Syllabus


 * Course Objective: **
 * Students will increase their knowledge about the physical nature of the world and about the relationships between people and their environments.
 * Students will also study geography in the context of economics, politics, and culture.
 * All course study will be conducted in a manner that challenges the students’ academic performance in order to achieve mastery in skill and material content.

Unit 1 – Intro to Geography Unit 2 – North America and Latin America Unit 3 – South America Unit 4 – Europe and Russia Unit 5 – Southwest Asia and North Africa Unit 6 – Sub-Saharan Africa Unit 7 – Monsoon Asia Unit 8 – Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
 * Sequence: **

Testsand Projects 80-100 points Classwork/Homework 10 points Quizzes 20 points
 * Grading Scale: **
 * Typical point values are: **

Grades will be determined by an overall point value. Point values may vary depending upon the assignment.
 * You will typically have enough homework to equal one test grade each quarter.
 * Quizzes may or may not be announced, so make sure you are doing your reading as it is assigned.

You will be given a grade sheet on which I expect you to keep up with your own grades and determine your averages.

Cooperative/Group assignments will be weighted with 70% of the overall grade being derived from an individual student grade and the remaining 30% of the grade being derived from an overall group grade.
 * Cooperative Work: **

Each student will have the opportunity to grade the other members of the group. Students are responsible for communicating any problems in group activities to the teacher.

All essay writing assignments must have five paragraphs including an introduction and conclusion. The introductory paragraph and conclusion may be 3-5 sentences, but each body paragraph must contain at least eight sentences. On all writing assignments that you take home, **__SPELLING COUNTS__**. I expect basic grammar and spelling skills in my classroom and I will count off for spelling and grammar mistakes!
 * Writing Assignments **

Often, I will have a word bank for you to use, especially for countries that are challenging to spell. However, if I provide a list, I expect you to spell the countries and capitals flawlessly.
 * Map Assignments **


 * Late assignments ** will receive partial credit, only. Assignments are marked down 10% if turned in one day late, 20% if turned in two days late, 30% if turned in three days late, and **not accepted at all after three days after the due date**. Exceptions for this policy are only to be made for special/unforeseen circumstances.

You are responsible for all make-up work. When you return from an absence, check the labeled folder in the back for your assignments. You can also check the calendar on my wiki to keep up with any and all assignments. If you are absent, you will have the **number of days you were absent plus a day** to make up missed work for full credit. **Mrs. Andrews updates the “Study Center” area for you. It is up to you to make sure you have your work turned in on time after an absence.**


 * LEARNING EXPECTATIONS **
 * Be ready to learn/prompt to class.
 * Be prepared with all needed work and materials (including paper and pencils!)
 * Be respectful and kind to others (including their opinions and property!)
 * Work hard and always ask for help when needed


 * CLASS ORGANIZATION **
 * Your binder should be organized as follows:
 * o Keep this syllabus in the front of your binder. You will need to refer to it later.
 * o Your five dividers should be labeled: Warm-Ups, Vocabulary, Maps, Homework, and Gradesheet.
 * o Keep all graded work and notes until the end of the quarter. At the end of the quarter, you may do with them what you wish.
 * o Warm-Ups, grade sheets from each quarter, maps, and vocabulary will need to be kept in your binder all year. Do not throw these away.
 * When the bell rings, be in your seat working on the warm up. If there is no warm up, sit silently and wait for instruction.
 * Turn in all work in your folders in the labeled container on the back desk.
 * I will let you know when you can retrieve your graded work from the container. I typically grade your work and get them to you in a timely manner—usually within the week in which it is submitted. If you ask when I will have something graded, **you will get your grade back two days after your peers.**
 * o Be patient—I have ninety papers to grade and all of your classmates want their work back as much as you do!
 * You must keep up with your own grades on a grade-sheet I have provided. I will confirm that your average is accurate, but you are responsible for keeping up with your grades and knowing how to calculate your current average.
 * You have three “late passes” **per quarter**. These passes include being late to class, emergency use of the restroom, or locker visit (Note: if you have a medical reason to use the bathroom, you are exempt from the pass for the restroom). Each subsequent tardy will result in a demerit. Use them wisely. (Your safest bet is to not use them at all!)


 * Geography is challenging and fast-paced. We will cover a lot of material this year, so my biggest piece of advice to you is to not fall behind and do your reading and homework when it is assigned. Do this and you will do well in Geography this year! **