Welcome to SPHS and World Geography! My name is Mrs. Quarles, and I look forward to getting to know each one of you. To be successful in this class, do not procrastinate, and take advantage of class time to complete assignments. If you do this, there will be very few times you have homework this semester. Be sure to check announcements in Canvas each day just in case I have to convey need to know updates / information. (Setting up notifications for Canvas to your email will also help you stay on top of this.)  

 

Textbook:

Geography Alive! Regions and People

I have provided the chapters of the textbook online on Canvas. It can also be found on my Teacher Website, www.dawnquarles.weebly.com. Click on Honors World Geography and select the appropriate unit from the drop-down menu.

 

Required Materials:

• #2 pencils (If you need to borrow a pencil that is fine, but please do not break it apart and leave it on my floor. That is disrespectful to the personal finances I use for your benefit in this class.)
• If you want to use a pen, please use blue or black ink
• 1” or 1.5” binder (This needs to be a dedicated binder as you will turn it in on the day of notebook checks and might not get it back until the next class day.)
• Dividers (You will need a pack of 8 - 10 dividers for your binder.)
• 3” x 5” index cards
• 4 pack of highlighters (different colors)

 

Notebook Organization

To be prepared for notebook checks, quizzes, and tests, it is essential that you keep an organized binder. To do this, one of the requirements will be for you to have each unit divided from the others using the dividers. 

The order for each unit notebook check will be as follows:

• Bell Ringers - must be answered to receive credit
• Unit Map Challenges 
• Unit Vocabulary Crossword Puzzle
• Guided Reading Questions organized by chapter
• Additional unit worksheets if assigned 

*** Notebook Checks will consist of one grade for all class assignments for the unit. 

 

Content of the Course:

Throughout the semester, we will be studying a variety of countries and cultures. The following is a tentative agenda for the semester. We will spend approximately two weeks on each unit. At the end of each unit students will be tested. All assessments will be cumulative in nature based on units and culminating in the semester exam that will include material from the entire semester. Students will also be responsible for exhibiting an understanding of each of the World Geography Performance Standards.

 

Bonus Points:

• Completion of all chapter practice quizzes will result in 5 bonus points on the comprehensive unit quiz. 
• Completion of the unit study guide will result in 10 bonus points on the unit test.

 

Grading Scale:

Summative Assignments                                                           71% (Ex: Tests/ Projects)

Formative Assignments                                                             29% (Ex: Quizzes, Graphs, CW, HW)

Final Exam                                                                                  20% of overall grade

 

Class Rules:

Rules are very simple in my class. You are expected to be ready, respectful, and responsible. That means you need to be on time for class, have your assignments ready to go, participate in the class, actively listen to other people when they are talking, refrain from cursing in class, and be accountable for your own actions and decisions in this class.

 

Late Work

You will have 3 LATE PASSES per term.  You have 5 SCHOOL DAYS to turn in late work without penalty.  Once you have used your late passes, late assignments will receive a zero. 

If you have a problem with a due date, speak with me in advance. Completion of the Google Late Work Form required for the work to be graded/ given credit. 

I will not accept any late DLD current event writing assignments. If you do not submit it on the day it is due, you will receive a zero for the assignment.   

 

Unit Breakdown and Content:

Unit Tests - Each unit will consist of a vocabulary and map quiz, a film/ documentary test, one content quiz, and a cumulative unit test. You will be allowed to use the front and back of a single 3” x 5” index card on the unit tests only to hold any information you think you will need.

 

Poster Project – Each student will be assigned a summative poster project that will be due August 31^st. My advise is to go ahead and get started on it.

 

Vocabulary and Map Quizzes will include specified areas based on the unit content as well as specified bodies of water, deserts, and mountains.

Unit 1- Introduction to Geography

• Unit 1 Geoterms
• Map quiz- continents/ regions and oceans of the world

 

Unit 2- United States and Canada

• Quiz 1: Unit 2 Geoterms & all 50 states of the US  
• Quiz 2: The provinces of Canada and physical features for the US and Canada

 

Unit 3- Latin America

• Unit 3 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all the countries of South America; will also include Mexico, the Caribbean, and Haiti

 

Unit 4- Europe and Russia

• Unit 3 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all the countries in Europe and Russia

 

Unit 5- Africa

• Unit 5 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all the countries of Africa and Madagascar

 

Unit 6- Southwest and Central Asia

• Unit 6 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all the countries of Southwest and Central Asia (including specified island countries)

 

Unit 7- Monsoon Asia

• Unit 7 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all countries for this area of Asia as well as specified island countries

 

Unit 8- Oceania and Antarctica

• Unit 8 Geoterms
• Map quiz- all countries for the area (mostly islands) as well as Australia and Antarctica

 

Unit Assignments – each unit will have a notebook check that will include unit bell ringers, Map Challenge, vocabulary crossword puzzle, and chapter questions as well as any additional worksheets if applicable.

 

Current Event essay – You will be responsible for 4 current event essays that will be due on DLD's. You must follow the directions/ rubric provided to receive full credit.