Parents and Guardians of Saunders High School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the Living Environment class! I am excited to work with you and your child. I know we will have a successful, productive year and I look forward to being a part of your child’s academic progress.

In Living Environment, I expect scholars to BE scientists- we will observe and question the natural world, keep careful records of our activities, think critically, perform investigations, and draw conclusions. The science curriculum will integrate mathematics, reading, and writing. We will study ecology, patterns in life, reproduction, body systems, genetics, evolution, and other topics in the Living Environment curriculum in class.

One of the goals of this course is to prepare scholars for the Living Environment Regents exam in June. Please review the requirements for this exam on the back of this page. During the year, all scholars will also take the 8th grade state science assessment. In addition, scholars will be required to complete a science exit project in order to graduate. More information on this project will be sent home in the winter. I am confident that, with your help, all of our scholars will be successful on these exams and projects. Our scholars will also develop the critical thinking skills they will need to be successful in their high school science courses.

In preparation for a challenging and rewarding year, please review the following expectations with your child: 

 Supplies 

• 1 composition notebook (used for this class only)
• 1 folder (used for this class only)
• Loose-leaf paper for homework, lab reports, and class work (brought to class each day)
• Pencils (several brought to class each day)

1. Attendance, Punctuality, and Conduct: Scholars are expected to attend class every day and be on time.  Scholars must follow all class rules:

• Come to class prepared to work and follow all instructions.
• Always raise your hand to speak.
• Actively listen when others are speaking.
• Remain seated and focused on your work.
• Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
• Use appropriate school language: Absolutely no put-downs, teasing, or cursing.
• No drinking, eating, or chewing gum is allowed in the science classroom.

• Grades: Scholar’s grades will be calculated as follows:  
• Tests: 30%
• Labs: 25%
• Class work: 25%
• Homework: 20%

1. Tests/Quizzes: Tests will be given on the dates indicated on the calendar. Scholars will be told in advance which topics to study. Scholars who are absent must make up the test or quiz.  It is the scholar’s responsibility to schedule the makeup with me.
2. Class Work: Participation in all classroom activities is required. The classwork portion of the grade will include the daily class activities, including group work and lab reports.        
3. Projects: Scholars will be given at least one project each cycle to be done at home. Letters detailing the project requirements will be sent home to you well in advance and will also be posted on the class website. Late projects will not be accepted.
4. Homework: Homework will be assigned every day and posted in class and on the class website. Late or incomplete homework is not accepted. 

Eligibility Criteria for the Living Environment Regents Exam

The Living Environment Regents is a high school exam. Our scholars have the opportunity to take this exam in the 8th grade! Depending on each scholar’s Regents score and the high school they attend, they may earn credit for this high school course. This will allow them to take more advanced science courses later in high school, as well as participate in courses based on their interests.

To ensure that scholars taking the exam are fully prepared, we have developed a set of criteria that they must meet to be eligible to sit for the exam. Scholars must meet all of the following requirements to take the Living Environment Regents Exam in June

1. Homework: Scholars must complete 90% of their science homework assignments on time for cycles 1 through 5.
2. Projects: Scholars must complete all science projects assigned during the year.
3. Lab Requirement: Scholars must complete 1200 minutes of laboratory activities, which is equal to approximately 14 labs. They must write satisfactory lab reports for each lab.  As part of their 1200 minutes, scholars must complete the 4 Living Environment labs required by the state. This requirement is mandated by the state and no appeals process will be available to scholars who do not meet the lab requirement.

There are various ways I would appreciate your support at home:

• Ask your child to tell you what they learned in school each day.
• Please complete and sign the next page of this letter and return it by Tuesday, Sept 27,2022

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress and performance in science. My contact information is below. I look forward to working closely with you to ensure your child’s success.

Course Name: General Environmental Science

Course Description:

          The General Environmental Science course is based on the Living Environment and the Physical Setting / Earth Science Core Curriculums. The cores incorporate Standard 4 of the commencement level New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology; building on the concepts covered in the elementary and intermediate levels. There is heavy emphasis on Standards 1, 2, 6, and 7 (Scientific Explanations; Information Systems; Interconnectedness: Common Themes Optimization; Interdisciplinary: Problem Solving Connections) as well as content material from Standard 4.

Course Content:

          The course emphasizes an in depth understanding of major concepts rather than memorization of science facts. Key topics covered include: Ecology and Ecosystems; Populations; Environmental Changes and Evolution; Air, Land and Water; Pollution; Biodiversity and Food; Energy Resources; and Technology. The course is designed to be a rigorous, hands-on, science course that will prepare students for Regent level courses.  

Course Requirements:

          The course culminates with a Local exam. There is no NYSED laboratory requirement to sit for the final exam; but the course must include significant laboratory activities that incorporate scientific inquiry from Standard 1, as part of the course grade.

Course Description:

          The General Environmental Science course is based on the Living Environment and the Physical Setting / Earth Science Core Curriculums. The cores incorporate Standard 4 of the commencement level New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology; building on the concepts covered in the elementary and intermediate levels. There is heavy emphasis on Standards 1, 2, 6, and 7 (Scientific Explanations; Information Systems; Interconnectedness: Common Themes Optimization; Interdisciplinary: Problem Solving Connections) as well as content material from Standard 4.

Course Content:

          The course emphasizes an in depth understanding of major concepts rather than memorization of science facts. Key topics covered include: Ecology and Ecosystems; Populations; Environmental Changes and Evolution; Air, Land and Water; Pollution; Biodiversity and Food; Energy Resources; and Technology. The course is designed to be a rigorous, hands-on, science course that will prepare students for Regent level courses.  

Environmental Science Topics

Text: Environmental Science

Author: Karen Arms

Topics include:

Ch. 1 Introduction to Environmental Science
Ch. 2 Tools for Environmental Science.ppt
​Ch. 3 Dynamic Earth.ppt
Ch. 4 The Organization of Life.ppt
Ch. 5 How Ecosystems Work.ppt
Ch. 7 Aquatic Ecosystems.ppt​
Ch. 8 Populations.ppt
Ch. 9 The Human Population.ppt
Ch. 11 Water.ppt​
Chapter 12 Air.ppt
Ch. 13 Atmosphere & Climate Change.ppt
Ch. 14 Land use.ppt
​Ch. 14 Land 1.ppt

Ch. 15 Food and Agriculture.ppt
Ch. 17 Non-Renewable Energy.ppt​​
Ch. 18 Renewable Energy.ppt
Ch. 20 Environment & Human Health​​

Earth Science Lab-25 % of grade

Students 

• Lab Vocabulary must be completed BEFORE lab day
  ...Afters School may be assigned to any student with incomplete, missing, or messy vocabulary.
• Labs must be neat & complete.
• Students must pass all labs
  ...Afters School may be assigned to any student owing 2 or more lab corrections.
• Passing and Corrected Labs will be kept on file.

As mandated by the New York State Board of Regents Diploma Requirements - Section 100.5(b)(7)(iv)(d):

"In order to qualify to take a Regents examination in any of the sciences a student must complete 1200 minutes of actual hands-on (not simulated)laboratory experience with satisfactory documented laboratory reports."