East Mecklenburg High School

Earth and Environmental Science Course

Syllabus
*Revised for distance learning*

Instructor Information
Instructor: Ashley Williams
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 1:00p – 4:00p; Tuesday 8:00a –
9:00a
E-mail: Ashleyj.williams@cms.k12.nc.us

Course Description
This course introduces scientific investigations, methods, observations
and communication along with common tools and methods used for
understanding Earth and its environments.  Minerals and rocks that
make up the Earth's crust, Earth's features, identification, and
uniqueness as a planet are also covered in this course. Students will
also examine continental drift, seafloor spreading, plate tectonic
movement, plate boundaries, landforms, volcanic activity, earthquakes,
and mountains resulting from plate tectonic processes as well as
surface processes that create and modify landforms. The course also
explores water on earth, covering its distribution, states, and the
processes involving Earth’s water. Students will learn how features and
processes of the atmosphere determine weather and climate, how life is
supported on planet Earth, and how Earth scientists learn about Earth's
past as well as Earth’s history. The course continues with human
dependence on natural resources for energy and materials, the effects
of human overpopulation and overconsumption on Earth's systems, and
concludes with introducing the objects of our solar system and
explorations beyond our solar system.

Course Objectives
 Students will develop an understanding of:
 Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
 Rocks, Weathering, Erosion, and Soil
 Water
 Oceans and Atmospheres
 Meteorology
 Climate and Energy
 Ecology and Sustainability

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Course Name Semester Syllabus

 Astrology

Textbook & Course Materials

 Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Course Requirements
 Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)
 Access to Canvas Learning Platform
 2-Pocket Folder
 Functional Chromebook
 Writing Utensils

Topic Outline/Schedule
 Week 01: Water
 Wholistic review of all standard aligned content
 Week 02: Oceans and Atmospheres
 Week 03: Meteorology
 Oceans and Atmospheres Formal assessment
 Week 04: Meteorology
 Meteorology Formal assessment
 Week 05: Climate and Energy
 Week 06: Sustainability and Ecology
 Week 07: Astronomy

*Calendar/Schedule subject to change*

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Grading Policy
Students will be assessed in a variety of ways. Formal assessments
will count towards 70% of the student’s grade. Formal assessments
may be tests, folder checks, some labs, and some quizzes. Informal
assessments will compose 30% of the student’s grade. Informal
assessments are homework assignments, unit work notebook grades,
some quizzes, and some labs.

Late Work Policy

All late work is subject to a 5 point penalty per business
day.

Absences:
- Make-up work due to absences is the responsibility of the
STUDENT.
- Please check weekly canvas announcements. You will
have 5 days to complete missed assignments, and to
schedule a make-up day for missed labs, quizzes, and tests.

Classroom Expectations
1. Respect yourself and others.
2. It is okay to not know, it is not okay to not try. 
3. Be on time, prepared, awake and engaged! 
4. Once you enter the classroom, you may not leave without verbal
permission from the teacher. 
5. Follow all CMS and East Meck rules as printed in the student agenda. 
1. Cellphones
2. Earbuds 
3. Dress code 
4. Etc…
2. Read and adhere to what is printed on your bathroom passes 

3. *Online only* You will only submit work that belongs to YOU/YOU have
created.

4. *Online only* You will re-post and/or share graded material without
written permission from the instructor.

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Course Name Semester Syllabus

Attend Class
Students are expected to attend all weekly class conference sessions as
listed on the course calendar.

*Course calendar to come at the conclusion of course doodle poll*

Participate
Students are expected to participate in weekly class discussion posts
and EdPuzzle video assignments.

Build Rapport
If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or
other aspects of the course, make sure you let your instructor know as
early as possible. As you will find, building rapport and effective
relationships are key to becoming an effective professional. Make sure
that you are proactive in informing your instructor when difficulties
arise during the semester so that they can help you find a solution.

Complete Assignments
All assignments for this course will be submitted electronically
unless otherwise instructed. Assignments must be submitted by the
given deadline or special permission must be requested from instructor
before the due date. Extensions will not be given beyond the next
assignment except under extreme circumstances.

All discussion assignments must be completed by the assignment due

date and time. Late or missing discussion assignments will affect the
student’s grade.

Commit to Integrity
As a student in this course (and at this school) you are expected to
maintain high degrees of professionalism, commitment to active
learning and participation in this class and also integrity in your
behavior in and out of the classroom.

Academic Dishonesty Policy

1. Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing
false information or citations, plagiarism and helping someone else
commit an act of academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt
by a student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill that
he/she does not possess.

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Course Name Semester Syllabus

2. Course instructors have the initial responsibility for detecting and

dealing with academic dishonesty. Instructors who believe that an act
of academic dishonesty has occurred are obligated to discuss the
matter with the student(s) involved. Instructors should possess
reasonable evidence of academic dishonesty. However, if circumstances
prevent consultation with student(s), instructors may take whatever
action (subject to student appeal) they deem appropriate.

3. Instructors who are convinced by the evidence that a student

is guilty of academic dishonesty, that student along with
his/her parent or guardian will have a one-on-one virtual
meeting with the instructor. At the conclusion of said meeting,
the instructor shall assign an appropriate academic penalty. If
the instructors believe that the academic dishonesty reflects on the
student's academic performance or the academic integrity in a course,
the student's grade should be adversely affected. Suggested guidelines
for appropriate actions are: an oral reprimand in cases where there is
reasonable doubt that the student knew his/her action constituted
academic dishonesty; a failing grade on the particular paper, project or
examination where the act of dishonesty was unpremeditated, or where
there were significant mitigating circumstances; a failing grade in the
course where the dishonesty was premeditated or planned. The
instructors will file incident reports with the Vice Presidents for
Academic Affairs and for Student Affairs or their designees. These
reports shall include a description of the alleged incident of academic
dishonesty, any relevant documentation, and any recommendations for
action that he/she deems appropriate.

Important Note: Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and

plagiarism, may be reported to your administrator.

Course policies are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to

check Canvas for corrections or updates to the syllabus.

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Stu d e n t

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Paren t/Gu a rd ia n

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