Syllabus: Geography
This course we will study World Geography. Geography goes far beyond a tradition history class, instead we seek to focus on how geography shapes our perception of the world. In addition, the course deals extensively with learning how to read, understand, analyze and interpret a wide variety of both primary and secondary texts together with the maps, graphs and pictorial materials associated with them. The course also aims to help students to put the knowledge and understanding they are gaining into practice through sharpening their oral and written communication skills. This will be achieved in two ways: First, through regular class discussions and occasional assigned oral presentations or debates. Second, through the regular writing of focused essays that require both knowledge and analytical and interpretive skills.
Our basic goals and objectives this year are designed to prepare you for future classes and for life in the working world. My philosophy of education is that all students can learn. It is my job to provide a safe atmosphere in which students receive differentiated instruction and evaluation that corresponds to their learning style. It is the student's job to behave in a manner that does not disrupt class and to always do their personal best on assignments.
Rights and Responsibilities
We each have rights in the classroom that allow the school to function effectively. In order to protect these rights we also have specific responsibilities. Below is a basic list of the most important rights and responsibilities you have as a student.
Rights / Responsibilities1. Students have the right to learn. / 1. Students are responsible for turning in work on time, being quiet during test time, coming to class prepared to learn, and following all class procedures.
2. Students have a right to hold their own opinions. / 2. Students are responsible for respecting all people and their opinions. Please raise your hand before speaking out, don't shout at people, listen and reflect before passing judgment.
3. Students have a right to know their grades. / 3. Students are responsible for keeping an updated record of all grades. Please hold on to all assignments after they are returned as proof in case there is a discrepancy in the grades.
Classroom Rules
No Cellphones
No Food in the Classroom
No Cursing
Do Not Put Your Head Down
Be in Your Seat When Bell Rings
SLANT
Our class needs to be of interruptions in order to maximize learning. Slant is designed to set normal conditions in our classroom.
Sit Down
Listen
Ask and Answer Questions
Nod Your Head
Track The Speaker
Behavior and Consequences
Failure to follow the classroom procedures, expectations and responsibilities will result in one or more of the following consequences depending on the severity of the incident:
1. A reminder of the expectation
2. Student/teacher conference
3. Parent/guardian phone call and/or conference
4. Office referral
Any violation that involves the mention of bodily harm or any other severely disruptive behavior will result in immediate administrative action.
Plagiarism
One issue that we find students do not take seriously enough is plagiarism. Plagiarism includes cheating on tests, using quotes without giving the original speaker or writer proper citation, referencing analysis without crediting the source, copying another student's work, and any other instance of borrowing someone else's work and submitting it as your own. DO NOT CHEAT AND DO NOT LET OTHERS CHEAT OFF OF YOU!! Plagiarism will result in immediate disciplinary action.
Classroom Procedures
✯Come prepared every day with a pen, a pencil, paper, and your class notebook. Every student is required to have a class notebook, which the teacher will collect and check periodically. It is highly recommended that you keep a three-ring binder
✯Grades are based on a points system. Mandatory assignments will include current events, study guides, notebooks, quizzes, essays, and projects.
✯No food or drink, with the exception of water, is permitted in class.
✯Please be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
✯The bell does not dismiss the class, the teacher does.
Homework Policy
Homework is an important part of scholarship because it allows students to extend their learning beyond the classroom. All homework assignments relate directly to instruction so it is imperative that students complete them on time and to the best of their ability. If you are struggling to complete your assignments, please contact us immediately.
✯All homework is posted on the whiteboard in classroom.
✯Homework is due at the start of yourclass. Any assignment turned in after the start of class will be considered late. Do not put assignments on the teacher's desk. Hand them directly to the teacher or a designated representative of the teacher.
✯All assignments should have your name, the date and your period number in the upper right-hand corner. Please put the assignment title on the top line. Any assignment submitted without a name will be considered one day late.
✯For each school day beyond the due date students will lose 10% of the total value of a late assignment. For example: if the assignment is due on Friday and the student turns it in on Tuesday, they will lose 20% (two school days late) of the possible total value. For a 10 point assignment that would mean the highest score they could earn would be 8 points. Late assignments have a maximum 50 percent deduction.
✯When you are absent, it is your responsibility to copy class notes from a neighbor. If an assignment is due on the date of a student’s absence, the assignment will be due on the day the student returns to school. Test/project due dates are announced in advance, so missing a class does not mean that you will be given an extension for these types of assignments.
✯If you have extenuating circumstances and me contact us (e-mail) before the assignment is due, I will consider giving you extra time to complete your work on a case-by-case basis.