Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
Environmental Science Learning Coach Guide Contents Introduction to Environmental Science Unit14 Earth’s Structure Unit16 Earth’s Natural Processes Unit17 Ecosystems and Biodiversity Unit18 Population Ecology Unit19 Natural Resources and Energy Unit20 Pollution Unit21 Earth’s Climate System Unit22 Water Resources and Management Unit23 Land Use and Conservation Unit24 Environmental Policy and Regulation Unit25 Environmental Ethics and Sustainability Unit26 Part A:Welcome to Environmental Science Welcome Letter Dear Learning Coach, Thank you for partnering with CCA and investing in your learner’s education. This Learning Coach Guide is intended to help you support your learner in their Environmental Science course. Within this guide, you will find the goals, components, and features of the online course. Please take time to read and review this information so you understand how to help your learner interact with all the course’s elements. The Learning Coach Guide also includes information about each of the units in this course. On each page of unit information, you will discover the following. The Unit Overview will tell you what the focus, content, and skills of the unit will be. The Unit Assessment section is a place for you and your learner to preview the graded work in the course. At the start of each unit, work with your learner to look at the unit in edio and find out which types of graded work are in this unit. Write them in the box and use it as a checklist. You can check off each one as your learner completes it. The Unit Materials section tells you the materials your learner will need to complete the activities in this unit. You will also find the materials list repeated within each lesson so that your learner has exactly what they need at the right time. The Unit Discussion Questions are optional questions that you may want to ask your learner during the unit to increase home and school connections about what your learner is studying. In the Unit Notables section, you may find optional activities, career connections, technology tips, ideas to help your learner if they get stuck, or safety tips. CCA wishes you and your learner a terrific school year! Supporting Your Learner Your role as a Learning Coach is very important. Here are a few ways you can help your learner do their very best in the course. Help your learner know what time guided or live class instruction is scheduled for, and prompt them to attend sessions or watch recordings. Remember, it is okay for your learner to get stuck. Learning new material takes time. Encourage them to take breaks, keep trying, and even ask the teacher for help. Help your learner navigate technology. That may mean helping them type information or upload work into edio. Always encourage your learner to do their very best. Review the course syllabus for your learner’s course. Maintain communication with your learner’s teacher. Part B:Course Information Course Goals In Environmental Science, your learner will explore the interaction among the human population and its overall effects on the environment. Your learner will focus on concepts such as energy, relationships between species and their environment, Earth’s systems, and sustainability. They will actively engage in inquiry-based assignments, projects, and simulations. By the end of the year, your learner will be able to: conduct scientific investigations to make observations, raise questions, and formulate hypotheses; create and interpret graphs and diagrams using data collected through scientific investigations; demonstrate critical thinking skills to analyze facts and form conclusions; communicate scientific ideas using appropriate scientific terminology; demonstrate the ability to use the scientific skills necessary to identify and analyze environmental issues; recognize the role of environmental scientists in scientific study; evaluate the impact of anthropogenic factors on the biosphere; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms involved in Earth’s natural processes; and make informed decisions and contribute to sustainable management of planet Earth. Course Format This section will help you to understand how your learner’s course is structured in edio. Lesson Components: Each day, your learner will spend 45–60 minutes completing an environmental science lesson. Some days may take less time, while other days may take a little more time. The lesson does not need to be completed in one sitting. Encourage your learner to take short breaks as they need. Lesson Bundling: In the Environmental Science course, your learner will engage in lessons, assignments, projects, labs, quizzes, and tests. Within some lessons, there are lesson bundles. See example below. Within the lesson bundles, your learner will interact with different components, some of which will not be used every day. Getting Started Lesson: There is one Getting Started lesson in this course. It can be found on Day 1 of Unit 1. This lesson includes important information about the course and contact information for your teacher. Unit Overview: Each unit will include a unit overview. This describes what your learner will learn in the unit and how many assessments the unit will have. Prep for Success: At the beginning of each unit, your learner will find a Prep for Success. This component offers learners tips to be successful in the course, such as study tips, important software information, safety reminders, and how to upload files. Knowledge Check: There will be one Knowledge Check in each unit. The Knowledge Check is usually found in the first lesson of the unit, except in Unit 1, where it is found in the second lesson of the unit. The Knowledge Check is designed to check prior learning and understanding about the key skills and concepts that will be taught in the unit. The Knowledge Check is not a graded assessment. Vocabulary: On most lesson days, your learner will see a vocabulary bundle. Your learner will complete a vocabulary bundle before the regular lesson. The vocabulary bundle contains a list of the objectives your learner will learn in the lesson as well as new vocabulary. Prerequisite vocabulary may be vocabulary from a previous lesson in the Environmental Science course or from a previous science course. Lesson: Environmental Science lessons follow a similar structure to your