Westlake High School

2016 - 2017 Academic Year

Earth Systems
Ms. Reddick
Room 281
reddicka@fultonschools.org
Phone Number: (470) 254 6400
Tutorials: Wednesday 3:45 4:45 PM
Class Website: www.msreddick.weebly.com

Prerequisites: Successful completion of middle grades Earth Science and Life Science.
COURSE DESCRIPTION/OUTLINE: Earth Systems is a year-long course that is designed to continue investigations that began in K-8
Earth Science and Life Science. Students will discover the connections among the Earths systems throughout Earths history. These
systems the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere interact through time to produce the Earths landscapes, ecology,
and resources. This course develops explanations of phenomena fundamental to the sciences of geology and physical geography
including the early history of the Earth, plate tectonics, landform evolution, weather and climate, and the Earths geologic record.
This course is divided into the following topics and the standards. Although there is no End of Course Test (EOC) for this class, there
will be a cumulative final exam. The Georgia Professional Standards will be used to measure proficiency. In some cases the chapters
listed below will only be covered in part as opposed to their entirety. A test, quiz, or project will be used to asses each topic. For a
more detailed description of the Georgia Performance Standards refer to the Georgia Department of education website:
https://www.georgiastandards.org/standards/Georgia%20Performance%20Standards/EarthSystems-Approved2006.pdf
FALL SEMESTER*
Tentative
Schedule

Unit and Topic

SPRING SEMESTER*
Chapters
1

Weeks 1-2:

Unit 1 Cycles

Weeks 3-6:

Unit 1 Weather

Weeks 7-8:

Unit 1 Climate

21, 11A

Unit 2 Earthquakes, Plate

Tectonics, and the Ocean
Floor
Unit 2 Volcanoes and
Mountain Building

8, 9 & 14

Week 9-12:
Week 13-16:

17 20

Tentative
Schedule
Weeks 1-4:
Weeks 5-9:
Weeks 10-12:
Weeks 13-15:

10 & 11

Week 16-18:

Unit and Topic

Chapters

Unit 3 Minerals and Rocks,

The Rock Cycle
Unit 3 History of the Earth
Historical Geology
Unit 4 Weathering, Soil and
Mass Movement
Unit 4 Running Water,
Groundwater and Surface
Water
Unit 4 Glaciers, Deserts and
Wind

2&3

Week 17:

Final exam review

Week 19:

Final exam review

Week 18:

Final exams

Week 20

Final exams

*This timetable is subject to change without notice at the discretion of the instructor.
Resources:
Textbook: Prentice Hall Earth Systems Tarbuck and Lutgents Student Edition
Materials:
2 Spiral-bound notebooks (preferably 1-subject spirals)
Pens, #2 pencils, and highlighters
Individual packet of colored pencils/crayons/markers (student preference)
Individual tape dispenser and/or glue sticks for interactive notebook
Kleenex (Students with last name A-H)
Hand sanitizer (Students with last name I-P)
Paper towels (Students with last name Q-Z)

Price: $71.00

12, 13 &
11A
5, 11A, &
7
6, 11A,
14, 15, 16
7, 11A

Grading
County Grading Scale:

A
B
C
F

Course Weights:
Final Exam
Formative Assessment*
Performance Assessment*

100 90
89 80
79 70
69 and below
20%
0%
25%

Portfolio
Summative Assessment
Quiz*

20%
25%
10%

*These assignments WILL AFFECT the portfolio grade.

Dress Code/Lab Dress Code: Students must adhere to Westlake High Schools dress code policy. In addition, the following rules
should be adhered to in the lab during lab experiment days:
No open toed shoes
Hair tied back
No loose fitting clothing

Westlake High Honor Code

The Westlake High School Honor Code is in effect at all times. Cheating will not be tolerated!
Cheating is defined as giving or receiving information in any form that is related to a gradable experience including the use of sources
of information other than those specifically approved by the teacher either during or outside of class. Students are required to sign
honor pledges as applicable for major tests, projects, and/or papers.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:
Plagiarism using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation; using the work of another student
(e.g. copying another students homework, composition, or project); using excessive editing suggestions of another student,
teacher, parent or paid editor.
Looking on someone elses paper during a test or quiz.
Cheat sheets of any kind.
Knowingly accepting or giving information concerning the contents of a test or quiz.
Changing the appearance of computer printouts.
Allowing another student to complete Web Assign or other web-based activities using your name and login
information.
Any student found to be in violation of the Honor Code on any assignment will receive a grade of a zero on the assignment in
question. The assignment may not be made up (students having zeros are not eligible for recovery). Violations may be considered
by faculty in making future recommendations. Memberships in honor clubs will be jeopardized.

