World Geography & Pre-AP Syllabus

World Geography & Pre-AP Syllabus

2015-2016

Instructor: Austin Fruge

Contact:

Tutorials: Tuesday & Thursday until 4:00 pm; Mornings by appointment only

The World Geography course studies the physical and human world through major concepts such as place, patterns & processes, relationships, change & continuity, and systems. To cover the extensive range of topics and knowledge, students will engage in a wide variety of activities including maps, artwork, political cartoons, discussion, and lectures; however, reading and writing will be central to the learning process. Students can expect to write daily, through short answer, summary, note-taking, and reflection. Students will also have several major projects throughout the academic year. Students are required to bring their laptop to class daily and class participation is a vital requirement.

OBJECTIVES

Enduring Understandings:

·  All things are interconnected and all things change.

·  Humans shape and change many things which in turn shape and change humans.

·  Change happens over time.

·  History shapes people’s lives politically, economically, and socially.

·  Extremes drive innovation.

·  Physical geography contributes to history and development of a country.

·  Population density impacts and shapes culture.

UNITS OF STUDY

·  Physical geography

·  Human/cultural geography

·  Europe & Russia

·  US & Canada

·  L. America

·  Sub-Saharan Africa

·  Middle East

·  South Asia

·  East & Southeast Asia

·  Australia, Oceania, & Antarctica

RESOURCES

·  Boehm World Geography

·  Geography Alive! Regions & People

·  Mastering the TEKS in World Geography

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Klein Forest requires students to observe all school rules and individual classroom rules. Please make sure you are dressed and groomed according to the school dress code (Student Handbook Page 54 & 55 Dress and Grooming Regulations). You will need to arrive on time, as attendance and tardies follow school expectations. Be sure to read your Students Handbook carefully.

·  Enter the room quietly, on time, in dress code with I.D., and begin warm-up.

·  Bring all materials required and be prepared to participate.

·  Listen to and follow instructions, complete all assignments, and meet deadlines.

·  Respect yourself, others, and their property.

·  Follow all school and district rules as set forth in the Klein ISD handbook.

Cell phones - Student Handbook Page 61: “Possession of cell phones and pagers is only allowed if they are turned off at all times and not visibly/physically present during regular school hours, including riding the school bus to school or home from school.

If a student is using any cell phone or pager during the school day or on a school bus to and from school, the school employee observing the student’s use of the device will confiscate it. The school employee will turn over the device to his or her administrator/supervisor. The parent will be notified by the administrator to pick up the device at his/her school during school hours after the payment of a $15 administrative fee. Cash or money orders are the only acceptable forms of payment.”

Conduct - Students who actively participate in class in a positive way will receive an “E” or “S” for conduct. “N” and “P” are for students who are disrupting the learning process for other students in the class and are failing to turn in assignments.

CONSEQUENCES

·  Verbal warning

·  Student conference/Parent call

·  Referral to Assistant Principal and possible parent conference

GRADING GUIDELINES

60% Major grades (minimum of 2 per grading cycle) – tests, projects

40% Daily grades (minimum of 8 per grading cycle) – quizzes, notebooks, class work, homework, class participation

Grade Repair Class – Students will have the opportunity to receive instruction to recover six weeks grades. When a student enrolls in the Grade Repair Class, the students will receive quality instruction. The curriculum will recapture any skills they are lacking so that they are prepared to receive credit. This intervention plan may include students attending after school Grade Repair or Grade Repair during the day. The highest grade a student can earn is 75. This grade will replace the lower grade.

Academic Dishonesty

“Dishonesty in work is defined by the giving or receiving of assistance when the teacher has indicated, or it should be presumed by the student, that the assignment is to be the work of the student who is being graded. …. Plagiarism (representing someone else’ works or ideas as your own) whether from a book, another students paper, the internet, or other source is dishonest. ” See Page 58. When in doubt ASK.

ALL cheating and plagiarism will result in an automatic 0 and phone call home for all involved parties.

MATERIALS

·  Notebook

·  Pen or Pencil

·  Tablet - You MUST have a laptop and you are required to bring it to class EVERYDAY - fully charged from the night before. Most of our lessons will use the computer and it will be very difficult for you to complete assignments without your own computer.

Tutorials – I will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4 pm; Morning sessions must be made by appointment.

Test Days – Mondays & Wednesdays

MAKE-UP POLICY

YOU are responsible for requesting the work missed during your absence. If an assignment was given prior to your absence and becomes due during your absence it is due on the day you return. An assignment given while you were absent will have the same number of days you were absent to complete without penalty.

LATE WORK

You may turn daily work in late with the following penalties:

1 day late – 90 is highest grade you can receive (10 points off)

2 days late – 80 is the highest grade you can receive (20 points off)

3 days late – 70 is the highest grade you can receive (30 points)

More than 3 days late will receive no higher than a 50 (50 points off) within one week of the due date

After one week it is a zero

You may turn in major projects late with the following penalties:

1 day late – 90 is highest grade you can receive (10 points off)

2 days late – 80 is the highest grade you can receive (20 points off)

3 days late – 70 is the highest grade you can receive (30 points off)

More than 3 days late will receive no higher than a 50 (50 points off) within one week of the due date

After one week it is a zero

If you are absent for a test, you will be given the test the next day you are present in class.

Student Handbook Page 47: “The student will be expected to make up all reports, assignments, tests, etc., missed for excused absences in the same number of days in which he was absent unless the teacher lengthens the schedule. Make-up work not completed in the scheduled time will result in "0's" on those assignments.”

Student Handbook Page 47: “If a student has cut class, the student will receive a "0" on any class assignments, tests, homework, and reports or projects due on that day(s). The six-weeks’ conduct grade will also be reduced to a "U" by each teacher whose class was missed due to an unexcused absence.”

FINALS

Finals will take place the last week of each semester (December & May). All students will take the fall semester final; students may exempt the spring finals if they meet certain criteria. NO final may be given early, please plan accordingly concerning planned vacations. The finals schedule will be finalized and distributed toward the end of each semester.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

The student handbook can be accessed online at the link below:

http://www.kleinisd.net/users/0063/docs/16-17/HSHandbook%2016-17.pdf