World Geography Syllabus

Polytechnic High School

World Geography: Course Syllabus 2021-2022

Mr. Brown

Room: 211 Phone: 817-814-0000

Email: robert.brown@fwisd.org Conference: 2nd Period

Introduction to the Study of World Geography

In World Geography Studies, students examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography. Students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and present with emphasis on contemporary issues.

A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the characteristics of major landforms, climates, and ecosystems and their interrelationships; the political, economic, and social processes that shape cultural patterns of regions; types and patterns of settlement; the distribution and movement of the world population; relationships among people, places, and environments; and the concept of region.

Students analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems. Students identify the processes that influence political divisions of the planet and analyze how different points of view affect the development of public policies. Students compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of technology and human modifications on the physical environment. Students use problem-solving and decision- making skills to ask and answer geographic questions.

ACTIVITIES IN THE WORLD GEOGRAPHY CLASSROOM

We will employ a multitude of instructional methods while studying about people and places around the world. This ensures that we cater to the strengths of each student while reinforcing skills that some students may be lacking. Instructional methods we will use in this classroom include, but are not limited to:

*Reading and reading comprehension .

*Short answer and essay writing

*Map skills and manipulation

*Map building

*Class discussion

*Peer discussion

*Individual and group research

*Major and mini projects

*Direct Instruction presentations

*Online interactive games

*Online quiz games (Quizizz, Kahoot)

Technology plays a very important role in this class. Be prepared to bring your district issued laptop each day.

Year at a Glance Lesson Schedule

Fall Semester

Unit 1: The World: Foundations of Physical Geography

Unit 2: The World: Foundations of Human Geography

Unit 3: United States and Canada

Unit 4: Latin America

Unit 5: Europe and the Russian Core

Spring Semester

Unit 6: North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

Unit 7: Africa South of the Sahara

Unit 8: South Asia

Unit 9: East Asia

Unit 10: Southeast Asia and the Pacific World

Unit 11: United States and the World: A Comparative Approach

DAILY ROUTINE

Starting class each day is the same. The smoother we start each class day, the better each class period will be!

1. Be in the classroom before the tardy bell rings.

2. Sit in your assigned seat.

3. Power off and place your phone in a place that it won’t be a distraction.

4. Do the warm up exercise.

5. Try your best on all activities.

6. Stay seated until I dismiss class.

CLASSROOM RULES

*ALWAYS BE RESPECTFUL

1. To students, teachers, guests.

2. Other people’s property.

3. The school’s property.

*ALWAYS BE ON TIME

All tardies will be recorded.

*ALWAYS BE PREPARED

Work begins when you walk into class

Have all class materials.

*ALWAYS TRY YOUR BEST

Try to have a good attitude.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

*RESPECT

This is a rule and an expectation.

*PROMPT AND PREPARED

Students are expected to arrive on time and ready to participate.

*FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL AND DISTRICT RULES.

*BE A SCHOLAR.

Take pride in learning every day. Your job is to be a student.

*BRING ALL REQUIRED MATERIALS EACH DAY

Pen/Pencil, Paper, Charged Laptop

*BE A PROBLEM SOLVER

TECHNOLOGY EXPECTATIONS

Laptops will be used every day.

Each student should bring their FWISD issued laptop every day.

Be sure your laptop is charged.

Laptops are for educational purposes only.

Only use internet sites which are appropriate to your task.

Do not visit inappropriate sites. This includes all social media, video sites, and music sites. This also includes all game sites.

CELL PHONE POLICY

This is a no phone zone room. This includes earbuds, headphones, and Apple Watches or any device that can be a distraction.

There is no educational purpose for phones in the classroom.

Phones may either be placed in students’ backpacks or in the gear bag at each desk. They must be powered off.

Phones are to remain in bags, purses, backpacks, gear bags until the teacher expresses that it is ok to have them out.

It is a direct and serious violation to have your phone out for any reason during class.

If there is a circumstance that an exception to phone policy should be considered, speak to the teacher in private.

Consequences:

1^st offense: Reminder. Documentation

2^nd Offense: Phone Jail for remainder of class.

Documentation.

3^rd Offense: All of the above + parent contact.

4^th Offense: All of the above + Discipline referral

GRADING GUIDELINES

GRADE CATEGORIES:

20% Classwork

20% Quiz Grades

20% Participation

20% Group Discussions

20% Major Grade (Exam/Project/Essay)

Treat each assignment as if it will be graded.

When absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain make up work.

If you need extra time to complete an assignment, make arrangements with me.

MAKE UP WORK:

When absent, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to obtain make up work.

When absent, upon returning, students should:

• Request make up assignments at an appropriate time (before/after class, before/after school, lunch)

• Complete the assignment in the time agreed upon.

Submit the assignment in a timely manner

PASSES

Passes to the restroom and nurse will be granted when appropriate.

Passes anywhere else will not be granted.

Passes will not be permitted to students who:

• are tardy.

• are failing.

• have been a discipline problem.

• have abused the pass privilege.

• ask at an inappropriate time.

• ask to leave the room habitually (every day).

No passes will be permitted during the first and last 10 minutes of class.

Only one student will be allowed a pass at a time.

If the office, another teacher or coach, the counselor, etc. needs a student, they will send for him or her.

Students who are granted a pass and do not return or who leave class without permission will be referred to the office with a discipline referral.

Discipline Consequences:

1st Offense: Conference with student. Documentation.

2nd Offense: Conference with student. Documentation. Parent contact.

3rd Offense: Possible Office referral. Documentation. Parent contact.

4th Offense: Office Referral. Documentation. Parent Contact.

Severe Discipline Issues:

Severe discipline issues will always result in a discipline referral. Some examples of severe discipline issues include, but are not limited to:

Fighting

Uncontrollable disruptive behavior

Threatening harm to another student or staff

Leaving class without permission

Not returning to class (pass abuse)

Uncontrollable foul language

I have read the course syllabus provided. I understand my responsibilities in this course which are necessary to be successful. I will do my best to meet all school and classroom expectations.

Student Name (print) ___________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature ___________________________________________________________________________

Parent Name (print) ___________________________________________________________________________

Parent Signature ___________________________________________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________