MARKVILLESECONDARY SCHOOL
GEOGRAPHY OF CANADACGC1DL - 01
GRADE 9 FEBRUARY, 2008
Mr. B. Duncan
Student Name: ______
Introduction
Geography is the study of people and placesaround the world. We study the physical or natural events and the social or human events or processes that occur in Canada and around the world.
In geography we study many aspects of population – where people live, how many people live in different places, what they are like (ethnicity, age, gender, density). We also learn about their economy, their culture and their political systems.
Geography also studies the land around us. We look at mountains, shields, plains and lowlands. We study weather and climate of different places and we look at how the climate affects the types of things that can grow in different places.
We will also study how people make a living. In Canada, forestry, fishing, farming and mining are very important. These are jobs that come from using our natural resources and those jobs have been very important for Canada in the past. Today, most people work at jobs that are not associated with natural resources. Most jobs today provide some sort of service – teaching, banking, or working in a store or restaurant are examples.
In addition to studying Canada, this course also looks at how Canada interacts with other countries around the world in economic, cultural and political ways.
The Grade 9 Geography of Canada course provides students with a foundation in this essential area of learning.
All expectations will be addressed through the following units:
Unit 1Introduction, Skills and Canada’s Identity
Unit 2Natural Environments
Unit 3Natural Resources
Unit 4Sustainable Development
Unit 5 Human Environments
Unit 6Global Interactions
Unit 7Culminating Activity and Final Examination
Evaluation
Both formative and summative evaluations will be conducted in this course. Marks for the formative evaluation in this course will be assigned using the following breakdown:
Achievement Focus
Knowledge and Understanding25%Application25%
Thinking and Inquiry25%Communication25%
Formative Evaluation - Performance Tasks and Tests
There will be THREE MAJOR PERFORMANCE TASKS assigned throughout the semester. The performance tasks build on the knowledge and skills developed over the term and are usually associated with the content of a particular unit. As is usual with a dynamic program, the actual performance tasks will vary from semester to semester. The weighting of the Knowledge and Understanding, Thinking, Application, and Communication focuses will be clearly outlined for each performance task as are the specific expectations and detailed instructions for each performance task.
There will be THREEMAJOR UNIT TESTS in this course.
The evaluation of daily assignments, maps, graphs, presentations, and quizzes will account for the remainder of the formative evaluation in this course and will be conducted on an on-going basis throughout the semester.
At the end of the semester the marks assigned in the formative evaluation will be calculated as a mark out of 70%.
Summative Evaluation
As mandated by the Ministry, 30% of the evaluation in all courses must be in the form of a final evaluation. For the Geography of Canada course this final evaluation will take the form of a culminating activity and a final examination. Each of these components will account for 15% of the final grade.
Culminating Activity15%
Final Examination15%
Determination of the Final Grade
The formative evaluation mark out of 70% and the final evaluation mark out of 30% will be added together to determine the final grade in this course.
Homework, Small Exercises, and Minor Assignments: The assigned due date
is final.
If the student has a legitimate reason for being absent on the day the work is to be completed and submitted (an athletic event, doctor’s appointment, field trip, etc.) he/she must make arrangements with the teacher and the work must be submitted at the first available opportunity (generally before the assignment is marked and returned to the other students). At the discretion of the teacher, work submitted after the assignment has been returned to the other students may be assessed to ensure that the student has met the essential expectations of the course. In this case, the assignment will be assigned a ‘no mark’. This confirms that the student has completed and submitted the work, and that essential expectations have been met, but this particular evaluation will not be used in the calculation of the student’s mark. Work never submitted will be assigned a mark of zero.
Performance Tasks and Culminating Activities: The assigned due date is final.
Assignments submitted after the due date may be subject to a penalty (unless documented extenuating circumstances exist) and will be reviewed on an individual bases. Work never submitted and those submitted after the assignments have been marked and returned will be given a mark of ‘zero’ which will be used in the calculation of the student’s final mark. If the assignment addresses essential expectations for the course, an additional assignment may be assigned and assessed for completion of the essential expectations. Persistent late submissions will result in parental contact.
Attendance
If you are absent from class for any reason, YOU are responsible for missed work. Have a friend get copies of the assignment and try to complete it with their help. See your teacher before or after school for assistance.
Punctuality
Students are expected to be in class on time. Student lates will be tracked by your teacher. Habitual lateness may lead to consequences which will be put in place at the discretion of the teacher in accordance with the school’s attendance and late policies.
Essential Equipment
Students should bring the following items to class on a regular basis:
* 3-ring binder (for Geography only) with lined, plain and graph paper
- notes should be neat, complete and accurate (use both sides of the paper)
- notes should be dated and in order
* pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, coloured pencils, calculators
* your agenda to record homework and assignments
* the geography textbook - replacement cost is about $50.00
Parental Signature: ______
Parental Email: ______
The overall expectations to be achieved in this course are listed below according to the Strands in Geography identified by the Ministry of Education.
Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
- describe the components and patterns of Canada’s spatial organization- demonstrate an understanding of the regional diversity of Canada’s natural systems and human systems
- analyse local and regional factors that affect natural and human systems in Canada
Human-Environment Interactions
- analyse the ways in which natural systems interact with human systems and make predictions about the outcomes of these interactions- explain the relationship of Canada’s renewable and non-renewable resource to the Canadian economy
- evaluate various ways of ensuring resource sustainability in Canada
Global Connections
- describe how Canada’s diverse geography affects its economic, cultural, and environmental links to other countries- analyse connections between Canada and other countries
- report on global concerns that affect Canadians
Understanding and Managing Change
- explain how natural and human systems change over time and from place to place- predict how current or anticipated changes in the geography of Canada will affect the country’s future economic, social, and environmental well being
- explain how global economic and environmental factors affect individual choices
Methods of Geographic Inquiry
- use the methods and tools of geographic inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate and organize information about Canada’s natural and human systems- analyze and interpret data gathered in inquiries into the geography of Canada, using a variety of methods and geotechnologies
- communicate the results of geographic inquiries, using appropriate terms and concepts and a variety of forms and techniques