AP Environmental Science

August 2015

Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES)

Mr. Luckey
AP Environmental Science is a course designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester,
introductory college in Environmental Science. This will be a rigorous science course that
stresses scientific principles and analysis and will include a laboratory component. APES is an
interdisciplinary field; it encompasses a wide variety of topics from environmental studies,
geology, biology, chemistry, and geography. Despite the rigor, this is a fun and interesting
subject that has real implications for all of our lives.
Required Materials:

Pen/pencil
3-ring binder with college ruled paper (For notes and assignments)
Graphed Composition Notebook (Lab Notebook)
Textbook: Living in the Environment: Miller 18th Ed.

Students are expected to bring these items to class

EVERY DAY, unless otherwise instructed.
Optional Study Aides and Textbooks:
Students are encouraged to utilize the extra books and resources I have available for check-out,
in order to study for tests, reinforce concepts, research various topics, and/or to generally
increase the breadth and depth of their scientific knowledge. Due to the eclectic nature of this
scientific discipline, every textbook, novel, or study guide emphasizes different areas of the
field, so students will be better prepared for the AP Exam by reading as much as possible.
LRSD has relaxed their Cell Phone policy for students this year, so I encourage students to
bring their devices to class with their parents permission. Students will be given strict rules on
when and how to use their phones in class. There are a number of smartphone apps and
websites that offer a variety of useful information, review games, or practice questions.
However, student should refrain from downloading/using a resource without getting their
parents, AND their instructors approval.
Homework:
Students will be expected to read chapters in the textbook BEFORE we discuss them in class,
and create an outline (in their own words). Students who do the assigned homework will be
better prepared to ask meaningful questions and clear up any misconceptions about the
material during class time.
Note-taking and Organization:

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August 2015
Students will be required to keep a Binder, where they are to keep their class notes, handouts,
homework, and other important documents. Diligent note-taking and organizational skills are
essential for success in a college-level course.

Scientific notebook
Scientific information has value only if it is communicated effectively. It is for this reason that a
strong emphasis is placed on the laboratory notebook. Scientific notebooks will be kept,
checked, and graded. In this course, the student will receive special instructions and
grading rubrics for this important part of the course.
Internet Resources:
In an effort to reduce the use of paper, I will be offering students more opportunities to submit
assignments online via Gaggle, email, or Edline. Students will receive more specific
information about online assignments in class. Students will also need to have internet access
and a computer for discussion boards and research purposes. If you do not have reliable
internet access, a computer, or the ability to use a public library, please be sure to contact me
as soon as possible so that assignments can be adjusted.
Field Studies
So far, no field trips are scheduled during school hours; however, we will be outside on campus
often, and I plan to set up a few Saturday Field Study days, where we will be at a local creek
or wooded area taking samples and performing experiments. Students are not expected to
attend every Field Day, but participation is strongly encouraged. I understand that weekends
are full of family and extracurricular activities, so we will have to work together to ensure
everyone has a chance to attend at least one.
Topics Covered by Quarter
Though the teacher reserves the right to alter the scope and sequence of the course within the
boundaries of the approved Little Rock School District curriculum standards and benchmarks,
the general topics covered in the course are as follows:
o
o
o
o

Quarter 1: Sustainability Principles, Science, Ecological Principles, Biodiversity,

Population
Quarter 2: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, Natural Resources, Food Production
Quarter 3: Water Resources, Nonrenewable Resources, Renewable Resources
Quarter 4: Environmental Hazards, Pollution, Climate Disruption, Urbanization,
Human Societies

AP Environmental Science
August 2015
Note: Some of the above topics will be recurring themes throughout the course. Students will
receive a more specific outline of the topics that will be covered.
Grading:
Grades are simply points earned versus the points that are carried. Percentages and associated
letter grades as per school policy are as follows:
A 100 - 90
B 89 80
C 79 70
D 69 60
F 59 and below

In this science class, work is weighted in the following manner:

1. Tests/Exams are weighted to reflect no more than 40% of the quarter grade.
(Summative Assessment) TST/PRO
2. Laboratory work is weighted to reflect no more than 40% of the quarter grade.
(Summative Assessment) - LAB
3. Daily/Homework/Quiz work is weighted to reflect no more than 20% of the
quarter grade. (Formative Assessments) ASG
Class Discipline:
If disruptive behavior is presented that cannot be handled by regular means (common courtesy
and mutual respect) then the assertive discipline rules or Three points are in order. If a
student engages in tasks other than those outlined by the instructor, he or she is given a
warming and this is noted in the class record. If the student is reprimanded again a check
is placed by his/her name and they are required to spend a few minutes with the
instructor before the next class period for a student conference/time out. Further
reprimands will result in school detention and/or removal from the class if the behavior is
disruptive in nature then a parent conference will be required. Please note that some behaviors
are so grievous that it would be unsafe or too disruptive to the rest of the class to give a
warning. In those situations, Little Rock School District and Parkview High School policies will
be followed but in most cases the behavior will be handled by the Vice-Principal or Principal
directly.
Absences:
If the student misses a major test or project, a grade of 0% will be recorded for a
grade; students with excused absences will be allowed to take the make-up exam if the proper
notice is given. This includes turning in project work late. Arrangements for major
tests/projects for planned absences (school /family trips) must be made in advance of
the absence.
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AP Environmental Science
August 2015
Some daily grading activities due to their nature or administration (answers given in class,
work demonstrated and discussed, and so on) cannot be made up. Although this seems
distressing to those students which want to get every assignment and activity grade turned in,
the policy should not directly affect the final grade of students with fewer than three absences.
For the purposes of grading, categories that are considered daily grades are unannounced
quizzes and daily/homework. Usually students with an excused absence will not be
required to make up daily work or missed unannounced quizzes - they are simply excused
from the work- an "X" will appear in the student record. Students with unexcused absences will
receive a zero (0/Z) for any worked missed including tests and projects as per the school policy.
Make-up work will be administered when appropriate and fair as per the policies
outlined in the school handbook. If work is not requested within two (2) school days of
returning from an excused absence, the student forfeits the opportunity to make-up the work.
The teacher reserves the right to wave missed work for students with an excused absence
though the student is still accountable for the academic content.
In my absence students are expected to be polite and respectful to the substitute teacher. I
expect students to do the assignments I leave with the substitute. Students should not ask
substitutes to leave the class for reasons other than an emergency. In the unusual
circumstance when there is a delay in the arrival of a substitute or other supervising adult,
students should wait until the tardy bell has rung, and then send one student to notify the office
and wait for instructions.

Parent/Guardian Signature Page

(Must Be Returned to Instructor ASAP)

I have read and understand this course outline and grading disclosure. I know I
may ask questions about my (or my students) academic progress, course
grade, and content at any time.

Student Signature________________________________________ Date: ___________________

Parent/Guardian Signature ________________________________ Date: ___________________

AP Environmental Science

August 2015
Parent/Guardian Contact Info:

Name (Print): _____________________________________ or _________________________________

Phone #:

_____________________________________ or __________________________________

Email:

_____________________________________ or __________________________________

Instructor Contact Information

Chris Luckey
Phone: 447-2421
Email: chris.luckey@lrsd.org