World Geography

Instructor: Brian McKitrick

Email: bmckitri@greenville.k12.sc.us

Room: C001

Phone: 864-355-0065

Office Hours/Independent Learning: 12:15-12:45

Class Schedule: 1^st Block: World Geography

2^nd Block: World Geography

3^rd Block: Planning

4^th Block: Gov/Econ Honors

Text: Arreola, Daniel D., Marci S. Deal, James F. Petersen, and Rickie Sanders. Geography. Revised/Expanded ed. Orlando, Florida: Holt McDougal, 2014

Course Description:

The study of World Geography focuses on the relationships among people, places, and environments that result in geographic patterns on the earth. The students will use geographic methods to compare and analyze landforms, climates, and natural resources, as well as cultural, political, economic, and religious characteristics of the world regions. Students will use a variety of interdisciplinary sources, both primary and secondary, such as maps, pictures, and documents to learn about the geography of different world regions.

Major Learner Outcomes:

• Students will analyze the major landforms, climates, and ecosystems of earth and the interrelated processes that produce them.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of geographical information and present this knowledge in a variety of assessment formats, which include essay composition, document analysis, project-based research, written tests and quizzes, cooperative grouping and decision-making simulations, and other performance based activities.
• Students will be able to assess the role of important individuals, places, and environments by demonstrating their relationships to each other.
• Students will be able to detect the role of cause and effect in understanding historical events and examine their effects on the development of our modern government.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of current social problems, global economic interdependence, governmental processes, and the characteristics of culture.
• Students will demonstrate technological competency by producing and presenting a PowerPoint project that reflects mastery of basic computer skills. Access to the Internet will also be utilized to enrich available governmental information.

Course Requirements:

1. Attendance: Regular attendance is vital to your success in this course. Per district policy, students missing more than FIVE (5) classes will be denied credit. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to ask myself or a classmate for missed assignments and/or notes. I will not seek you out to give you make up assignments, nor will I provide you with class notes that you missed.

2. Make-Up Work: All make up assignments are due within FIVE (5) class days of your return to school for excused absences. Any work not completed and/or turned in within the 5 day period will be assigned a grade of zero. In compliance with the Zeroes Aren’t Permitted Policy (Z.A.P.), if a student fails to complete or turn in an assignment, they will be required to attend Academic Overtime until the work is completed. Students will receive a 30% reduction in their grade for late work in addition to the grade of the assignment. If you are absent when an assignment is due, I expect you to turn in the assignment on the day of your return.

3. Office Hours/Independent Learning: Help sessions are available by appointment before or after school, as well as during the school day. My office hours are from 12:15-12:45 every day and no appointment is necessary to stop by and see me! I strongly encourage any student seeking study tips or content review to see me during Power Hour! You may be required to come to my office hours for the following reasons:

- Failing to complete/turn in an assignment and will be required to attend until the work is completed.

- Overall class grade is a 65 or lower.

- Make up a test or assignment due to an excused absence. (In this case, the student does not have to attend Academic Overtime unless they fail to turn in the assignment within the time frame allotted for their excused absence.)

4. Classroom Website: The classroom website is a resource I encourage you to use!

5. Homework: Homework functions as a preview or reinforcement activity and is a valuable tool for increasing a student’s level of participation for the classroom. Homework grades only make up 10% of the final grade.

6. Materials Needed:

1. Textbook

2. Writing utensil (pencil, pen)

3. Notebook paper (I recommend a 3-ring 1 ½” binder for organization but not required)

7. Class Rules:

1. Students are expected to be on time and in their seats at the beginning of class.

2. Be respectful and considerate of other people’s feelings, rights, and possessions.

3. Come to class prepared and ready to participate. This means you will have your text, notebook and paper, and writing utensils each and every day.

4. Give the speaker your full attention. Please raise your hand before speaking, and do not talk while someone else is talking.

5. No food or drink (except water) allowed in the classroom.

6. No unauthorized electronic equipment may be used in class unless specified by the teacher.

7. Profanity, in any way, is NOT acceptable.

8. I will dismiss you when class is over.

9. All School rules will be enforced – NO exceptions. Any problems within this classroom will be dealt with quickly and effectively. The overall goal is to make this class as enjoyable and effective as possible for every student.

8. Consequences:

1. Warning

2. Parent Contact

3. Detention

4. Referral

8. Grading Procedures:

1. Major grades: (major tests, projects, etc.): 60%

2. Minor grades: (map tests, quizzes, minor in-class projects, etc.) 30%

3. Homework: (in class writing assignments, worksheets, etc.) 10%

9. SC Grading Policy:

100 % - 90% = A

89% - 80% = B

79% - 70% = C

69% - 60% = D

59% below = F

Integrity:

Integrity has been defined as: “How you act when no one is looking.” Integrity is vital to the learning environment and to life itself. Any instances of cheating will be dealt with according to the school rules and may include loss of credit for the assignment, parents notified and/or a referral to Administration.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism (using another’s words without giving credit to the author), ANY giving or receiving of answers to/from another student, copying of project assignment, using answers during an exam. Talking or the appearance of talking, during an exam and/or quiz is considered cheating. Copying and pasting text from an internet source and turning it in as your own word is the definition of cheating.

Extra Credit:

No extra credit assignments will be given at the end of this course.