learner’s other classes. Each informative lesson comprises three parts: Engage, Discover, and Show. Review the information on the next page to learn what to expect in each of these parts of a lesson. Lesson Components Each lesson has its own components to help guide your learner through the lesson. Lesson Overview: At the beginning of every vocabulary bundle, your learner will see the lesson overview. This section contains lesson objectives, lesson vocabulary, materials your learner will need for the lesson, and the suggested lesson length. Engage: The first section of the lesson is Engage. In this section, learners will be introduced to the lesson by making a connection to past and present knowledge, and will get ready for the lesson’s instruction. Discover: New content and instruction is presented in the Discover section. Your learner will interact with the lesson content through defined vocabulary terms, videos, audio, and Pause and Think activities. Your learner will be able to practice and answer questions as they work through the lesson. Show: Learners will demonstrate what they have learned in the lesson through a series of practice questions. Optional More to Explore: At the end of some lessons, an Optional More to Explore Activity will appear. The activity will introduce your learner to an extension that includes more information about the day’s lesson topic. Your learner may skip the activity and move directly to the lesson summary. Summary: This section recaps the day’s objectives and prepares learners for a future lesson or assessment. The course includes assignments and projects. These graded assignments allow your learner to show what they have learned and apply their new skills. All CCA assignments and projects include these components. Assignments and Projects Components: Assessment Overview: At the beginning of each assessment, your learner will see the assessment overview. This section contains the goals of the assessment, materials your learner will need, length of the assessment, and directions for completion. Plan: In the Plan section, learners will be introduced to the assignment, project, or lab. Learners may be provided with a review of content from the previous lessons and strategies for completing the activity. Do: Learners put their plan into action and work to complete the assignment, project, or lab successfully. The learner will learn how to work through graphic organizers and/or data tables for the assignment, project, or lab. This section also provides the grading expectations and/or rubric the teacher will use to grade the work. At the end of this section, learners will upload any work that is required for a grade. Reflect: In Reflect, learners will think about the work they completed. They will reflect upon the experience and analyze how well they completed the task. These moments of reflection are important and allow learners to think about their learning and work habits. In addition to assignments and projects, this course also includes quizzes and tests. Quiz and Test Components: Quiz Review: Before a quiz, learners will have the opportunity to review the vocabulary and content they will be assessed on in a quiz. Learners will also work through some practice quiz questions. Quiz: A quiz may be given after some lessons or the end of a unit. Quizzes can include multiple-choice, matching, sortable lists, category, and short-answer questions. Test Review: Before a test, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the test. Learners will also work through some practice test questions. Test: A test will assess learning at the end of a unit. Tests can include multiple-choice, matching, sortable lists, category, and short-answer questions. Course Features To best engage your learner, Environmental Science uses some additional features that are unique to this course. This course includes and uses the following unique features: Simulation Labs Environmental Science Notebook Curriculum Kit Simulation Labs: In some units, your learner will engage in a virtual simulation. These simulations are designed to broaden your learner’s Environmental Science experience by giving them an opportunity to perform experiments in a virtual lab. Environmental Science Notebook: In Environmental Science, your learner will use the Environmental Science Notebook in conjunction with the majority of their lessons in edio. The Environmental Science Notebook consists of notes pages, “Show What You Learned” pages, a glossary, and an appendix. Notes Page: Your learner will use the Notes page for each lesson in their Environmental Science Notebook to take notes during daily lessons. The Notes page will guide your learner by requiring them to record main ideas of the lesson. The Notes page may include outlines, tables, graphic organizers, or diagrams. Your learner will use the guided notes to help them focus on the most important concepts of the lesson. Show What You Learned: Your learner will complete the Show What You Learned page for most of the lessons in this course to check their understanding of the lesson topics. The Show What You Learned page contains an activity that summarizes what they learned that day. The Show What You Learned page may include activities, such as labeling, matching, question and answer, and critical thinking. Your learner should plan to use the last 10 minutes of their lesson time to complete Show What You Learned. Glossary: The Glossary contains the definitions of all of the vocabulary your learner will learn in this course. It also contains definitions of some other words your learner learned in previous science courses. The words in the Glossary are listed in alphabetical order. Appendix: The appendix contains the list of curriculum kit materials, formulas, key figures and diagrams. Curriculum Kit: Your learner should have received a box that contains the supplies they will use during this course. The Curriculum Kit contains most of the materials your learner will need to complete the activities in Environmental Science. In the first lesson of the course, your learner will verify that the Curriculum Kit contains all of the materials they need. Part C:Unit Information Introduction to Environmental Science Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the field of environmental science, along with its importance to human health and the conservation of Earth’s natural resources. Your learner will also practice applying scientific tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and report data in the field of environmental science. