NINTH GRADE WORLD GEOGRAPHY
2008 - 2009 COURSE SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: MR. BENEZRA
Rm. #113
Ph: (707) 556-3510 x51514; Email: pbenezra@vallejo.k12.ca.us
Website: http://benezrap.blogspot.com
HOGAN HIGH SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT:
“We, the staff at Hogan High, will work collaboratively as a learning community to support ALL students in order to¼
Help them achieve high academic standards;
Prepare them for post secondary study and work;
Encourage them to become lifelong learners;
¼so they can continue to grow and become contributing citizens in our democratic society.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course seeks to understand the world and all that happens on the surface of the Earth. The course will look at physical geography, the natural features on the Earth’s surface, including such things as mountains, rivers, climate and weather patterns. The course will also look at human geography, the study of the interaction and movement of people spread across the surface of the Earth, including different cultures, religions and populations of the major regions of the Earth. . The goal of this course is to encourage all students to become mature, alert members of our society, and our planet, who will have the ability to contribute positively to the growth of our country and our world.
MAJOR COMPETENCIES TO BE MASTERED: (these competencies correspond to the ESLRs, Hogan High School Expected School-wide Learning Results) 1) Students and staff will demonstrate high standards of professionalism and accountability; 2) Students will be collaborative workers and effective communicators; 3) Students will apply their knowledge and reasoning skills.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
· Textbook: World Geography (McDougal Littell, publishers.)
· Supplementary texts: additional supplemental resources including Internet resources, news articles and workbook exercises will be given as handouts.
· In-class notebook: Students will need a composition or spiral notebook to be kept in the classroom for class notes.
· Colored pencils: a set of multi-colored pencils will be required for map drawing.
· Highlighter pens: are not required, but may also be used to enhance notetaking or map drawing.
· Writing supplies: Binder paper, 2 black or blue pens, and 2 pencils (at all times).
HOMEWORK:
Homework in this class will include defining terms in each chapter, filling in, labeling and coloring maps of different regions and continents, answering questions about different geographical regions and other projects which may be periodically assigned.
CLASS WORK:
· Students will take thorough, organized notes on all material discussed in class. Notes will be kept in their in-class notebook. Notebooks will be graded quarterly.
· Video questions: may be given when documentary videos are shown in class.
· Various other in-class projects or assignments may be given.
LATE WORK:
· Receives ½ credit.
· There will be deadlines, to be announced, at the end of each semester after which no more late work will be accepted.
· Valid excused absences: students have 2 days to make up missed assignments for full credit.
IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION:
· Verbal participation in class will be a crucial part of this course.
· Students will be able to earn up to 20 participation points per day.
· During lecture/discussions all students may be called on at any time to answer questions, or to check their understanding of the material being covered.
· All students are encouraged to volunteer information, ask appropriate questions and participate in discussions.
· Students who voluntarily participate will receive the highest number of participation points, and may also earn extra credit points.
· Participation points are not necessarily given for correct answers. Rather, participation points are given for any effort that is appropriate and helpful to the communication of information in the classroom.
· On the other hand, participation points will be deducted from students who come in late, and from students who are talking, or otherwise disrupting the learning environment in the classroom.
GRADES:
Grading percentages will be based upon a straight point system: points earned, divided by total possible points. Grades will include points from the following categories:
· Class participation
· Homework ( Terms, maps, projects, etc.)
· Tests
· In-class notes
· Extra credit
GRADING SCALE:
100%-92.0%=A; 91.9%-90.0%=A-; 89.9%-88.0%=B+; 87.9%-82.0%=B; 81.9%-80.0%=B-; 79.9%-78.0%C+; 77.9%-72.0%=C; 71.9%-70.0%-C-; 69.9%-68.0%=D+; 67.9%-62.0%=D; 61.9%-60.0%=D-; Below 60%=F.
BASIC CLASSROOM RULES:
“Help yourself and others learn”
· Be prepared: bring academic supplies to class.
· Be considerate: raise your hand to speak.
· Be attentive: listen quietly to others.
· Do your work in class. No head down/sleeping
· Give your best good will to your fellow students and to the teacher each day.
Mr. Santos’ “Non-negotiable Rules”, all school wide and district rules will also be followed in the classroom.
CLASSROOM CONSEQUENCES:
· Warning - loss of participation points.
· Two minutes after class. This is meant to be a quick solution to small problems. Includes positive effort:
o straightening desks
o picking up trash
· 5 minutes cooling off outside. (Stay on the walkway, quietly.)
· ½ hour lunch or after school detention/meeting with teacher.
· Any detention or after class time can be shortened by positive in-class effort, including:
Ø Positive class participation
Ø Straightening desks
Ø Cleaning desktops
Ø Picking up trash
Ø Making up homework—if needed
· Change seat—Any student who is in a seat that is distracting to the academic work of another student, or who is sitting next to a friend they like to talk to, will be given a seating change to encourage your best participation!
· Phone call to parents.
· Parent/student/teacher meeting – includes agreeing on and signing a classroom behavior contract.
