SEMESTER 1 / QUARTER 1
Online Access for Periods 2B/3 Click Here
AP Classroom Login click here Course Code is:
Click here for the link to the survey
I Can Statements for Chapter 1:
Comprehend the three principles of Sustainability
Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by relying on solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.
Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the Earth.
Determine how our ecological footprints are affecting the Earth
As our ecological footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the Earth's natural capital.
Understand why we have environmental problems
Major causes of environmental problems are population growth, wasteful and unsustainable resource use, poverty, and the exclusion of governmental costs of resource use from the market price of goods and services.
Determine the concepts of an environmentally sustainable society
Living sustainably means living off the Earth's natural income without depleting or degrading the natural capital that supplies it.
August 21st - Class Introductions. Login to Online materials.
August 22nd - No class b/c class meeting.
August 23rd - Distribute materials (book, test prep workbook). Log in to the online book resources. Be sure that these all work from home and let me know if there are any issues. We will begin notes over Chapter 1 on Monday! Homework: Complete the Free Response Questions for Chapter 1 - There are two questions you will need to complete! Remember that you should answer these thoroughly spending roughly 20-25 minutes / essay and they are due on Monday!
August 26th - Begin notes over Chapter 1, section 1. Homework: Partner up to make groups of three and review the lab that is posted in classroom. You will be setting this lab up tomorrow in class!
August 27th - Lab set-up for the three person group activity on Classroom. You will be setting up your experiment regarding seed growth in various saline concentrations. Be sure to write-up your procedures, and complete the results. Homework: Bring in an electric bill, gas bill, sewer bill and a water bill by Thursday. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THURSDAY MORNING TO ASK FOR THESE!
August 28th - Continue with notes / discussion over Section 1-1 and begin 1-2. Also, do not forget that your math review worksheet is due Friday, and your bills are due tomorrow.
August 29th - Continue with notes over Chapter 1, section 2. Do not forget that your math review worksheet is due tomorrow. We will complete the Human Footprint Lab tomorrow using your bills!
August 30th - Lab: Complete the Human Footprint lab on Classroom for Wednesday. Click HERE for the link to the EPA website - The one in the lab is incorrect. Submit your answers through Google Classroom under the Human Footprint link.
September 3rd - Continue with notes over sections 1-2 through 1-4. Be sure that you are reading over the corresponding sections in the text! Return your corrected Free Response questions tomorrow, and be sure to complete your Human Footprint Lab as well.
September 4th - Complete notes/discussion over Chapter 1, section 1-4. We will begin Chapter 2 tomorrow and you should plan for a test over Chapters 1 & 2 later next week! Homework: Do not forget your online book work assignments are due on Friday prior to 3:00 PM.
I Can Statements for Chapter 2:
Understand what scientists do
Scientists collect data and develop theories, models, and laws about how nature works.
Understand the concept of matter
Matter consists of elements and compounds that are in turn made up of atoms, ions or molecules.
Understand what happens when matter undergoes change
Whenever matter undergoes a physical or chemical change, no atoms are created or destroyed (The law of conservation of matter)
Understand the concept of energy and what happens when it undergoes change
Whenever energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, no energy is created or destroyed. (The first law of thermodynamics)
Whenever energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, we end up with lower-quality or less usable energy than we started with. (The second law of thermodynamics)
Understand the concept of systems and how they respond to change
Systems have inputs, flows, and outputs of matter and energy, and feedback can affect their behavior.
September 5th - Begin notes/discussion over section 2-1. You will have some time to work on your online materials that are due tomorrow by 3:00 PM! Plan on an exam over Chapters 1 & 2 for Thursday of next week!
September 6th - Go over the Chapter 1 Math worksheet. Continue with notes over Chapter 2, sections 2 & 3. Be sure that you are reading the material in preparation for your exam next week over Chapters 1&2. Homework: Complete your Chapter 2 free response for Wednesday.
September 9th - Complete notes over Chapter 2, sections 4 & 5. Homework: Your online assignments for Chapter 2 are due on Thursday! The chapter 2 free response is due on Wednesday. Study for your exam over Chapters 1 & 2, which is on Thursday!
September 10th - Review game in preparation for Thursday's exam over Chapters 1 & 2. Time to work on the free response or your online materials, which are due on Wednesday & Thursday. STUDY!
September 11th - Go over the review for tomorrow's exam. STUDY! Also, go over the planned end of year trip out west. Do not forget that your online materials for Chapter 2 are due tomorrow as well!
September 12th- TEST - Chapters 1 & 2! We will begin Chapter 14 tomorrow.
I Can Statements for Chapter 14 (Old Book Chapter 15):
Explain net energy and why it is important
Net energy is the amount of high-quality energy available from an energy resource minus the amount of energy needed to make it available.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using oil
Conventional oil is currently abundant, has a high net energy yield, and is relatively inexpensive, but using it causes air and water pollution and releases greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Heavy oils from tar sands and oil shale exist in potentially large supplies but have low net energy yields and higher environmental impacts that conventional oil has.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using natural gas
Conventional natural gas is more plentiful than oil, has a high net energy yield and a fairly low cost, and has the lowest environmental impact of all fossil fuels.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using coal
Conventional coal is plentiful and has a high net energy yield and low cost, but it has a very high environmental impact.