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What did you learn about environmental science and its importance to human health? What aspects of environmental science do you want to explore further? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will take their first quiz on the introduction to environmental science. Encourage your learner to fully complete the review lesson before taking the quiz. Tell your learner to be sure to fully read each multiple-choice question and choose the best answer. Also, tell your learner to be sure to answer each prompt in complete sentences when responding to a text-answer question. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Earth’s Structure Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the components of planet Earth, including its atmosphere and lithosphere. Your learner will examine the composition of the atmosphere, as well as learn about the weather. Your learner will investigate how Earth’s tectonic plate movements lead to the formation of earthquakes and volcanoes. The rock cycle will also be a key area of study. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What did you learn about the components of Earth’s atmosphere and lithosphere? How do tectonic plate movements cause earthquakes and volcanoes? Which part of the rock cycle do you find most interesting, and why? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete an assignment on modelling plate tectonics. They will create models of different type of plate boundaries using modelling clay. Encourage your leaner to arrange the clay into separate piles before they begin the model. Your learner will also take the first test on the concepts covered in the unit. Encourage your learner to fully complete the review lesson before taking the test. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook, modeling clay Household Materials any piece of blank paper Earth’s Natural Processes Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the cycles that move elements and compounds between living and nonliving components of Earth. They will examine the carbon cycle, learning how photosynthesis and human activities impact it. The nitrogen cycle will also be covered. Your learner will also study the phosphorus cycle and the water cycle. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What did you learn about the carbon cycle and its impact on Earth? How do human activities affect the nitrogen cycle? What did you learn about the significance of the water and phosphorus cycles? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will assess the impact of acid rain on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by completing a simulation. Encourage your learner to thoroughly assess each indicator species while working through the simulation lab. Ensure your learner goes through the rubric to understand how they will be graded on this assignment. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Ecosystems and Biodiversity Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the components of ecosystems, including the difference between biotic and abiotic factors. They will learn about biodiversity and ecological relationships. Your learner will also study trophic levels and their interactions, as well as the movement of energy through ecosystems. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions How do biotic and abiotic factors influence an ecosystem? What are trophic levels, and how does energy move through them? How do you think ecological relationships apply in the presence of an invasive species? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete two research assignments, one on invasive species and the other on career exploration. Encourage your learner to use reliable resources to complete their research. Your learner will also engage in a simulation lab to investigate the ecological relationships in a food web with owl as the apex predator. In this activity, help your learner match the bones extracted from the pellet with the bone identification chart. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Population Ecology Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will examine the factors that affect population size. They will learn how limiting factors impact a population’s carrying capacity and explore the implications of human population growth. Your learner will also study how ecological pressures can lead to changes in populations, including evolution by natural selection and extinction. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What are some factors that affect population size and carrying capacity? How does human population growth impact the environment? Which aspects of natural selection and its role in population changes do you find challenging to grasp? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will engage in a modeling natural selection lab. Encourage your learner to carefully watch the video to explore different dewlaps in a lizard species known as anoles. Based on the video, help your learner to correlate dewlap variety and its significance in the process of natural selection among anoles. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Natural Resources and Energy Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore Earth’s resources, including energy. They will examine the difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Your learner will also investigate the advantages and disadvantages of various fuels, such as fossil fuels, alternative energy sources, and nuclear power. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What are the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources? How can the choices regarding energy resources impact the environment and future generations? Which aspects of energy resources are you still curious to explore further? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete their first project. This two-day project will have them design a fictional community’s energy system based on geological location and available energy resources. Before submitting their project, encourage your learner to make sure they have completed all of the project tasks. Help your learner think about how their energy system would work in your local community. