Course Info

Grading & Retake Information

Grading Procedures and Grading Scale

Progress reports are issued four times a year during the midpoint of a grading period. Grades will be entered into PowerSchool no later than five (5) days after the assessment.

Grading Scale Report Card Distribution

A=100-90 Q1: 10/20/22

B=89-80 Q2: 1/19/23

C=79-70 Q3: 3/30/23

D=69-60 Q4: 6/3/23

F=59-50

Student Redo/Retake Policy

League Academy holds each student responsible for their own education. In this regard, student self advocacy is important for creating intrinsic motivation to complete work timely with mastery.

The Retake policy at League will be the following:

-Students will have the opportunity to retake major assessments and minor assessments until the end of the unit

-No retakes will happen after the close of the Quarter grading periods

-Students may need to demonstrate successful remedial work before being allowed to retake assessments

-Students may be required to retake certain assessments based on teacher discretion and students’ personal growth goals

Student Late Work Policy

The Late Work Policy at League Academy will be the following:

-Late work will be accepted until the end of a Unit or other defined length of study depending on the class and curricular requirements

-Students will be required to identify all missing/incomplete assignments weekly during C3

-Students will have class time in C3 dedicated to completing these assignments

Course Supply List

A fully charged chromebook, every day
Something to write with
An open mind

Syllabus

Course Description

Seventh grade students will study Earth from a regional perspective, focusing on the continents. Students will study contemporary places and regions to identify how the experiences of people are rooted in places and organized into geographic regions. This course focuses on human systems and the sum of human activities and characteristics across the Earth's surface. Instruction should utilize the geographic thinking skills and themes developed in the 2019 South Carolina Social Studies College and Career Ready Standards. These standards are aligned with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate in order to promote world-class skills and knowledge. Instruction should include inquiry-based learning in which students apply geography literacy and skills to current world issues.

Course Standards

To encourage inquiry, the grade seven Geography of World Regions standards are constructed around the following four themes:

Places and Regions (PR) – The PR theme encourages the study of the experiences of humans organized into geographic regions. Regions describe places that are characterized by similar South Carolina Social Studies College- and Career-Ready Standards Page 61 physical and human conditions. This theme most closely aligns with Indicator 1 within each Standard.

Environment and Resources (ER) – The ER theme encourages the study of Earth’s physical systems (climate, landform, vegetation) and how human activities modify the environment, bringing both benefits and costs. The distribution of natural resources varies spatially and temporally, resulting in different political and economic relationships. This theme most closely aligns with Indicator 2 within each Standard.

Human Systems (HS) – The HS theme encourages the study of various human activities and characteristics across Earth’s surface. The spatial distribution and movement of populations and the resultant changes form the basis of understanding. Cultural characteristics, economic systems, political systems, and settlement patterns are further examples of how human landscapes vary spatially. This theme most closely aligns with Indicators 3, 4, and 5 within each Standard.

Applied Geography (AG) – The AG theme encourages the study of how geographic literacy and geographic skills such as mapping are used to solve problems. An understanding of past and present spatial organizations of Earth enables people to better understand and plan for the changes in human and physical phenomena in the future. This theme most closely aligns with Indicator 6 within each Standard.

Textbook Title

National Geographic: World Cultures & Geography Survey

(Click here for link)

Course Outline

Unit 1: Essentials of Geography

Unit 1 introduces students to the study of the geography of world regions. Over the course of the year, 7th grade students will study Earth from a regional perspective, focusing on the continents. To encourage inquiry, critical thinking, and collaboration, the study of geography has been constructed around four themes: places and regions, environment and resources, human systems, and applied geography. This unit will introduce students to these themes as well as the geographic skills used for geographic inquiry. These skills include map use and construction, model development and other data visualization, and gathering evidence and communicating findings to better understand the conditions at and among places.

Unit 2: North America

Unit 2 focuses on the continent of North America. North America is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique North American landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use inquiry and geography thinking skills to explore topics regarding the spatial patterns of Native American lands, the expansion of the United States, and the impact of globalization on the world.

