Availability: Before School 7:35-8:00Am/Planning Period (2Nd)

Mr. Grenz

AP Human Geography 2017-2018. Room 240

Availability: Before school 7:35-8:00am/Planning period (2nd)

______

Advanced Placement Human Geography is a class for dedicated, disciplined, organized and motivated students. You will be expected to work hard and be prepared for class every day. This is a college-level class in which you have an opportunity, if you desire, to take the AP exam to earn college credit. This syllabus will continue to help you understand both what my expectations are and how you can be a successful and positive member of this class

______

PURPOSE

Per the College Board website: The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students learn to employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human socioeconomic organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their research and applications.

GOALS

The particular topics studied in this AP Human Geography course are based on the following five college-level goals that build on the National Geography Standards developed in 1994 and revised in 2012. On successful completion of the course, students should have developed skills that enable them to:

Interpret maps and analyze geospatial data
Understand and explain the implications of associations and networks among phenomena in places
Recognize and interpret the relationships among patterns and processes at different scales of analysis
Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process
Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places

______

CLASSROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

THE BIG FIVE:1. Be Respectful (of others and your environment)

Be Positive
Be Prepared
Be Punctual
Be a Contributor

Additionally, all AHS rules as outlined in the student handbook are in full effect.

______

GRADING POLICY

Grades in this class are based on the number of points students accumulate during the semester. Grades will be based on the following criteria:

1. Tests and quizzes

Daily Work/Homework (Assessments)

** FYI – There is a loss of 10 points for each unexcused tardy and absence.

GRADE SCALE

100-93 = A92-90 = A-89-88 = B+87-83 = B82-80 = B-79-78 = C+

77-73 = C72-70 = C-69-68 = D+67-60 = D59-0 = F

______

ABSENT/LATE WORK

If a student has an excused absence, IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to get make-up work from the teacher. Not only that, it is the students’ responsibility to turn in the make-up work on time.
Late work: 1 Day late = -20% + # wrong

2 Days late = -50% + # wrong

3+ Days late = NO CREDIT

If you had an EXCUSED ABSENCE and need to turn in absent work, be sure to (1) write the word “absent” and (2) the date absent at the top of the make-up assignment and turn this into the “absent” work bin upon your return

1 day absent = assignment due your next day in class--2 days absent = due 2nd day back/3 days absent = due 3rd day back etc.

If this procedure is not followed by you, I will not accept your work.

You MAY NOT make up work from days missed due to an UNEXCUSED absence or tardy. Students who choose to skip class will find it very difficult to pass the course.
Get any missed lecture notes from THE TEXTBOOK.
If you are absent for a TEST or QUIZ, you will be expected to make it up the NEXT day you are in class.
Same with an assignment: If you are absent the day the assignment is due, the assignment is due the NEXT day you are in class.

MR GRENZ’S WEBSITE

If you are absent, or misplace an assignment, you can go to my website on the school’s main web page:
The URL for my website is:
On my website is a calendar to see what is covered in class on a daily basis and a section where you can download missing/misplaced assignments.

______

ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY

Successful students are prompt, punctual, and prepared. Arrive to class on time and be prepared to learn. The following actions will result in a loss of 10 points per infraction: (1) Unexcused absences, (2) Unexcused tardies, (3) being sent out of the classroom, (4) sleeping during class or disrupting the learning environment (cell phones or CD/music players), (5) breaking any of the “big five” rules, (6) using inappropriate language (also, no using the “G” or “R” words in a derogatory manner!!), (7) being unprepared for class.
Consequences:

Loss of 10 points & a verbal warning (tardy #1)
Loss of 10 points & lunch detention (tardy #2, unexcused absence #1)
Loss of 10 pts & Friday night school/in-school suspension/call home (3+ tardies,2+ unexcused absences) – or multiple lunch detentions

______

HALL PASSES

Students MUST HAVE a student planner/clipboard in order to leave class.

In order to leave class, you must leave your CELL PHONE WITH ME.

Do your best to take care of any personal business before class (restroom, water fountain).

Additionally, hall passes will not be allowed for students who are unprepared for class….so bring your materials and assignments.

If you are leaving class, you will be required to LEAVE YOUR CELLPHONE (hand to me before leaving)

YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED A PASS THE FIRST OR LAST 10 MINUTES OF THE PERIOD

______

SUPPLIES/MATERIALS

Bring the following list of items daily to class:

(1) Your chapter packet

(2) A binder or folder in which your AP Human Geography materials can be stored

(3) Lined notebook paper

(4) A pen or pencil

(5) Assignments, homework, and any associated reading currently assigned.

