Homework

ATLAS & WEEKLY GEOGRAPHY INFORMATION

Students have a Weekly Geography assignment most weeks. These are typically given on a Friday and due the following Friday (unless specified otherwise). 

Students are to use the Nystrom World Atlas (class atlases) to complete the assignment. Each student will receive a copy of the classroom atlas to use for this school year. Since students are using the Atlas to complete the work, spelling and capitalization does count. It is an important skill to slow down, copy work properly from a source, and to capitalize proper nouns. We will complete the first Weekly Geography together after teaching students how to navigate the atlas and in-class practice with using it.

Students are NOT to use the Internet to find the answers to these Weekly Geography questions. I inform students that it is the journey to the answer that is the most important. 

These Weekly Geography (WG) assignments are considered Learning Activities (Point Grades in PowerSchool) and worth less points than Summary Activities (Letter Grades in PowerSchool). These are counted towards students' Habits of Work grade and overall social studies Academic grade. We will go over the answers of each WG question together in class, while students complete a reflection form to keep track of their scores and areas where they may have made errors (i.e. spelling, accuracy, capitalization, etc.). 

Students have a full week to complete this assignment, so I DO NOT accept this assignment late (for full credit), unless a student was absent on the date it was due. We grade/reflect on these assignments in class on the day they are due.

Weekly Geography assignments are graded for completion. If a student completes the assignment on time they will earn a:

• 10/10 (weighted .33) = 100% (Trimester 1)

• 10/10 (weighted .66) = 100% (Trimester 2)

• 10/10 (weighted 1) = 100% (Trimester 3) 

*Each Trimester the weighted value goes up because this assignment is transitioning from a Learning Activity to Summary Activity as their learning & understanding increases*

Grading  - Marked in PowerSchool:

What if the student does not have the assignment on the due date?

If a student did not complete the assignment OR brought it with them to school on the day it was due, they earn a 0 and it is marked in PowerSchool as missing (yellow flag) and late (red flag). This way you and they can see and understand why they earned the grade they received. 

If a student did not have the WG assignment done on time, they have a choice to increase their score from a 0 to 1/2 credit by completing the assignments within a reasonable amount of time (goal 2 weeks from the due date) If the student chooses to do this, the academic grade will show 1/2 credit, and it will be marked late (red flag) in PowerSchool. 

What if the student is absent from school on the due date?

If a student is absent from school on the day the assignment is due and they did not turn it in early (for me to see that it is done), they will be marked as NHI (Not Handed In) and absent (green flag). This green flag lets me, the student and you know that it was not turned in due to absence and is not marked late. Students are told that they should turn in their completed WG assignment on the day they return to school to ensure it is not late. 

--> Please see the Parent/Guardian and Student INFORMATION handout below. Paper copies of this will be provided at our school wide Open House or given to students who were unable to attend.

For Parents / Guardians

📘 Atlases

• Every student receives a new Nystrom Student Atlas for middle school use.

• Suggested it’s kept at home for Weekly Geography assignment.

• Class sets available for daily use.

📝 Weekly Geography (WG)

• Given every Friday*: 10 questions, handwritten - no typing.

• Due the following Friday* Most students complete it during study hall, but having the atlas at home helps.

• Use the atlas to find answers—Googling is not allowed. The journey to the answer is what matters!

*unless otherwise communicated

✏️ In-Class Reflection 

• Fridays: review answers and reflect on accuracy, spelling, capitalization (proper nouns)

• Students learn how to use the atlas in class; the first WG assignment is completed together.

     Deadlines

• Early in the year, late work can earn ½ credit; later, late assignments are not accepted.

• Students get one Homework Pass per Trimester (to increase lowest score); extra passes may be given for effort and participation.

🌟 Why It Matters

• Builds map and atlas skills.

• Promotes responsibility It’s one of the most consistent routines in our class.

• Many students enjoy Weekly Geography and look forward to it each week!

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For Students

 Your Atlas

• You get a new Nystrom Student Atlas for use this year.
  
  

• Suggested you keep it safe at home for Weekly Geography assignments.
  
  

• Class atlases available for daily in-class and study hall use.

🗺️ Weekly Geography (WG)

• Every Friday*: 10 questions, handwritten- no typing.
  
  

• Due the next Friday*
  
  

• Most students complete it in study hall; having the atlas at home helps.
  
  

• Use your atlas to find answers—Googling is not allowed. The journey to the answer matters!

*unless otherwise communicated

✏️ In-Class Reflection

• Fridays: review answers and check accuracy, spelling, capitalization.
  
  

• First assignment is done together to practice atlas skills.
  
  

⏰ Late Work & Homework Passes

• Early in the year, late completed work can earn ½ credit; later in the year, late assignments are not accepted.
  
  

• Each trimester, you get one Homework Pass to replace your lowest score; extra passes may be given for effort and participation.

🌟 Why It Matters

• Builds map and atlas skills.
  
  

• Fun and an important part of Social Studies!