World Geography Course Objectives: As a result of course activities, students will be able to: - Use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information from a spatial perspective. - Use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial context. - Analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface. - Understand the physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface. - Evaluate the patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface. - Apply geography to interpret the past, the present and plan for the future. Course Description: Geography allows people to find answers to questions about the world. Through the study of geography, students will explore and discover the processes that shape the earth, the relationships between people and environments, and the link between people and places. Geography will help you to build a global perspective and to understand the connections between global and local events. General Policies • Be on time! If your lateness is unexcused, you lose a quarter of your participation points. • No eating, gum, earphones, cell phones on, or hats allowed in classroom (water bottles are allowed). • No profanity or inappropriate behavior allowed. Manners are expected in my class. • Complete and turn in all assignments on time. Students must contact the instructor in advance of due dates to ask for extensions. Extensions will only be granted in rare circumstances. • Take the initiative to contact the instructor immediately if you get behind or run into trouble. • Please pick up after yourself when you leave class • I do not tolerate cheating of any kind in my class • Get involved and overcome any challenges presented by the content of the course. Textbook A textbook (“World Geography, Building a Global Perspective", Prentice Hall) provided by the teacher will be used in class. Course Calendar Quarter Q1 Chapter 1: Exploring Geography Q1 Chapter 2: Climates and Ecosystems Q1 Chapter 3: Population and Culture Q1 Chapter 4: Resources and Land Use Q2 Chapter 5: Introduction to the United States and Canada Q2 Chapter 6: A Profile of the United States Q2 Chapter 7: Regions of the United States Q2 Chapter 8: Canada Q3 Chapter : Q3 Chapter : Q3 Chapter : Q4 Chapter : Q4 Chapter : Q4 Chapter : Tests Students will have to take a written test at the end of each unit/chapter. Tests might include knowledge of specific vocabulary, multiple choice, document analysis and essay questions about the topic studied. Grading Policies 20% of your grade is based on participation and assignments. This is equal to 20 points per day. Your participation/activities for a day may be 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20. If you have an excused absence, and make up the work promptly, then you are awarded total points. If you are unexcused, then you lose all participation points for the day. If you have an excused absence but do not make up the work promptly, you lose all participation/activities for the day. To receive full participation, you must: - Answer questions in class voluntarily - Follow class and school rules - Participate in and complete the activities - Attend class/excused absences - Be prepared for class (all supplies) - Respect deadlines for assignments 80% of your grade is based on writing tests, one for each chapter studied. Written Tests: 80% Participation/Assignments: 20% Total Quarter 1: 100% Written Tests: 80% Participation/Assignments: 20% Total Quarter 2: 100% Total Quarter 1: 40% Total Quarter 2: 40% Semester Exam: 20% Semester Grade: 100%