Course Syllabus World Geography Spring Semester ... - USD 320

Course Syllabus World Geography Spring Semester 2009
Ron Cook
Planning period Block 1 & Block 8
Cookr@usd320.com
Home Phone 785/499-0125
Course description & Purpose:
World Geography is a semester course designed to examine and understand the importance of
geography on politics, history, culture, lifestyle, and economics. Interpreting, locating, and producing
maps will be a vital part of the study of World Geography. Comprehension of geographic tools will play
an important role in the World Geography course. A very significant segment of this World Geography
course will be a daily discussion of current events both in Kansas and globally, as well as an evaluation
of significant historical events that have impacted the world. .
Course Materials:
Every student should have a 3 ring binder (2” should be sufficient) with lined notebook paper.
Students should come to every class with their planner to keep track of assignments and due dates.
Every student will be issued a World Geography textbook and the students should bring the textbook
to class daily.
Course Objectives:
By the end of the course students will be able to……
• Apply geography to understand the past
• Locate major physical and political features of Earth from memory
• Analyze ways in which geography has influenced the past, present, and future
• Use geographical tools and technology in interpret maps
• Explain the factors that contribute to human and physical changes in regions
• Analyze how people's perception and use of places and regions reflect individual
perspective and cultural changes
• Describe differences in regions around the world
• Analyze how communication and transportation are effected by geography
• Evaluate local-to-global impacts that technology has on human modification of the
physical environment
• Explain the relationship between resources and the exploration, colonization, and
settlement patterns of different regions of the world
• Connect current events to Kansas and life in Wamego
• Understand how historical events relate to the present
• Enhance map, reading, writing, and discussions skills
• Connect history, geography, economics, cultures, and current events
• Define and apply globalization to life in Wamego
Tips for Success:
• Come to class.
• Do not be hesitant to ask for help.
KEEP UP! Do not fall behind.
• Take good notes and never just write something down you do not understand, ASK.
• Participate in class
• Bring your notebook and textbook to class every day.

Grading:
To demonstrate understanding of facts, concepts, and themes in World Geography the minimum
acceptable grade on ALL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS is 70%. Students' progress reports will
initially display an "IP" (IN PROGRESS) for any assessment below 70%. This signifies the student is
required to be reassessed on the information of that specific assessment within 5 school days.
Students can be reassessed before school, after school, or during SIP time. The "IP" will not alter a
student's overall class grade. However, after 5 school days, if the student has not taken steps to
demonstrate understanding, the "IP" will change to "I," signifying the student's overall grade is now
INCOMPLETE. The student will still be required to demonstrate learning above 70%; when this is
accomplished, the grade will change to reflect the grade earned, 70-79%= C; 80-89%= B; and 90-
100%=A.
The goal of this grading system is 3 fold:
1. Every student should have the appropriate understanding of every important concept in this
class.
2. Every student will take the opportunity to retake any assessment where an acceptable level
of comprehension has not been demonstrated.
3. Every student will realize the advantage of succeeding the first time (not having to see me
before or after school or during SIP time).
Classroom rules:
Every student will be expected to follow the discipline guidelines established by the school
and listed in the student handbook. We have one absolute rule:
“No one will disrupt the learning of others in the classroom.”
Expectations:
In our classroom our expectations are as follows:*
• There must be a supportive classroom environment
• Students should do only useful work
• Students are asked to do the best they can do
• Students are asked to reflect on their own work and improve it
• Quality work feels good
• Quality work is never destructive
*Dr. William Glasser's 6 conditions of Quality