Geography

What is Geography?

The focus of geography this year is to explore our world and the people on it. We will spend time looking at geo technology, physical geography, culture, history, government and economics. We will also incorporate current events and fundamental mapping skills into class.

Something I will say over and over in this class... is that if you can take anything away from it, I hope it's an interest in the world or a part of the world that you didn't have before. We live in a vast and amazing place!

Class Schedule & location:

Classroom: I am located in W106

*My office is located in the East Wing.

Google Classroom. Use it.

Get your code from your teacher.

For each class, Dr. Carson will send out an email at the beginning of the quarter/semester and share the codes. If you do not have it and can not log in, please email her asap at ecarson@psdschools.org

Classroom Supplies.

You know who you are as a student, so you should know what you need to keep yourself organized. BUT- here are a few things that may help you when you come to Geography. You are not REQUIRED to purchase any of these things, but I believe with how I structure my class, they might help you a bit.

A World Atlas. This one is one I personally use and find it very easy to work with. (I will have classroom atlases as well! So again, not required, just helpful.) You can also get it here.
Pocket folder for loose papers.
Notebook for notes, etc. Even more helpful if it is one of the big ones that has a few dividers/pocket folders. Something sorta like this. (Then you don't need a separate pocket folder!)
Colored pencils. This is Geography and we will do maps that require coloring. Markers can be useful too at times. I do have both of these in the classroom, so if you are not able to get some, that should be fine! It's just easier for the homework piece since you can't take mine home.
Pens and pencils. I'm not picky on the color.

What I want from YOU

RESPECT. For each other, for me, and me for YOU. Pretty basic. Respecting each other is pretty important in the classroom, just like it is everywhere else in society. I shouldn't have to say much more, but...
COMMUNICATION. My expectation is that we are all clear with each other. If you need your phone because someone you love is hurt and you need to have access to talk to them... you got it, just talk with me! If we are all clear on our expectations, everyone will feel heard as well as respected. Help each other. Hear each other. Be there for each other. My hope is that we all work together as a cohesive group.

Cell phones & Technology

CELL PHONES: Please refer to the cell phone policy. I will ask for you to use the cell phone bank for attendance, but always talk to me if there are extenuating circumstances.
AIR PODS (or the like): See the phone policy.

Bathroom/passes

Please use the pass. There is only 1, so please make sure that only one person is out of the classroom at a time. If you are desperate please ask if the pass is gone.
PLEASE write your name on the board along with the time you leave. If someone comes looking for you I don't want to be clueless as to where you are! (liability issues)
PLEASE don't leave when I am lecturing (unless an emergency.) Thanks!

Finally...

Be kind to each other. All of us have our weird quirks, so please just remember that other people are tolerating yours, so make sure you tolerate theirs.
Have fun! This may or may not be your favorite subject, but if you try and find the interesting and fun aspects of it, you will be more successful and happy!

GEOGRAPHY LINKS

BASIC CURRICULUM

First Quarter together:

Intro to Geography terms, etc.

Human Geography and Culture

North and South America

Second Quarter together:

Europe

Africa

Middle East

Asia

Oceania

Semester-long Projects

There are a few things that we do all semester long. For Global Mondays project, the grade will be tacked onto the end of the ENTIRE class grade period, even though those projects will be happening all semester.

1. Catching up on the news.

2. Global Mondays - We will be taking a topic that is a global issue (ex: women in education, comparative health systems, etc.) and presenting information you found on the topic you are assigned. More information on each project to come.

Grading/Assignments

Your grade will be mostly based on Tests, Projects, and Mastery Checks

Daily work is meant to help guide your learning, and therefore, daily assignments will NOT receive a cumulative grade worth more than 10%. 70% of your grade is tests and projects, 20% will be mastery checks- which is a very short quiz focused directly on the learning that was done during recent classes, and 10% is random daily assignments. Please reach out to Dr. Carson for more specific questions about grading! (If you have a question about Mastery Checks, please see the additional tab on this page!) And... PLEASE don't freak out about this type of grading. We will work together for your grade. Mastery checks are not a typical "quiz", if you don't like your grade the first time, you have more opportunities to change it!

My Grade floor is 50% - Except for Quizes, Test and most projects (can be 0-100%)

In my classes, there will be a grade floor of 50%, meaning that your grade for most any assignment cannot go below 50% of the points. Just as there is a 10% chance to go from a B to an A, I believe that the math should be similar to move from an F to a D. This shift allows grades to better represent students’ overall performance and understanding of content, rather than having one bad day drag a students grade down.

Late Homework Policy:

Late work will receive a minimal reduction until a deadline is decided upon by the teacher. When a unit test is completed you may NOT make up that assignment unless discussed with the teacher, so please get the missing assignments in as soon as possible. FYI- If you do choose to turn in work late, please understand that late work grading is my LAST priority. Please do not expect me to grade your late work "on time" since you were not able to turn your work in on time.

Absent?

If you were absent, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what happened in class. There is a space in the classroom where I will always put extra papers that are handed out, so check there, look online as well (I will post all daily lesson plans on Google Classroom!) and most importantly, HELP EACH OTHER!

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