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Course: Around the World/World Explorers-6667529210Advisor: Mr. Vens USERADDRESS \* MERGEFORMAT Location: University Preparatory Academy Middle School 5310 St. Antoine Detroit, MI 48202 4trh Floor Room 401Phone: 313-831-0100 Email:? christopher.vens@ Additional Info: School issued usernames and passwords may be used to login to PowerSchool to keep track of graded assignments, attendance and participation at any time. Class Website; mrvensclass2. 00Advisor: Mr. Vens USERADDRESS \* MERGEFORMAT Location: University Preparatory Academy Middle School 5310 St. Antoine Detroit, MI 48202 4trh Floor Room 401Phone: 313-831-0100 Email:? christopher.vens@ Additional Info: School issued usernames and passwords may be used to login to PowerSchool to keep track of graded assignments, attendance and participation at any time. Class Website; mrvensclass2. Course Overview/Purpose/Goals: This course introduces geography and geographic principles to assist students in better understanding the world around them. Therefore, I will begin by introducing geography as a subject which is the study of physical and human characteristics and how they impact the relationship between Earth and the people on it. It is essential that students develop the skills that will enable them to observe patterns, associations, and spatial order. This will involve students inferring, analyzing, judging, hypothesizing, generalizing, predicting and decision-making. These have applications to all levels of geographic inquiry in which students can build competencies in applying geographic skills to geographic inquiry. It is essential that students appreciate the diverse values of others in a multicultural world and to engage in accurate and sensitive analysis of people, places, and environments.Throughout this course, students will be studying specific regions allowing them to develop an understanding of spatial perspectives, and examine changes in the relationship between peoples, places and environments. The study of people, places, and environments enables us to understand the relationship between human populations and the physical world. Culture and experience shape belief systems, which in turn influence people’s perceptions of places and regions throughout their lives. It is essential that students appreciate the diverse values of others in a multicultural world and to engage in accurate and sensitive analysis of people, places, and environments.Supplies: In order to receive full participation points for each day, students must come to class on time and prepared with all necessary supplies. Part of students’ success in this course hinges on the procurement of the items on this list,11 x 17 inch paper (Provided) 7. Pencils/PensChart Paper(Provided )8. Highlighter Lined Paper (College Ruled Notebook)Binder (2”- 3” with pockets)Permanent Marker Colored Pencils Tentative Calendar of Course Topics: Unit 1 Introduction to Geography Essential Questions What is geography? How do maps and other geographic tools allow geographers to gain information? How is geography used to understand where things are and why they are there? How does geography impact the actions of people and how do people impact the earth?How do the earth’s processes of rotation and revolution have an effect on the interaction of people and earth?How does culture influence the way people live on earth?Unit II Regional Analysis Essential Questions How do geography, climate, and natural resources of Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe affect the way people live and work? How did trade and the availability of natural resources lead to the development of powerful kingdoms in Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe?How do cultures, religion, language and population differ in Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Europe? Unit III Geographic Analysis Project Essential Questions How can I collaborate with my partner to create a cohesive and comprehensive research project?How can I incorporate writing and literature into my comprehensive semester presentation and therefore prove my cross curricular understanding of the material?What have I learned about the world around me throughout this class and therefore can I explain how climate, population, culture and religion affect where people live? Grading Scale: 93% or greater A90% - 92%A-87% - 89%B+83% - 86%B80% - 82%B+77% - 79%C+73% - 76%C70% - 72%C-67% - 69%D+63% - 66%D60% - 62%D-0 – 59%FStudent’s final grade will be comprised of: Homework20 %Worksheets, notes, research assignmentsTests30 %Test, Quizzes, and Projects.Classwork30%Group and individual in-class activities and investigations.Participation20 % This category includes attendance, preparation, and discussion. Homework: Homework will be assigned either during class or during the remaining five minutes of class. Students are expected and encouraged to ask any questions regarding the assignment before leaving class on the day in which it was assigned. Furthermore, students are expected to have their homework completed upon entering my classroom as it will be collected within the first five minutes. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding homework expectations, please do not hesitate to ask. Attendance Policy: Students must adhere to the Attendance Policy outlined in the Student Handbook on pg. 3. It states, “Regular attendance in class is of vital importance if a student is to succeed in this school. All students are expected to be in school each and every day, on time and prepared to learn. Any student age (15) and younger with absences of 20 days or more may be subjected to court action regarding school compulsory laws”. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to obtain all missed work. Work Submission & Make-Up/Late Work Policy: Students with excused absences will be given the same amount of days absent to complete make-up work. Work will only be accepted for full credit with an excused absence. Work missing due to excused absences can be submitted for full-credit within two days following the students return to school. If the student has a prolonged absence or special circumstance, arrangements can be made to assist in obtaining and completing work in a “reasonable” amount of time. Late work without a valid excuse may be submitted for consideration in factoring grades. However, in most instances, late work will receive half credit if not turned in on the day in which it was due. Therefore, any assignment turned in after the due date, will receive a 50% and a failing grade on that particular assignment. Academic Integrity“Plagiarism refers to a form of cheating that has been defined as ‘the false assumption of authorship; the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own. To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft,” (MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Fifth Edition, pg. 30). Any plagiarism will cause a student to receive an “F” on the assignment. Students may also be subjected to the consequences outlined in the Student Handbook on pg. 12. “I've been imitated so well I've heard people copy my mistakes” – Jimi Hendrix -- Behavioral Expectations/Classroom RulesIn order to have a productive and safe learning environment, there are certain guidelines we all must follow. Everyone must conduct himself or herself in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Further, the following outlines how students are to conduct themselves in this class: Unless otherwise stated, raise your hand and wait to be called on.Follow teacher’s directions the first time they are given. No leaving class for any reason, including bathroom breaks. We have a very limited amount of instructional time and no minute can be wasted. You can use the time in between classes for the bathroom, but no leaving or coming late to class because of it.The clock does not dismiss you. Once all desks are clear, all required work is turned in, and the room is clean, I will dismiss class. No lining up at the door before I have dismissed you. No electronic devices, MP3 Players, and CELL PHONES. If any of these items are seen in class, they will be confiscated immediately. Please turn them off?before you enter the school and keep them stored out of sight in your backpack or locker. Students who violate this policy will have to turn over the device and a parent needs to pick up the device at the end of the school day. Show up in dress code. Anyone who is not in full dress code will not be admitted to class. The parent/guardian will be called immediately to pick up the student. Treat others how you expect to be treated. Bullying, insulting other students and misbehavior towards your fellow students will not be tolerated in my classroom. Classroom RulesBe Respectful. Respect is the number one most important rule in our classroom. We must treat everyone how we want and expect to be treated. Being respectful in the classroom means listening carefully to others, raising your hand to ask questions, using “I statements” when disagreeing with someone, acknowledging others for good work, and saying please and thank you. Be Professional. Come to class on time, fully prepared with all materials, and ready to actively participate in all activities.Be Productive. When we are in math class, we devote 100% of our time to math class.Be Positive. Attitude is the most important part of learning. Be Curious. Always feel comfortable to ask questions, do research and expand your own learning. Be a Community. Create a sense of community within the classroom by respecting your classmate’s time, comments and questions. Be here, be on time, be prepared, be Considerate. My expectations are high, but if you meet these standards of behavior, you will do well in this class. In addition, if you have any questions about what is expected of you throughout this semester, please do not hesitate to ask. I am open and understanding and therefore I am more than willing to hear about your suggestions, additions and retractions to the rules outlined above. Tutoring/Extra Help/Office Hours:Tutoring and/or study hall is available on campus for all students. Any student with a 69% or lower must attend tutoring and/or Study Hall/Wall Street for the duration of the quarter or until satisfactory status has been attained. I will be available any day after school if a student makes it known that they need additional assistance. In addition, my weekly office hours will be Tuesday from 3:15 – 4:30 PM. Acceptance of Class SyllabusI, _____________________________, have read and carefully reviewed all of the information included in this (Print your name here)????????????? ????????????? ????????????? Course syllabus. I understand Mr. Vens’ expectations and agree to comply with the rules inorder to maximize my learning.__________________________________________________________________(Student Signature)????????????? ????????????? ????????????? (Date)Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I, _____________________________, have read and carefully reviewed all of the information included in this (Print Parent’s Name here)????????????? ????????????? ????????????? course syllabus. I understand Mr. Vens’ expectations and agree to support my child in his/her efforts to comply with the rules in order to maximize learning in this class.__________________________________________________________________(Parent/guardian Signature)(Date)? ................
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