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

1. Mrs. DeBoard’s Contact Information • Phone: 615-583-9227 • E-mail: kristin.deboard@mnps.org • Website: deboardvirtualbio.wikispaces.com • Office Hours: Monday, 10:00am – 1:00pm

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

6. Deadlines and Grading • Keep 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!

7. 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.

8. 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 Wikispacethat 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.

9. 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!

10. 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!

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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