· 2-day class suspension
· Team meeting with counselor and/or other teacher(s).
· Referral to Assistant Principal.
Please note that these are a variety of interventions that will not necessarily be given in this order. Circumstances may vary.
Repeated problems = no more warnings, and firmer consequences.
· Mr. Benezra will do his best to communicate to students and parents the reasons why the consequences were given, and suggestions for student improvement.
· Positive effort, contributing in class, can always help erase or reduce consequences.
· Mr. Benezra is, also, always happy to listen to students’ perspectives and criticisms at arranged times after class.
STUDENT CHOICE:
· No student has to be in this class. Students are always free to choose other educational options. (Independent study, adult school, alternative high school, etc.).
· Students who choose to be in this class are choosing to follow the instructional process and directions of the teacher to the best of their ability.
· If a student does not follow class procedures, the directions of the teacher, or walks out of the classroom, they will not be allowed to return without a parent/student/teacher meeting and a behavior contract.
· The goal of this process is to encourage the safest and most positive educational environment for all students. Making our best effort is what we are seeking here.
CLASSROOM REWARDS:
· Awesome Time - Sometimes the class may earn “free” time at the end of the period if the class has stayed focused during the whole period, we have covered the material we need to cover, and there is still time left. Students must remain in their seats, and can talk quietly.
· 15 minutes of “Awesome Time” plus students’ choice of music on Friday -is awarded to the class that has earned the most participation points during the week.
· “No-Bull” Peace Prize - given to one student in the class on Friday who has contributed the most, improved the most, or done the most to help create a harmonious environment in the classroom during the week.
EXTRA CREDIT:
· Extra credit book work—Students may earn extra credit by answering extra credit Chapter Assessment questions at the end of each chapter. See Mr. Benezra for more details on this option.
· Extra credit participation—Students who make an exceptional effort to contribute thoughtful, accurate information verbally in class, or make an extra effort to be helpful can earn extra credit participation points.
· Creativity - Extra credit points will always be given if you make an effort to use your talent (Or just make a good effort, even if you’re not particularly talented!) to do any artistic drawings, graphs, creative coloring, etc. that interact with your notes or communicate your understanding of historical information and concepts. Artwork can be done in the in-class notebook, or turned
· Of course you should complete your assigned homework first!
COURSE OUTLINE CALENDAR
August 20 to August 22 – Student Handbook/ Class Orientation
August 25 to September 5 –Chapter 1
- “Looking at the Earth”
September 8 to September 19 - - Chapter 2
- “Physical Geography: A Living Planet”
September 22 to September 26 - Chapter 3
- “Physical Geography: Climate and Vegetation”
September 29 to October 10 - Chapter 4
- “Human Geography: People and Places”
October 13 to October 17 - Chapter 5
- “Physical Geography of the United States and Canada”
October 20 to October 24 - Chapter 6
- “Human Geography of the United States”
October 27 to October 31 - Chapter 7
- “Human Geography of Canada”
November 3 to November 7- Chapter 9
- “Physical Geography of Latin America”
November 11 to November 14 - Chapter 10
- “Human Geography of Latin America”
November 17 to November 21- Chapter 12
- “Physical Geography of Europe”
December 1 to December 5 - Chapter 13
- “Human Geography of Europe”
December 8 to December 12 - Chapter 15
- “Physical Geography of Russia and the Republics”
December 15 to December 19 – First Semester Review and Finals Week
January 5 to January 9 - Chapter 16
- “Human Geography of Russia and the Republics”
January 12 to January 16 - Chapter 18
- “Physical Geography of Africa”
January 20 to January 30 - Chapter 19
- “Human Geography of Africa”
February 2 to February 6 - Chapter 21
- “Physical Geography of Southwest Asia”
February 9 to February 13 - Chapter 22
- “Human Geography of Southwest Asia”
February 17 to February 20 - Chapter 24
- “Physical Geography of South Asia”
February 23 to February 27 - Chapter 25
- “Human Geography of South Asia”
March 2 to March 6- Chapter 27
- “Physical Geography of East Asia”
March 9 to March 13 - Chapter 28
- “Human Geography of East Asia”
March 16 to March 20 – Chapter 30
- “Physical Geography of Southeast Asia, Oceania and Antarctica”
April 6 to April 10 - Chapter 31
- “Physical Geography of Southeast Asia, Oceania and Antarctica”
April 13 to April 17
- Review /Semester II Objective Final
April 20 to May 1 - Supplementary Readings
- “Current Issues: The War on Terror”
- “STAR TESTING”
May 1 to June 5 - Supplementary Readings
- “Religions of the World”
June 8 to June 10 – Second Semester Final Project
Here’s to a great year full of the joy of learning, and accomplishing more than you ever thought you could!!
Please sign, and return this piece of paper only. Thank you!
I have read and understood the 2008-2009 World Geography Syllabus.
Student’s Name (PLEASE PRINT)_____________________________________________
Student’s Signature____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature_________________________________________
This information may be helpful to facilitate parent/teacher communication:
Daytime phone number:_________________________
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