasslands.
• Describe the climate in a chaparral biome.
• Describe two desert animals and the adaptations that help them survive.
• Describe one threat to the tundra biome.

November 18th - Begin work on review for the upcoming test on Thursday in the packet.

November 19th - Work on packet pages 180-182 in class and go over for a grade. Lab: Computer lab to complete climatogram project. Study for tomorrow's test!

November 20th - TEST Chapter 6!

November 21st - Planet Earth video over Shallow Seas.

• Describe the factors that determine where an organism lives in an aquatic ecosystem.
• Describe the littoral zone and the benthic zone of a lake or pond.
• Describe two environmental functions of wetlands.
• Describe one threat against river ecosystems.

November 24th - Begin notes over section 7-1. Lab: A Drop of Water Video, and complete packet pages 189-192 and hand in.

November 25th - Notes completed over section 7-1. Homework: Sec. 7-1 review #1-6.

• Explain why an estuary is a very productive ecosystem.
• Compare salt marshes and mangrove swamps.
• Describe two threats to coral reefs.
• Describe two threats to ocean organisms.

December 1st - Notes begun over section 7-2. Lab: Video covering marine ecosystems; complete pages 193-194 in the packet.

December 2nd - Notes completed over sec. 7-2. Homework: Section 7-2 review #1-6.

December 3rd - Test review, packet pages 195-198 complete and go over in class. Lab: Study hall switched to today instead of Friday because of sea monkey lab.

December 4th - Chapter 7 review game for the upcoming test for bonus points.

December 5th - Double period lab working with the sea monkeys in your lab packet. (Part one will be completed today)

December 8th - TEST Chapter 7! Lab: Video covering coral reefs.

• Describe the three main properties of a population.
• Describe exponential population growth.
• Describe how the reproductive behavior of individuals can effect the growth rate of their population.
• Explain how population sizes in nature are regulated.

December 9th - Begin notes/discussion over section 8-1.

December 10th - Complete packet pages 224-225 and 210-211 and hand in. Lab: Computer lab to graph sea monkey data.

December 11th - Lab Activity concerning the factors that effect a populations overall success. All completed questions will be due tomorrow.

December 12th - Go over lab activities from yesterday. Continue with notes over section 8-1. Homework: Complete section 8-1 review in the text, #1-6.

• Explain the difference between niche and habitat.
• Give examples of parts of a niche.
• Describe the five major types of interactions between species.
• Explain the differences between parasitism and predation.
• Explain how symbiotic relationships may evolve.

December 15th - Begin notes/discussion over section 8-2. Lab: Video over the ecology of the human body as well as packet pages 216 and 226.

December 16th - Review for chapter 8 test on pages 211-212, #1-23. Complete for homework.

December 17th - Review game for tomorrow's test. Work on packet pages 233-235, and 230-231. Lab: Go over homework from the prior night.

December 18th - TEST Chapter 8!

December 19th - Mythbusters video - Enjoy your break!

January 5th - Give out project descriptions - In groups of three, you need to complete a smart board presentation, 2 page worksheet and a 6 panel brochure covering the material in your section of chapter 9 or 10. All is due at the end of the period on Thursday.

January 6th - Continue working on the projects in the computer lab. Population video during the lab period.

January 7th - Continue working on the group projects in the computer lab. DUE Thursday! Lab: Video and packet pages 240-246 due next class period.

January 8th - Projects due today. Final computer lab day!

• Describe how the size and growth rate of the human population has changed in the last 200 years.
• Define four properties that scientists use to predict population sizes.
• Make predictions about population trends based on age structure.
• Describe the four stages of the demographic transition.
• Explain why different countries may be at different stages of the demographic transition.

January 9th - Begin presentations today over section 9-1.

• Describe three problems caused by rapid human population growth.
• Compare population growth problems in more-developed countries and less developed countries.
• Analyze strategies countries may use to reduce their population growth.
• Describe worldwide population projections into the next century.

January 12th - Continue with presentations over 9-2. Lab: Complete packet pages 264 and 272-274.

• Describe the diversity of species types on Earth, relating the difference between known numbers and estimated numbers.
• List and describe three levels of biodiversity.
• Explain four ways in which biodiversity is important to ecosystems and humans.
• Analyze the potential value of a single species.

Section 10-2 Objectives: Students will be able to:

• Define and give examples of endangered and threatened species.
• Describe several ways that species are being threatened with extinction globally.
• Explain which types of threats are having the largest impact on biodiversity.
• List areas of the world that have high levels of biodiversity and many threats to species.
• Compare the amount of biodiversity in the United States to that of the rest of the world.

January 13th - Complete presentations today over sections 10-1 and 10-2.

January 14th - Work on wrapping up presentations. Obtain answers for the worksheets from each individual group. Lab: Go over worksheet answers and begin working on the midterm review packet.

January 15th - TEST Chapters 9 + 10!

January 16th - NO SCHOOL!

