Robert O. Gibson Middle SchoolCourse Expectations

2016-2017

Teacher: Robert Cohen Subject: World Geography 8 and ACC

Grade: 8 Room: P-8

Teacher Contact Information: 702-799-4700

Email: rjcohen@interact.ccsd.net

Course Description and Content: Course Description and Content: This one year course will examine both the physical and human aspects of geography. Students will explore earth’s physical systems in a global context and its human systems in a regional one. Students will utilize the geographic skills of acquiring, organizing, and analyzing information to both ask and answer geographical questions. Four unique and diverse perspectives will be used as a frame of reference: the spatial, the ecological, the historical, and the economic. Students will come to understand concepts, patterns, and interdependent relationships that shape our increasingly diverse world.

Course Goals and Performance Benchmarks: To use and create maps, globes, and other geographic tools and technologies to locate and extrapolate information about people, places, and environments. [NS: G5.0]

To explain the physical and human features of places and use this information to analyze and study regions including patterns of change.[NS: H1.0, G6.0]

To evaluate and critique how economic, political, and cultural processes interact to shape patterns of human migration and settlement, influence and interdependence, and conflict and cooperation. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G7.0, E9.0, E11.0, E12.0]

To summarize and predict the effects of interactions between human and physical systems on the resources of the world. [NS: G8.0]

To compare the different political systems in the world and how those systems relate to the United States and its citizens. [NS: C16.0]

To cite evidence of the contributions of people and their diverse cultures. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G6.0]

To apply the content literacy skills necessary to analyze historical documents, artifacts, and concepts. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G5.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C16.0]

To use information, media, and technology literacy skills necessary to research, communicate, and demonstrate critical thinking. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G5.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C16.0]

Please cut along this line and return the bottom part of this form to your teacher.

Teacher: Student Name:Class Period:

I have read this course expectation sheet, and I understand what will be expected of my child. I will see that my child goes to school each day and does his or her homework.

I have read this course expectation sheet, and I understand what will be expected of me in the classroom.

Parent Signature Date Student Signature Date

Grade Scale: Grade Breakdown: Citizenship:90-100%80-89%

AB

Formative Assignments/ Practice

40 % O = OutstandingS = Satisfactory

70-79%60-69%Below 59%

CDF

N = Needs ImprovementU = Unsatisfactory

Citizenship Grades will be based upon Gibson’s school-wide citizenship grading rubric.

Summative Assignments / Assessment

60 %

100 %

Attendance is required in order to be successful in class. Once a student has acquired 11 unexcused absences,a failing grade of F will be given for the semester, and no credit will be given.

Assignments and Homework: Students are expected to complete their work with quality and neatness. All work turned in for a grade must be completed in final draft quality. Final draft quality is typed, or written neatly in blue or black ink. Assignment headings should be at the top left hand corner of the paper. The first line should be the student’s full name. The second line should be the due date of the assignment. The third line should be the class period.Homework will depend on the unit and the student. Some students work quickly and efficiently with the time they are given in class. Work not completed in class will be completed at home and is due the next day at the beginning of class. Homework may include reading, research, completing maps, vocabulary, special projects and discussing pertinent issues with you.

Late Work/Assessment Policy: All work is to be completed by the student. Late work may be turned in for 10% off for each day that it is late to be counted no less than 60%. Late work will not be accepted after it is more than a week late.

Expected Student Behaviors:1. Be Present: focus and minimize distractions2. Be Attentive: listen to others and yourself3. Speak Your Truth: own your thoughts and feelings4. Be Open to Outcomes: let go of preconceived notions and suspend judgment5. Attend to Safety: accept responsibility for creating a safe environment-physically and emotionally6. Confidentiality: what we say here, what happens here – stays here, unless you

have permission to share

Other:: If a student is involved in academic dishonesty to include activities such as copying another student’s work, claiming another individual’s work as their own, talking to another student during a test (includes text messaging and phone calls), or using another student’s notes during a test; the following consequences will be in effect. The student will receive a zero for that assignment. At the teacher’s discretion, the student may be given the opportunity to make up the work when the parent has been made aware of the problem. This make up work may be an alternate assignment. The final grade will be an average of both grades. Repeated incidences of academic dishonesty will result in a Dean’s Referral

Materials: Students are required to have…. Notebook Pen Google Account Color Pencils Atlas (Home) Edmodo Account Pencil (extra led if mechanical) Computer with Internet

Textbooks and other school issued instructional materials and/or equipment must be checked in at the conclusion of the course or upon withdrawal of the student from the course/school.

Note: Additional supplies may be required during the course to supplement projects for the class (ex. display board, poster board, etc.)