DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Olympus Junior High School                                                                             NAME___________________

9^th Grade WORLD GEOGRAPHY                                                               Assignment #_____________

Textbook:  World Geography - Building A Global Perspective                           Date_____________________

Mrs. Sonia J. Miller: Consultation – 5th Period 1^st Semester                               Period___________________

                                                       3rd Period 2nd Semester

E-Mail Address:  sjmiller@graniteschools.org                                                     Score____________________

Teacher Web Page:   olympusjr.org  or  my.uen.org/5161

 

World Geography is a class required for high school graduation.  At the present time in Granite School District, the class is offered in ninth grade only.  This means that if a student does not earn full credit this year, night school or summer school will be required to make up the credit.

 

Geography class will focus on the study of mapping, and the interrelationships between our physical and cultural worlds.  Physical geography includes the study of the earth's landforms, oceans, climates, vegetation, and other natural features.  It also deals with the ways people change the earth's surface with cities, highways, farms, mines, political boundaries, etc.

 

Cultural geography is the study of people and the ways their lives vary from place to place.  It also includes the study of the ways people are the same.  We will study different groups' ways of life, their beliefs, values, traditions, economies, and political systems.

 

We will look at the world as it relates to the five "themes of geography":  location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and regions.

 

 

 

 

CURRICULUM

 

 FIRST SEMESTER

Physical Geography:  Themes etc., Map Skills, Earth in Space, Weather & Climate,

            Landforms, Water, & Natural Resources

Human Geography Overview:  Population, Cultural, World Languages & Religions,

Economic, Urban & Rural, Political systems

            North America:  The United States and Canada

Europe

Russia and Northern Eurasia

Southwest Asia

 

SECOND SEMESTER

Africa

South Asia

East and Southeast Asia

The Pacific World and Antarctica

Middle and South America

 

GRADING

 

 

Scholarship grades are figured using a point system. The percentage of total possible points earned by each student determines his/her grade.  Fifty per cent of each term's grade is earned through assignments and fifty percent through projects, quizzes and tests.  At least one oral presentation or project is required some time during each semester.  (A written report is an option to replace the oral presentation but it is worth less credit – the highest grade would be a C.)  This year all students will also participate in the “9^th Grade PBL Project:  Africa”.

Homework, expected daily, includes but is not limited to reading assignments, memorizing physical and political map features, research, group project/presentation preparation, studying for objective quizzes and map tests, and completing assignments.  Students are also expected to practice/study 15 minutes minimum for map tests on a DAILY basis.

Late work is unacceptable. Each term, a maximum of ten (10) extra credit points may be earned.  An average assignment counts ten points, so students should not plan to use extra credit points to sub­stitute for consistent and conscientious effort during the term.  If the maximum extra credit points are earned, they will raise the overall term grade 2-3%.  (See attached:  List of Extra Credit Possibilities for some ideas.)

 

GRADING SCALE

 

93-100% = A

90-92%   = A-­

87-89%   = B+

83-86%   = B

80-82%   = B-­

77-79%   = C+

70-76%   = C

67-69%   = C-

­64-66%   = D+

58-63%   = D

55-57%   = D-

­0-54%     = F

 

LIST OF EXTRA CREDIT PROJECT POSSIBILITIES

 

W O R L D   G E O G R A P H Y

10 points maximum

 

***Project must be related to World Geography***

 

Student may do one or more of the following:

 

1. Written or Oral Reports (Examples:  geographical and/or historical information on landforms, persons, places, cultures, conflicts, politics, art, events, etc.  “Catchy” Visuals and Audios are very effective when reporting.)  Gather information by:

 

1.  
   1. Reading

-           Books

-           Newspaper or magazine articles

-           Internet sources

1.  
   1. Interviewing people
   2. Observing or participating in:

-           Current events, newscasts, television or video programs, etc.

-           Visits to places around the world

 

*    Reports MUST be in student’s own words.  Plagiarizing is illegal!

 

*    “RULE OF THUMB”:  1 hour reading, researching, and/or interviewing usually equals

  1 page of writing.  1 page of writing equals 1 - 10 points.

 

*    Oral reports will be given in class if time permits, otherwise teacher will schedule a time

for student to give report after school.  Points TBA.

 

2.   Extra Credit Worksheet Assignments.  1 - 10 points.

 

3.   Create a Bulletin Board, Poster, Artistic Project, or Cultural Food Item  to place in the

classroom and/or enjoy.  Points TBA.

 

4.   Memorize entire/portions of Important World Documents – to be orally given in class or

privately for the teacher.  Points TBA.

 

1. Project ideas  listed at the end of the chapters.  Points TBA.

 

1. Own ideas approved by teacher.  Points TBA.

 

1. Extra Oral Class Presentation.  10 points possible.

 

*NOTE:  You are not limited to these possibilities; of course there are more ideas.  If you wish to do something else, no problem, just get teacher approval first.