Unit 3: Central America

Central America is an isthmus that connects North and South America. The region has a unique cultural, economic, environmental, and physical role between North and South America. The Caribbean Islands are also included with the study of Central America. The Caribbean Islands are a chain of islands that form an archipelago between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Central America and the Caribbean Islands are geographically diverse with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique Central American and Caribbean landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore the issue of illegal immigration from this region and propose a solution to the problem.

Unit 4: South America

Unit 4 focuses on the continent of South America. South America is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique South American landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore current issues with the Amazon Rainforest and pose solutions to maintaining this important ecosystem while also allowing for economic development in this region.

Unit 5: Europe

Unit 5 focuses on the continent of Europe. Europe is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique European landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth.

Unit 6: Russia & Eurasia

Unit 6 focuses on the unique cultures and regions that are present in Russia and Central Asia. Russia and Central Asia are a geographically diverse area, spanning between two continents, with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique Russian and Central Asian landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry and the application of geography thinking skills, students will explore current issues with the Aral Sea and pose solutions to help replenish the Aral Sea.

Unit 7: Sub-Saharan Africa

Unit 7 focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa is a geographically diverse continent with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique African landscape and explore some of the challenges people in this region face. Students will develop an understanding of Africa which will enable them to make connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students will apply geography thinking skills to offer a solution to the problem of labor abuse in the diamond mines of this region.

Unit 8: Southwest Asia & North Africa

Unit 8 focuses on the region of Southwest Asia and North Africa with its rich natural and cultural resources which continues to guide the people who live there. The region is geographically diverse with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create a unique landscape, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students apply geography thinking skills as they grapple with the issue of availability of water in this region.

Unit 9: South Asia

South Asia is a region which traces its roots back to the first known civilizations of the world. Due to its fertile valleys and seasonal rains, it continues to support one of the greatest population densities on the planet. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use inquiry and geography thinking skills to offer solutions to the issue of a rapidly growing population in this region.

Unit 10: East Asia

East Asia is a region with much diversity amongst the land and the people. Just as the topography changes as one moves from the west to the east (as the rivers run), the population density grows as well. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will use applied geography skills to grapple with the question of who has the right to own the surrounding seas.

Unit 11: Southeast Asia

Unit 11 focuses on the region of Southeast Asia which includes mainland and island countries. The region is dependent upon access to rivers and coastlines for transportation and natural resources. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Students will participate in an inquiry that seeks the answer to the geographic problem of deforestation in this region of the world.

Unit 12: Australia, Antarctica, & Oceania

Unit 12 focuses on the continent of Australia, Antarctica, and the southern Pacific region known as Oceania. Australia, Antarctica, and Oceania are a geographically diverse area with a variety of physical features and social structures. Through the use of geographical thinking skills, inquiry, and collaboration, students will learn about the physical and cultural regional conditions that create unique landscapes, an understanding of which lays the foundation for learning about connections to other peoples and places on Earth. Through inquiry, students will use geography thinking skills to propose a solution to the predicament of melting glaciers.

Materials Needed

A fully charged Chromebook
Something to write with
An open mind

Class Procedures/Expectations:

Entering the Classroom

Silently enter the classroom.
Report to your assigned seat.
Sharpen pencils
Begin the Take Off that will be posted in Classroom

Classroom Expectations are to LEARN!

L-Listen Attentively
E-Enter the Classroom Prepared
A-Always Try Your Best
R-Respect Yourself and others
N-No Excuses!

Expectations for students

Come to class on time, prepared to learn *No passes first or last ten minutes of class*
Wear your student ID at all times
Be kind to others and follow all social contracts
Respect other’s personal and physical boundaries
Listen and wait your turn to speak
Stay on task and do your work

Consequences

1st – Name on the board
2nd – Lunch Detention
3rd – 2nd Detention + Parent Contact
4th – Referral

Assessment Outline (Assessments per quarter)

Each Quarter will contain at least eight minor grades and three major grades. Eight minor grades will make up 50%, these grades will be based on subject specific content, thinking/reasoning skills, and communication skills, which could be demonstrated through classwork homework, quizzes, writing assignments, extended/refining assignments, presentations, and performance assessments. Three major grades will make up the other 50%. These major grades will consist of, major tests, culminating projects and performances; grades may be based on subject specific content knowledge, thinking/reasoning skills, and communication skills.