Syllabus for Meteorology

Meteorology Syllabus
Fall Semester 2007
H- 109
Mrs. Anne Podber (Podber@fulton.k12.ga) Mr. Gary Colangelo (Colangelo@fulton.k12.ga.us)

Textbook: Meteorology Today : An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment C. Donald Ahrens Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning $ 60.50

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an opportunity to gain a fundamental understanding of Meteorology. This course of study will include a general survey of the Earth’s atmosphere and conditions, which affect weather patterns and climate. Students will further their skills in science through the use of laboratory techniques and scientific research.
Throughout the course students will review science concepts to help them prepare for the science portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT). The Science portion is one of the most difficult sections and a diploma can not be issued unless all portions of the test are passed. The GHSGT are scheduled to take place in March.

Field Objectives: The following objectives are the QCC standards for the course as well as the requirements for the GHSGT.

1.1 Designs and conducts a scientific experiment that identifies the problem, distinguishes manipulated, responding and controlled variables, collects, analyzes and communicates data, and make valid inferences and conclusions.
1.2 Evaluates procedures, data and conclusions to determine the scientific validity of research.
2.1 Uses current technologies such as CD-ROM, Internet and on-line data search to explore current research related to a science concept.
3.1 Learns and uses safety procedures specific to an investigation or research activity.

Course Topics
Text References – Chapters in the book
Approximate length of unit
Objectives- After completing the unit the student should be able to: *GHSGT Objectives

Unit 1 Structure of the Atmosphere Chapter 1, 4, and 17 2 weeks
· Describe ways humans have attempted to explain, predict, and control the weather throughout time by myth, magic and ritual.
· Analyze the composition of the earth’s atmosphere.
· *Identify gravity as a force that is dependent upon mass and the distance between objects.
· Analyze optical phenomena associated with the atmosphere.
· * Distinguish physical from chemical properties.
· Analyze ways in which humans have taken advantages of various weather conditions
· * Analyze different types of energy in terms of sources, limits and uses, and environmental impact
· * Assess the impact of man’s activities on the environment and explore ways to help solve ecological problems.

Unit 2 Radiation and Heat Transfer Chapters 2 and 3, 3 weeks
· Analyze radiation and its effects on weather and climate.
· * Quantify mass, weight, volume, density, conductivity, and temperature as physical properties of objects in the learner’s environment
· * Identify and analyze the nature of heat transfer in the learner’s environment and describe and classify heat transfer as conduction, convection and radiation.

Unit 3 Moisture in the Atmosphere Chapters 5, 6, 7& 8 3 weeks

· Describe the effects of heating and cooling of the atmosphere.
· * Compare and contrast matter and its characteristics related to its state.
· * Identify chemical or physical changes conceptually in a laboratory setting.

Unit 4 Earth’s General Circulation Chapters 9, 10 & 11 3 weeks

Explain the relationship between air and pressure.
Recognize the source of wind as a result of differences in the temperature of the air

Unit 5 Violent Weather Patterns Chapters 12, 13, 15 & 16 3 weeks
And Analysis
· * Describe the basic structure of the atom as protons, neutrons and electrons in specific arrangements
· * Analyze different types of energy in terms of sources, limits and uses, and environmental impact

Unit 6 Weather Analysis and Forecasting Chapter 14 3 weeks
· Interpret pressure data from weather maps
· Interpret temperature data from weather maps and satellite images
· Draw isotherms on weather maps

Unit 7 Climate: Causes and Effects Chapters 18 & 19 1 week
Analyze ways in which humans have taken advantages of various weather conditions
* Analyze different types of energy in terms of sources, limits and uses, and environmental impact
* Assess the impact of man’s activities on the environment and explore ways to help solve ecological problems.

Unit 8 Final Exam
Covering Chapters 1- 19


Grade Determination: Fulton County Grading Scale will be used for all graded assignments. A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, F=69 and below

Grading Procedure: Students are encouraged to keep up with his/hers grades throughout the semester.
Tests or performance assessments 45 %
Labs 25%
Quizzes, Classwork, and Homework 15%
Final exam 15%

Test and Quizzes: A unit will be evaluated by either a written test or a performance assessment. A quiz may be given at least once during a unit. Your test will come from the material included in that unit, being any homework assignment, lab, notes, quizzes, etc. Any test that is not made up before the next test is given will be graded as a recovery grade.( please see make-up policy)
You can expect at least 3 performance assessments during the semester. Adequate time will be given to complete these, and any performance assessment that is late will receive a 10 point reduction per day.

Laboratory Activities: Since this is a science course, labs are an important part of the curriculum and you can expect to do one or two labs a week. Labs will be collected and graded after the completion of a unit. It is your responsibility to keep up with labs and to contact the teacher about lab make-ups. Labs turned in late will receive a reduction of 10 points per day.

Homework and Classwork: Homework will be assigned when extra time and preparation is needed to learn material. Homework and class work will be checked and collected on a random basis. Homework will be checked at the beginning of class and no credit will be given if you do not have it.


Make-up Policy: Make- up work for an excused absence is allowed at full credit, while make-up work for an unexcused absence will receive a grade lowered by 10%. A student has one day to every one day of an excused absence to make-up the work. It is your responsibility to get the make-up work from me and to schedule any labs, test or quizzes that you have missed.

Final Exam: This will be a comprehensive exam covering all the objectives. It will be worth 15 % of your final grade






FULTON COUNTY RECOVERY POLICY:
(High School version)
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.
CHATTAHOOCHEE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES:
Recovery is available to students with a cumulative grade below 74% after a minimum of two (2) major grades. The maximum grade a student can earn for a recovery activity is 70%. There will be only one recovery opportunity per failed major assignment or test. The individual teacher will determine the means of recovery. THE STUDENT MUST INITIATE THE PROCESS WITHIN FIVE (5) DAYS OF NOTIFICATION OF A FAILING GRADE ON A MAJOR ASSIGNMENT/TEST.

Extra Help: Since science can be a difficult subject, please seek help immediately from us when you need it. It does you no good to wait till test time. We will make ourselves available before school or after school for individual help. Also available to you is Homework Hotline from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. at (404) 843-7700

Honor Code Policy: In an effort to encourage good study habits, fair competition and positive development in the area of academics, the Chattahoochee faculty supports a strong policy on cheating. Cheating is defined as “ giving or receiving, in any form, information relating to a graded experience, either inside or outside of class”. The honor code policy will be inforced as described in your student handbook. Students may be asked to submit certain assignments through an internet program called TurnItIn.com. This program gives students the opportunity to review their own writing and correct possible plagiarism errors, thereby not violating the Honor Code.








Technology Code of Ethics: According to Fulton County Schools policy “ students shall not alter or attempt to alter school or private property including technology hardware and software.” This includes:
a. changing desktop settings or control panels on computers
b. removing or damaging mouse tracking balls, keyboard keys, cables, connectors, network jacks, or any other hardware
c. modifying computer software
d. damaging computer disks, CD-ROMs, or other media

Classroom Behavior: All student handbook rules and policies will be enforced in class. The following rules are expected in the classroom:
1) Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.
2) Bring all of your materials to class daily: textbook, notebook, pen (blue or black ink), pencil
3) No eating or drinking in class.
4) Be respectful of others in class.
5) Follow all laboratory safety rules.
6) No rude behavior will be tolerated.
Failure to follow these rules will result in private detention, a phone call to your parents, or a referral to the appropriate administrator.