World Geography Course Guidelines 2014-15 for K
Course Description: Students will discover that Geography surrounds them everyday. Everything has a geographic aspect to it – the food we eat, religion, clothing, population of our community, sports teams, locations for stores and fast food businesses, weather patterns, and our music all relate to geography. Students will learn map locations, geographic concepts related to society, economics, urbanization, political development and issues, and apply these concepts to world regions.
Helpful online resources: Class website: www.geographymatters.wikispaces.com
Grades online: https://home-access.cfisd.net School website: www.cyfallshs.com
Email: Texting reminders: call (559) 234-2391 message = @kwgwurst
Parent Contact: Parents PLEASE email your child’s teacher right now! Tell us who your child is in the email. It won’t take but a moment and is one of the most important things you can do. Your email will give us the ability to contact you easily from our classrooms regarding important information about your child’s progress and behavior. COMMUNICATION is extremely important for student success!
www.cyfallshs.com
Grading: Honors/K Level/Pre AP:
50% = Major Grades (examples include: tests and projects, end of semester TEKS test)
25% = Daily Grades (examples include: homework, classwork, quizzes)
25% = Assessments (examples include: unit/content assessment, mini projects/presentations, technology, dbq)
K-Level Expectations:
Ø Students will be expected to complete outside readings and/or projects each semester.
Make-Up Work: (Absent from School)
It is your responsibility to receive your assignments and complete and submit them in a timely manner. See the Student Handbook for district guidelines on days allotted for making up daily and major grades. Tests and quizzes are made up after school. Make-up work may be given in a different format from the original assignment/exam.
Late Work: (Work not turned in on time when student is present at school.)
Late work is not desirable. It is helpful to keep an assignment notebook of due dates. Work that is late may receive only partial credit. If you are late to an exam due to being in tardy sweep, you will be expected to take the test upon arrival and finish in the allotted class period.
Tutorials: Tutoring is by appointment and must be requested prior to the day in which a student wishes to attend. Bring materials that you plan to work on to tutoring. Test Review sessions are typically held the day prior to a test and are after school.
Test Days: Social Studies test days are Wednesday and Friday with Monday as an alternate. Teachers notify students of tests dates and they are provided on teacher websites.
UPDATE: Teachers may also use "Remind.com" -- a one-way texting service that reminds students and parents of class related information.
Supplies: Teachers may specify other items, but all request:
Binder or pocket folder Black/blue pens Set of 10 Dividers
Map Pencils (prefer 24) Pencils Paper
We would appreciate a donation of a box of Kleenex.
Videos: As part of the curriculum, video clips may be shown throughout the year. By signing below, you are providing permission to allow your child to view these videos, some of which may be PG-13.
HOME ACCESS CENTER : Student grades are available for viewing by parents that have signed a release for the HAC. It is crucial to student success that parents keep up with student grades using the HAC, monitoring progress reports and report cards. Call the front office for information on accessing the HAC.
------
WORLD GEOGRAPHY PROCEDURES ACKNOWLEDGMENT – Return to this to the Instructor.
______
Student Name (First, then Last) Print / class period Parent Signature
______
Student Email (print) Parent Email – please write clearly
Please write clearly.
______
Parent Phone Number
WORLD GEOGRAPHY IMPORTANT CHANGES
I. The district has changed the curriculum format to better meet the needs of students. We have reshaped the two traditional ways of teaching Geography. One is a regional approach. The other is a thematic approach that uses case-studies to bring regions to life. These two formats will be combined this year. In the fall, we will focus on the themes and strands of Geography -- skills, physical geography, population, economic, political, and cultural concepts that define regions of the world. At the end of the fall semester, we will begin regional studies and apply each of the strands to the regions of the world.
II. We are implementing a school wide approach to our grading policy to provide greater consistency of expectations. This includes:
· Major grades: A student may attempt to retake a test for which he/she earned a failing grade (a grade below a 70) only once a grading period.
o The highest grade a student can earn on a test retake will be a 70.
o Prior to retesting, students will be required to complete an intervening action such as test corrections, completion of a review, etc.
o The format or order of the assignment may vary from the original.
o The opportunity to re-do a major grade must happen before or after school by appointment with the teacher, and must be attempted up to the last week of the grading period.
· Daily grades and Assessments (Classwork, Quizzes, Homework)
o Un-attempted assignments do not receive the same treatment and re-do opportunities to earn a passing grade.
o Every effort should be made to complete/redo an assignment before the current unit is formally assessed.
III. Project Share is a computer site that students and parents can access for course information, lesson materials that get posted, and links to learning. The State has also created course tutorials that students can access here. Students will be occasionally asked to submit work or download activities from this site. Parents can access the public portion of the site by going to www.epsilen.com/yourteacher. An example of this is www.epsilen.com/lindahudson. At this site, parents can typically find the current course calendar and important dates. Other important information will be posted as needed. Or use http://CyFallshs.com to find your child’s teachers.
We can not stress enough how very important it is to monitor your child’s grades, their assignments, and test dates. Please use the site and email to communicate with your child and their teacher about class work. Parents tend to think their 9th grade students need them less now. The truth is they need you more right now to ensure their HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS!
IV. Textbooks will not be issued for this course. Textbooks are available in the classroom. Online books are no longer available as the book is OUT of ADOPTION. If students need to complete a book assignment they may check one out from the library for a limited time. Due to the fact that textbooks are no longer a major aspect of our course -- it will be most important that student's maintain a notebook/binder and keep up with assignments.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Student success is dependent on good attendance, participation, organization and studying. They may not have much homework – but they can always STUDY and they can always tell/teach you what they are learning.
Let's work together so that your child has a most successful year, we invite you to
meet your child's teacher and learn more about our expectations -- please join us for Open House on September 9, 2014.
Open House -- September 9, 2014 -- Please come!!