Gaseous and liquid fuels produced from coal could be plentiful, but they have lower net energy yields and higher environmental impacts that conventional coal has.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear energy
Nuclear power has a low environmental impact and a very low accident risk, but its use has been limited by a low net energy yield, high costs, fear of accidents, long lived radioactive wastes, and the potential for spreading nuclear weapons technology.
September 13th - Begin notes over Chapter 14, sections 1 & 2. Begin watching the first portion of Gasland. I will go over the due dates for materials on Monday of next week! Plan on a test over Chapter 14 in roughly one week!
September 16th - Continue with notes over Chapter 14, section 2. Homework: Your Free Response questions for Chapter 14 (15) will be due Wednesday and your online book resource questions will be due on Thursday! Do not forget your permission forms and your cans for the lab!
September 17th - Return and go over your exams. Continue with notes over Chapter 14, sections 2 & 3. Free response is due tomorrow, and your online work is due on Thursday!
September 18th - Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 14, sections 3 & 4. Homework: We will be doing the lab tomorrow that is up on Google Classroom - Comparing Energy Sources. This lab will be due on Monday! Do not forget that your online work for Chapter 14 is due tomorrow by 3:00 PM.
September 19th - Complete the Comparing combustion lab activity in your packet during both periods. Remember to report directly to Mrs. Smith's room for the lab. All completed questions and data from the lab will be due on Monday! Plan on a test for Tuesday/Wednesday of next week over Chapter 14!
September 20th - Sub Today - Finish watching Gasland, and work on your combustion lab that is due on Monday. Plan on an exam over Chapter 14 for Wednesday!
September 23rd - Continue with notes over Chapter 14, Section 4. We will complete these notes tomorrow. Begin working on the partner lab, Comparing Energy Resources, that is posted on classroom. You will only need to hand in one lab per pair! Prepare for your exam, which is on Wednesday!
September 24th - Complete notes over Chapter 14. Time to complete work on your partner lab from yesterday, which is due on Thursday! Go over the review for Wednesday's exam. STUDY!
September 25th - TEST - Chapter 14 - Essay portion only. You will complete the multiple choice section tomorrow. We will begin Chapter 15 tomorrow as well! Do not forget that your partner lab is due tomorrow!
September 26th - Complete the multiple choice segment of the exam. Begin working on your Chapter 15 Free Response Questions, which are posted on Classroom and are due on Tuesday!
I Can Statements for Chapter 15:
Understand that energy efficiency is an important energy resource
Improving energy efficiency can save the world at least a third of the energy it uses, and can save the United States up to 43% of the energy it uses
Understand how we can cut energy waste
We have a variety of technologies for sharply increasing the energy efficiency of industrial operations, motor vehicles, appliances, and buildings.
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using solar energy
Passive and active solar heating systems can heat water and buildings effectively, and the costs of using direct sunlight to produce high-temperature heat and electricity are coming down
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using hydropower
We can use water flowing over dams, tidal flows and ocean waves to generate electricity, but environmental concerns and limited availability of suitable sites may limit our use of these energy resources
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using wind power
When we include the environmental costs of using energy resources in the market prices of energy, wind power is the least expensive and least polluting way to produce electricity
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using biomass as an energy resource
Solid biomass is a renewable resource for much of the world's population, but burning it faster than it is replenished produces a net gain in atmospheric greenhouse gases, and creating biomass plantations can degrade soil and biodiversity
We can use liquid biofuels derived from biomass in place of gasoline and diesel fuels, but creating biofuel plantations can degrade the soil and biodiversity, and increase food prices and greenhouse gas emissions
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy
Geothermal energy has great potential for supplying many areas with heat and electricity, and it has a generally low environmental impact, but the sites where it can be used economically are limited
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen as an energy resource
Hydrogen fuel holds great promise for powering cars and generating electricity, but for it to be environmentally beneficial, we would have to produce it without using fossil fuels
Detail how we can make the transition to a more energy sustainable future
We can make the transition to a more sustainable future by greatly improving energy efficiency, using a mix of renewable energy resources, and including the environmental costs of energy resources in their market prices
September 27th - Go over the Chapter 14 exams. Begin notes/discussion over Chapter 15, section 1. Do not forget that your Free Response for Chapter 15 is due on Tuesday!
September 30th - Go over the project stipulations for your Sustainability Project. Be sure that you continue to work on this project as we progress through the quarter! Your Chapter 15 Free Response questions are due tomorrow, and your online work is due on Friday.
October 1st - Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 15, sections 2 & 3. Complete the math worksheet that is on Classroom for Thursday. Do not forget to complete your online resources for Chapter 15, which are due Friday at 3:00!
October 2nd - Sub Today - Work on your Sustainability projects. Remember to share with me your projects!
