Mr. Coleman’s 6th Grade Geography Syllabus
M. V. Leckie Elementary School
textbook: World Cultures and Geography by McDougal Littell
e-mail: travis.coleman@dc.gov
office hours: 3:30pm-4:45pm M-Th
1. Course Description: Geography enables the scholars to see, understand and appreciate the web
of relationships between people, places, and environments. Scholars will use the knowledge,
skills, and understanding of concepts within the six essential elements of geography: world in
spatial terms, places and regions, physical systems, human systems, environment and society,
and the uses of geography. The study of world geography will include areas of study in culture,
economics, history, governance and civics as well as interactions between individuals and groups
of people.
2. Units of Study:

Unit 1: Intro and Skills
 What is Geography?
 The 5 Themes of Geography
 Tools of a Geographer




Unit 2: The Americas
 Environment, Climate and Human Societies
 Religion, Culture, and Economic Systems
 Migration Patterns
Unit 5: East Asia
 Urbanization, Transportation, and
Infrastructure on Populations
 Economic Systems, Cultural
Values, and Religions
 Human Migration Patterns

Unit 3: Middle East and North Africa
 Environment, Climate and Human Societies
 Geography on Religion, Culture and
Economic Systems
 Conflict, Economy, and Gender
 Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Unit 6: Europe
 Urbanization, Transportation, and
Infrastructure on Populations
 Geography on Religion, Culture
and Economic Systems

Unit 7: Africa
 The Interconnectivity between
Geography, Culture, Religion, and
Economic Systems
 Urbanization, Transportation, and
Infrastructure on Populations
Unit 8: United Nations and Natural
Disaster
 The Elements of Nature and
Physical Processes
 The Cause and Impacts of Natural
Disasters
Unit 4: South Asia and Oceania
 Urbanization Trends
 The Effects of Climate and Natural Disasters
 Human Migration and Social Systems
3. Coursework:
Tests
Scholars will be assessed over information covered in class and through homework. There will be
3-5 tests per grading period and each test counts as 50% of the final grade.
Assessment Measures
Assessments are given on a weekly basis. It is very important that your scholars are studying
each night to ensure success on their assessments.
Academic dishonesty is not permitted, therefore at no time should a scholar talk, pass notes, or
look at a peer’s paper during assessment time. If scholars cannot abide by assessment
procedures, the lack of cooperation will result in a failing assessment grade, and the scholar will
not have the opportunity to retake the assessment.
Projects
Scholars will complete at least one project per quarter. The project will be explained in class and
will involve work both in-class and at home. Each project will be worth a test grade (50%).
Quarterly Projects-The 6th Grade class will be focusing on Geography throughout the school
year. Each scholar has been assigned particular region of the world. For each project, the
scholar will focus on his/her assigned region:
Quarter 1:
Quarter 2:
Quarter 3:
Quarter 4:
Introduction to the World’s Regions
If It Were My Home
International Day
Travel Brochure and Scale Model
Quizzes
Scholars will have quizzes on a weekly basis, that will be both announced and unannounced.
These quizzes will be worth 35 % of the final grade.
Homework
Scholars will periodically be assigned homework. These assignments will be announced and will
typically be due the next class day. Each homework assignment will be worth 15% of the final
grade.
Notebook
Scholars will be required to maintain a notebook for this class. The notebook can be just for
world geography or can be part of a larger notebook. Organization is the key to success in this
class.
Journal Writing
A journal will be provided for your scholar to use for the first semester. On a daily basis, your
scholar is required to complete the journal writing assignment at the beginning of each
Geography class period. If the scholar is absent, it is their responsibility to retrieve the journal
prompt or question from another scholar or the teacher to complete it for full credit. Journals
will be collected randomly, and will be graded for random completed passages; therefore, all
journals should be dated, and written neatly.
Geography Bee
All 6th grade scholars will have the opportunity to register, and participate in a Geography Bee,
that will take place during the spring season of 2016. Dates and times are TBD
Field Trips
It is imperative that our scholars have the opportunity to explore our world beyond the
classroom. Global education broadens the minds of our young people; therefore, it is our duty to
produce global learners, with the support of other educators, and all parents. One way that we
will accomplish is by giving our scholars hands-on experiences through field trips. During the
2015/2016 academic year we hope to take our scholars on at least three field trips that will
nurture and empower a new generation of global citizens.
4. Make-Up Work: It is the scholar’s responsibility to make up any missed assignments/tests/etc.
Scholars have five school days to make up any missed work. If the work is not completed during
that time, the grade will be recorded as a zero. If a scholar misses a test, quiz, or unit exam then
it is the scholar’s responsibility to schedule a time to take the missed assessment. Make-up unit
exams, tests, and quizzes may be altered from the class version. Please do not wait until the
conclusion of the quarter to make up missing assignments.
5. Discipline and Parental Information: Students will receive warnings about undesired behavior.
Parental contact and a referral to the administrator will follow to correct behavioral problems.
6. Classroom Rules:
1. Be on Time: Enter class quietly and orderly. Please be seated before the tardy bell.
2. Be Prepared: Please bring pencil and/or pen, paper, textbook, and notebook to class every
day
3. Be Responsible: Treat others with respect; accept the consequences of your actions
4. Absolutely NO sleeping or putting your head down on the desk.
General Information
 Scholars will write and answer the daily journal assignment in their notebook at the
beginning of each class. These will be collected occasionally for a classwork grade.
(Composition book will be provided)
 Scholars will be informed of test dates in advance.
 Restroom use during class: Permission to use the restroom is based solely on teacher
discretion. Please take care of restroom needs during class change.
 Please raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.
 Please remain in your seat until you are dismissed.
 Keep personal belongings out of walkways.
7. Resources:
Newsela: is an innovative way to build reading comprehension with nonfiction that's
always relevant: daily news. It's easy and amazing. I require that all scholars and parents
register for a free Newsela account. This will be a very beneficial tool as we matriculate
through 6th grade World Geography. Newsela should be operated on a weekly basis for
students to complete a current event assignment. Below you will find the website/sign-up
page.
https://newsela.com/signup#/user_type/
1. Choose the student option
2. Use this code when signing in KGX9ZZ
Popplet: is a tool that allows users to visualize ideas. The scholars will utilize this tool to
create graphic organizers, timelines, and many other forms of visual organization.
Please visit the site below to create an account.
https://popplet.com/
Prezi: is a presentation tool that can be used as an alternative to traditional slide making
programs such as PowerPoint. Instead of slides, Prezi makes use of one large canvas
that allows you to pan and zoom to various parts of the canvas and emphasize the ideas
presented there. Scholars may use this as an option when completing class
assignments/projects. Below you can find the link and sign-up free.
https://prezi.com/
Project Citizen: is a curricular program at the middle school through adult levels promoting
competent and responsible participation with government at all levels. The program helps
participants learn how to monitor and influence public policy while developing support for
democratic values and principles, tolerance, and feelings of political efficacy. The
program is very fun and exciting, giving scholars the opportunity to take responsibility as
civic leaders, attempting to make change in the community. I hope to have this become
one of our after school programs during the school year. You may check out more
information about Project Citizen by clicking the link below.
http://www.civiced.org/programs/project-citizen