MARKVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY : Patterns, Processes and Interactions CGF3M1-01
GRADE 11
FEBRUARY, 2012
B. DUNCAN
This course examines the major patterns of physical geography and the powerful forces which
affect them. Students will investigate the dynamic nature of the earth, the evolving relationship
between the planet and its people, and the factors that limit our ability to predict the changes that
will occur. Students will use a wide range of geo-technologies and inquiry methods to investigate
the distribution and interaction of the elements of their physical environment and to
communicate their findings.
The Physical Geography: Patterns, Processes and Interactions course will be divided into
the following integrated units.
Unit 1: Tectonic Forces: Third rock from the sun and I’m all shook up!!
Specific topics: the solar system, the internal structure of the earth, rocks and minerals,
geologic time, plate tectonics, folding, faulting, continental drift,
volcanoes and earthquakes
Unit 2: Gradational Forces: You’re wearing me down, bud, you are wearing me down!!
Specific topics: aggradation, degradation, erosion, weathering, mass wasting, rivers and
running water, drainage patterns, karst and arid landscapes, coastal
landscapes, glacial landscapes and the resulting landforms
Unit 3: Meteorological Forces: I am being blown away!!
Specific topics: atmospheric conditions, climate patterns, weather patterns, hurricanes,
tornadoes, flooding, and landslides
Unit 4: Ecological Forces: Don’t mess with Mother Nature!!
Specific topics: natural systems and cycles, ecosystems, ecological footprint,
stewardship, sustainable development, air and water pollution,
desertification, deforestation, and climate change
Evaluation
Both formative and summative evaluations will be conducted in this course. Marks for
the formative evaluation in this course will be assigned using the following breakdown:
Achievement Focus
Knowledge and Understanding
Thinking and Inquiry
25%
25%
Application
Communication
25%
25%
Formative Evaluation - Performance Tasks and Tests
There will be three major unit tests in this course. They will account for a substantial part of the
formative mark. These tests will occur at the end of each of the first three units. Material covered
in the fourth unit will be tested on the final examination.
There will also be four minor performance tasks or projects assigned throughout the semester.
There will be one in each of the first three units and one that is on going throughout the course.
There is not term project in the final unit as you will be working on a culminating activity. The
projects are generally designed to focus on the natural disasters associated with each unit.
The evaluation of daily assignments, maps, graphs, presentations, and quizzes will account for
the remainder of the formative evaluation in this course and will be conducted on an on-going
basis throughout the semester.
At the end of the semester the marks assigned in the formative evaluation will be calculated
as a mark out of 70%.
Summative Evaluation
As mandated by the Ministry, 30% of the evaluation in all courses must be in the form of a final
evaluation. The final evaluation for this course will take the form of a culminating activity and a
final examination. Each of these components will account for 15% of the final grade.
Culminating Activity
Final Examination
15%
15%
Determination of the Final Grade
The formative evaluation mark out of 70% and the final evaluation mark out of 30% will be
added together to determine the final grade in this course.
Homework, Quizzes, and Minor Assignments:
The assigned due date is final.
If the student has a legitimate reason for being absent on the day the work is to be
completed and submitted (an athletic event, doctor’s appointment, field trip, etc.) he/she must
make arrangements with the teacher and the work must be submitted at the first available
opportunity (generally before the assignment is marked and returned to the other students). At
the discretion of the teacher, work submitted after the assignment has been returned to the other
students may be assessed to ensure that the student has met the essential expectations of the
course. In this case, the assignment will be assigned a ‘no mark’. This confirms that the student
has completed and submitted the work, and that essential expectations have been met, but this
particular evaluation will not be used in the calculation of the student’s mark. Work never
submitted will be assigned a mark of zero. Persistent late submissions may result in parental
contact.
Performance Tasks and Culminating Activities:
The assigned due date is final.
Assignments submitted after the due date may be subject to a penalty (unless documented
extenuating circumstances exist) and will be reviewed on an individual bases. Work never
submitted will be given a mark of ‘zero’ which will be used in the calculation of the student’s
final mark. If the missed assignment addresses essential expectations for the course, an
additional assignment may be assigned and assessed for completion of the essential expectations.
Persistent late submissions may result in parental contact.
Attendance
If you are absent from class for any reason, YOU are responsible for missed work.
Log on to the Departmental website for the lessons and materials for the classes missed. Have a
classmate get copies of the assignment and try to complete it with their help. See your teacher
before or after school for assistance.
Punctuality
Students are expected to be in class on time. Student lates will be tracked by your teacher.
Habitual lateness may lead to consequences which will be put in place at the discretion of the
teacher in accordance with the school’s attendance and late policies.
Essential Equipment
There may be a field trip in this course. If there is, there will be an additional cost for the field
trip.
The geography textbook is relatively fragile – please take good care of it. The replacement cost
is $79.00
Parental Signature: ________________________________________________
The overall expectations to be achieved in this course are listed below according to the Strands
identified by the Ministry of Education.
Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems
Overall Expectations
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
Overall Expectations
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
Overall Expectations
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
Overall Expectations
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
Overall Expectations
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.