Course Title: World Geography
Course Text: National Geographic World Cultures and Geography
Grade: 7
About World Geography
Welcome to World Geography! Geography prepares students for a global future, and helps them understand world events past, present, and future. Students will learn basic skills and background knowledge for navigating the world and understanding the relationships between people and places. They will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills as they investigate the physical geography, climate, economy, culture, political systems, and demographics of the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica. Major world events will be emphasized throughout the year.
This year, we will be using the National Geographic World Cultures and Geography textbook. The teacher will monitor and adjust classroom procedures and schedule as needed. For specific course objectives and standards, please visit the South Carolina Department of Education at www.ed.sc.gov.
Materials
Everyday, student will need to have the following:
paper
pencil
colored pencils
their Chromebook and charger
a notebook
a folder to store handouts and practice work
Behavior
Disrespect, aggression, and/or violence of any sort will not be tolerated. All students get one chance to turn themselves around, then the school’s discipline policy will go into effect.
Serious incidents will result in parent contact from either myself or administrator depending on severity of the incident.
Late Work/Absences
(From the Woodmont Middle School Landing Page):
In order for Woodmont Middle School staff to support students in their learning, the evaluation of completed work partnered with feedback for growth is essential. This process is layered with communication, differentiation, as well as timeliness. In order for students, even in the event of a known absence, to have access to this feedback, the work they complete needs to be returned to the teacher in a timely manner. The following criteria will outline Woodmont Middle School’s philosophy as it pertains to late and/or missing work:
The late work procedures are intended to support students who have been absent from school, not students who were present but have failed to meet a deadline for turning in work.
The late work procedures may not be applicable to students who have failed to complete any classwork during time provided by the teacher. In other words, if a teacher provides time for students to do something in class and he/she chooses not to do that work believing they will do it later, the teacher does not have to extend the late work procedures to them. It should be communicated home that late work will not be accepted in this situation.
Work assigned is expected to be completed by the assigned date due.
It remains the responsibility of the student to turn in work even if late.
Classwork will become homework if attempted but not completed during the class period. That work is due the next day’s class meeting. If turned in during or before the next class meeting, the student will receive credit for the learning shown.
Any work not turned in will have the Greenville County Schools grade floor applied (GFA/NHI) which equals a 50%.
Teachers will handle unique situations on a case-by-case basis, and have the autonomy to determine whether they will accept work beyond the due date.
Make-up Work from Absences
All work missed during any absence will initially be reported as Absent or ABS. The work must be completed and returned to the teacher the number of days of the absence plus one upon the students return to school. If the deadline is not met, an NHI or GFA will then be applied.
Students are responsible to get makeup work from their teacher(s). This can be done in advance of a known absence.
Provisions to make up school work missed during extended absences can be worked out with the teacher(s)/team concerned.
If they have been absent, all work and practice is available via Google Classroom. If they are unable to turn it in online, it is their responsibility to get a copy and/or turn the assignment in during class when they return.
Grading
For each unit(except for Unit 0), there will be grades that are considered major and minor ( around 3 major grades, 8 minor grades per quarter).
You will be able to see up-to-date grades on Backpack or Google Classroom (check your email for parent invite).
Majors
Majors are summative assessments given at the end of a unit which could be in the form of Tests or Projects.
Minors
These assignments could be Quizzes, classwork done on paper, or an activity from an online program
Retake/Redo/Revise Policy(from the Woodmont Middle School Landing Page):
Learning is a process. We recognize that not all students learn at the same pace and that while mastery of skills or standards remains the primary goal for all students they require additional attempts in order to achieve success. The following criteria will outline Woodmont Middle School’s philosophy as it pertains to Redo’s and Retake’s:
Redo’s/Retake’s will apply towards major grades. Major grades include labs, tests, and projects. Any major grade that cannot be replicated should have an alternative assignment available at the same value. If a student is provided an open-note test or allowed to use something such as a completed study guide as a resource a Redo/Retake should not be necessary.
Redo’s/Retakes will be allowable for 100% of Woodmont Middle students who want to improve their grade regardless of the score of their initial attempt
Students who complete a Redo or Retake work will receive full credit for the work completed. No percentage penalties will be reflected on a child’s grade because they did not show mastery in their initial attempt
Students will have the opportunity for a minimum of one (1) Redo or Retake per major grade. The teacher may determine if added Redo/Retake opportunities are available
Students will be expected to initiate the process for Redo/Retake. Teachers/teams will utilize a universal Google Form request to initiate the process and will communicate their individualized Redo/Retake opportunity to students and parents
Students should be expected to show improvement independently or with teacher’s assistance and will display academic integrity
Redo’s/ Retake’s for each quarter will be concluded each grading period in such a time to allow for evaluation of the work and feedback on the work submitted.
Teachers will handle unique situations on a case-by-case basis and will use discretion on any assignment intended to be applied to a particular grading period
Because of students’ ability to complete Redo’s/Retake’s, Extra Credit is unnecessary. Students should take advantage of these opportunities and improve upon standards assessed, existing work attempted, or existing assignments offered
Students will have Redo/Retake opportunities for 5 days from the time an assignment is recorded in the gradebook to initiate the Redo/Retake process. Teachers must account for the end of the grading period when
giving major assignments so that ALL students are given equal opportunity for the Redo and Retake policy. No major assessments should be given after week eight of the grading period.
Units
0. Essentials to Geography
North America
Central America and the Caribbean
South America
Europe
Russia and Central Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
North Africa and Southwest Asia
South Asia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
Australia, the Pacific Realm, and Antarctica
Classroom Expectations:
Students will come into room, sit in assigned seat, and begin work on our class bell-ringer.
Students will not talk or interrupt while Mr. Knobel is talking, and will raise their hands to be recognized by the teacher before they speak.
Students will not eat, use phones/headphones/airpods, or groom in class.
Students will not leave their seats without permission.
Students will come to class prepared with their materials and a charged Chromebook.
Students will be respectful of others and keep the classroom clean.
Students will follow all Woodmont Middle School rules outlined in the student handbook.
Welcome, once again. I’m very happy and excited to have your student in my class!
Mr. Knobel