World Geography Syllabus

World Geography


Instructor: Steven Robinson Location: Room 2312

E-mail: STEVEN.ROBINSON@cobbk12.org

Textbook: “World Geography”, 2005-McDougal-Littell



COURSE DESCRIPTION

World Geography provides an overview of physical and cultural geography and is designed to strengthen the student’s geographical concepts and skills; to develop the student’s understanding of man’s use of the land and its resources and how the results of this use has defined the historic, cultural, economic and political developments of the world. At the successful conclusion of these courses, the student will have a basic knowledge of geographic concepts, as well as an appreciation for the various interactions between the peoples, cultures and nations that shape our present day human condition.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Each student shall be able to demonstrate an understanding of the standards as set forth in the Georgia Performance Standards. A copy of said standards is provided on the class blog.

COURSE METHODOLOGY

Students will utilize a number of approaches (to include. but not limited to scientific inquiry, research skills and methodology, written expression. etc.) to accomplish the Course Objectives. The instructor will attempt to utilize interactive learning, demonstration, discussion and lecture to further the objectives of the course. It is the intent of the instructor to provide multiple types of assessments throughout the course to be able to accurately gauge the learning of all of the students—regardless of learning style, level or ability.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

To successfully complete this course, each student must comply with the Classroom Rules, Student Expectations and complete all work so that the Semester cumulative grade is of a D (70%) or better.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Students are required to have the following items for class:

1. A 3-ring binder/organizer with 3 dividers for Geography: Syllabus/Course Handouts, Course Notes, Graded Assignments.

2. Paper, pens (black or blue) and colored pencils. I do not allow any light colored pens to be used for work that needs to be turned in.

3. Assignment book/planner/organizer. Actual type is up to student discretion.



CLASSROOM RULES

1. The instructor reserves the right to modify, amend or otherwise change the classroom rules at any time and for any reason.

2. Respect yourself, others, and the classroom environment.

3. Come to class prepared every day with your binder, textbook, paper, pens, and colored pencils.

4. All beverages MUST have lids.

5. Homework, Projects, Reading Assignments and other outside-of-class activities will be given on a regular basis. Items will be collected on the date due at the beginning of the class with no exception. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT TURNING IN YOUR WORK! In accordance with Departmental policy, late work will be accepted with penalty (10% deduction of points up to 50% maximum available credit if turned in within ten (10) days of due date with NO points available after the ten (10) day grace period. Missed work (with an excused absence) can be made up within a maximum of five (5) days after due date.

6. In accordance with district and school policy, no student is authorized to possess or use any electronic device that is not primarily of an educational nature (such as cell phones, pagers, CD players, MP3 players, handheld gaming devices, etc.) during instructional time. Any student found to be in violation of this policy will be punished as per the policies outlined in the Cobb County School District Administrative Rules.

"No-name policy"

Any assignment turned in without a name will be discarded and no attempt will be made by the instructor to ascertain authorship. If it does not have a name, it is the same as not turning in the assignment. All assignments shall have the student’s name clearly written, along with class section and date in the upper right hand corner (unless otherwise instructed). This applies to ALL assignments (Homework, Quizzes, Tests, Papers, Final Examination, etc.) The instructor will attempt to remind ALL students before accepting work but it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to verify that their name is on EACH item turned in.

Extra-Credit policy

No individual extra-credit will be accepted for any reason. However, there will be occasions that the Instructor will assign or offer extra points for specific acts that are available to an entire class. These events will be very random, on a limited basis and not available for make-up.

Academic Integrity Policy

All personnel associated with this course shall maintain academic integrity. Academic misconduct, in any form, will not be tolerated and will result in a disciplinary action!

Please refer to the handout, Academic Dishonesty for a detailed explanation of what is interpreted as academic misconduct.

Instructor Availability

The instructor is available for personal contact, extra-curricular assistance and parental conference (subject to scheduling commitments). Additionally, remediation regarding course assessments will be provided periodically throughout the course.

All students and parents have the right to contact the instructor for telephonic discussions or to set up an appointment for a face-to-face consultation. All appointments will be before or after school hours and at the instructor’s discretion. To set up an appointment, please e-mail a request and include a phone number so that I may call you. Thank you.

Remediation Policy

World Geography Remediation/Reassessment Plan:

• Every student will be allowed the opportunity to show proficiency for each standards-based, summative, assessment.

• If a student scores less than a 75% on the unit test, they have the option of retaking that test after completing the following remediation plan.

o Step one – the student must complete the chapter assessment for each chapter in the unit (or an applicable assignment as designated by the teacher).

o Step two – the student must bring the completed chapter assessments with them to one of the two reassessment tutoring/review sessions, 7:30-8:10am or 3:35-4:15pm, offered for that particular unit by a World Geography Teacher.

 If ALL chapter assessments are not completed at the time of the review session, the reassessment will NOT be allowed.

 These dates can be found on the teacher’s blog.

 Student must stay and participate for entire review session.

o Step three – the student will be reassessed the day following the review session, again either in the morning or afternoon.

• The higher of the two scores will be counted, and the maximum grade that can be earned is a 75%.

• **Remediation Assignment is subject to change depending on student needs. **



Assessment Categories and Grade Weights

Formative: 30%

Summative: 60%

Final Examination: 10%



INTERNET & E-MAIL ACCOUNT/ACCESS

It is highly encouraged but not required that students have a valid e-mail account and internet access. Many of the class materials (handouts, worksheets, etc.) and ALL of the class notes (PowerPoint Slides) will be placed on the class blog. Additionally, there will be times when the instructor will need to send out information via an e-mail. While you are not required to set up an e-mail account, it shall be the policy that anyone who does not have an e-mail account or access to the internet shall be responsible for ALL materials that are disseminated via said vehicles. In other words, “I don’t have the internet” or “I don’t have e-mail” are NOT valid excuses for anything that the student misses in class or as assigned via electronic means.























PRINT STUDENT’S FULL NAME________________________________________________________



World Geography

Mr. Robinson

Room 2312



Dear Parents,



I want to welcome you to Kell High School! I am looking forward to working with your child to insure that his/her academic growth reaches its full potential. I consider my classroom a team effort incorporating teacher, student and parent. Communication is the key to success.





My e-mail address is STEVEN.ROBINSON@cobbk12.org. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. This is the fastest way to reach me, and I can usually reply within three to four hours. We have a limited number of phone lines at Kell, which makes phone contact difficult, but if you do not have e-mail, you may call me at the school number 678-494-7844.



Sincerely,



Steven Robinson



As a way of supplementing material in the classroom, there may be some documentaries, political commentaries, or historical movies that are shown in class. It is possible that this material may have a PG-13 rating. These movies or clips may contain some violence and adult language. The audio visual supplementary material will be accompanied by a writing assignment for the students to complete. Should you wish for your student NOT to watch this material, an alternative assignment will be provided for him/her in the media center. By signing below, you are granting permission for your student to view a supplemental movie, documentary, or political commentary for this course of study that may be rated PG-13.



I have read the course syllabus and classroom procedures. I understand that a copy of the course syllabus is available online on the class blog accessed from the Kell website. All of the material was fully explained and I understand what is expected in this class.





PLEASE PRINT:



Student’s Name________________________Parent/Guardian Names________________________





Home Phone Number____________________Work Number(s) ____________________________



Email address(es)_________________________________________________________________



PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE______________________________________Date___________________