• Describe the distribution of Earth's water resources.
• Explain why fresh water is one of Earth's limited resources.
• Describe the distribution of Earth's surface water.
• Describe the relationship between groundwater and surface water in a watershed.

January 26th - Begin notes/discussion over section 11-1. LAB: Video on water and wastewater treatment.

January 27th - Notes/discussion continued over section 11-1. Homework: Section 11-1 review #1-6.

January 28th - No School - Snow

January 29th - Complete the lab pages #1-4 in the packet and hand in by the end of the period.

January 30th - Complete and hand in the watershed lab activity. Be sure to read over section 11-1.

• Identify patterns of global water use.
• Explain how water is treated so that it can be used for drinking.
• Identify how water is used in homes, in industry and in agriculture.
• Describe how dams and water diversion projects are used to manage freshwater resources.
• Identify 5 ways that water can be conserved.

February 2nd - Notes/discussion begun over section 11-2. LAB: Video on Dams.

February 3rd - Complete notes over section 11-2. Homework: Section 11-2 review #1-6.

February 4th - Complete the Dissolved Oxygen lab and hand in at the end of the period. LAB: Complete worksheets 7-12 and 18-19.

• Compare point source pollution and source pollution.
• Classify water pollutants by five types.
• Explain why groundwater pollution is difficult to clean.
• Describe the major sources of ocean pollution, and explain the effects of pollution on ecosystems.
• Describe six major laws designed to improve water quality in the U.S.

February 5th - Begin notes/discussion over section 11-3. Work on packet pages 22-23 and 32-33 and hand in for homework.

February 6th - Valdez oil spill video and packet page 24 due at the end of the period.

February 9th - Notes continued over section 11-3. Homework: Packet pages 30-31, 34-35. LAB: Oil Spill Cleanup simulation.

February 10th - Complete notes over section 11-3. Homework: Packet pages 36-39 due next class meeting.

February 11th - SUB Today - Work on review pages in the packet and I will go over with you when I return. TEST TOMORROW!

February 12th - TEST Chapter 11! Hand in the ch. 11 Review sheet

February 13th - A Civil Action video both periods - Work on accompanying worksheet!

• Name five primary air pollutants, and give sources of each.
• Name the two major sources of air pollution in urban areas.
• Describe the way in which smog forms.
• Explain the way in which a thermal inversion traps air pollution.

February 17th - Begin notes/discussion over section 12-1. Homework: Packet pages 42-43.

February 18th - Complete notes/discussion over section 12-1. Homework: Section 12-1 section review and packet pages 44-47 for next class period. LAB: Watch a Civil Action and work on the accompanying worksheet.

February 19th - Video on air and air pollution. Complete packet pages 83-84.

• Describe three possible short-term effects and long term effects of air pollution on human health.
• Explain what causes indoor air pollution and how it can be prevented.
• Describe three human health problems caused by noise pollution.
• Describe solutions to energy waste caused by light pollution.

February 20th - Notes/discussion over section 12-2. Complete packet pages 48-51 for homework due next class period. LAB: Finish watching A Civil Action and hand in the accompanying worksheet analysis.

February 23rd - Completed notes over section 12-2. LAB: Effects of toxins on mosses. Complete lab writeup and hand in next class period.

• Explain the causes of acid precipitation
• Explain how acid precipitation affects plants, soils and aquatic ecosystems.
• Describe three ways that acid precipitation affects humans.
• Describe ways that countries are working together to solve the problems of acid precipitation.

February 26th - Complete review worksheets in the packet # 81-82, 87-90. We will go over tomorrow in class as review.

February 27th - Go over the review worksheets from last class for a grade. Complete packet pages 91-92 in preparation for the upcoming test.

March 2nd - TEST Chapter 12!

• Explain the difference between weather and climate.
• Identify four factors that determine climate.
• Explain why different parts of the Earth have different climates.
• Explain what causes the seasons.

• Explain how the ozone layer shields the Earth from much of the sun's harmful radiation.
• Explain how CFC's damage the ozone layer.
• Explain the process by which the ozone hole forms.
• Describe the damaging effects of UV radiation.
• Explain why the threat to the ozone layer is still continuing today.

• Explain why Earth's atmosphere is like the glass in a greenhouse.
• Explain why Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere appears to be increasing.
• Explain why many scientists think that the Earth's climate may be becoming increasingly warmer.
• Describe what a warmer Earth might be like.

• Name one characteristic that makes a material biodegradable.
• Identify two types of solid waste.
• Describe how a modern landfill works.
• Name two environmental problems caused by landfills.

• Identify three ways you can produce less waste.
• Describe how you can use your consumer buying power to reduce solid waste.
• List the steps that an item must go through to be recycled.
• List two benefits of composting.
• Name one advantage and one disadvantage to producing degradable plastic.

• Name two characteristics of hazardous waste.
• Describe one law that governs hazardous waste.
• Describe two ways in which hazardous waste is disposed.