Dear Parents and Students:
Hello there and welcome to 6th grade at Gray Middle School! My name is Lisa
Louden and I am proud to be a Northern Kentucky native. I am a high school graduate of
Notre Dame Academy. I attended Northern Kentucky University where I received my
Bachelor of the Arts in Education in May, 2002. In 2007, I received my Master’s of
Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and in May, 2007, I was awarded with one of
the Northern Kentucky area’s Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year awards. I am a proud member of
the National Education Association (NEA), the Kentucky Education Association (KEA), the
Boone County Education Association (BCEA), the National Council of Teachers of English,
and the National Council of the Social Studies.
On a personal note, my husband, Glenn, and I live in Walton, Kentucky, with our five
children. We have a seventeen-year-old son, Andrew (a senior at Ryle High School), our tenyear-old twins, Brady and Payton (fifth graders at Mann Elementary), our seven-year-old
son, Grant (a second grader at Mann Elementary), and our 4-year-old son, Griffin, who will
be attending preschool this year.
My teaching experience includes student teaching 7th and 8th grade Language Arts
and Social Studies at Walton Verona High School (Jan. - May, 2002), and four years as an 8th
grade English teacher at R.A. Jones Middle School (2002 – 2006) where I also served as the
English Department Chair. From 2006-2013, I taught fifth grade English and American
History at Mann Elementary, but with a desire to return back to my middle school roots, I
was thrilled to accept a position teaching 6th grade World Geography here at Gray in the fall
of 2013! I have sincerely enjoyed every minute of my time here. I am anxious to get to know
your son or daughter and embark on a global exploration of culture, history, government and
economics here in our class!
Sixth grade can be a time of excitement, anxiety, and transition. The sixth grade
teachers are ALL here to help! Should you ever need to contact me with questions or
concerns, I can be reached at school at (859) 384-5333, ext. 2117, or by email at
lisa.louden@boone.kyschools..us. I like to keep parents “in the loop” as much as possible
about what’s happening in our classroom, so please be sure that your Infinite Campus
telephone and email information is up to date. I typically send out quiz and test reminders,
study guides, and email updates through Infinite Campus quite frequently, and having your
contact information readily available will help to facilitate the communication process. Please
do not ever hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns. I hope to learn more about each and
every one of you in the days and weeks to come. I am so glad that you have joined us here at
Gray Middle School and I happily welcome you to my class! Go Gators!!!
Most sincerely,
Lisa
M.
Louden
2015-2016 Sixth Grade World Geography Syllabus
Gray Middle School
Mrs. Lisa Louden
Room 117
Contact Information
Gray Middle School: (859) 384-5333, Ext. 2117
E-mail: lisa.louden@boone.kyschools.us
Course Objective:
The learner will be able to recognize his/her role in cross-cultural understanding,
and see many perspectives to global issues. The learner will become more aware
of world geography, as well as cultural, political, and economic issues, while
being encouraged to develop a knowledgeable, well-rounded, and respectful
global view of other cultures.
Textbook
Glencoe: The World and Its People. (Unfortunately, online resources for this
textbook are minimal. As such, this textbook will be kept in the classroom and may
be checked out as needed for test/quiz preparation should a student elect to do so.)
Course Outline
Unit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4Unit 5Unit 6-
The World
The United States and Canada
Latin America
Europe
Russia and the Eurasian Republics
North Africa and Southwest Asia
Unit 7- Africa South of the Sahara
Unit 8 – Asia
Unit 9 – Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Assessment
Assessments will include:
1. Map Quizzes
2. Vocabulary Tests
3. Participation in group activities and class discussions
4. Unit Tests- Multiple choice, short answers, and extended response
questions
5. Learning Checks- Multiple choice questions and open response
questions
Classroom Expectations
Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared each day. Students
are expected to complete and submit assignments/projects when they are due.
Assignments not submitted by their original due date will receive a 50% grade
deduction. Assignments failing to be submitted by the second day past-due will
receive a 0% on the assignment or subject at the discretion of the teacher. It is the
responsibility of the student to obtain make-up work after an absence. Parents, I
ask that you familiarize yourself with the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus to
proactively monitor your student’s grades (a link is available from the GMS
website homepage). This will allow you to see your student’s grades on all
projects and assignments and help you to determine if/when a particular
assignment may be missing or alert you to any other cause for academic concern.
Note that we will operate on five (5), 7-week terms and low test scores or missing
assignments may be difficult to recover from if not remedied quickly.
Classroom Rules
1. Arrive to class on time.
2. Be prepared with all assignments and class materials.
3. Use an appropriate voice level.
4. Keep a positive attitude.
5. Be respectful.
6. Be polite, be supportive and help others.
Materials Needed
1” binder (any color) and notebook paper
1 package of blue/black pens or pencils
1 package of red pens
Optional:
Glue stick
Grading Scale
94-100 - A
86-93 – B
78-85 – C
70-77 - D
0-69 – F
Scissors
Colored pencils or markers
Please DETACH and return the bottom portion of this syllabus by Tuesday, August 18th for
your first 10 points!!
_____ Yes, I have received and reviewed the 6th grade World Geography syllabus
for Mrs. Louden’s class. I understand the syllabus, and will do my best to adhere
to the rules and expectations of the class.
______________________________________
_____________________________________
Student Signature
Guardian Signature
Any questions or concerns right now?
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
___________
_____________________________________________________________________
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