(6) Your PLANNER

THE AP TEST THIS YEAR

The national Advanced Placement test is made up to two general parts:

(1) A 75-question multiple choice section (60 minutes – 50% of overall score)

(2) A 3-question essay section (75 minutes – 50 % of overall score)

I will have questions for you that are similar to the multiple-choice questions you will see on the test. They are usually not very easy and often the answers are VERY specific. The tests in class are to see what you know, and to train you in answering in a particular style.

This year’s exam

Date: The exam for the 2017-2018 school year will be FRIDAY May 18th, at 8am

AP Address:

You can get sample test questions, look at the testing schedule in May, specific information for all AP subjects, and answers to other AP-related questions you may have.

______

UNIT TESTS

Please plan ahead and study hard for the unit tests. They are difficult and are built on the national APHG examination model (except on a smaller scale due to time constraints)IT TESTSon modeland study hard for the unit tests. They are difficult and are built on the AP Euro ------. If you are absent the day of a test, you may only take the make-up test if you have an excused absence the day of the test. Plan on taking the test your FIRST day back in class after your return.

The unit tests will consist of the following:

1. 25 multiple choice questions – 25 minutes (50% of total score)

2. One essay question – 25 minutes (50% of total score)

Each test will be worth 100 points.

Additionally, your most recent chapter packet will be due at the time of the test as well.

______

QUIZZES

ONE to THREE times per week, I will quiz you to make sure you are keeping up on your readings, taking accurate notes and doing your homework. The quizzes will usually be at the beginning of class right after the bell has rung. The moral here is: BE PREPARED. If you are prepared, the quizzes should be easy for you.

If you have an excused absence the day of a quiz, you will be required to take the quiz your next day back in class.

______

ESSAYS

Again this is a college level class. And as is expected in college, you will be writing A LOT of essays. We will be working on essay construction during class constantly throughout the year. This will help tremendously in preparing for the AP exam in May and also help you become a more competent and communicative writer.

As we get further along it will be necessary for you to remember what we have done before. This requires linking ideas, themes and information from different chapters and units. To quote from the AP Course Description: “Essay questions are designed, additionally, to make it possible for students from widely differing courses to demonstrate their mastery of historical interpretation and their ability to express their views and knowledge in writing.” Please note the words “historical interpretation”. You must develop a point of view about issues.

______CHAPTER PACKETS

For each chapter you will turn in a chapter packet worth 100 points. Each chapter packet that you turn in will consist of the following items IN THIS ORDER:

1. Lecture Notes (in chronological order)

2. Chapter Vocabulary

3. Chapter Reading Questions

LECTURE NOTES

You will be required to take detailed notes just about every day during lectures this year.
Don’t just copy the overhead or PowerPoint screen!! Take detailed notes from what I am saying!
I will collect your notes, along with the rest of your chapter packet, the day of a unit test, grade them, and return them promptly.
Please have these properly headed (Name, Date, and Period number) in the upper right hand corner of your paper and stapled in chronological order upon turning in. (If you don’t use the pre-printed PowerPoint outline I provide to you!!)
Written notes are helpful in studying and reviewing. In college it will be important that you have notes because you will have so many different things to know. Notes will also help you prepare for the AP exam in May.

VOCABULARY

For each chapter you will have a multi-page vocabulary packet which is divided up into the different sections (key issues) you are to be reading. At the top of the first page I have provided this information to you. So when your reading homework is assigned as “read sections (key issues) 1 & 2 for tomorrow” you can refer to the top of your vocabulary sheet for the specific page numbers in which I’m referring to. For example:

Key Issue #1 (How Do Geographers Describe Where Things Are?) – pg. 5
Key Issue #2 (Why is Each Point on Earth Unique?) – pg. 14
Key Issue #3 (Why are Different Places Similar?) – pg. 21
Key Issue #4 (Why Are Some Human Actions Not Sustainable) – pg. 31

Your vocabulary will be due the day the rest of your packet is due. DO NOT GET BEHIND IN YOUR DAILY WORK. Procrastination in this class will kill you.

** You will not be allowed to type your answers. They must be NEATLY hand-written.

READING QUESTIONS

Additionally, for each chapter you will have a multi-page question packet which will have questions for each section (Key Issue) of the chapter. Just like the vocabulary packet, at the top of the first page I have provided the page number and section names for you. So when your reading homework is assigned as “read sections 1 & 2 for tomorrow” you can refer to the top of your question packet sheet for the specific page numbers in which I’m referring to.

Your reading questions will be due the day your packet is due. Again, DO NOT GET BEHIND IN YOUR DAILY WORK.

*** By consistently doing your vocabulary and questions accurately and on time, you will be able to keep up with class, improve you chances for success, and enable you to know what is going on in class and realize what I’m talking about during lectures. DO NOT IGNORE THESE ASSIGNMENTS. They will end up being a significant portion of your grade and are most helpful for the unit, semester, and national AP tests.