October 3rd - Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 15, section 3. Homework: Your online assignments are due on Friday by 3:00. Plan for an exam on Wednesday / Thursday!
October 4th - Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 15, sections 4 & 5. Be sure you are reading over the material in the text in preparation for your upcoming exam on Wednesday/Thursday.
October 7th - Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 15, sections 6 & 7. Begin working in groups of 3 on your solar cars. Your exam over Chapter 15 will be on Wednesday/Thursday.
October 8th - Complete notes/discussion over Chapter 16. Continue building solar cars and go over the review for tomorrow's exam! We will begin Chapter 7 on Monday!
October 9th - TEST Chapter 15 - Part 1! Part 2 will be tomorrow.
October 10th - TEST Chapter 15 - Part 2. We will begin Chapter 5 on Monday!
I Can Statements for Chapter 5:
Determine the factors that influence climate
Key factors that determine an area's climate are incoming solar energy, the Earth's rotation, global patterns of air and water movement, gases in the atmosphere, and the Earth's surface features.
Identify how climate affects the nature and location of biomes
Differences in long terms average annual precipitation and temperature lead to the formation of tropical, temperate, and cold deserts, grasslands, and forests, and largely determine their locations
Examine ways that we have affected the world's terrestrial ecosystems
In many areas, human activities are impairing ecological and economic services provided by the Earth's deserts, grasslands, forests and mountains.
October 14th - Begin notes/discussion over chapter 5, section 1. Free Response questions for Chapter 5 are due on Friday. Online book materials are due on Monday at 3:00 PM and your exam will be on Wednesday/Thursday of next week!
October 15th - Trip to the Metroparks.
October 16th - No Classes- Test Day
October 17th - Return and go over the Chapter 15 exam. Continue with notes/discussion over Chapter 5, sections 2 & 3. Homework: Complete the Chapter 5 Free Response questions for tomorrow, and the online materials are due on Monday by 3:00 PM!
October 18th - Sub Today - Complete Lab #3 from Google Classroom. You will be working in a group of three and will submit one lab via Classroom by Monday! If you complete your work prior to the end of the period, you should work on the online book work. Homework: Complete the Online questions for Monday. Remember that your exam is on Wednesday/Thursday of next week!
October 21st - Continue with notes over Chapter 5, sections 2 & 3. Your exam over Chapter 5 will be on Wednesday! Your lab that you began on Friday is due today by 2:00 PM, and your online resources are due by 3:00!
October 22nd - Complete notes over Chapter 5, section 3. Go over the review for tomorrow's exam and begin working on the math worksheet for chapter 5, that is posted on classroom, which is due on Thursday. Study for tomorrow's exam!
October 23rd - TEST Chapter 5! We will begin chapter 13 on Thursday.
I Can Statements for Chapter 13:
Analyze the problems surrounding clean water resources {13.1}
We are using available freshwater resources unsustainably by wasting it, polluting it, and charging too little for this irreplaceable natural resource
Determine if extracting groundwater is the answer to our problems {13.2}
Groundwater used to supply cities and grow food is being pumped from aquifers in some areas faster than it is renewed by precipitation
Analyze the positives and negatives of constructing dams {13.3}
Building dam-and-reservoir systems has greatly increased water supplies in some areas, but has also disrupted ecosystems and displaced people.
Cost/benefit of transferring water from on place to another {13.4}
Transferring water from one place to another has greatly increased water supplies in some areas but has also disrupted ecosystems.
Determine the impacts and benefits of converting seawater to freshwater {13.5}
We can convert ocean water to freshwater, but the cost is high, and the resulting salty brine must be disposed of without harming aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems.
Brainstorm how we can use water more sustainably {13.6}
We can use water more sustainably by cutting water waste, raising water prices, slowing population growth, and protecting aquifers, forests, and other ecosystems that store water
Determine how we can reduce the threats posed by flooding {13.7}
We can lessen the threats of flooding by protecting more wetlands and natural vegetation in watersheds, and by not building in areas subject to frequent flooding.
October 24th - Begin notes over Chapter 13, sections 1 & 2. Read over Sections 13-1 and 13-2.
END OF QUARTER 1
NOTHING BELOW THIS LINE HAS BEEN UPDATED!
EXTRA MATERIAL
Homework: Complete the APES Math review worksheet for Monday (showing all work). You will be given some time in class tomorrow to work on this.
Lab: Begin Lab #20 (Doubling Time in Exponential Growth), and complete as homework for Tuesday! Click HERE for a link to an article regarding the theories of Malthus to assist you in answering question 7. Do not forget the due dates for your assignments: Free response for Chapter 2 is due Wednesday, Online resources are due Thursday and your test will be Friday!
Work on Lab #4 with a partner and submit to classroom by Wednesday at noon!
September 22nd - Do not forget to complete the Lab #23 for tomorrow! Lab: Begin working on Lab #24 in your lab packet and complete for Wednesday. Use Link #1 to access the first listed website and Link #2 - ( Focus on pages 1-3 only ), to answer question 6.