Welcome
Welcome to Earth Science at Calvary Christian School!
Earth Science, as its title suggests, studies the science of the EARTH, covering 1) earth’s origins, structure, and its geological and ecological changes; 2) its water bodies; 3) its atmospheric processes; and 4) man’s impact.
Ever wanted to be able to tell your little brother or sister about the real science behind thunderstorms? Ever wondered about the environment surrounding living creatures in the depths of the sea? How about answering the question “What is a Tsunami”? What evidence of the age of this planet can be deemed from studying rocks? How does my body really ‘tick’ on the cellular level? How does my microwave or my computer really work? Well that is why you are in this course…to be introduced to the Sciences of the Physical Creation - Meteorology and Oceanography; Geology; Chemistry; and Physics, from a Christian perspective. To clarify, while studying the basic foundations of these science disciplines, you will not only find the answers to these and many more such questions, but your participation in this course should give you greater insight into the order and design of God’s creation.
“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NIV)
Expectations:
I expect that you will treat your classmates and your teachers with respect and dignity, just as they will do with you. I expect that when you do not understand a concept or set of instructions, you will seek clarification from your teacher or a fellow classmate. I expect that you will try hard to promptly complete all homework or in-class assignments as requested; keep abreast of all reading assignments to ensure lively participation in discussions; and adequately prepare for quizzes and tests by nightly review of your notes / reading assignments.
It is crucial that the student prepare themselves just as I, your teacher will.
Keys to Success:
Responsibility You are responsibility for the amount you learn and your grade in this class. I am responsible for teaching you Earth Science in the best way possible.
Effort Your achievement in this class is directly related to your effort. With God strengthening me, I will put forth a great deal of effort and I challenge you to do the same.
Motivation You must be motivated to come to class every day with the enthusiasm to learn as
much as you can. I must be motivated every day to come to class and do my best to excite you for learning Earth Science.
Course Organization:
Method of Coverage
This course will be organized to cover the topics as outline in the 4 units (17 chapters) of the textbook Science of the Physical Creation in Christian Perspective. This will be accomplished through weekly discussions of concepts, subsequent to reading assignments, laboratory demonstrations, as well as student exercises / activities to reinforce their new knowledge through the extraction and discussion and/or debate of current issues impacting the earth. A tentative syllabus, outlining weekly reading / discussion topics, laboratories, and tentative test dates, is included.
Evaluation of Student Efforts
Students will be evaluated and their grade each quarter will be based on performance in each of the areas below (percentages are approximations and may vary):
1. Quizzes 20%
2. Assignments 20%
3. Lab Work 20%
4. Exams 30%
5. Physical Science Project 10%
No late work or unexcused absence work will be accepted.
Final grade for the course will be calculated as below:
Total points earned for 4 quarters__ X 100% = % Score
Total possible points earned
99 – 100% = A+ 95 – 98 = A
93 – 94 =A- 91 – 92 = B+
87 – 90 = B 85 – 86 = B-
83 – 84 = C+ 79 – 82 = C
77 – 78 = C- 75 – 76 = D+
71 – 74 = D 69 – 70 = D-
0 – 68 = F
Earth Science Syllabus (2010 – 2011)
Text: Science of the Physical Creation in Christian Perspective, Second Edition, D. Steele and G. Parker, A Beka Book, Pensacola, FL, 2006.
Lab Manual: Science of the Physical Creation, Lab Manual with Chapter Reviews, Second Edition, Pensacola Christian College (A Beka Book), 2000.
The following is a tentative schedule of the reading to be covered in this course:
Topic Textbook Pages / Number of Lab
Introduction to Science 2 -19
Laboratory regulations, safety, techniques Labs 1 (demo)
The Atmosphere 20 - 49
Demonstration Labs 2A & 2B
Quizzes 1-3
Test 1 (chapters1-2)
Earth’s Weather 50 – 74
Demonstration Lab 3A
A Survey of the Seas 84 – 101
Demonstration Labs 3B & 4
Quizzes 4-8
Test 2 (chapters 3-4)
Foundations of Chemistry 110 -132
Demonstration Labs 5A – 5C
Quizzes 9-12
Tests 3 (chapters 1-5)
Molecules and Chemistry 136 – 147
Demonstration Labs 6A – 6C
Chemistry in Action
Demonstration Labs 7A – 7C
Quizzes 13-18
Test 4 (chapters 6-7)
Foundations of Geology 192 – 213
Demonstration Lab 8
Quizzes 19-20
Test 5 (chapter 8)
Rocks and Minerals 224 – 236
Demonstration Labs 9A – 9C
Quizzes 21-23
Test 6 (chapters 1-9)
Weathering and Erosion 246 – 257
Interpreting the Fossil Record 266 – 297
Demonstration Lab 10
Quizzes 23-26
Test 7 (chapters 10-11)
Topic Textbook Pages / Number of Lab
Mechanics: Physics of Motion 304 – 314
Demonstration Labs 12A & 12B
Quizzes 27-28
Test 8 (chapter 12)
Waves and Sound 326 – 342
Demonstration Labs 13A & 13B
Quiz 29
Test 9 (chapters 10-13)
Light and Color 350 – 374
Demonstration Labs 14A – 14C
Quizzes 30-31
Test 10 (chapter 14)
Electrostatics and Magnetism 378 – 402
Demonstration Labs 15A -15D (selected)
Electricity 410 – 432
Demonstration Labs 16A & 16B
Quizzes 32-35
Test 11 (chapters 15-16)
Electronics 442-456
Demonstration Labs 17A & 17B
Quiz 36
Test 12 (chapters 1-17)
Student Signature ______________________________________ Date ________________
Parent or Guardian Signature ________________________________ Date ________________