World Geography Course Description

In World Geography, we will explore each region of the world examining its physical geography, cultural geography, and current events.  Unit one is an overview of the themes of geography and basic geographic concepts.  Units two through nine are a study of regions that share similar cultural characteristics.

Unit One:      The World

Unit Two:      United States and Canada

Unit Three:    Latin America

Unit Four:      Europe and Russia

End of Semester One

Unit Five:      Southwest Asia, Central Asia, North Africa

Unit Six:        Africa South of the Sahara

Unit Seven:   South Asia

Unit Eight:     East Asia

Unit Nine:      Southeast Asia and the Pacific World

End of Semester Two

Materials/Textbook Information

Each student has the option for a physical book and has access to the textbook online.

Textbook: Boehm, Richard., Senior Author. Geography: The Human and Physical World. 2018 Edition. Publisher: McGraw Hill Education

Additional course materials and resources will be posted in Moodle.  I do not use Google classroom. 

Required Materials for this Class: Laptop and charger, paper, and pencils and pens.  Suggested materials: Colored pens or pencils, highlighter, and folders.

Performance Descriptors

The students will use resources, data services, and geographic tools that generate and interpret information.

The students will explain how humans depend on, modify, and interact with their environment.

The students will explain how human migration impacts local and global politics, environment, economies, societies and regions.

The students will identify the main characteristics of cultural geography.

Earning the Grade

The textbook is organized by unit, chapter, and lesson.  Students earn points by completing assignments at each level, completing lesson level notes and practice, chapter level assessments, and a unit level simulation or assessment.

Lesson Level:  Lesson assignments may include reading assignments, taking notes, participation in classroom discussions, writing assignments, and geographic skills and vocabulary practice activities. 

Chapter Level:  Chapter assignments may include LearnSmart, an online textbook tool, labeling maps, classroom discussion, and chapter level tests. 

Unit Level:  Unit assignments may include Geo@Work, a simulation that uses maps and data analysis to make decisions, Regional Atlas assignments, and unit assessments.

Homework Procedures

All course information including in class activities, assignments, due dates, and test dates can be found in Planbook.  Students are expected to have homework completed by the due date at the start of the class.

Grades

Letter grades for the course are determined by the school-wide grading scale:

96-100 A

92-95   A-

89-91    B+

86-88   B

83-85 B-

79-82 C+

76-78 C

73-75 C-

69-72 D+

65-68 D

60-64 D-

59 and below F

Grade Rounding Policy:

The percent grade as shown is Campus/Parent Portal is the percent is use to determine the student’s grade for my course.  I do not round the percent up or down.

Late Work and Corrections

Lesson level and chapter level assignments and any corrections must be completed BEFORE chapter level assessments.  Remember, the purpose of homework is to learn the skills and concepts.  The assessment then measures whether you have retained the information.  Lesson level and chapter level assignments help to prepare you to complete the Geo@Work simulation or unit level assessment.  The Geo@Work or unit assessment deadline is the final date work from any unit will be accepted.

Make Up Work

Assigned homework is due at the beginning of class.  If you miss an assignment due to an excused absence please check Planbook and come and visit with me during Spartan time.  If you anticipate a class absence please see me in advance and remember—you are responsible to make sure you are aware of all assignments, due dates, missing notes and other class information. 

The student is allowed (2) school calendar days for make-up work for each excused absence. (Student Handbook page 19) Make-up work is expected to be handed in during Spartan time if the calendar day is not a white day.

 State Standards

Upon completion of World Geography, students will demonstrate the following State Standards:

http://doe.sd.gov/contentstandards/