Canadian and World Studies
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Course Code:
Course Name:
Level:
Instructor:
Period:
Room Number:
CGF3M
Physical Geography: Patterns, Processes
and Interactions
University/College Preparation
Ms. Pappas
205
Specific Strands of Study and Expectations include:
Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
By the end of this course, students will:

explain major theories of the origin and internal structure of the earth;

analyse the sources and nature of energy flows through the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere;
 explain the physical processes that create landforms, climate, soils, and vegetation.
Human-Environment Interactions
By the end of this course, students will:

explain how the earth provides both a habitat for life and a resource for society;

evaluate the impact of natural systems on people and their activities;

evaluate the impact of human life on the environment;

explain the importance of stewardship and sustainability as guiding principles for human use of the physical environment.
Global Connections
By the end of this course, students will:

explain the reasons for the global patterns of continents and oceans, landforms, climate, soils, and vegetation;

explain the importance of water to global systems;

analyse local, regional, and global issues related to physical geography.
Understanding and Managing Change
By the end of this course, students will:

analyse the causes and consequences of climate change;

analyse how changes in natural systems are caused by natural phenomena;

explain how human uses of the earth, especially uses involving technology, cause changes over time in natural systems.
Methods of Geographic Inquiry and Communication
By the end of this course, students will:

use the methods and tools of geographic investigation and inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate, and organize information;

analyse and interpret data gathered through research and investigation, using a variety of methods and geotechnologies;

communicate the results of geographic inquiries and investigations, using appropriate terms and concepts and a variety of forms and techniques.
Course Breakdown
Unit 1 –
Unit 2 –
Unit 3 –
Unit 4 –
Unit 5 –
Introduction
Earth & Space
Energy From Below and Above
Physical Landforms
Natural Disasters
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including video,
Internet Applications, variety of print sources and field
work.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
25%
25%
25%
25%
The above is reflected both in the term work (worth 70% of the
final mark) and the summative work (worth 30% of the final
mark). Summative work consists of the Final Exam (20%) and a
Culminating Activity (10%).
Evaluation Policy
Students will be assessed & evaluated according to the work produced & skills displayed. Methods of providing feedback will include assessing work in process &
evaluating completed assignments, tests, co-operative learning activities, simulations and presentations. Peer & self-evaluations will also be utilized.
Student marks will be determined by evaluating process & product according to 4 categories & 4 levels. Please see the chart below for specific skills and key words
used to determine student competency in the different categories.
Level 1:
Level 2:
Level 3:
Level 4:
Level
50-59%
60-69%
70-79%
80-100%
Category
Limited
Some
Considerable
Thorough
Knowledge/Understanding
display of
success in
display of
understanding

Knowledge of content (e.g., facts, terms, definitions)
knowledge,
displaying
knowledge
of concepts

Understanding of content (e.g., concepts, ideas, theories, procedures, processes,
skills and
knowledge,
skills and
and ability to
methodologies, and/or technologies)
ability to
skills and
ability to
communicate,
Thinking
apply
application
apply
think

Use of planning skills (e.g., focusing research, gathering information, organizing an
concepts
of concepts
concepts
creatively and
inquiry, asking questions, setting goals)
apply concepts

Use of processing skills (e.g., analysing, generating, integrating, synthesizing,
evaluating, detecting point of view and bias)

Use of critical/creative thinking processes (e.g., inquiry process, problem-solving
process, decision-making process, research process)
Communication

Expression and organization of ideas and information (e.g., clear expression, logical
organization) in oral, written, and visual forms Oral & written communication

Communication for different audiences (e.g., peers, adults) and purposes (e.g., to
inform, to persuade) in oral, written, and visual forms

Use of conventions (e.g., conventions of form, map conventions), vocabulary, and
terminology of the discipline in oral, written, and visual forms
Application

Application of knowledge and skills (e.g., concepts, procedures, processes, and/or
technologies) in familiar contexts

Transfer of knowledge and skills (e.g., concepts, procedures, methodologies,
technologies) to new contexts

Making connections within and between various contexts (e.g., past, present, and
future; environmental; social; cultural; spatial; personal; multidisciplinary)
A student whose achievement is below 50% at the end of the course will not obtain a credit for the course.
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
G – Good
S – Satisfactory
N - Needs Improvement