Dendrology Links | Dendrology SyllabusInstructor: Mr. Andy Stephens
Phone: 720-561-8729
Email: andy.stephens@bvsd.org
This course holds many exciting adventures in
science. During Dendrology, you will learn how to apply
scientific processes to analyze and summarize biological concepts by interpreting
scientific data and drawing logical conclusions. The class will be
unique in that the concepts learned can be widely applied to real life and in the field.
Emphasis will be on developing process skills used in fieldwork including data
collection & analysis, evaluation of information, and oral &
written communication of fieldwork results. In addition to lab work,
we will learn about the following units: |
Category |
Percent |
Fieldwork1 | 30% |
Projects2 |
30% |
Testst3 | 20% |
Participation4 | 5% |
Homework5 | 15% |
1. The major assignments in this category are field notes. We will do field work OUTSIDE every Wednesday rain, shine, or snow. You are required to purchase a waterproof field journal for this purpose.
2. The major assignments in this category will be group projects on tree anatomy, local species, and forest management.
3. Each student is allowed to use their field notes on unit tests.
4. The major assignment in this category is a participation self evaluation.5. All homework will be completed online using schoology and will be based on the days in class activities or notes.
A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+* | C* | C-* | IP* | |
93-100% | 90-92% | 87-89% | 83-86% | 80-82% | 77-79% | 73-76% | 70-72% | <70% |
An A means the student has completed proficient work on all course content standards and class requirements, and advanced work on some course content standards and class requirements.
A B means that the student has completed proficient work on all course content standards and class requirements
A C means that the student has completed proficient work on some, but not all, of the course content standards and class requirements. For continuing classes a student has demonstrated enough proficiency to continue on to the next level.
A C minus means that the student has completed partially proficient work on the course content standards and class requirements. For sequential classes a student may not continue on to the next level.
An IP means that the student has demonstrated insufficient progress in course content standards and class requirements.
Updated grades are posted on infinite campus.
Late Work
Work is accepted on time with no penalty.
Work is accepted after the due date by the deadline with a 10 percent penalty. The deadline is exactly two weeks after the deadline.
Students who miss school due to excused
absences are allotted the number of missed days to make up the assigned
work. This does not apply to group projects.
Academic Honesty
Cheating will earn you a zero on the
assignment/test on which you cheated. If you purposefully give away your
work to cheaters you will also receive a zero. No make up work will be
given. Often times it is more difficult to cheat than to learn. Just
learn, it is more fun.
Letter of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are an important component of college admissions and I love writing letters of recommendation for students who excel in my classes. However, these letters do take time and must be revised so that I can make you sound as awesome as you are. Therefore I have developed some guidelines:
- Ask me in person.
- Give me at least 7 full days of notice before the due date.
- Complete a one page resume in which you answer the questions I am asked and include personal highlights you want me to hit upon.
- Give me all of the paperwork with self-addressed and stamped envelopes.
- Don't ask me if you have proven unworthy in my classes.
Units
- Biology of Trees
- Anatomy
- Angiosperm/Gymnosperm
- Life Cycle
- Transport
- Photosynthesis
- Life Cycle
- Tree Thinking
- The Locals
- Leaf Types
- Habitats
- Species
- Diseases
- Emerald Ash Borer
- http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/ag_Plants/CBON/1251646251641
- http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/Emerald_borer.pdf
- https://bouldercolorado.gov/pages/emerald-ash-borer
- Management of Trees
- Protection
- Forest Ecology
- The Record Breakers
- Climbing Redwood Giants
- Photographing the President-Giant Sequoia
- Climbing the Giant Seqouias
- What's the Oldest Tree in the World?
- Fire
- Fire Fact Break Vid
- Fire Ecology Quiz
- Fire Ecology Reading
- Denver's Drinking Water after fire
- Yellowstone Fires Case Study
- Giant Sequoias Need Fire
- Trees and People
Resources:
- Life Cycle of Pines-http://www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/science/about/departments/sbs/newzealandplants/seed-plants-nonflowering/reproduction/pine-life-cycle.cfm Questions-http://www.nzplants.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/science/about/departments/sbs/newzealandplants/resources/animations/animation-questions.cfm
- Colorado Trees http://www.westernexplorers.us/ColoradoTrees.html
- http://www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/tree-tales/the-gentle-giant-of-boulder-county/
- http://coloradoforestrestoration.org/
- http://nau.edu/ERI/
- http://www.bouldertreecare.com/tree-identification/
Activities
- Field Trips
- Anatomy
- Species ID-YouTube Tree ID Vids
- Forest Health Indicator (Focus on Forest)-3 day Chautauqua vs Settler's Park Burn
- Labs
- Microscope slides-life cycle
- Grow and monitor trees-tree growing kit
- Tree rings-dendrochronology
- Native Species Presentation-Dichotomous Key Viewing Guide
- Celery Transpiration Lab
- New Vista's Trees-ID/Evaluating Tree's Benefits/Project Budburst
- Projects
- Anatomy Research
- Tree Cookies
- Ecosystem Services Presentation
- Grow our own trees
- Pine Beetle Story Book
- Forest Threats Research Project (disease, insects, climate change, invasive)
- Colorado Native Tree Dichotomous Key
- Management Debate