Good luck in your exams next week. You may like to read through some revision tips here. The main things are to study hard, without distractions and look after yourself, with healthy food, adequate sleep and a calm attitude.
Enjoy work experience in Melbourne and I will see you at the beginning of Term 3. Next semester we will be starting Unit 4 – Pollution and Environmental Management Systems.
Samphire halosarcia (Blackseed glasswort)
As I will be attending the school cross country event tomorrow (Tuesday, 26th May), I will not be in class. You are to go on with your Field Guide of Salt Marsh plants, including images, common and scientific names of plants you are likely to find in the wetlands at Killarney. There is a list in an earlier post to refer to. Make sure you have at least ten species to identify in the field.
You also have copies of three past exam papers to complete prior to the Unit 3 exam (2.45pm Wednesday 10th June). As June 8th is a public holiday for Queen’s birthday, I am proposing that we do a practise exam either next Monday (on our return for the salt marsh) or after school next Tuesday.
You cannot achieve full marks for an exam question if you do not understand what the question is asking you to do. These terms are often used in environmental science and other exams:
• name/nominate: simply state. For example, name a pollutant – carbon monoxide
• define: requires a description that identifies and differentiates the term or concept
• describe: requires giving some properties of the subject. For example, describe the pollutant – a pink liquid, volatile, lower density than water, toxic to humans
• outline: briefly give an overview of the main features or issues. For example, outline a management plan – list measures to safeguard the environment, set up equipment to monitor emissions, establish acceptable limits, determine whether limits are met, and if necessary modify the procedure
• evaluate: requires a judgment based on evidence or data
• compare: list similarities and differences.
While I am away at Professional Development on Monday and Tuesday you have plenty of work to do! Firstly you need to finish the short answer section of the 2005 exam we started this week – the questions about Environmental Management Systems and Ecotourism. Secondly, you need to take notes about Great Western Vineyards as a case study of EMS. Remember, careful evaluation requires qualitative and quantitative data to support your asessment. What are they doing well? How could they improve? What are the economic, social and environmental issues?
Congratulations to all those students who received good Unit 3 exam results this week. Those of you who are disappointed with their marks have the opportunity to improve their results this semester. You should all have a study program that enables you to allocate time to each subject for revision and set homework tasks. Make sure you have a quiet and comfortable space at home to study and try to organise your schedule so that you don’t leave one particular subject until last each night.
