Canadian and World Studies
Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Course Code: CGC1P5
Course Name: Geography of Canada
Level: Essential
Instructor: Mr. Sammut
Period:
Room Number:
Course Overview: This course focuses on geographic issues that affect Canadians today.
Students will draw on personal and everyday experiences as they learn about Canada’s
distinct and changing character and the natural and human systems and global influences that
shape the country. Students will use a variety of geotechnologies and inquiry and
communication methods to examine practical geographic questions and communicate their
findings.
Specific Strands of Study and Expectations include:
Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
By the end of this course, students will:

identify patterns and diversity in Canada’s natural and human systems;

illustrate regional differences using the concept of ecozone;

describe issues that affect natural and human systems in Canada.
Human-Environment Interactions
By the end of this course, students will:

assess the impact of human systems and/or resource extraction on the natural environment;

describe ways in which renewable, non-renewable, and flow resources are used in Canada;

relate current lifestyle choices of Canadians to the prospects for sustaining Canada’s economic and environmental well-being.
Global Connections
By the end of this course, students will:

identify the economic, cultural, and environmental connections between Canada and other countries;

report on how Canada influences and is influenced by its economic, cultural, and environmental connections with other countries;

explain how current global issues affect Canadians.
Understanding and Managing Change
By the end of this course, students will:

explain the relationship between sustainability, stewardship, and an “ecological footprint”;

identify current or anticipated physical, social, or economic changes and explain how they could affect the lives of Canadians;

apply the concepts of stewardship and sustainability to analyze a current national or international issue.
Methods of Geographic Inquiry and Communication
By the end of this course, students will:

use the methods and tools of geographic inquiry to locate, gather, evaluate, and organize information about Canada’s natural and human systems;

analyze and interpret data gathered in inquiries into the geography of Canada, using a variety of methods and geotechnologies;

communicate the results of geographic inquiries, using appropriate terms and concepts and a variety of forms and techniques.
This course helps students to meet the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations by enabling each person to become:

an effective communicator who reads, understands and uses written materials effectively;

a responsible citizen who respects and affirms the diversity and interdependence of the world’s peoples and cultures;

a reflective, creative and holistic thinker who recognizes there is more grace in our world than sin and that hope is essential in facing all
challenges.
Efforts will be made to meet the individual learning needs of students in order
to ensure these expectations are being met.
Course Breakdown
Unit 1 – Mapping Skills
Unit 2 – Cultural Connections
Unit 3 – Physical Connections
Unit 4 -- Global Connections
Resources:
The course will use a variety of resources including video,
CD-ROM, Internet Applications and a variety of print
sources. The textbook Making Connections 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.
Replacement cost for the text is $68.00.
Evaluation Structure::
Knowledge/Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
25%
20%
25%
30%
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 (10%) and a
Culminating Activity (20%).
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., analyzing, 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
Other Evaluation Issues

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, 7% for the second day and 10% for the third. This three-day Penalty Zone is the maximum time allowed for submissions.
The third 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 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 This activity will be due toward the end of the course. It is valued at 20% of the final mark and will reflect
course material and competencies not otherwise reflected on the final exam.

Plagiarism in any form reflects academic dishonesty and will result in a mark of zero for the assignment in question.