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Pollution Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore air, water, and land pollution. They will learn about common sources of each type of pollution and methods to reduce pollution levels. Your learner will examine the effects of pollution on organisms, including biomagnification. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions How do air, water, and land pollution differ in their sources and impacts on the environment? What are some effective methods to reduce pollution in your community? Which aspects of biomagnification and its effects on organisms surprised you the most? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will create a watershed model to investigate the relationship between surface runoff and sources of water pollution. Encourage your learner to carefully read over the material list and procedure before creating their watershed model. Ensure your learner uses a color other than black to indicate surface runoff pathways that pollutants may take. Kit Materials colored pencils, Environmental Science Notebook, manila folder, modeling clay, paper, paper towels, spray bottle Household Materials Water Earth’s Climate System Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will investigate the distinctions between natural climate variability and human-induced influences, examining the consequences for ecosystems and societies. Your learner will also explore mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the challenges of a changing climate. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions How can you differentiate between natural climate variability and human-induced influences? What are some effective mitigation strategies to address climate change? What surprises you the most about the consequences of climate change? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete a research assignment on the most likely consequences of climate change in a local region of their choice. Encourage your learners to use reliable sources to complete their research. Ensure your learner goes through the checklist provided in the lesson to check if an online source is reliable. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Water Resources and Management Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore Earth’s water resources and their management. They will examine the distinctions between different water resources and learn about the importance of water quality. Your learner will also study how people protect water resources through management, usage practices, and pollution mitigation. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What are the key differences between various water resources, and how does their management impact sustainability? Why is maintaining water quality important? How has your understanding of the challenges in managing and protecting water resources changed? Unit Notables In this unit, through an assignment, your learner will have the opportunity to track and study their own water usage activities. When they have done so, help your learner identify areas where water can be conserved. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Land Use and Conservation Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the ways human activities lead to habitat loss. Your learner will also examine agricultural practices. They will learn about strategies for conserving and restoring natural habitats. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions How do human activities affect wildlife habitats? What are the key agricultural practices that impact wildlife habitats? Which strategies for conserving and restoring natural habitats do you find most promising, and why? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete a habitat restoration project in a fictional community. Your learner will also complete a simulation lab that involves investigating soil quality. Help your learner identify what kind of materials, when added to soil, improves the soil quality. Encourage your learner to apply this knowledge to help a community garden or one in your home. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Environmental Policy and Regulation Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will explore the history of conservation and delve into careers specializing in conservation and environmental science. They will study environmental agencies, laws, and regulations, examining their roles and impacts. Your learner will also investigate the roles of government and individuals in conservation efforts. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions Which historical events have shaped the evolution of conservation efforts? How do environmental agencies, laws, and regulations contribute to conservation goals? How do you think policy frameworks can be changed to better address conservation challenges? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will come across different careers in environmental conservation. Discuss with your learner if a career in environmental conservation interests them. Encourage your learner to come up with a plan to take up a career in environmental conservation. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None Environmental Ethics and Sustainability Unit Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will examine environmental equity, delve into sustainable living practices, and investigate strategies for reducing carbon footprints. Your learner will analyze the pros and cons of different approaches to promoting environmental sustainability and equity. They will also learn about efforts by conservationists to protect the planet. Unit Assessments Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions How can environmental equity be achieved? What sustainable living practices have you found most impactful in reducing your carbon footprint, and why? Which conservation efforts resonate with you the most, and why? Unit Notables In this unit, encourage your learner to consider the health of the environment and some of the sustainable practices that can be implemented in your home and community. Help your learner to think critically about their carbon footprint and ways to reduce it. Kit Materials Environmental Science Notebook Household Materials None
Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
