WORLD GEOGRAPHY – Honors
TEACHER – Ms. Lobban
clobban@antonian.org
FIRST SEMESTER SYLLABUS; 2015-2016
TEXTBOOKS:
World Geography McGraw Hill / 2016
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course, students analyze the relationships between people, places, and environments. Students use problem solving and
decision-making skills to ask and answer geographic questions as well as to determine the geographic factors that have influenced past
and present events. A significant portion of the course will center on physical processes, places, and regions, the environment, the
political, economic and social processes that shape cultural patterns, human systems such as population distribution and urbanization
patterns, and the economic conditions which have led to and reinforced the developed and developing world.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
The course objective is to study the physical, political, and cultural geography of the earth. We will explore our responsibilities as
stewards of God’s earth through the themes of ecology, justice, and peace. Incorporated into our studies will be some sociology,
economics, political science, and current events.
SEMESTER ONE – MAJOR CONCEPTS:
Exploring geography through the Five Themes of Geography
Reading an interpreting maps, charts, graphs, and cartograms
Changes within the earth and on the earth’s surface
Population and culture: social, political, and economic
Resources and land use
Apply major concepts to studies of:
The United States and Canada; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe
ESSENTIAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Students Will Be Able To:
Demonstrate effective use and application of the Five Themes of Geography – Location, Place, Region, Movement, and HumanEnvironment Interaction – to all areas of geographic inquiry.
Effectively utilize a variety of maps and visual geographic aids.
Describe the tectonic plate movements within the earth and related them to the impact they have on human, animal, and vegetable life
in all regions studied.
Interpret human population distribution patterns based on weather, climate, and resource patterns.
Speculate then verify the rank of a country given the countries’ political and economic systems.
Explain the benefits and challenges resources, or lack of resources, provide a country.
Consider the impact increasing stress on resources will have on the future.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Consider these as we progress through the semester
European colonization changed the cultural landscape of North and South America. Consider language, religion, politics, economics,
and agriculture; select one region from the Americas and demonstrate the impact European colonization had on that country and
illustrate ways that your region exhibits traits that blend both indigenous culture and European culture.
Honors students will complete a project every quarter. This will serve as a major grade project this semester. It will be
research and writing intensive.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Bring to class each day: geography notebook, sharpened pencil, eraser, black ink pen, notebook paper, and map pencils. Note: failure
to bring the required supplies to class could lead to an ‘N’ in behavior and detention, take responsibility and come to class prepared.
COURSE NOTEBOOK:
Each student is expected to maintain a geography notebook where he/she will keep this syllabus, the Honors Contract, assignments,
homework, class notes, and tests. Papers must be hole-punched and installed in a 3-ring 2-inch binder. Students will also need a
spiral notebook for Cornell notes.
Grading Scale: Homework – 10%; Class work and Quizzes – 35%; TESTS and Projects – 55%
Please be advised that you are responsible for all information presented in the textbooks. It is extremely important that you complete
study guides and keep up with the scheduled reading assignments, even when absent. The usual testing days for Geography are
Fridays. If you miss a Friday test, be prepared to take it outside of class on Monday. Should you miss both testing opportunities, you
are to report to the library before school on Tuesday and take it under the supervision of the proctor. IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY to make up missed work. Homework is not accepted late. Athletes who will miss class must turn in
assignments prior to leaving campus. Even when an absence is excused, you are responsible for all information covered in class.
HONORS EXPECTATIONS:
It is essential that students who seek an Honors education in World Geography be motivated to complete the work that is involved
and be a focused, independent learner. Initial acceptance into Honors World Geography does not insure that a student will retain that
assignment for the entire year. A student is expected to maintain an average of 85% or better, come to class prepared to learn and
participate, and be an asset to the class. Cheating is not honorable and students caught passing-in work for a grade that is not their
own will be recommended for removal from World Geography Honors. Honors World Geography incorporates every objective of the
College Prep Level course. Additionally, Honors students will do one outside project every 9 weeks.
Students will be given opportunities to research the current topic of study in the library and the resources are available for at-home use
through the school’s website. Students will write papers incorporating their knowledge and their initial solutions to problems they
encounter. There will be a separate hand-out on each project.
HONORS WORLD GEOGRAPHY IS A WRITING INTENSIVE COURSE
How Parents Can Help
Students should read the entire chapter and take Cornell Notes. Generally, study guides are due on Thursday,
and tests are Fridays. Please noticed in the syllabus that homework is due at the beginning bell on the due date
and will not be accepted late. Students should also make flash cards for every chapter’s set of terms
Syllabus-Course Outline (We will be doing a lot of reading in class at the beginning
of the year since we have not received our new books.)
Week 1: Aug. 12-14: How Geographers look at the World
Wed. Paper work and Pictures
Thurs. Syllabus and course outline
Fri.
Learning Cornell Notes Chapter 1 Lesson 1
Assignments:
Chapter 1 Vocabulary flashcards
Week 2: Aug. 17-21: How Geographers look at the World
Mon. Ch 1 Lesson 2 Notes
Tues. Finish Notes
Wed. Chapter 1 Quiz / Label World Map
Thurs. Learning Locations
Fri.
Map Projections/ Ch 2 Lesson 1 Notes
Assignments:
Energy Consumption(Due Monday 24th)
Review Notes
Energy Consumption(Due Monday 24th)
Handout pgs 12-13
Study World Map
Week 3: Aug 24- 28: The Physical World
Mon. Energy Consumption Due/ Ch 2 Lesson 1
Tues. World Map Quiz/ Ch 2 Lesson 2 Notes
Wed. Ch 2 Lesson 3 Notes
Thurs. Review
Fri.
Test
Assignments:
Study World Map
Start Study Guide
Complete Study Guide
Review CH 1 & 2
Week 4: Aug. 31- Sept. 4: Climates of the Earth
Mon. Chapter 3 Lesson 1 Notes
Tues. Chapter 3 Lesson 2 Notes
Wed. Chapter 3 Lesson 3 Notes
Thurs. Quiz over Ch 3 Chapter 4 Lesson 1 Notes
Fri.
No class
Assignments:
Earth- Sun Relationship graphic organizer
Study Vocabulary Flash Cards for quiz
Layered look book on Climate Zones