Human Geography
Welcome to Human Geography. Despite the name of the course Human Geography is not about memorizing the states (countries) of the world and their locations. It is however, about learning how people affect the Earth, how the Earth affects the people. The course will also cover how people affect each other and themselves through various governments and cultures. As this course covers a multitude of points of view there are bound to be differing opinions and that is ok. This is a safe space, debate and discussion is how understanding and growth is fostered. You do not have to believe what any other person does; however, it is important that you be able to listen to someone else’s point of view and be able to intelligently interact with them.
The main point of social studies is not to memorize useless facts. Rather, it is to learn how to intelligently interact with people from different beliefs and cultures by using evidence to support what a person believes and yet still be able to listen to another person’s point of view. Whether or not an agreement on a topic can be reached the ability to accept differences is key. As such this course will help to expose students to the why’s and how’s of the different cultures of the world to aid in their ability to intellectually interact with our world that is ever more becoming interdependent.
Coarse goals and objectives for students include:
A deeper understanding of how the world has become increasingly interconnected
Examine the reasons for where people live and why they live the way that they do
Development of critical thinking and reasoning skills using evidence to justify conclusions
Required Materials
Notebook paper or spiral notebook
Pencil or pen
School-issued Chromebook (charge it each night, and bring it to school each day)
Colored Pencils
Folder or Binder to keep track of handouts and assignments
Classroom Rules
Respect yourself and others. It is ok to have different beliefs from others, but understand that just as you do not have to believe what another does, they do not have to believe what you do either. (If you follow this rule all other rules will already be taken care of.)
Follow all Fox Creek High School rules at ALL times.
Be on time. When the tardy bell rings, the door closes. If you are late, go to the attendance office to get a tardy slip. Students will not be admitted to class after the bell without a pass.
NO PHONES
No hats, hoodies, etc. on inside the building.
No food/drinks are allowed in class. Water in a secure container is acceptable.
Stay seated until the bell rings (DO NOT line up at the door)
Classroom Procedures
Bring materials to class EVERY DAY.
Use the restroom BEFORE class.
Be seated in your desk BEFORE the tardy bell rings. If there is an assignment on the board, go ahead and get started as soon as you get seated.
Participate in the class. Participation will help you whether you know the correct answers or not.
Course Requirements
Students will be required to complete daily assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects.
Semester exams will be given at the end of each semester. Semester exams count as 20% of the overall grade for the semester.
Homework/Classwork Requirements
During an average week, students will be required to complete assignments or activities in class and will receive multiple homework assignments. Most homework assignments will require students to read, answer questions, or review vocabulary.
Grading Policy
Make up Work
One day for each day out. After time has passed work is considered late.
Late Work
I do not accept any late work unless there are extenuating circumstances. If your assignment is late, it is a zero.
Plagiarism
All major assignments (projects, essays, etc.) will be submitted to an online plagiarism checker, Turnitin.com. Plagiarism is when you present someone else's work as your own original work. Make sure all major written assignments are in your own words and any direct quotes are properly cited. Students will receive a zero for plagiarized assignments and will not get the opportunity to redo the assignment.
Tests/Projects 40%
Quizzes 30%
Classwork/Homework 30%
To calculate semester grades:
1st Quarter Grade 40%
2nd Quarter Grade 40%
Semester Exam 20%
To calculate yearly grades:
1st Semester Grade 50%
2nd Semester Grade 50%
Ren Card Policy
“Teacher’s Choice” used as a homework pass. Projects are not considered homework. Extra points can not be added to exams. If a student has multiple extra point items they cannot be combined.
Pacing Plan
Quarter 1
Skills of Geography
Utilization of Representations of the Earth (Maps and the globe) to find locations
Utilization of different types of maps to arrive at conclusions and support them with evidence
Utilization of different types of maps to identify patterns and make connections
Analyze places of settlement
Analyze and discuss reasons for migration
Quarter 2
Analyze places of settlement
Analyze and discuss reasons for migration
Push and Pull Factors
Population Control
Factors that contribute to the growth and decline of population
Economic, Social, Demographic Factors
Economic effects upon a labor force
Energy production and alternate sources of energy
Quarter 3
Popular and Folk cultures
Cultural patterns and Characteristics of the World
Characteristics that affect cultural development
Interaction among cultural groups
Religions and major language groups
Political Organization of Countries and Regions
Types of boundaries between states (countries)
How states are formed
Analyze places of settlement
Analyze and discuss reasons for migration
Quarter 4
How states are formed
Analyze places of settlement
Analyze and discuss reasons for migration
Competition for resources Growth of the urban landscape
Challenges to rural and urban areas
Effect of Urban growth on populations