World Geography Course Description and Syllabus

Class facts:

World Geography

Course Description:

From the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) introduction to World Geography:

           In World Geography Studies, students examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography.

Outcomes:

·         World Geography has students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present.  A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the characteristics of major land forms, climates, and ecosystems and their interrelationships; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of regions;  types and patterns of settlement;  the distribution and movement of world population;  relationships among people, places, and environments;  and the concept of region.  Students analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems throughout the world.  Students identify the processes that influence political divisions of the planet and analyze how different points of view affect the development of public policies.  Students compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment.  Students use problem-solving and decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions. 

Course Units:

Unit 1:  The Basics of Geography

Unit II:  The United States and Canada

Unit III:  Latin America

Unit IV:  Europe

Unit V:  Russia and the Republics

Unit VI:  Africa

Unit VII:  Southwest Asia

Unit VIII:  South Asia

Unit IX:  East Asia

Unit X:  Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Antarctica

Assessment:

1.  Minor (Formative) grades will comprise 40% of the students’ grades.  Daily grades include all homework assignments, worksheets, reading assignments, mapping exercises, and quizzes.

1. Quizzes will be comprised of 10 – 15 multiple choice questions and / or short answer questions from your assigned reading and / or other material presented in class.  Quizzes will count as one daily grade unless otherwise specified.
2. All other daily assignments will be daily work and will be assigned periodically.  These will count as single daily grades unless otherwise specified. 

2.  Major (Summative) grades will comprise 60% of the students’ grades. 

1. Tests will follow every major unit.  Tests will consist of multiple choice, true false, fill in the blank, maps, and short answer style questions.  Written essays may or may not be on each test. 
2. Projects may or may not be given once each semester.  Students will know about each project in ample time for completion.  Specific requirements and grading rubrics will be available to students from the day that a project is assigned. 
3. Other assignments may count as a major grade.  Students will be made aware in advance

RETEST POLICY:  Students will only be allowed to retake a test if the student scored below 70% and has completed any re-teach assignments.

1. A teacher shall re-teach and retest a class when 40% or more of that class has failed a summative assignment or examination. The teacher shall record the higher of the two grades earned for those students being retested. Reassessment must occur within ten instructional days of the original assessment.

2. When less than 40% of a class has failed any assignment or examination (other than homework) that is recorded for a grade, individual students must be provided the opportunity to make-up or redo the assignment or examination for which the student received a failing grade. The teacher shall record the average of the two grades earned for these students. Before any reassessment occurs, a student shall receive appropriate remediation.

3. A teacher may, at his/her discretion, allow individual students to make-up or redo a homework assignment they have failed. In this situation the teacher shall also record the average of the two grades earned for these students.

4. If a student scores higher on a summative assessment than s/he did on the formative assessment(s) (other than homework) designed to prepare for that summative, then the teacher shall drop the lowest of the formative assessment grades associated with that summative assessment. Any determination to drop or keep a grade should reflect a student’s progress toward the overall mastery of skills and concepts.

5. After the second grade of “0” is assigned to a student in a grading period, the parents must be contacted.

If the problem persists, a student-teacher-parent conference is required.

Northwest ISD Secondary Grading Policy

MAKE UP WORK POLICY:  All students shall be allowed to make up work when they are absent from class.

1. Students shall have a time equal to days absent from class plus one day to complete all missed assignments.

2. Under extenuating circumstances such as long-term illness or family emergencies, teachers may choose to give students more than one day for each day missed to make-up assignments.

3. In situations where the assignments were given before the student was absent, a shorter time frame may be required at the teacher’s discretion.

4. Make-up tests or quizzes should be administered during tutorial time to prevent the student from missing additional class time; however, students who cannot attend tutorials must be given the opportunity to make up this work during the regular school day.

Modifications of this procedure, which may require administrative approval, should be discussed with the appropriate administrator in a timely manner.

Make-up tests and quizzes will be administered by appointment.  Quizzes must be made up within three days of returning to school.  Tests must be made up within one week.  SEE STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION!

LATE WORK POLICY: 

1. When an assignment is submitted after a deadline, a penalty of fifteen (15) points per class meeting may be deducted from the grade with a maximum of 30 points deducted.

2. Teachers will use professional discretion in determining when such a deduction is inappropriate.

3. Late work will be accepted for a grade until the last day of the grading period in which the assignment was made or until the teacher documents personal contact with a student’s parents regarding a late assignment. (Once contact is made, students should be provided at least one additional day to submit the assignment.)

Teachers may accept work beyond this timeline for purposes of providing feedback to the student but any grade given will follow the procedures outlined in #1 (above). Note: If an assignment is due the last week of the grading period and extenuating circumstances prevent the assignment from being submitted on time, the teacher may assign a mark of incomplete (I) on the report card. In such situations, the timelines described in #1 will be used. Exceptions to these guidelines may apply in cases regarding UIL eligibility. Refer to UIL rules for additional information.

Cheating:

Cheating will not be tolerated.  I define cheating as:

·         Cutting and pasting information from the internet and claiming the work as your own

·         Plagiarism – copying directly from books, periodicals, friends, the internet, etc and claiming the work as you own.

·         Copying assignments or allowing people to copy assignments.  EVEN homework.

·         Using “helpful” notes on closed note assignments or bringing in pre-written answers.

·         Looking on a classmate’s paper during a quiz or test.

·         Use of any technological device during a testing / quiz environment.

·          Basically; if you have a questions about whether it’s cheating or not – it probably is! -- DO YOUR OWN WORK!

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN

World Geography

Supplies

You will need the following supplies each day for class:

Markers                                    Map Colors

Writing Utensil               Paper   

Netbook                       Netbook Charger         

All supplies should be obtained by Friday August  31, 2012.

Classroom Rules

1.       All school policies (Water is allowed in the classroom)

2.       Be in class every day, on time (in your seat!), alert!

3.       Be respectful of your peers, teacher, and yourself. 

4.       Be respectful of all equipment, books, and supplies.

5.       Do the best you can everyday.

Discipline

Students who break the rules will be warned first. (Receive a yellow card)  If the situation arises again, a detention and or parent notification will follow. (Receive a red card)  Students who fail to serve the detention will be referred to their assistant principal.  Severe matters will be sent directly to the assistant principal.

Tardy

You are expected to be in your seat and working when the bell rings.  If you are not in class when the bell rings, then you must have a tardy pass issued from the assistant principal’s office.  (For more information on Tardies please see you student handbook.)

Absences and Make-up Work

Refer to the "Assessment" section of syllabus for explanation of policies.

Name_______________________

Return this Page to class by August 31, 2012 with your signature and parent/guardian signature!

Dear World Geography Teacher,

I have read the 2012 course description / syllabus / classroom management plan and the information sheet on World Geography.  I understand my responsibilities as a student and the requirements to maintain good standing.  By signing below, I agree to put forth maximum effort which includes but is not limited to: attending class everyday, reading all assigned reading, completing all work on time to the best of my ability, and participating in class. 

                                                ___________________________________

                                                 Student Signature

I have read the 2012 course syllabus, the information sheet on World Geography and the classroom management plan.  I am aware that I am welcome to contact the instructor to confer about my student’s progress

_________________________________

                                                Parent/guardian signature 

Periodically I send an e-mail update to all the parents.  It includes what we are doing in class, upcoming projects, etc.  IT WILL NOT GIVE INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.  If you would like to receive these e-mails please write your e-mail address below.

Parent e-mail address___________________________________________________