Environmental and Natural Resources II
Honors
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 covers instruction in best management practices in methods of environmental monitoring and conservation, air and water regulations, sampling methodologies, prescribing conservation techniques, and wildlife and forestry management. 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 II is designed to assist students with prior knowledge and background in natural resources to continue to develop a solid foundation from which they can further their environmental and natural resources studies. The course builds on many concepts learned in Environmental and Natural Resources I. In addition, students come to fully realize the interdependence of the environment, natural resources, wildlife, and mankind.
- Provide all students with a foundation of common vocabulary and skills regarding natural resources conservation.
- Develop the leadership potential of students, while providing a variety of experience that will increase marketability to employers.
- Gain a general knowledge of common equipment, facilities, and practices utilized in various aspects of environmental and natural resources.
- Develop a firm understanding of the relationships between the environment, wildlife, and humans.
Course Topics:
- Leadership Development
- Forestry
- Natural Resources Recreation Opportunities
- Soil and Land Resources
- Water Resources and the Environment
- Wildlife
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Energy Resources
Required Materials:
You are responsible for the following materials to ensure your learning:
- 1” three-ring binder
- 2 notebooks (spiral or composition style)
- Index cards
- 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.
Honors Credit: This honors course extends the essential standards to a higher more challenging level. Students can expect to complete focused assignments and make regular presentations of their work in class. Honors requirements include a Conservation Project, Wildlife Identification Project, and a minimum of a four hour Job Shadow.
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-30%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-20%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.
Quizzes-10%Quizzes will be given on a weekly basis to assess student progress.
Mid-Term Exam: Prior to the end of the first quarter a comprehensive mid-term exam will be given. This exam will count as two test grades. No mid-term will be given during the second quarter.
Semester Grade will be determined using the following formula:
1st Quarter Average 40%
2nd 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 II course. You cannot be exempted from this final exam.
Grading Scale:
A= 93-100D=70-76
B= 85-92F=<70
C= 77-84
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 conducive 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: KAES Late Policy: Late work will not be accepted outside of the current unit. A student may turn in work for partial credit (max 70%) until the unit test. If a student is absent, the student has 3 days to turn in all makeup work for full credit. Beyond 3 days work will be accepted for partial credit (max 70%) until the unit test.
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