Geog Course Descrpition

8/11/2019 Geog Course Descrpition

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LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015

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Keys for Success

!Come to class prepared

!Be respectful of others

!Dont fa!behind

!Take accountability

!Study! Study! Study!

As your Teacher I will

!Make lessons interesting

!Provide a detailedStudy Guide

!Treat youa!equa!y

!Do everythingin my power to befair and help you succeed

World GeographyWelcome to World Geography

Course Description

Welcome! I look forward to getting to know each of you as thesemester progresses. My goal is to make this course as interesting andrelevant as possible. I will treat each and every one of you with therespect you deserve. In turn, I will expect you to treat your classmatesand me in the same courteous and respectful fashion! Philosophically, Ibelieve that all students can learn, students have di#erent learningstyles, and cooperative interaction increases learning and improvessocial skills

OVERVIEW

Why study Geography? What isthe point? Isnt Geography just maps?These are all common questions Ihear as a teacher of Geography. Infact, Geography is much more thanwhat most think, and it serves acritical role. Studying Geographyincreases understanding of how theworld works from both natural and

cultural standpoints. In addition tobetter understanding the world,students will learn how to thinkcritically. It is my ultimate hope,that above all, students will have theability to see the beauty of theworld and its people. They willemerge from the course with a senseof respect and appreciation for theworld and its diverse cultures.


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WORLD GEOGRAPHY

Much of what we do will be dictated by current events and department decisions. In many ways, currentevents will dictate what we cover and when.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

Unit 1: Tools of the Geographer

Duration estimate: 3 weeks

Unit 2: The Middle East


Unit 3: Europe


Unit 4: Africa


Unit 5: Asia


Keep up with the assigned readings I will provide

Come to class prepared to participate and learn. This includes having the following materials:

#2 pencil and paper

3 or 4 inch three"ring notebook

unit study guidecurrent assignment

Be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings.

Cell phones are not to be used in class.

iPods are not to be used during class unless permission is given and can only be used for musicwith one headphone in so you can hear me should I have something to say.

No game devices.

You are expected to contribute to class discussions, activities, and projects.

Sleeping in class will not be permitted nor tolerated at any time!

No food or drink in the classroom. Bottled water is ok!

Assignments that are not legible will not be graded until they are re"written in a legible fashion. Assignments without name or an illegible name will receive a full letter grade deduction.

Do not work on other courses during this course.

Do not talk when the teacher is talking!

You will be respectful to others, this includes the use of profanity!

Students are expected to be self su$cient, this means they are to take responsibility to pick upassignments that they missed, talk to me about how to raise their grade, and are responsiblethemselves to retake any quizzes or tests they have missed.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS


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WORLD GEOGRAPHY

Homework:

Homework will mostly consist of personal study. You will receive a unit unit study at the beginning ofeach unit of study, go over it daily! Some assignments will be assigned throughout the year to do at home.Most work however can be completed during the allotted school hour.

Additional homework will NOT be assigned during weekends or holidays! Also, to help preserve yourweekend, I will do my best to prevent testing on Mondays.

Late Work:

Any unit assignment that is turned in late will be accepted for 60%of its original value. After a unit iscompleted, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. Tests must be taken within two days uponreturn to school or the test will be recorded as a zero.

Make"Up Work:

It is your responsibility to collect and complete any work that is missed due to an excused absence. Youwill have two days to complete makeup work due to illness or any other excused absence without areduction in grade. Unexcused absences will not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments.

Re"takes:

Assignments that receive a score lower than a C may be re"taken. These assignments have to be re"submitted one day after it has been handed back. Re"takes will only receive at best a C letter grade.

Tests/Exams* may also be re"taken if the score is lower than a C or 75%. One week will be allotted for alltest re"takes. Students re"taking a test can only receive at best a C or 75%. All re"takes will occur before orafter school. The semester final is ineligible for retakes.

Quizzes must be taken within two days of your return from an excused absence. Pop quizzes cannot be re"taken but can be made up if missed. Your quiz score will be concrete.

*Subject to change based upon department policy

Debates/Discussions:

Please wait for a natural pause before speaking during a classroom discussion. Do not interrupt or

personally criticize anyone! Help make everyone feel comfortable in our classroom. Be prepared to defendyour position/opinion with facts.


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WORLD GEOGRAPHY

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Bathroom Policy/Passes:

On the first day of school or a new quarter/semester, students will be issued 4 Tiger Passes. Passes can beused in many ways. The most commonly used method is to go to the bathroom. Students wishing to leaveand go to the rest room need only to fill out their pass and turn it in the box on the wall before leaving.Students are limited to 4 passes per unit! They must have them in their possession to use them. I am notresponsible for lost passes! Pass uses are listed below:

1&To go to the bathroom

2&To get supplies or a missing assignment

3&To borrow a pencil, pen or paper

4&To avoid a late penalty 'single day only(

5&To buy a food pass

6&Two can be used to get your cell phone back at the end of class

7& Unused passes can be turned for assignment exemption. Ask Mr. Hardy for details.

Extra Credit:

There are two ways to earn extra credit. The first method is to take good notes during class and showthem to Mr. Hardy following the completion of a unit. The second method is to complete Mr. Hardyschallenge. I believe that in order to receive extra credit, extra work must be involved.

Unit Challenges:Each unit I will o#er the class an academic challenge. It could be one to take better notes, to raise quiz ortest scores or one that is behavior based. On occasion, I will allow student to set their own personal goal.During the unit, students will have to prove that they are achieving their goal through documentation. Ifthey prove they worked hard on their goal and showed improvement they will be rewarded with 5%extracredit for the unit.

Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism:

Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment in question. Please consult the studenthandbook for more details regarding plagiarism.


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WORLD GEOGRAPHY

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

O#ce Hours:

I am available each day approximately an hour before and an hour after school. Please schedule or makeme aware of a planned visit at least one day in advance. O$ce hours are subject to change due to coachingresponsibilities.

Grading:

Your grade will be based on your academic performance. The school grading scale is:

100)90%= A 'Advanced(

89)80%= B 'Proficient(79)70%= C 'Basic(

69)60%= D 'Below Basic(

59)Below = F

Exams/Quizzes and Final=70#of your overa!grade

Classwork/Projects/Assignments=30#of your overa!grade

Much of what is assigned is graded objectively. However, it is not possible to grade all assignments in thisfashion, particularly essays/compositions. If you do not understand why you received a certain grade, it isyour right and responsibility to discuss your concern with me in private!

Advanced: Students at the advanced level use their knowledge of social studies in complex andabstract situations and can analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and ideas.Proficient: Students at the proficient level use concepts and skills to acquire and communicateinformation and ideas. To gain proficiency, students must earn an 80$or higher in theclass!Basic: Students at the basic level ine#ectively use knowledge and skills to acquire andcommunicate information and ideas.Below Basic: Students at the below basic level in social studies require extensive support orprovide little or no evidence in meeting the standard.

Geog Course Descrpition

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