 

 

WORLD GEOGRAPHY - CLASS REQUIREMENTS and RULES

  

Be to class on TIME with the following required supplies:

·        Textbook.

·        Master 3-Ring Binder

·        Divider pages

·        Disclosure Statement

·        Student Planner

·        Assignments in consecutive order:  #’s 1,2,3, etc.

·        Extra paper for notes and assignments

·        Ruler

·        Writing utensils:  pen, pencil, colored pencils, markers, etc.

·        A “Positive Attitude”, ready to learn.

·        A reading book on test days.

 

You may also bring a water bottle to class.

 

By practicing the “Community of Caring Values” we learn to

·        RESPECT ourselves, others, property, and individual differences.

·        CARE about ourselves, others and property.

·        take RESPONSIBILITY for our own choices and actions.

·        be an HONEST and TRUSTWORTHY person.

·        value our FAMILY relationships.

 

Adherence to the following class rules will ensure a cooperative learning environment:

·        Follow directions promptly.

·        Be IN SEAT (not just in room) by the tardy bell.

·        Bring required supplies.

·        Refrain from bringing cell phones, electronic devices, food, gum, pop, headsets, weapons, backpacks, etc.

·        Speak or move from seat by permission only.  Use appropriate manners.  Do not argue.

·        Be considerate and courteous to everyone and everything!

 

The following consequences will be administered for failure to obey Citizenship Policy:

·        1^st offense - WARNING (name on board/verbal).

·        2^nd offense - Zero “0” added to name on board, lose citizenship points for the day (10 pts.), and stay 30 seconds after bell.

·        3^rd offense - Second zero added to name on board, lose citizenship points for the following day, stay 1 minute after bell, and parent called.

·        4^th offense - Send to TIME OUT, and parent called.

·         5^th or serious offense - Referral to Vice Principal, and parent called.

  

WORLD GEOGRAPHY CITIZENSHIP POLICY

Mrs. Miller

 

Student citizenship marks are based on compliance with the^-classroom rules listed in this disclosure statement, as well as Olympus Jr. High and Granite School District citizenship and attendance policies.  Most students will earn a 2 or 3 citizenship mark.  General guidelines are as follows:

 

4 = Honor                      

a.       Classroom rules are consistently followed.

1.  
   1. Attendance and punctuality are exemplary (usually 0-3 absences per term with NO UNRESOLVED ABSENCES).
   2. The student actively contributes to the class in a positive way beyond the level of the average student.
   3. The student strives for excellence in his/her class work as well as in citizenship.
   4. Tardiness numbers two or fewer. (First period only: no more than 3 home notes are used to excuse tardiness.)
   5. The student completes a service project (3 hours minimum) during the term.

 

3 = Good   

a.       Same criteria as for a 4 citizenship, but^, the student participates less actively in class and/or may not always put forth maximum effort, and does not complete a service project.

 

2 = Satisfactory    

b.      Classroom rules are usually followed.

c.       Tardiness numbers three or fewer.

d.      Absences are frequent (4-7 per term) but there are NO UNRESOLVED ABSENCES.

 

1 = Poor      

a.       Classroom rules are not consistently followed.

b.      The student interferes with the smooth operation of the class and/or with the learning of others.

c.       Tardiness numbers four.

d.      Absences are frequent (4-7 per term).

e.       The student has ONE UNRESOLVED ABSENCE (which may be a sluff or an absence not excused by parent or guardian within two days of an absence).

f.        The student earns a D or F grade, indicating a lack of effort.

 

0 = No Credit       

a.       Same as a 1 citizenship except tardiness numbers five or more and/or TWO or MORE UNRESOLVED ABSENCES. The student is habitually absent.

b.      The student is often disruptive, defiant, rude, unsafe and/or insolent.

c.       The student is involved in CHEATING.  (No credit may be earned for a test or assignment if cheating is involved and the final term grade will automatically become a “0” as well.)

 

 

 

 

IMPROVING CITIZENSHIP MARKS

A student may, in most cases, improve an impending citizenship mark for the current term. Circumstances may vary depending on student.  There will be no change in the case of severe infractions (CHEATING and sluffing, for example).  No more than one tardy may be waived through negotiation.

Any negotiation for an improved mark must take place between the student and the teacher by the end of the seventh week of the term.  The negotiation must be initiated by the student and take place before or after school by appointment.

 

 

SOURCES OF HELP

The After School Program is available to all students:

 

Room 211 or  213     Monday through Thursday (3-4 p.m.)                  Mrs. Engh/ Ms. Freidenburg

 

Room 306                               Most days after school                               Mrs. Miller

 

 

CONSULTATION: Mrs. Miller may be reached by phone during 5th Period 1^st Semester and 3rd Period 2nd Semester.

 

GRADEBOOK: Mrs. Miller’s GradeBook is updated each time an assignment is given and may be accessed through the District GradeBook.