S+Columbia+Laura

Insert Course Name **Syllabus**

Office: Dakin 305 Office Phone: 491-4518 Office Hours: M,W,F 9:00am-11:00pm. Appointment otherwise.**
 * Teacher: Ms.Laura Columbia
 * E-mail: laura.columbia@maine.edu**


 * =Summary of Unit= ||
 * In this unit we will be covering how the Earth is continually changing. Major topics that will be geophysical changes and biological changes. Included in those topics will be how humans have effected the Earth as well as how naturally occurring events such as solar radiation and atmospheric conditions effect our daily lives. The major goal of this unit is to connect how the earth is changing and how that effects our activities, living locations and other apsects of our daily lives. We will be doing various projects to explore these ideas in more depth including diagrams, labs, iMovies and GarageBand. Blogs, peer evalutaiions, quzzes, tests and checklists will be used to assess the progress and depth of understanding of the student. Our final project will include all of the major topics we have covered as well as how it effects our daily lives. ||

D. The Physical Setting D2 Earth Grades 9-Diploma Students describe and analyze the biological, physical, energy, and human influences that shape and alter Earth Systems. a. Describe and analyze the effect of solar radiation, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions on the Earth's surface and the habituality of Earth. ||
 * **Establish Goals:** **(G)** ||
 * Maine Learning Results: Science and Technology

//What understandings are desired?//
• the Earth is always changing due to internal energy sources, biological factors, and geophysical events. • humans have an effect on Earth Systems. ||
 * //Students will understand that:// **(U)** ||
 * • the Earth is affected by solar radiation, ocean currents and differing atmospheric conditions.

//What essential questions will be considered?//
• Why is the Earth constantly changing? • How have humans altered the Earth? ||
 * **Essential Questions:** **(Q)** ||
 * • How do naturally occuring events affect the Earth?

//What key knowledge and skills will students acquire as a result of this unit?//
• Sequence and Timelines: Pangea, continental drift, and ice ages. • Key Factual Information: the importance of natural energy sources and renewable energy sources. || • a.describe the effects of solar radiation, ocean currents and atmospheric conditions • evaluate the current use of natural resources and compare that to the use of renewable resources. • design a model that shows either the biological or geophysical changes of the Earth. • compare how the Earth has changed from the origination of Earth until present. • assume the role of a person living 10,000 years ago and the habitat they had. • reflect on the changes the Earth has gone through as well as the effects humans have had on it. ||  || Science Faction is a world wide online comic book distributor that creates sites that use real life science in the form of comic books. They have been searching the whole world to find people that know how the Earth is constantly changing and what factors effect the Earth. Science Faction has finally found two students who demonstrate this knowledge. They have chosen you and your partner, becasse of your vast understanding of the Earth, to create this product for them. In this issue of Science Faction they have given you the option of creating this product through ComicLife, iMoive or GarageBand. This is your task. You have one week to complete it. Good luck! ||
 * //Students will know:// **(K)** || //Students will be able to:// **(S)** ||
 * • Vocabulary: atmosphere, solar radiation, ocean currents, natural resources, renewable resources, tectonic plates, weather, Greenhouse Effect, sea floor spreading, ice ages, Pangea and the Ozone Layer.
 * Task Overview


 * =Expectations= ||
 * Respect is a huge part of the learning experience. Students will respect others ideas and backgrounds as well as themselves. Students are encouraged to voice their opinions when appropriate and to ask questions when unsure. It is expected that students work together and help each other learn. Many of the activities require teamwork and participation. It is important that each person contributes to the class.

Students are expected to arrive on time and prepared for that class period. All assignments should be passed in on time. Redos are allowed if assignment was passed in on time. Papers should be typed, Times New Roman 12 font with 1 inch margins. Students should abide by the Academic Code of Integrity. Breaks of that code will be taken seriously. ||


 * =Benchmarks= ||
 * This Unit will be based on a 100 point system.

Participation in class (30) This class has a lot of in class work. Participation is necessary when doing team projects, as well as when creating graphic organizers. I expect you to ask questions, voice your opinions, thoughts and ideas. It is important that everyone contributes to the class in some way. If you are scared or nervous to talk in class, come speak with me and arrangements will be made. When doing work in class, if something is unclear, ask me. I would rather you ask me, than sit there and be confused. Learning is a process and everyone goes at a different rate.

ComicLife Diagram (5) A ComicLife project will be completed in which you will describe the effects of solar radiation, ocean currents and atmospheric conditions. Credible web sites must be used to support the work. I encourage you to be creative and have fun. Make sure your work is something you enjoy and are proud of.

iMovie (15) An iMovie will be created in which the idea of the biological or geophysical changes of the Earth are depicted. Another iMovie will be made in which you are creating how the environment would of been around 10,000 years ago. Make sure that the movies are clear, and have a good plot or organization to them.

GarageBand (5) A GarageBand production will be made in which you compare how the Earth has changed from the origination of Earth until now. Use your imagination when using GarageBand, do not just read from your script, but use your voice and be dramatic to get your point across!

Wikisites and Blogs (10) Wikisites and blogs will be created in which they will reflect on their learning. These will not be graded based on spelling or grammar, but more on effort and doing it. These are here for you to put any ideas you have, questions, or just reflecting on what you have learned.

Lab Reports (10) Labs will be completed using teamwork to successfully answer questions and analyze data. Also assessed will be proper use of equipment as well as taking care of equipment after use.

Final Project (25) You will use the three technologies they learned about, ComicLife, GarageBand and iMovie to create their own wikisite explaining what they have learned. You can create new products for this site, or use already existing products for your site. ||

A+ (100-97) A (96-93) A- (92-90) B+ (89-87) B (86-84) B- (83-80) C+ (79-77) C (76-74) C- (73-70) D+ (69-67) D (66-64) D- (63-60) F (59 and below) ||
 * =Grading Scale= ||
 * A student must recieve a D- (60) to pass this class.