Class Objective:

Students will learn and be able to use essential map and globe skills. Students will study each region's cultural and physical geography.

Educational Materials:

Students will need the following materials in class before the second week of school: a pocket folder (an inexpensive one is fine), a notebook, a pencil and/or pen. Optional items which may benefit students are colored pencils and a ruler.

Throughout the year, students will receive a copy of our textbook series "World Explorer". Students will receive a different book as the class progresses in study. These books were published in 2005 by the Pearson Prentice Hall Company.

An important handout for your student is the study guide. At the beginning of each chapter a list of terms, events, people or places will be given to your student. He/She will use the study guide to follow along with class discussions and projects. Once completed the study guide becomes a useful tool in preparing for tests. Following each chapter test, the study guide will be collected, graded and returned to your student. You may want to periodically check your students study guide to make sure he/she is not falling behind in the class.

There are several other materials used in this class. These information sources include: computer interactive programs, the Internet, movies, slides, tapes, lectures, projects, bulletin boards, guest speakers and articles written at a middle school level. It is my hope that a variety of learning sources will increase student understanding.

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated using grades collected from chapter tests, student journal entries, student projects, chapter study guides and the students preparation for class during the trimesters. The standard grading scale will be as follows: Students will be evaluated using grades collected during each of the trimesters. The standard grading scale will be as follows: A=100% - 90%, B=89% - 80%, C=79% - 70%, D=69% - 60%, F= 59% or less.

Parents will be notified by mail (or email) should a student not complete assignments on time.

Following the conclusion of each chapter or unit, a test will be given in order for students to demonstrate their level of acquired knowledge from the chapter. These chapter tests will range from 20-80 questions depending upon the amount of information in the chapter. There are approximately twenty chapter tests planned for the year.

Extra Credit:

Students may choose to take part in a weekly current event quiz. This quiz will be over the weeks most important news events (local, state, national or international). As with all extra credit, these quizzes will not have a negative effect on your student's trimester grade however, correct responses on the quiz will help the student's grade. Students are not required to take part in the current event quiz.

Discipline:

In the event that your student needs disciplinary action, the following plan will be used. A misbehaving student will first receive a warning. If a warning is not sufficient, he/she will be placed in lunch detention, meet with the teacher and you will be notified. If a problem still persists, the student will be removed from the class and further action by the Middle School Principal may occur. Any severe disruptions will result in immediate removal from class and discipline will be administered by the Middle School Principal which may result in in-school suspension.

Please E-Mail any questions or comments about the geography class.

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