Environmental and Natural Resources I

Course Syllabus

Knightdale High School

Instructor: Mrs. Madalyn Batts Telephone: 919-217-5350

E-mail: Classroom: Room 1516

Available Hours: Daily from 7:30-7:55am Website: mbatts2khs.pbworks.com

Monday-Friday after school by appointment only

* If you need help with any class material, need to use the equipment or simply want a place to study, the door is always open. However I can make no promises without a little advanced notice.

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to environmental studies, which includes topics of instruction in renewable and non-renewable natural resources, history of the environment, personal development, water and air quality, waste management, land use regulations, soils, meteorology, fisheries, forestry, and wildlife habitat. Skills in biology and algebra are reinforced in this class. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are agriscience projects, field trips, shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. Supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA leadership activities are integral components of the course and provide many opportunities for practical application of instructional competencies.

Course Objectives: Environmental and Natural Resources I is designed to assist students with a limited knowledge and background in natural resources to develop a solid foundation from which they can further their environmental and natural resources studies. The course introduces students to basic terminology that is used throughout the industry. In addition, students come to realize the interdependence of the environment, natural resources, wildlife, and mankind.

  1. Provide all students with a foundation of common vocabulary and skills regarding natural resources conservation.
  2. Develop the leadership potential of students, while providing a variety of experience that will increase marketability to employers.
  3. Gain a general knowledge of common equipment, facilities, and practices utilized in various aspects of environmental and natural resources.
  4. Develop a firm understanding of the relationships between the environment, wildlife, and humans.

Required Materials:

You are responsible for the following materials to ensure your learning:

  • 1 notebook (spiral or composition style)
  • Pencil and pen. Always come to class with something to write with!
  • Loose leaf notebook paper
  • Calculator
  • Appropriate clothing for working outside in the DIRT!

Knightdale Academy of Environmental Studies (KAES): All students in this course are members of KAES. As such your participation in field trips, seminars, and other outside of class activities sponsored by KAES is expected. Your KAES experience will culminate in an internship during your senior year at KHS. Everything we do in this class will help to prepare you for the process of finding and eventually successfully completing an internship.

Safety Info: This class is likely different from anything else you have done in school. We will be using on occasion both dangerous equipment and chemicals. Safety comes first. I will not make you do anything you are uncomfortable with, but it is important that you take all equipment and procedures seriously! IF YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER IT IS A GOOD IDEA, IT MOST LIKELY IS NOT.

Quarter (Nine Weeks) Grade will be determined using the following formula:

Tests-40%We will have several tests throughout term of this course breaking up each of the major topics in the course. Students must do well on exams to do well in class. You should study for this course on a regular basis.

Classwork/Homework-20%Classwork will be given daily to gain understanding of course objectives. Assignments not completed in class will become homework.

Projects-15% Projects represent assignments that require significant effort and thought. Students will have plenty of time to complete projects both in and out of the classroom.

Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)-20% The Supervised Agricultural Experience Program is an outside of class project that gives students an opportunity to apply skills learned in class to real-world applications. This is a unique learning experience in which students will choose anentrepreneurship, experiment, internship, exploration or improvement project of their choice. The students will work at least 25 hours into this project over the course of the semester.

Participation-5%Students are expected to be an active member of the classroom, this includes sharing in discussion, leading your peers, asking questions, and performing daily labs and other activities.

Year End Grade will be determined using the following formula:

3rd Quarter Average 40%

4th Quarter Average 40%

Final Exam 20%

The exam for this class will relate to the Elements Test banks and to other course requirements as mandated for the Environmental and Natural Resources I course. You cannot be exempted from this final exam.

Grading Scale:

A= 93-100

B= 85-92

C= 77-84

D=70-76

F= <70

Extra Credit: Extra credit opportunities may be made available throughout the semester. However, students should not rely on extra credit to receive a passing grade.

Behavior and Procedures: Students will be expected to act in a manner that is conductive to learning. Much of the time in this class will be spent doing hands-on learning activities both in and out of the classroom; therefore any behavior that detracts from learning or presents an unsafe environment will not be tolerated. Dress code, tardies, make-up work, excused absences, and the honor code will follow the Knightdale High School and Wake County Public Schools Student Code of Conduct.

Make Up Work/Absences: Everybody is absent sometimes…but it is your responsibility to get your make up work. You must get your work made up in THREE SCHOOL DAYS. If you do not make up the work within the allotted three days you can still turn in the work for 70% of the original assignment value.

By signing below we agree that we have read and understand the syllabus for Environmental and Natural Resources I and that we understand the requirements for this course.

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