Mrs. DeBoard’s Contact InformationPhone: 615-583-9227E-mail: kristin.deboard@mnps.orgWebsite:

deboardvirtualbio.wikispaces.comOffice Hours: Monday, 10:00am –

1:00pm

Your Goals for AP Environmental Science Understand the interrelationships of the natural world Identify and analyze environmental problems that are

natural and human-made. Evaluate the relative risks associated with these

problems Examine alternative solutions for resolving or

preventing problems. Laboratories support student content mastery in both

hands-on and virtual experiences.

Topics You Will Study This Semester

Module 1: Environmental Problems and Sustainability

Module 2: The Living World Module 3: The Physical World Module 4: Population Module 5: Energy

AP Exam Scored 1-5. Passing is generally considered 3 – 5, but check

with your potential colleges to see what they accept. 3 hours long, 2 sections NO CALCULATORS but there are math questions in both sections Multiple choice section

100 questions 60% of the total grade

Free response section Four in depth questions with multiple parts Two of the questions will involve synthesis and evaluation One question will be document-based One question will be a data-set question requiring mathematical

analysis Come to the coaching labs! Take your practice exam and data chats seriously!

Coursework Read the Lessons and TAKE NOTES (keep a “hard-copy”

notebook as well as an Environmental Sciencefolder on your computer)

Know how to navigate the virtual classroom Lessons Assessments Discussions Grades

Know how to submit a help ticket for technical issues Go to the Virtual School website: vlearn.mnps.org Click “helpdesk” Click “Submit a Ticket” Give the details of your problem

Deadlines and GradingKeep up with the pacing guide!!!! You can find it

under “Syllabus” “Course Outline.” Feel free to work ahead but DO NOT get behind! Each week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday.

Your assignments are due each week by Saturday at 11:59pm.

You may turn in late assignments; however, your life will be much easier if you will stick to the pacing guide!When an assignment is late, I will put a “zero” in the

gradebook until you complete that assignment. This will drastically affect your average!

If you receive less than an 80% on an assignment, you can re-do it for additional credit!

Communication Check your e-mail! Get a g-mail account so that we can use

“Google Hangout”Respond to e-mails from me. Call or text me back if I leave you a message. I will respond to your calls, texts, and e-mails

within 24 hours (48 hours on the weekend). Please treat me with the same respect by responding to me in a timely manner.

Announcements Read my Week at a Glance Announcements- these will

be posted by Sunday every week. The announcements will contain helpful information such as: A quick summary of the assignments due on Saturday. Clarification of any confusing directions A link to my Wikispace that will have resources to assist you

in completion of your assignments (videos, articles, study guides, DBA questions)

Reminders about upcoming lab supplies you may need to purchase

Extra credit opportunities Information about when I will be available for DBAs that week Any upcoming Virtual School events such as progress reports,

exams, help sessions, etc.

Environmental Science Wikispace

If I took the time to put something on my Wikispace, please look at it!

The things on my website are NOT extra work! They are items to help you with the work you have!

Discussion Based Assessment (DBA)

Schedule with me in advance. Use

appointlet if Mondays, early morning or late at at night work for you. Otherwise text, e-mail, or call to set up a time.It is a gated assignment. You will not

be able to turn in any other assignments

until you have completed a DBA. Prepare for it! If I post a study guide on my

Wikispace, use it!

Discussions and Collaboration

Class discussions and partner work are a required part of the course!

Put thought and effort into your discussion postings and responses! Some examples of unacceptable responses: “I agree with what Josh said” “I think animals are the most interesting kingdom because I

like dogs.” For the partner project, communicate with each other on

the discussion boards to find a partner. The sooner you do this, the better off you will be!

Communicate with and respond to your partner! Do your share of the work!

If you are having problems, be sure you tell me.

Eco-Vacation: A Collaborative Project

Design an ideal "eco-vacation." You should include these items: A list of all the features that make it "green" At least one aspect of transportation, one aspect of

lodging, and one aspect of entertainment/recreation A description of each "green" feature with at least three

sentences Six to eight "green" features will earn an average grade;

more "greenness" will increase your grade A map of your destination(s) A list of your references

How is a “virtual teacher” different than a “regular teacher”?

You don’t have to share me with other students in the classroom.

If you have a question ASK me, you are not in this alone!

I am available for “study sessions”Get a g-mail account so that we can use

Google Hangout