** Again, you will not be allowed to type your answers. They must be NEATLY hand-written.

CHAPTER MAP WORK (separate from your packets)

During each unit you will be required to complete a series of maps as you work your way through each chapter. The due dates for each map assignment will be assigned in class. DO NOT IGNORE THESE ASSIGNMENTS as they are imperative in understanding key geographical skills in this course.

______

HOMEWORK

You will be expected to work on APHG every night for ½ - 1 hour in order to keep up with the pace of class. Please don’t get behind in your assigned readings, chapter vocabulary or chapter questions. If you do fall behind, you will find it very difficult and time-consuming in order to “catch up”.

______

CHEATING

Cheating consists of turning in work not completed by you, copying answers from another student or source…..etc. If you are caught cheating, you will receive a ZERO on that assignment/test/quiz and will be subject to appropriate disciplinary proceedings, including possible failure of this class. So the bottom line is this: DON’T DO IT!! I will have no problem failing a cheating student in this class for the semester or school year.

I will now explain more……..

______

FIELD STUDIES/LABS

Several times this year, you will be required to participate in a field study in which you travel to a geographical location and analyze the geographical importance of that area/location. You will write notes while on the field study and also write a reflection essay about what you observed and learned. Details to follow…
You will also be required to work on numerous labs (within the Kuby book) during the course of each unit. Details to follow….

RE-DO/RE-TAKE POLICY

This is an Advanced Placement Class and one of the goals of this class is to replicate a college-level geography class as closely as possible. This being said, there are NO “do-over’s” or “retakes” in college, hence there WILL NOT BE ANY “do-over’s” or “retakes” for your tests, quizzes, or assessments in this class. Be prepared to do your best the first time around.

______

Class Procedures & Expectations – Grenz

Turning in work
On time (due date) – assignment boxes
Absent work – see me for assignments/turn in to “absent” box with date absent and “absent” on top of front page/1 day for each day absent (excused)
Checking out books (borrowing)
Textbooks (pick up next week)
Atlases, dictionaries, etc.
Tardy sign in list – 1st tardy (warning), 2nd tardy (lunch detention & -10 pts.). 3 or

more = administrative consequences (+ detention & -10 pts. ea.)

Sharpening pencils/leaving seat/drawing on desks
At the end of the period, you will be dismissed by ME, from your SEAT.

Please push chairs under tables
6th period will put chairs on table

Art supply cabinet/grades posted
Fire drills/earthquake/invader drills
Picking up new assignments
Entry tasks
Student planners – Leaving class/restroom/lockers (not the first or last 10

minutes of the period). Restroom = cell phone

Must use YOUR planner (your name needs to be in it).
Lost it? Too bad! Go to bookkeeper ($3.00)

Food and beverage
In class work (on task) – social hour is lunch time, before and after school
Fans
The big five!!
Phones/iPods-MP3 players/cell phones (office)
Grenz’s website….

Auburn High School

Advanced Placement Human Geography

Michael Grenz

September, 2018

Dear Parent or Guardian:

Please take a moment to look over the information about the Advanced Placement Human Geography (APHG) class attached to this letter. I encourage you to refer to this information throughout the year (particularly the syllabus) if you have any questions or concerns about the course. I also encourage you to contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns that aren’t addressed in the handouts.

A primary objective for this class is to prepare students for the national APHG exam offered in May. Success on this exam can earn students college credit. For this reason, the standards are high; students must demonstrate knowledge of Human Geography as well as an ability to think and write critically about a wide range of geographic topics. In order to prepare for this exam APHG students will be expected to read and take notes on approximately 500 pages of college-level text, take approximately 40 short quizzes, 13 chapter tests, 7 unit tests, two comprehensive exams, write approximately 30 essays, and participate in a wide range of classroom activities over the course of the school year. It can seem a little overwhelming to students and parents at first. I assure my students that using the information provided to manage time and develop consistent work habits will result in success in this class. Every year the vast majority of APHG students do quite well and benefit enormously from this class. They enjoy the challenges, appreciate the rewards and pass the national exam in May. However, occasionally students do struggle. APHG is not a particularly good “fit” for students who struggle with getting assignments in on time and are not particularly self-motivated or organized. Please discuss with your student what undertaking an academic challenge like this represents in terms of time and energy and counsel them accordingly.

I’m looking forward to another great year and want to thank you in advance for your interest in support. Again, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding Advanced Placement Human Geography. Please sign and return this letter.

Sincerely,

Michael Grenz

Student Name ______

Student Signature ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian Signature ______Date ______

Course Name: Advanced Placement Human Geography

Grade Level(s): 9th Grade

Course Description: