World Geography 8 Syllabus Mr. Scott Room 2413 (651) 325-2550 harold.scott@spps.org
Course Description
This course is designed to help students understand how events or actions of people are influenced by physical and cultural geography. The five themes of geography will be explored (location, place, regions, movement, human-environment interaction). Students will explore the concepts of culture, change, customs, beliefs, conflict and tolerance as they relate to regions, countries and cultures studied. Students will be challenged to use problem solving, analytical and comparing and contrasting skills with the ultimate goal of broadening each individuals global perspective.
Course Objectives
Students will demonstrate how the regions of the world are defined using the five themes of geography and how global systems are interconnected by;
a. identifying current or historical issues or conflicts that involve a particular region.
b. using mental maps to show location or region.
c. describing the physical and cultural characteristics.
d. describing the economic development and religious practices. e. describing how the issue or conflict is influenced by location, physical and cultural geography.
Materials Needed
Textbook (World Geography...Building A Global Perspective) Book Cover (Everyone MUST have one)
Agenda/Planner
Kleenex tissues
Two spiral notebooks (one for current events and one for reflective journaling). Two notebooks will be needed each semester.
Blue/Black Pen
Pencil/Eraser
Two Pocket Folders
Colored Pencils, Markers or Crayons
Loose Leaf Paper
Supplies for History Day Projects (Usually History day prep begins in December and projects are due in February)
Assignments/Expectations
All students are expected to complete ALL assignments and homework and turn them in by the date due. Sufficient time is given for assignments. Students are also expected to participate in class discussions, offer their perspective and give oral presentation in front of class when necessary.
Tests and Quizzes
Assessments will be multi-dimensional, creative, and interdisciplinary. Tests and quizzes will be given regularly with sufficient notice. There will never be a surprise or pop quiz (I don't believe in them).
Major Projects
The following are major projects for this year. More information for each will be given when the projects are assigned.
1. History Day (More information given in December). theme is Conflict and Compromise in History.
2. Heritage Project.
3. Field Observation
4. Economics Project (More info to come)
5. Arab/Israeli Conflict
6. The Power of "ISMS" and Stereotypes
Grading Procedures
Assignments will be graded on a point/percentage scale.
Late Work Policy
The breakdown for late work is as follows;
a. one day late 20 percent off
b. two days late 40 percent off
3. three days late 60 percent off
4. More than 3 days= automatic zero
Since ample time will be given to complete assignments, the above policy will be strictly enforced. **Extensions possible for approved absences**. Completing work on time is part of your responsibility as a student. If you are having any trouble, please talk to me right away.
Behavior Expectations
All students are expected to follow all school rules and my classroom rules which is attached to the syllabus. I expect for all students to behave and conduct themselves as young ladies and men because that is how I see and will treat them. Students not following the rules or anyone being blatantly disrespectful will face disciplinary action.
Current Events Journal Expectations
You are expected to make the assigned number of current events entries in your journal each week. The number assigned will sometimes vary from week to week. You can use any form of media (television, newspaper, magazines, the internet, radio, etc) to get your information. My suggestion is you use a variety to give you expose and experience working with each type of media. Choose stories that are of interest to you. It is always a good idea to search the news from around the world (especially. when we are studying a particular area or region) so that you have a broader understanding of what's happening around the globe. This assignment will be very enlightening.
When working on this assignment, keep the following in mind before you respond;
a. summarize the article (one or two brief sentences).
b. tell the who, what, where, when, why and how of the story.
c. tell why you found the article interesting (why did you choose
it).
d. how does story relate to you? to the world (global
perspective )?
Current events are to be written in your journal but can also be presented in front of the class for credit. Information shared in front of the class MUST complete A-E from above verbally. If any part of the information is not given, neither will the credit. You may share up to 3 current events each week in front of the class but you must keep track of the current events in your journal (give title of article and date). Students will ultimately have both written and verbally presented current events in their journal.
MAP EXPECTATIONS
Please include (label) the following information on the maps we will complete for the different countries and areas we will be studying;
a. major cities
b. waterways within and surrounding the country (lakes, rivers, oceans, seas, bays, etc).
c. land forms (mountains, jungles, deserts, rain forests, etc). d. industries (oil/petroleum, agriculture, precious metals, big business, etc.).
e. total population (as stated in the book)
1. ethnic makeup (what types of people live there)
g. languages(s) spoken
h. religions practiced
i. a key with symbols for each of the above (you can be creative with your symbols and create your own or use what's in the book).
j. Your name
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
All students will respond to the same reflective journal question which I will have written on the board/or on an overhead by writing down their true thoughts and feelings about a given topic. Topics range from current events in the news, school and community related events, current teenage topics of interest. Class discussion will follow each reflection and ALL students are expected to participate. Students should have responded to the journal questions in their journal and prepared to discuss on the date due.
