Ms. McGlynn

Planet Earth

Regents Earth Science

WELCOME!!  You are about to embark on a journey that will take you to places beyond your wildest imaginations.  As we learn about Earth Science we will go back in time to uncover and identify processes that led to the development and formation of some of the Earth’s most incredible features.  What forces produce mountains?  Why is our daily weather so variable?  Is the climate really changing?  How old is the Earth and how is it related to other planets of the solar system?  Is Long Island prepared to withstand a major hurricane?  Will New York ever experience a large earthquake?  The understanding of our planet is critical to our social well-being and indeed, vital to our survival. 

As an Earth Science teacher, I am afforded the opportunity and pleasure to guide you in discovering the answers to these and many other questions relative to the Earth and the physical world around us.  The New York State Earth Science curriculum is designed to encourage you to investigate the world around you through first hand experiences and to help you gain a new understanding of this world and the processes of change.  Emphasis will be based on observation, analysis, and interpretation.  Evaluation will include the New York State Regents Examination in Earth Science/The Physical Setting.

What is Earth Science? ….. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes: Geology: the study of the solid Earth; Meteorology: the study of Earth’s atmosphere, and Astronomy: the study of planet Earth in space.  Other areas, such as Oceanography, Environmental Science and Geophysics are also included.  Throughout the year I want each of you to share your Earth Science experiences with the class and me so that we can all learn together.

You will need the following supplies for this course:

• A 3 ring binder
• Loose leaf paper
• 3 divider tabs (notes/handouts, labs, tests/quizzes)
• A calculator
• A working pen and pencil
• Colored pencils
• Earth Science Reference Tables (ESRT supplied by me)

ALL MATERILAS MUST BE WITH YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU ATTEND CLASS.  FAILURE TO BE PREPARED WILL AFFECT YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE.

How to Succeed!

I am sure that each and every one of you can be very successful in class and to ensure your success I have posted four simple rules for my classroom. 

1. Attend each and every class on time and on task.
2. Roughhousing is strictly prohibited to ensure a safe learning environment.
3. Respect your teacher and fellow classmates’ ideas, personal belongings and points of view.
4. PARTICIPATE IN CLASS DISCUSSIONS and share your Earth Science experiences!

In addition to following these four simple rules, I also suggest you incorporate the following skills into your already excellent study habits.

• Study through out the topic.  Each night re-read your notes, labs and activities.  Read your textbook and use the Internet for more detailed information or to help answer questions you might still have. 
• Ask for help if you are having trouble with a specific topic or area.
• Use 10^th period as extra help and study time.  Come in to study, chat or work on earth science or other schoolwork.

Course Outline:

The class will follow the New York State Core Curriculum Guide for Earth Science.  Throughout the year we will be investigating the following units:

Unit 1              Prologue (Lab skills, observation/inference, density, %error, graphs and ESRT’s)

Unit 2             Planet Earth (shape, size, internal and external structure, latitude, longitude, time                        zones, Polaris, field maps and topographic maps)

Unit 3                         The Earth in Space (rotation, revolution, Foucault pendulum, Coriolis effect,

                        orbits and ellipses, our solar system, the HR diagram, spectral analysis)

Unit 4             Atmospheric Variables and Weather (weather equipment, air pressure,

                        temperature, humidity, dew point, wind, land/sea breezes, high/low pressure

                        systems, air masses, greenhouse effect and frontal boundaries)

Unit 5             Energy transfer, Insolation, Seasons & Climate (conduction, convection, radiation,

                        angle & intensity of insolation, earth’s motions, seasons, climates & planetary wind

                        belts)

Unit 6             Rocks and Minerals (minerals, Igneous rocks, Metamorphic rocks, Sedimentary     

                        rocks, rock cycle, mining and natural resources)

Unit 7                         Dynamic Crust (plate Tectonics, earthquakes, waves & convection currents)

Unit 8                         Earth’s History (geologic time scale, correlating rock layers, radiometric dating)

Unit 9                         Weathering, Erosion, Deposition (physical/mechanical weathering, agents of

                        erosion, streams, how particles settle, chemical weathering)

Unit 10            Landscapes & Groundwater (glaciers, long shore drift, NYS landscape regions,

                        groundwater, quality and quantity

If you miss school, you are still responsible for notes, homework assignments, lab work and class handouts.  Check the Goshen High School Web page, www.goshenschoolsny.org, to stay updated.  Go to teacher links then to Ms. McGlynn’s Webpage under science.  Exchange telephone numbers with two of your classmates so that you will be able to keep up with your class work if you are absent; you will also be able to discuss homework problems with them if you have questions.  One of your two classmates should take an extra copy of a handout for you if you are absent.  In addition, I will maintain a “ While You Were Out” binder in the classroom, which will contain all notes and handouts distributed in class.  Please refer to this book upon your return to class.

Making The Grades!

Your grades for this course will be determined based on your achievements in five specific areas, which include: class participation, laboratory activities, quizzes tests and projects.  The requirements for each of these areas are summarized below.

Class Participation – 20% of your quarterly grade.

Students will e required to THINK, engage in discussions about relevant earth science topics, identify questions they might have regarding a specific topic, take clear legible notes, and participate in the daily “DO NOW” and THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.  This grade will also reflect your behavior in the classroom, including your conduct toward fellow classmates.

Quizzes – 20% of your quarterly grade.

Quizzes will be administered on a weekly basis to assess your understanding of a specific concept.  They will be in the form of a short five to ten questions written response.  A make-up quiz will be available if, and only if, you have a legitimate medical reason and written note from a parent or guardian explaining your absence fro school on the day of the quiz.  Quizzes must be taken the day your return to school.  Your lowest quiz grade will b e dropped at the end of each marking period.

Laboratory Activities – 20% of your quarterly grade

New York State requires that all students in Regents level science classes participate in a minimum of 30 class hours of laboratory activities.  Labs are an excellent opportunity to apply the concepts learned in a hands on environment.  If you are absent labs MUST be made up within one week.  Lab’s can be made up 10^th period, or when arranged before school.  There are specific protocols that must be followed in the laboratory which are discussed in a separate laboratory safety packet.

Tests & Projects – 40% of your quarterly grade

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