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. 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 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 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 20 per cent 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.