Andover High School

World Geography

Course Syllabus Fall 2011

INSRUCTOR INFORMATION

Instructor Name: Seth Anderson Class Location: Room 107

Phone: 218-4600 Ext. 31107 E-Mail:

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description:

Students in this course will study the relationship between the people, the political and economic systems, and the land. They will also learn about the earth’s physical features and culture as influenced by the physical environment.

Course Objectives

1. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various government structures.

2. Use basic geography terms.

3. Locate geographic features using latitude and longitude.

4. Examine and learn to respect other cultures.

5. Construct and use maps.

6. Interpret the effect of human existence on the earth.

Required Materials and Supplies:

1. Writing utensil (pen or pencil) & Paper

2. Text book (Glencoe World Geography—checked out from library)

3. 3-Ring Binder (2 inches)—to organize class notes, assignments, and current events.

4. Dividers with tab—used to organize unit material in 3-ring binder

Methods of Evaluation:

Daily work—work in class and homework assignments

Projects—various group or partner activities for unit material

Quizzes—taken on a weekly basis (will include map quizzes)

Tests—given for every unit, objective and essay format

Final Exam—Cumulative test on semester information

Late Work:

LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. I will give you plenty of time to complete assignments. Please set priorities and time management to complete assignments and projects on time—use your planner! Remember this rule, because I will not be lenient or charitable at the end of the semester when you need to raise your grade.

Grading Scale:

A 100-90

B 89-80

C 79-70

D 69-60

F 59-below (required course, will retake)

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

Make-Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from teachers following an excused or unexcused absence. In general, two days are given to complete daily work missed for each day of excused absence. For extended illness, the student will be limited to a total of 5 school days following their return to make-up work missed. Exceptions to this rule can be made through special arrangements with the teacher or administration. No make-up credit will be allowed for unexcused absences. Tests that have been scheduled in advance and long-term assignments need to be completed within a reasonable period of time per the agreement with all parties. Teachers may establish specific guidelines related to long-term assignments on an individual class basis. Dependent upon individual teacher policies, students may miss the opportunity to earn daily participation points for non-school related absences.

Unexcused Absences: Students who have an unexcused absence will lose credit for all work missed during that class period. Students will be assigned 2 hours detention for each hour of unexcused absence or Saturday school in cases in which the student is unexcused for a significant part of the school day.

Tardies: Students are tardy if they are not in the classroom when the bell begins to ring. Students are allowed 1 excused tardy per class, each semester. Beginning with the 2nd tardy, 30 minutes detention time will be assigned by the classroom teacher to be served in the school wide detention room, or in my room within 48 hours (please write my name on sheet when serving a detention for me.)

Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to maintain academic honesty and integrity at all times throughout their high school career. Academic dishonesty (as in cheating or plagiarism) is not acceptable. Cheating includes copying another student’s work and submitting it as one’s own. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s original ideas or writing without giving credit to the true author. A student who engages in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to the loss of credit for the work in question, as well as other disciplinary measures. Repeated occurrences could result in the student being removed from the class with no credit. Any student enrolled in a BCCC or dual credit course caught cheating or plagiarizing is subject to BCCC rules and regulations that may result in a student receiving an “F” for the course.

All policies and guidelines from the Andover High School Student Handbook will be enforced.

INSTRUCTOR POLICIES

1. Be respectful to all property and all people at all times. No harassment, or degrading other students.

2. Absolutely no cell phones! Parents must come to school to collect confiscated phones. Turn the phones off. Parents must call office to contact student. Ipods and mp3 players will be not be allowed during class.

3. Keep your area clean (daily basis, when working on projects, and in library)

4. Bring materials to class everyday—detention time will be assigned if not prepared for class.

5. Do not line up at the door before the bell rings, I will dismiss you.

6. Drinks are allowed, but no food. Students and class may lose drink privilege.

7. Students will be responsible for making up missed work—notes, handouts, quizzes, tests.

8. You cannot leave my classroom without your agenda book (passes will be given sparingly)

FINAL TEACHER’S NOTE

You are starting fresh this semester. Please get to a great start by setting and accomplishing goals for your educational career at AHS. Accomplishing these lofty goals will enable you to perform at a higher level later in life. You may not know what you will do in five years, but do not limit yourself by lack of effort and participation today.

This course will have about 1-2 hours of homework a week. Please challenge yourself to put in the necessary time and effort to accomplish readings, homework, and test preparation to acquire the proper grade and knowledge for this subject. Please use your agenda book to your advantage. You need to get into the habit of writing upcoming assignments, tests, projects, and activities in your book. This planning and organization will propel you into a great and prepared student. You need to have your planner at all times, you can’t leave without it. If you lose your agenda book, you have to pay for a new one.

Please view lesson plans and assignments on my classroom website at http://andersse.pbworks.com Students and parents will be able to view grades on PowerSchool on usd385.org website. The grade book will be updated once a week. Please email me questions at .

Cut along line

Mr. Anderson World Geography

Student Name (print)______Hour______

I have read and understand the policies as outlined in the course syllabus.

Parent Phone Number ______Parent Email ______

______

Student Signature Parent/Guardian Signature

Please return this sheet to class by Wednesday, August 24th (10 points)