Welcome to Grade 10 Geography
Mr. Klassen
Rm. #117
Course Description
Grade 10Geographic Issues of the 21st Centuryfocuses on a variety of issues and challenges of the contemporary world. It explores the nature of geography and develops skills related to geographical thinking. Students study concepts related to ownership and development of natural resources, production and distribution of food, development of industry and trade, and increasing urbanization. Students consider these issues in the context of Canada, North America, and the world. Through their study, students become aware of the importance of the environment, stewardship, and sustainable development, as well as the social, political, and economic implications of their personal choices. (Adapted from Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth)
Materials
Geographic Issues of the 21st Century(2005, Pearson Canada)
Course Outline
This course is divided into five unit clusters,which include 18 enduring understandings(essential outcomes) that will guide our study throughout this semester
Enduring Understandings are the most important learning ideas that all students need to demonstrate that they have learned before they can complete the class.
Unit Clusters / Enduring Understandings(Essential Outcomes) / Assessment Plan / Proposed Timeline
Geographic Literacy / 1. What is Geography?
2. Physical and Human Geography
3. Place and Identity
4. Global Environment Types / Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessment:
(16.8% of final grade)
Natural Resources / 1. Location
2. Diverse Perspectives
3. Sustainable Development / Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessment:
(12.6% of final grade)
Food from the Land / 1. Areas and Conditions
2. Food Production
3. Safeguarding our Food Supply
4. Contemporary Issues related to Food / Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessment:
(16.8% of final grade)
Industry and Trade / 1. Definition and Location of Industry
2. Topics in Industry
3. Globalization / Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessment:
(12.6% of final grade)
Urban Places / 1. Rural, Urban and Remote Places
2. Location and Function of Urban Places
3. Environmental and Economic Issues
4. The Impact of Urbanization / Formative Assessment:
Summative Assessment:
(16.8% of final grade)
Final Assessment (25% of final grade)
A unit outline explaining the essential outcomes and the assessment plan will be handed out at the beginning of each new unit.
Assessment
Assessment is used for various purposes.
- Assessment for learning (formative assessment): where assessment helps teachers gain insight into what students understand in order to plan and guide instruction, and provide helpful feedback to students.
- Assessment of learning (summative assessment): where assessment informs students, teachers and parents, as well as the broader educational community, of achievement at a certain point in time in order to celebrate success, plan interventions and support continued progress.
Grades will be calculated on summative assessment information only.The final calculation will be a fair reflection of a student’s achievement of the learning outcomes.
Students will be given multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning.
When determining the grade, the teacher will decide whether there is sufficient evidence of achievement. If not, the grade recorded will be INC (incomplete), and no credit will be given until the missing work is completed. Work will be accepted be the teacher until the last day of the semester/term.
Term Work…………………………...75%
Final Assessment.…………………….25%
Essential outcomes will be weighted equally within the Term Work. Each outcome will be worth 5.8% of the overall mark (75%/18 = 4.2%)
Example:
Unit 1:Geographic Literacy: 4 essential outcomes – 4.2 x 4 = 16.8%
Important!
Expectations:
- Be respectful – respect the people and property in the room
- Be responsible – come to class prepared and on time
Overdue/Missing Assignments:If there are missing or incomplete assignments, a student’s grade for the course will be recorded as incomplete and no credit will be given until all assignments are completed and assessed by the teacher. (Adapted from MCI Code of Conduct)
Students whose assignments are missing or incomplete will have a discussion with the teacher to determine what will need to happen to complete those assignments and demonstrate understanding of the essential outcome.
Missed Work: when you return to class after an absence it is your responsibility to come talk to me about the work you missed. I am not your babysitter; you are responsible for your actions.
Attendance: My job is to make this class informative and fun at the same time. Your job is to come to class. It’ll be harder to do my job if you don’t do your job.
Plagiarism:is the use of another author’s work and the representation of them as one’s own original work. (dictionary.com) Plagiarism/cheating is a serious offence and in any case of plagiarism or cheating the student(s) will be given an incomplete on the assignment or test and will have to repeat the assignment until the teacher believes it to be up to standard. Parents/guardians will be informed.
Discipline: You are responsible for your own behaviour. You behave yourself and I’ll behave myself. I will speak directly with you firstif there is an issue. Based on that discussion we will decide together what to do.
Fun: I expect that we’ll have as much fun as we allow ourselves. Please bring your sense of humour and your laugh to class.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions/concerns about the course please feel free to contact me at any time. You can find my class website on the KEC website under Teacher Sites and then by clicking on my name. My email address is at the top of the page and you can call the school and they will get a hold of me.