Mr. Brough's
World
Geography Class
for Freshmen Students (9th Grade)
Disclosure
Statement and Course Outline
Course: Geography is the study of the
earth's physical features and the distribution of life on
its surface. It is primarily concerned with the spatial
aspects of where things are located and why they are
where they are.
Supplies: Students should bring to
class each day a pen or pencil and notebook paper. Students
will be given their own textbook--World Geography and
Cultures, 2008--that should be taken home and regularly
studied. They will also use an in-class set of the above
textbook, for open-book classroom assignments and chapter
quizzes.
The on-line version of World Geography and Cultures
can be accessed at: http://www.glencoe.com/ose/
Classroom Behavior: "Teachers
are paid to teach, and students are paid to learn (through
parental care and taxpayer support)". Therefore, students
should always show appreciation and respect to those who
afford them the opportunity to gain an education and should
regularly attend school and work hard to excel in all their
classes. Obviously, students are expected to be courteous
and polite towards their peers, their teachers, and visitors.
Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. Failure
to comply with the school dress code is the equivalent of
breaking any school/class rule and could result in a lower
citizenship grade.
Attendance: Regular attendance
is very important because more than half of all questions on chapter and/or unit
exams will come from classroom presentations and discussions. School citizenship
policy will be followed for tardies and absences.
Homework:
Textbook chapters should be read and studied at home prior to the first day they
are discussed in class. A classroom quiz will be given on most chapters of the
book. All homework assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit.
Grades: Grades are based on a percentage
system of possible points earned from homework and reading
assignments, computer projects, journals, classroom worksheets,
chapter quizzes, map tests, unit exams and oral presentations.
Grades are updated on the district website at least once
a week (and usually by Saturday evening).
General Teaching Schedule: Monday's
and Tuesday's are usually reserved for lectures and discussions.
Wednesday's and Thursday's are often reserved for reviewing
of relevant articles, text-related classwork, brief supporting
videos, critical writing assignments, and group activities
and investigation projects. Friday's are often reserved
for reading and analysis assignments, and geographic journal
entires and notes. Students usually receive at least one
day advance notice of forthcoming chapter quizzes, and several
days advance notice of forthcoming map tests and unit exams.
Websites:
For Geography Websites related to class topics
and materials:
http://www.graniteschools.org/jr/eisenhower/geography_links.html
For
information about Mr. Brough:
http://www.broughfamily.org/rcb_info.html
For
information about Eisenhower Junior High School:
http://www.graniteschools.org/jr/eisenhower/
For
information about Grades and Attendance:
http://gb.granite.k12.ut.us/gb/login.asp?rc=1
Learning Schedule for World Geography,
2008-2009
Term 1: August 25, 2008, through October
30, 2008:
Term 1, Week 1: Chapter 1: Map Skills, Geography Themes
& Tools.
Term 1, Week 2: Chapter 2: Earth in Space.
Term 1, Weeks 3-4: Chapter 3: Weather and Climate.
Term 1, Weeks 5-6: Chapter 2: Landforms, Water and Natural
Resources.
Term 1, Weeks 7-9: Chapter 4: Populations, Cultures and
Religions.
Term 2: November 3, 2008, through January
15, 2009:
Term 2, Week 1: Chapter 4: Human Systems - Economics and
Politics.
Term 2, Week 2: Computer Lab - Geographic Research Projects.
Term 2, Weeks 3-4: Chapters 5-7: United States and Canada.
Term 2, Weeks 5-8: Chapters 8-10: Latin America.
Term 2, Week 9: Chapter 11: Europe.
Term 3: January 20, 2009, through March
26, 2009
Term 3, Weeks 1-3: Chapters 12-13: Europe.
Term 3, Weeks 4-5: Chapters 14-16: Russia.
Term 3, Weeks 6-8: Chapters 17-19: Southwest & Central
Asia and North Africa.
Term 3, Week 9: Chapters 20-22: Africa - South of the Sahara.
Term 4: March 30, 2009, through June 5,
2009
Term 4, Week 1: Chapters 20-22: Africa - South of the Sahara.
Term 4, Weeks 2-3: Chapters 23-25: South Asia.
Term 4, Weeks 3-4: Chapters 26-28: East Asia.
Term 4, Weeks 5-6: Chapters 29-31: Southeast Asia.
Term 4, Weeks 7-8: Chapters 32-34: Australia, Oceania and
Antarctica.
Term 4, Week 9: Final World Map Exam and Year-End Freshmen
Activities.