Fulton County Policy

Make Up Work Policy:
If you have an excused absence on the day it is assigned, then you will have one day to turn the assignment in without penalty. If you
miss a test, you must make up the test after school within 5 days of your return to school. (Make up work policy subject to change for
Performance Assessments).
Late Work Policy:
If you are present when an assignment is given, then I expect you to turn in the work on the day that it is due. If you are present in
class and fail to submit an assignment upon teacher request on the day that it is due, then you will receive a grade of a zero for that
assignment. If you have an unexcused absence on the day the assignment is due, then you will receive a grade of a zero for that
assignment.

Recognizing the value of students being able to demonstrate their mastery of their learned knowledge, Westlake will implement two
school wide late work amnesty windows per semester. Assignments that can be submitted on these dates fall under the grade weights
of Class Work and Homework. The amnesty dates are as follows:

FALL- : October 17th- 21st

SPRING- March 20th - 23rd

**It is the teachers discretion to choose the actual due dates for the amnesty assignments for their class ONLY!
Recovery Policy:
Provision for Improving Grades
1. Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when
all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all
course requirements including attendance. Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities.
Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the
semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days
prior to the end of the semester.
2. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades.
Extra Credit Opportunities: If applicable and should be uniform throughout the content team.
Classroom Expectations/Procedures: In order to guarantee all students have a safe and effective learning environment, The Fulton
County School System and Westlake High School have outlined several policies and procedures. In an effort to support character
education and to promote an environment conducive to learning, students are expected to abide by the following procedures:
*BE PROMPT * BE PREPARED * BE RESPECTFUL * BE COURTEOUS * BE SAFE *
Dispose of all food and/or drinks before coming to class.
Bring all materials to class daily.
Be in your seat before the tardy bell rings.
Class will continue until dismissal is given by the teacher, not the bell.
Respect other people and their ideas.
Cell phones, CD Players, and/or other electronic devices are prohibited.
Personal grooming is inappropriate and not allowed.
Refrain from the use of any vulgar or profane language or gestures.
Permission to leave class will be given for emergencies only. Students will be granted 3 passes to use in those
instances, but only if he/she presents their student agenda book. No Agenda, No Emergency Pass!
Be sure to observe the Honor Code and all Laboratory Safety Rules and Procedures.
Extra Information:
ONENOTE
On this website, you will find important documents and handouts/notes/activities we do in class. This is a GREAT
resource for when you are absent.
EDMODO
On this website, you will find important documents and handouts/notes/activities we do in class. This is a GREAT
resource for when you are absent or if you would just like to ask questions about class activities, homework,
assignments, etc. Join the classroom community using code ______________
Remind 101
In order to receive text message information and reminders about due dates, quizzes, projects, etc., please text the
message @5eead4 to 81010
*This syllabus is a general outline of the course and is subject to modification at any time without prior notification at the
discretion of the instructor.

PLEASE KEEP THIS SYLLABUS IN YOUR

NOTEBOOK!!!

Please return this portion of the syllabus to Ms. Reddick within 5 days of receipt to confirm your childs
participation in the final performance. You may also complete your confidential confirmation via the
class website (preferred method) : www.msreddick.weebly.com

Appropriate signature page(s)!

Confirmation and Contact Sheet
I acknowledge and have read all of the information contained in this syllabus (pgs.1-3) and will
work with my daughter/son/parent/guardian/teacher to successfully complete this course.

Student Name (print):__________________________________________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name (print):_______________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Signature: ________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) E-mail Address (if applicable):_________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) home phone number: _____________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) work phone number: ______________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) cell phone number: _______________________________
Alternate contact number (if applicable):_________________________________

At Westlake High School, we understand that you have busy schedules and respect your time.
Therefore, we guarantee that we will not abuse any of the given information and will contact
you only when necessary (usually under the conditions outlined in the syllabus or to let you
know information that is pertinent to your students success at Westlake High School). All
information is required to consider this form complete. A mass e-mail may be sent or a
courtesy call may be given to ensure that the information provided is accurate.
Should you need to contact me or set up a conference you may contact the counseling center
and they will assist you in making an appointment that meets your convenience. The best way
to contact me directly is to e-mail me at: reddicka@fultonschools.org