Pre AP World Geography
The purpose of Pre AP World Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of
patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use and alteration of Earth’s
surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to analyze human social
organization and its environmental consequences. Students also learn about the methods and
tools geographers use in their science and practice. Pre AP World Geography (PAPWG)
students will learn to think geographically and ask critical geographic questions. Beginning
examples of such questions include:
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Why is Portuguese spoken widely in Mozambique?
Why do most North Americans practice Christianity? Why is land more expensive in a central
business district than a suburb?
What do clustering patterns of voting districts in a state tell one about the population?
Why did poultry production increase so sharply in the 1980s?
What has changed in the last ten years which has caused the oil industry to NOT be able to keep up
with demand?
Why aren’t the Ft. Wayne Pistons in Ft. Wayne anymore?
Course Materials
RESOURCES
TEXT
TCI
TEKS
NA
LAB
DAILY
SKILL
PASS
World Geography Today
Geography Alive! Regions and People
Mastering the TEKS in World Geography
Nystrom Atlas
Geography Alive! Regions and People Mapping Lab
Daily Geography Practice
World Geography Daily Skillbuilders
Passwords Social Studies Vocabulary
Course Units
The topics studied in this course are:
1. Physical Geography/Processes Shaping the Earth
2. People and Nature
3. Human Geography/Aspects of Culture
4. Cultural Regions
5. Demographics
6. Government/Political Processes
7. Migration/Changes in Geography
8. Economic /SystemsGlobalization
9. EOC Review
Course Skills
. Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Use and think about maps and spatial data sets
2. Use geographic skills to make connections
3. Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places
4. Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and
processes
5. Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process
6. Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places
7. Take notes from lectures and printed materials
8. Write free response essays
9. Construct and interpret maps and charts
10. Plan and complete geography-based projects
11. Learn geographic principles/concepts of and use basic geographic information systems
12. Learn to ask geographic questions about everything one sees around them
READING AND OUTLINING THE CHAPTERS
Students will read a collection of textbook pages as assigned. The assigned pages in a chapter will be
designated as “due” on a predetermined date. The student is to come to class with a handwritten outline of
the assigned pages on this due date. There will be a quiz given on that reading and the outline may be used
on the quiz. Both the outline and the quiz will be graded. Outlines will be assessed using a completion or
partial completion grade, while quizzes will be graded on correct and incorrect answers.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1. Be in your seat when the last bell rings. NO TARDIES!
2. Be prepared for class. Bring your text, notebook, pen/pencil and any extra materials as instructed.
3. Assignments MUST be brought to class ON TIME. No one will be allowed to go to a locker after the bell.
4. Show respect for your classmates and teacher by speaking in a polite manner. There will be no tolerance of
disrespectful words or deeds to your classmates or teacher.
5. DO NOT sit on the tables or the backs of chairs at any time!
6. Every chapter in the book will be assigned for you to read and outline. Chapter quizzes will be given. You
may use your outline on these quizzes.
7. YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR CLASS EACH DAY! Class participation is expected and can enhance
your grade.
Supplies:
Pen/Pencil
Spiral Notebook
1in. 3 ring binder
Map pencils
Notebook paper
Bonus material will be assigned by class.
Grading procedure:
Homework Grade 40%
Test 60%
Students will also take an World Geography End of Coarse Exam at the end of the year that will
count towards graduation. All CBA, and the final Six weeks will be used to prepare for this
exam.
Parents,
I am happy your student has joined our Pre-AP Human Geography program at Boswell
High School. Your student will be learning a great deal this year. More importantly, I
hope your student will learn to interpret their world through making connections using
geographic thinking and skills.
There will be very little traditional homework in my class; however, your students will be
expected to read and write a great deal this year. I expect students to handwrite outlines
as they do assigned readings. They can then use those outlines on the quizzes in class.
These outlines and quizzes can significantly buoy grades. Encourage your student to
read and interpret maps and charts in the text. After all, maps are the primary tools
geographers.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone, email or
personal conference at BHS. Please fill in the information below so I can keep you
informed about what is going on in PreAP Human Geography. Also, please up with what
your student is doing in class by checking with my teacher web page.
Please sign below to indicate your awareness of the expectations of PAPHG. Please
have your student bring this back to me by Tuesday September 4th.
Please print all information
Student Name_________________________________________________________
Parent Name(s)________________________________________________________
Parent email__________________________________________________________
(No student email addresses unless the parent has no email address)
Phone number you would like me to call___________________________________
Best time(s) to call_____________________________________________________
Signature
Parent/Guardian_____________________________________Date_______________
Frank Mueller – AP Human Geography Teacher
BHS
fmueller@ems-isd.net