Textbook: World Geography, HMH

World Geography

Mr.Softley (Room 102)

E-mail:

Purpose of the Course

“In the study of world geography, students utilize physical and cultural perspectives to examine

people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international levels. Students

describe the influence of geography on the 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

interrelationships; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of

regions; types and patterns of settlement; the distribution of movement of world population;

relationships among people, places, and environments; and the concept of religion. Students

analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems throughout the

world. Students identify the processes that influence the world’s political divisions and they

analyze how different points of view affect the development of public policies. Students

compare how components of culture shape the regional characteristics 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 Description

This course follows the textbook’s outline through the following units:

FIRST SEMESTER–

1stNine Weeks

Unit 1: Physical Geography

Unit 2: Celebrate Freedom Week

Unit 3: Human Geography

Unit 4: United States and Canada

2ndNine Weeks

Unit 5: Latin America

Unit 6: Europe

Unit 7: Russia and the Republics

SECOND SEMESTER –

3rdNine Weeks

Unit 8: North Africa and Southwest Asia

Unit 9: Sub Saharan Africa

Unit 10: South Asia

4thNine Weeks

Unit 11: East Asia

Unit 12: Southeast Asia

Unit 13: Australia and Oceania

Course Structure

Per District policy we will adhere to the TRSscope and sequence.

Grading System

Major Assessments/Projects: 40%

Intermediate/Quiz/Lab: 35%

Minor/Daily: 25%

Semester Exam: 15% of semester grade

Recommendations for Success in World Geography

Do all homework and in class assignments. Due to the policy that one-day late work turned in for a grade, has a max grade of 70% it is essential that you turn in every assignment. Do not allow zeros to enter into your grade book!
Come to class prepared. It is a given that you will need a pencil, pen, paper, map pencils, etc. for each class period. If you walk in to class unprepared then you will have started the period off-task and with less time to finish your assignments.
Ask questions. I will not always know you do not understand if you do not tell me! It is likely that others have the same questions and will benefit from your inquiry. Please do not have your parents contact me until you yourself have contacted me to resolve a concern.
Attitude is important. Whether you love history or not, attending each class with the goal of learning something can make even the most boring topic worth your time and effort. Finding application on your own makes learning that much more fun!
Attend class daily. World Geography covers so much and we must work at a quick pace. If you are not in class, it is even more work to catch up and understand the ideas covered.
Edmodo. Please make sure that you the student and your parents are familiar with the Edmodo learning platform. This website will house a majority of our assignments and study material.

List of Supplies

Writing Utensil (#2 pencils or pens)
Notebook paper
1 notebook (can be with other subjects) for organizing class notes, handouts, homework, guidelines, maps, etc.

Classroom Expectations

Student Handbook

We will follow all of the rules and expectations in the student handbook.

Coexistence

Each person is expected to show respect to all. This is not a requirement to like everyone, but the expectation is that we treat each other, as we would like to be treated.

Attendance

While there are extraordinary circumstances that may arise during the year, your presence in my class is extremely important.
District policy requires that students turn in parent notes and Dr. notes for absences to the attendance office before or after school or during lunch.

Tardy Policy

A tardy in my classroom is any time you arrive to my classroom after the bell has rung and do not have a legitimate pass (i.e. pass from attendance office).
Tardy Policy:
1st – Warning
2nd – Teacher Detention & Parent Notification
3rd and beyond – Office Referral & Parent Notification

Assignments

Turning in Assignments – Each period will have a tray where you will turn in your assignments. You will not hand them into me unless otherwise instructed. (Don’t forget your NAME, CLASS PERIOD, and DATE)
Graded Assignments – I will return graded work back to you in a manner that allows us to utilize previous work to the benefit of overall knowledge and improvement on future assignments.
Make-up Work – If you are absent, you are responsible for making up your “absent” work. The district has a policy concerning the time period on absent work. Extra handouts/assignments are filed in a file box located near the class period trays.
Late Work – Lateassignments will only be accepted late until the next class meeting. However, the highest grade possible for the assignment turned in late is a grade of 70. After that, assignments not turned in by the next class meeting will earn the grade of zero.

Hall Passes

Students will have the opportunity to use the restroom and fill up their water bottles in between class periods.

Tardy Policy

A tardy in my classroom is any time you arrive to my classroom after the bell has rung and do not have a legitimate pass (i.e. pass from attendance office).

Classroom Activity

Personal Needs - Pleasebe wise when finding the appropriate times to take care of personal needs, to throw something away, get a tissue, to use the stapler/three-hole-punch, or sharpen your pencil, etc. (not during a lecture or during student presentations!)
Questions/Concerns–Please feel free to approach me with any questions and/or concerns you may have about the class or expectations. Please be aware that there are appropriate times to do this. For example, after instruction, before or after school, or at the end of class.
Food and Drinks: There will be no food or drinks allowed in the classroom except WATER. This is a school expectation. If you are caught with food or drinks other than water you will be asked to dispose of it. If it becomes a consent issue, disciplinary procedures will follow.

Cheating

Any one caught cheating will earn a zero; your parent(s) as well as your administrator will be contacted (i.e. copying from another student or allowing others to copy your work, getting answers on a test, plagiarism, etc.)

Learning Styles and Study Habits

I expect eachstudent to do well in this class – there is NO EXCUSE for failure.
You CAN think for yourself. Social Studies courses encompass many disciplines and many different ideas. We are not always going to agree, so be ready to think, express yourself, and support your thoughts!

Final Thoughts

I am eager to get to know you and be one of your guide’s through your senior year. My classroom will be for the purpose of maximizingstudent's ability to write, speak, acquire and use knowledge. We also seek to apply a variety of skills in order to prepare students for college and/or the workplace and help them transform their senior year into one that is uniquely challenging and stimulating. I cannot stress enough how important turning in all assignments is to your success in Government and Economics. I am honored to help you pursue success.

Thank you,

Mr. Softley