Course Syllabus

Newberry Middle School

7th Grade Geography of World Regions

Syllabus 2019-2020

Teacher: Mr. Boland

Room Number: 709

Planning Period: 11:20-1:00

Telephone: (803) 321-2640 ext. 16907

Course Description: This course is designed to give students a better understanding of our constantly changing and complex world through a study of geography. We will study geography from the physical, political, and cultural perspective through the five basic geographical themes of location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region.

Units of Study

Unit 1: Introduction to the Themes of Geography, Physical and Human Geography

Unit 2: North America

Unit 3: South America

Unit 4: Africa

Unit 5: Asia

Unit 6: Europe

Unit 7: Australia, Oceania, Antarctica

Grading Procedures/ Student Expectations: Students will be graded using the standard grading scale. Students’ grades will be determined by averaging their grades on class work, tests, homework, and projects. Student grades are averaged using the following percentages.

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100 Classwork = 10%

B= 80-89 Quiz/Project = 40%

C= 70-79 Test/Project = 50%

D= 60-69

F= Below 60

Types of Activities: Students can expect rigorous lessons on a daily basis. Preparedness and participation is the expectation. Students will be challenged to improve and strengthen their reading and writing skills each day. In addition, students will be exposed to several forms of technology including educational videos, internet research, Google Classroom, IXL, and That Quiz.

Classroom Rules:

1. Be on time and prepared for class every day (binder & pencil). NO EXCUSES!

2. Disrespect of teacher OR classmates will not be tolerated.

3. Disruptions will not be tolerated.

4. All other school rules are applicable within the classroom.

Class Discipline: If a student chooses to break a rule in class they will receive at minimum:

Reminder One – Verbal warning
Reminder Two - Verbal warning
Reminder Three - Timeout / Student sent out of class to partner teacher / Parent contact

Reminders start over each class; each day. Consequences for continual Timeouts increase from lunch detention to Office Referral. Please reference the Student Handbook for further information.

Make-Up Work: In the case that a student is absent from class it will be his/her responsibility to ask about and complete and missed assignments. Students have five school days in the current nine weeks to complete any missing assignments.

Homework: Homework will be given throughout the year and will be checked each time by the teacher. Often times my homework will be work that was not completed in class, which means that if you stay on task and complete your work you will avoid homework. I also encourage students to study their vocabulary words and notes for at least 10-15 minutes each night. Repeat exposure to vocabulary greatly increases the chances of learning the true meaning and use of words. Homework and participation count for 10 percent of their grade.

“Second Chance” is an opportunity for students to retake tests or make corrections on assignments that they did not do their best on. Any test or major project in this class that receives 60% or below may be retaken by the student, but it is up to the student to make arrangements to come back and retake the test or present the project. Any test or project can only be retaken one time. The better of the two grades will be the one factored into the student’s overall average for the class.

Communication: Announcements for quizzes, tests, and other important information will be sent through Remind 101. Join by texting @mrbolands to the number 81010. Students will be responsible for writing down assignments in their agenda. Please contact Mr. Boland if you have any questions or concerns. Link to Remind 101: https://www.remind.com/join/mrbolands