Department of Canadian & World Studies
John Cabot Catholic Secondary School
CGC 1D1
Geography of Canada
Academic
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
Course Overview:
This course explores Canada’s distinct and changing character and the geographic systems and
relationships that shape it. Students will investigate the interactions of natural and human
systems within Canada, as well as Canada’s economic, cultural, and environmental connections
to other countries. Students will use a variety of geo-technologies and inquiry and
communication methods to analyze and evaluate geographic issues and present their findings.
Specific Strands of Study and Expectations include:
 Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
Students will describe
 selected Canadian eco-zones
 patterns of land use, population distribution, and eco-zones
 Canada’s natural vegetation, climate zones
 Human-Environment Interactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of
 Canada’s renewable and non-renewable resources
 resource sustainability
 role of government in protecting the environment
 Global Connections
Students will demonstrate an understanding of
 the effects of Canada’s rich geography
 connections between different parts of Canada and other nations
 global issues that affect Canada
 Understanding and Managing Change
Students will demonstrate an understanding of
 changes in land use and resource depletion
 factors that impact on demographics and migration in Canada
 Methods of Geographic Inquiry
Students will be able to:
 collect, organize, and synthesize information from various sources
 select and use appropriate organizers and technology to communicate
 distinguish among opinion, argument, and fact
 create and use charts, graphs, and maps
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order to ensure these
expectations are being met.
My class contact: ________________
________________
Phone #: _________________
_________________
Resources:
Course Breakdown:
The course will use a variety of resources including
video, CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of
print sources.
The textbook Making Connections:
Canada’s
Geography will be distributed to students during the
first week of the course. The text and all other
resources assigned to students are the responsibility
of the student. Any damage incurred will result in
payment for replacement. The replacement cost for
the text is $60.00.
Unit One: Methods of Geographic Inquiry

Constructing Maps
 Geographic Skills /GIS
Unit Two: Physical Geography
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A) Formation of the Earth
B) Landforms, Natural Resources
C) Climate, Vegetation, Soils
D) Eco-zones
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Resource Mega-Projects
Global Warming
Ecological Footprint

Demography
Unit Three: Sustainability
Evaluation Structure:
Marks will be recorded according to the following
competencies:
Knowledge/Understanding 30%
Thinking/Inquiry
25%
Communication
20%
Application
25%
Furthermore, evaluation is divided as such:
Term Work
70%
Final (Exam/Culminating Activity) 30%
Unit Four: Human/Cultural Geography
 Immigration, First Nations
 Urban/Rural land use
Unit Five: Canada and the World
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
Canada’s Trade Relations
Global Development Comparisons
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed and evaluated according to the work produced and skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work
in process and evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer and self-evaluations will
also be utilized.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process and product according to 4 categories and 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills
and key words used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Level
Category
Knowledge/Understanding

Knowledge of facts & terms
Understanding of concepts & relationships

Thinking/Inquiry

Critical thinking skills & creative thinking skills
Inquiry Skills

Communication


Level 1:
50-59%
Level 2:
60-69%
Level 3:
70-79%
Level 4:
80-100%
-Limited
display of
knowledge,
skills and
ability to apply
concepts
-Some
success in
displaying
knowledge,
skills and
application of
concepts
-Considerable
display of
knowledge skills
and ability to
apply concepts
-Thorough
understanding of
concepts and
ability to
communicate,
think creatively
and apply
concepts
Communication of ideas and information
Use of symbols & visuals
Oral & written communication

Application




Applications in familiar contexts
Transfer of concepts to new contexts
Making logical conclusions and predictions
Use of technology
Making connections

Feedback will also be provided for student learning skills. Skills like Working Independently, Team Work, Organization, Work Habits and
Homework, and Initiative are assessed independently student achievement and will be conducted through the use of a rubric indicating specific
criteria to be achieved to receive each of the following letter grades:
E –Excellent
Other Evaluation Issues





G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement
LATE ASSIGNMENTS. Assignments submitted after the Primary Due Date established by the teacher will be accepted with a penalty of 5%
off for the first day late and 2% for subsequent days to a maximum of 10%. This four day Penalty Zone is the maximum time allowed for
submissions. The fourth day after the assignment is due is considered the Closure Date upon which no further assignments will be accepted.
If the teacher returns the marked assignments within the four day penalty zone, the date of return is considered the closure date. Repeated
lateness in submissions indicates poor organization skills and will result in parental contact and will be reflected in the learning skills section of
the report card.
INCOMPLETE ASSSIGNMENTS Assignments will be graded according to the extent with which they meet the criteria established in the
rubric or evaluation structure.
MISSED TESTS If a test is missed, a student must bring a note to the subject teacher stating the reason for the absence and that the adult
is aware that the student missed a scheduled test. Tests missed with a legitimate reason will be written within a few days of the student
returning from the absence. Student eligibility to write the test and the date of writing will be at the discretion of the teacher in consultation
with the department head.
CULMINATING ACTIVITIES These activities will be due toward the end of the course. They are valued between 5 and 15 per cent of the
final mark and will reflect course material and competencies not otherwise reflected on the final exam.
PLAGARISM in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the entire assignment in question.