LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015

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Keys for Success
! Come to class prepared
!Be respectful of others
!Dont fa! behind
!Take accountability
!Study! Study! Study!
As your Teacher I will
!Make lessons interesting
!Provide a detailed
Study Guide
!Treat you
a! equa!y
!Do everything
in my power to be
fair and help you succeed
World Geography
Welcome to World Geography
Course Description
Welcome! I look forward to getting to know each of you as the
semester progresses. My goal is to make this course as interesting and
relevant as possible. I will treat each and every one of you with the
respect you deserve. In turn, I will expect you to treat your classmates
and me in the same courteous and respectful fashion! Philosophically, I
believe that all students can learn, students have di#erent learning
styles, and cooperative interaction increases learning and improves
social skills
OVERVIEW
Why study Geography? What is
the point? Isnt Geography just maps?
These are all common questions I
hear as a teacher of Geography. In
fact, Geography is much more than
what most think, and it serves a
critical role. Studying Geography
increases understanding of how the
world works from both natural and
cultural standpoints. In addition to
better understanding the world,
students will learn how to think
critically. It is my ultimate hope,
that above all, students will have the
ability to see the beauty of the
world and its people. They will
emerge from the course with a sense
of respect and appreciation for the
world and its diverse cultures.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Much of what we do will be dictated by current events and department decisions. In many ways, current
events will dictate what we cover and when.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
Unit 1: Tools of the Geographer
Duration estimate: 3 weeks

Unit 2: The Middle East
Duration estimate: 4 weeks
Unit 3: Europe
Duration estimate: 4 weeks
Unit 4: Africa
Duration estimate: 3 weeks
Unit 5: Asia
Duration estimate: 3 weeks
Keep up with the assigned readings I will provide
Come to class prepared to participate and learn. This includes having the following materials:
#2 pencil and paper
3 or 4 inch three"ring notebook
unit study guide
current assignment
Be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
Cell phones are not to be used in class.
iPods are not to be used during class unless permission is given and can only be used for music
with one headphone in so you can hear me should I have something to say.
No game devices.
You are expected to contribute to class discussions, activities, and projects.
Sleeping in class will not be permitted nor tolerated at any time!
No food or drink in the classroom. Bottled water is ok!
Assignments that are not legible will not be graded until they are re"written in a legible fashion.
Assignments without name or an illegible name will receive a full letter grade deduction.
Do not work on other courses during this course.
Do not talk when the teacher is talking!
You will be respectful to others, this includes the use of profanity!
Students are expected to be self su$cient, this means they are to take responsibility to pick up
assignments that they missed, talk to me about how to raise their grade, and are responsible
themselves to retake any quizzes or tests they have missed.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD GEOGRAPHY
Homework:
Homework will mostly consist of personal study. You will receive a unit unit study at the beginning of
each unit of study, go over it daily! Some assignments will be assigned throughout the year to do at home.
Most work however can be completed during the allotted school hour.

Additional homework will NOT be assigned during weekends or holidays! Also, to help preserve your
weekend, I will do my best to prevent testing on Mondays.
Late Work:
Any unit assignment that is turned in late will be accepted for 60% of its original value. After a unit is
completed, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. Tests must be taken within two days upon
return to school or the test will be recorded as a zero.
Make"Up Work:
It is your responsibility to collect and complete any work that is missed due to an excused absence. You
will have two days to complete makeup work due to illness or any other excused absence without a
reduction in grade. Unexcused absences will not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments.
Re"takes:
Assignments that receive a score lower than a C may be re"taken. These assignments have to be re"
submitted one day after it has been handed back. Re"takes will only receive at best a C letter grade.
Tests/Exams* may also be re"taken if the score is lower than a C or 75%. One week will be allotted for all
test re"takes. Students re"taking a test can only receive at best a C or 75%. All re"takes will occur before or
after school. The semester nal is ineligible for retakes.
Quizzes must be taken within two days of your return from an excused absence. Pop quizzes cannot be re"
taken but can be made up if missed. Your quiz score will be concrete.
*Subject to change based upon department policy
Debates/Discussions:
Please wait for a natural pause before speaking during a classroom discussion. Do not interrupt or
personally criticize anyone! Help make everyone feel comfortable in our classroom. Be prepared to defend
your position/opinion with facts.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD GEOGRAPHY
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Bathroom Policy/Passes:
On the rst day of school or a new quarter/semester, students will be issued 4 Tiger Passes. Passes can be
used in many ways. The most commonly used method is to go to the bathroom. Students wishing to leave
and go to the rest room need only to ll out their pass and turn it in the box on the wall before leaving.
Students are limited to 4 passes per unit! They must have them in their possession to use them. I am not
responsible for lost passes! Pass uses are listed below:
1& To go to the bathroom
2& To get supplies or a missing assignment
3& To borrow a pencil, pen or paper
4& To avoid a late penalty 'single day only(
5& To buy a food pass
6& Two can be used to get your cell phone back at the end of class
7& Unused passes can be turned for assignment exemption. Ask Mr. Hardy for details.
Extra Credit:
There are two ways to earn extra credit. The rst method is to take good notes during class and show
them to Mr. Hardy following the completion of a unit. The second method is to complete Mr. Hardys
challenge. I believe that in order to receive extra credit, extra work must be involved.
Unit Challenges:
Each unit I will o#er the class an academic challenge. It could be one to take better notes, to raise quiz or
test scores or one that is behavior based. On occasion, I will allow student to set their own personal goal.
During the unit, students will have to prove that they are achieving their goal through documentation. If
they prove they worked hard on their goal and showed improvement they will be rewarded with 5% extra
credit for the unit.
Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism:
Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment in question. Please consult the student
handbook for more details regarding plagiarism.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD GEOGRAPHY
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
O#ce Hours:
I am available each day approximately an hour before and an hour after school. Please schedule or make
me aware of a planned visit at least one day in advance. O$ce hours are subject to change due to coaching
responsibilities.
Grading:
Your grade will be based on your academic performance. The school grading scale is:
100 ) 90% = A 'Advanced(
89 ) 80% = B 'Procient(
79 ) 70% = C 'Basic(
69 ) 60% = D 'Below Basic(
59 ) Below = F
Exams/Quizzes and Final = 70# of your overa! grade
Classwork/Projects/Assignments = 30# of your overa! grade
Much of what is assigned is graded objectively. However, it is not possible to grade all assignments in this
fashion, particularly essays/compositions. If you do not understand why you received a certain grade, it is
your right and responsibility to discuss your concern with me in private!
Advanced: Students at the advanced level use their knowledge of social studies in complex and
abstract situations and can analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and ideas.
Procient: Students at the procient level use concepts and skills to acquire and communicate
information and ideas. To gain prociency, students must earn an 80$ or higher in the
class!
Basic: Students at the basic level ine#ectively use knowledge and skills to acquire and
communicate information and ideas.
Below Basic: Students at the below basic level in social studies require extensive support or
provide little or no evidence in meeting the standard.