Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contact Information:
Instructor: Adam Renick Email: adamcpda@gmail.com
Class Structure:
This class will be conducted entirely on the World Wide Web. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments. Lessons will be completed at a rate of approximately 1 or 2 weeks per lesson. Lesson learning activities will require background reading and discussion that outlines a current scientific problem or debate, the collection and manipulation of appropriate data, and the assessment of the results of this work. By doing this, you will simultaneously become familiar with the content as well as the practice of science. Each lesson will emphasize course content, lectures, content area literacy and vocabulary. Each lesson will consist of one or more of the following activities; note taking, partnered discussion and activities, reviewing multimedia sources, group tasks and other forms of interaction and engagement.
Communications:
DISCUSSION FORUMS: Each lesson in this course involves one or more graded discussions in which we
will "talk" asynchronously about content pertaining to the lesson topic. These discussion forums can be
accessed through HAIKU. You are expected to participate in the discussions by the due dates that are assigned in a collegiate manner.
EMAIL: I use e-mail in this course to give you feedback and grades on your coursework and to maintain
Textbook:
CK-12 Earth Science For High School. Dana Desonie, Ph.D. http://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-EarthScience-For-High-School/r9/ CK-12 Earth Science For High School covers the study of Earth - its minerals and energy resources, processes inside and on its surface, its past, water, weather and climate, the environment and human actions, and astronomy.
Other Readings:
Topic-specific readings will be provided during Internet-based sessions. These will include newspaper articles, journal articles, website documents, and other supplemental readings.
Controversial Topics:
Consistent with the California State Content Standards, this course may include controversial topics. The faculty does not endorse particular political or social agendas and will present a sensitive, balanced, and objective approach to these topics, with a goal of developing informed and responsible attitudes toward people, cultures, religions, societies, and environments in the spirit of scholarly inquiry.
Grading Policy:
HSHMC requires that students receive a C- or higher in all core academic courses to receive credit. Students will receive a grade of Incomplete when their performance does not meet the requirements of this course, which are based on state standards. If a students overall performance in any given 9-week term falls below a C-, the student will earn an Incomplete in the course. An Incomplete in any course requires the development of an Academic Recovery Plan, which must be approved by the teacher, parent, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. When the student completes the work outlined on the Academic Recovery Plan, the student is assigned a grade for the course. However, if the student leaves HSHMC, or one year elapses after the development of the contract, the course grade will be recorded as F and no units will be awarded.
Course Topics:
Grades in Earth Science are calculated as an average of the scores on approximately 10 required competencies throughout the year reflecting core content areas and student performance.
By the end of the course students should have developed competencies in the following areas:
The Nature of Earth Science Beyond Earth Composition of Earth Surface Processes on Earth The Dynamic Earth Resources and the Environment The Atmosphere Physical Oceanography
Late Work:
All assignments are to be turned in on time. Partial credit may be deducted for late work.
Make-up Policy:
After an excused period of leave absence, students are responsible for getting any work or notes they missed and turning in make-up work promptly. Any assignment that was due the day of an absence will be due the day the student returns. Students are also responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to make up any tests or quizzes within one week of an excused absence.
Technical Requirements:
Successful completion of this class will require you to have daily access to a computer with a web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must also have the capability to view and work with Word Processing Software, Java, Flash and other Web 2.0 tools as the course progresses.