7TH GRADE GEOGRAPHY SYLLABUS 2014
Sutton Middle School - 2875 Northside Dr. - Atlanta, Ga. 30305 - 404-802-5600
Sutton Middle School is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program School. We have a program of
international education designed to help students develop the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and skills
necessary to participate actively and responsibly in a changing world.
Teacher Bio: Hello! My name is Mr. Weatherly and I will be teaching your Geography class this year.
This is my 11th year teaching at Sutton Middle School and my 15th year overall as a Georgia Public School classroom
teacher. I attended the University of North Carolina where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in History (Go
Heels!!). I then went to Georgia State University where I received my certification to teach in Georgia’s Public
Schools. In 2012, I completed my Master’s in Education from Central Michigan University. I love working with
middle school scholars and I strive to be the best teacher in can be every year. I can’t wait to work with you!
One other Teacher Bio: I am lucky to have Mrs. Waltz assisting me with classes this year. Ms. Waltz received
her degree from the University of Maryland. She is a teacher who believes in a student-centered, nurturing
environment, where there is an abundance of opportunities for all students. She truly enjoys working with all
students, and looks forward to getting to know this year's seventh grade Sutton students and their families.
Mr. Weatherly’s Contact Information:
Home email: rockster302@gmail.com
Cell phone: 404-550-2551
Mrs. Waltz’s Contact Information:
School email kwaltz@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Home email: kwaltz@Bellsouth.net
Cell phone: 770-883-8056
Supply List for Geography:
1. One Three-Ring Binder (1½ inch rings or larger, with dividers, can use for multiple classes)
2. Loose-leaf paper / Pens & Pencils
3. Please Donate One: Colored Pencils (or) Copy Paper (or) Kleenex (or) Hand Sanitizer
Course Description & Course Objectives: This class will emphasize world geography and
human interaction with the environment. Culture, economics, history, and government will also
be explored. The major units of study will be basic geography skills and the geography of the
countries of the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, and Africa.
Georgia Performance Standards Based Units for 1st Semester:
 Unit One: Southwest Asia (Middle East) Today
 Unit Two: Impact of Environment & Economy on Southwest Asia (Middle East)
 Unit Three: Origins of the Modern Southwest Asia (Middle East)
 Unit Four: Africa Today
 Unit Five: Impact of Environment and Economy on Africa
Georgia Performance Standards Based Units for 2nd Semester:
 Unit Six: Connecting Africa’s Past with Africa’s Present
 Unit Seven: Southern and Eastern Asia Today
 Unit Eight: Impact of Environment and Economy on Southern and Eastern Asia
 Unit Nine: Historical Background for Southern and Eastern Asia
7th grade CRCT Content Weights
History 20%
Geography 35%
Civics / Government 20%
Economics 25%
For a more complete detailed look at
the Georgia Performance Standards
that we will address this school year,
please look at the Department of
Education’s website,
www.georgiastandards.org.
Grading System:
Homework - 10%
Participation (Classwork & Organization – 30%)
Quizzes - 20%
Tests - 20%
Projects – 20%
Academic Grading Scale:
A: 90 – 100
B: 80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
F: 0 – 69
Absences & Make-Up Work: It is the responsibility of the student to get all missed assignments
using the “While You Were Out Bins”.
Progress Reports & Student Performance: Parents will be updated on their child’s progress in my
class every four and a half weeks. Please come to Sutton’s front office and sign up to join the parent
portal where you can view your child’s academic progress online.
Conferences and Communication: Should parents wish to schedule an appointment with their scholar’s
teachers, please call Jennifer Miller in the front office at 404-802-5600. Also, feel free to contact
me anytime at rweatherly@atlanta.k12.ga.us, rockster123@gmail.com, or by calling or texting to 404550-2551. It should take me no longer than 48 hours to respond to any email or phone call, and most
likely it will be the same day.
Verification of Parent Receipt (do not tear this page please):
My parents / guardians and I have read and discussed the
syllabus and understand what is expected of me in Geography
this year. This signed copy has been put in the Geography
section of my large three-ring binder that I will be using for
multiple classes this year.
__________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
___________________________________
Student Signature