WORLD GEOGRAPHY SYLLABUS ~ Mr. Keese
Ridge Point High School ~ 2015 – 2016
Room: L228
Conference: 2nd period
Phone: 281.634.1082
E-mail: jeffrey.keese@fortbendisd.com
Website: http://edmodo.com
Twitter: @CoachJKeese
Welcome to World Geography! Every effort will be made to make this a worthwhile and enjoyable part of your high
school education. Geography is not just the study of maps. It is a complex and extremely fascinating subject that includes science,
math, foreign language, and fine arts in addition to all of the social studies (sociology, history, government, and economics).
In this course, students will examine people, places, and environments at local, regional, national, and international scales
from the spatial and ecological perspectives of geography. Students describe the influence of geography on events of the past and
present. A significant portion of the course centers around the physical processes that shape patterns in the physical environment; the
characteristics of major land forms, climates, and ecosystems and their interrelationships; the political, economic, and social
processes that shape cultural patterns of regions; types and patterns of settlement; the distribution and movement of world
population; relationships among people, places, and environments; and the concepts of region.
Students analyze how location affects economic activities in different economic systems throughout the world. Students
identify the processes that influence political division of the planet and analyze how different points of view affect the development
of public policies. Students compare how components of culture shape the characteristics of regions and analyze the impact of
technology and human modifications on the physical environment.
Classroom Rules
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BE RESPONSIBLE  Arrive on time and ready to learn. Bring ALL necessary materials to class.
BE RESPECTFUL  Respect yourself and the property and ideas of others.
FOLLOW ALL SCHOOL RULES SET FORTH IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOK.
Classroom Procedures
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All RPHS guidelines will be enforced - including policies on absences, tardies, dress code, & the wearing of your Student ID.
Arrive on time to class daily  3 tardies = 1 write-up. When bell rings, you are to be IN YOUR SEAT. If you are
NOT in your seat, you are tardy.
BE PREPARED for class with all materials needed (spiral notebook, supplies, etc.).
Do NOT approach my desk unless you have raised your hand, asked permission and I have granted you that permission.
In order to cover all of our course material, we must maximize class time. I expect each of you to be prepared, prompt
and courteous at all times. ANY BEHAVIOR THAT CAUSES A LOSS OF LEARNING TIME IS UNACCEPTABLE.
On days that homework and/or projects are due, they are due upon entering the classroom at the beginning of the period,
not at the end of the period unless otherwise specified, or the assignment will receive a late grade!
NO EATING, drinking, or gum chewing in the classroom.
DO YOUR OWN WORK AT ALL TIMES - anyone caught cheating will receive a “0” for that assignment and a write-up.
 Talking or having a cell phone or I-pod out during a test/quiz is considered cheating.
REMAIN IN YOUR SEAT UNTIL YOU ARE DISMISSED. You are NOT permitted to congregate at the door.
Use appropriate language at all times.
Cell Phones/I-pads/Laptops - You may NOT use your device for anything not specifically designated by the teacher for educational purposes,
or for anything that is irresponsible, unsafe, or illegal.
- The teacher will mandate when devices must be powered down.
- Devices may NOT be used to take pictures or videos as established by FERPA!
- Use of ear-buds is NOT permitted.
- RPHS will NOT investigate crimes in regards to lost or stolen devices.
- EVERY offense is $15.00 for cell phones and your parent/guardian will be notified.
Expectations
HIGH QUALITY work is expected at ALL times.
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Notebook (ISN) Check – I require that you keep your ISN current and complete with notes, maps, handouts and completed
assignments. An ISN check will be conducted periodically resulting in a potentially easy daily grade (if kept current and organized).
Maps and Map Quizzes – Maps will be given almost every week, all year long (beginning with Unit 2). In addition, you can plan
on a map quiz almost every Friday as well. This can be a very easy quiz grade, provided that the maps are completed and you have
studied for the quizzes. Unit 1 will consist of weekly vocabulary quizzes. Plan to keep up with the quizzes!!!
Current Events – You should make a serious effort to keep up with what is going on in your world and how it relates to the
subject/area we are studying. It is highly encouraged that you download a news ap such as CNN, Fox News, BBC, etc. Time,
Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, the New York Times and the Washington Post are all good weekly and daily news sources to
read. The Houston Chronicle is a pretty good daily news source as well. “National Public Radio (88.7 FM) in the morning and
evening provides in-depth radio news. As for TV, PBS at 5:00 p.m. and/or one of the national news shows will help you to stay
abreast of breaking news stories. Occasionally, you will be required to bring in a news article – so be prepared for this.
Notes – Taking notes during a lecture is NOT an option. This will be something that is checked often and will be an easy grade if
you have kept up with your note taking in your spiral notebook (ISN).
Required materials
 a Spiral Notebook with *NO SMALLER THAN 8½ by 11 inch page
– this is NOT standard size!!!
*NO FEWER THAN 200 PAGES
(wide or college ruled is acceptable) – white pages only (no colored paper)
This notebook will be used solely for World Geography.
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2 boxes of Colored Map Pencils (pack of 12, at least)
Fine tip black pens (G2 pens are recommended)
pack of 200+ index cards (3 x 5 inches)
a pack of highlighters (pack of 4, at least)
1 roll of clear packing tape
 3 rolls of clear scotch tape
Appreciated materials – Kleenex and Hand Sanitizer!
Grades
You will receive a progress report every 3 weeks and a grade every 9 weeks.
There will be a minimum of 3 Major Grades (MG) and 14 Daily Grades (DG) per grading period.
It is highly suggested that you download the Skyward ap.
*I will ONLY tell you your grades for Friday grade check sheets for coaches/sponsors.
*GRADING SYSTEM: All grades are weighted and you will be told how much each grade earned will count in your
average. Some grades will count only once. Some major grades may count more.
Major grades: 50%
Daily grades: 50%
Chapter/Unit exams
Daily activities/assignments
Major projects (individual and cooperative)
Homework assignments
Other activities designated by teacher
Quizzes
*DISTRICT GRADING POLICY: In each grading period there will be at least three major grades and six daily grades.
Progress reports will be sent out every 3 weeks.
These progress grades will consist of a minimum of 1 major grade and 2 daily grades.
Make-Up and Late Work
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IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET MAKEUP WORK. If you miss one day and it is an
excused absence, you have one day to make up the work. Check with a classmate or me before or after class for
the agenda for the days missed. It is YOUR responsibility to make up work after an absence. I will NOT hunt you
down for make-up work.
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One day for each day of an absence will be provided for make-up work.
You will need to turn your make-up work directly to me. Do NOT just put it on my desk or you will NOT receive credit.
If a test was scheduled before you are absent, then you will be required to take the test the day you return.
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If you were here the day before the announced quiz, test, or assignment due date, you are required to make up the test/quiz or turn in
the assignment the day you return, unless you present a doctor’s note indicating an illness. (This includes school sponsored trips and
other absences.) You may take the test/quiz or turn in the assignment the day following your return only if you were ill, with an
excused absence from the Attendance Office, if not, you will receive a ZERO. If you miss more than one day (excused), you are
responsible for arranging a time with me.
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Make-up tests/quizzes must be arranged with me.
o If you are absent on the day a Major Grade Assignment (i.e. Project, Essay) is due, you MUST make arrangements to get the
project to class. If you do not, you will receive a late grade.
o School sponsored trips - I will give make-up work before the absence if possible. Again, if you are missing a major test or
quiz, you are responsible for making it up the day you return. NO EXCEPTIONS! If a Major Grade project is due on the day
of a school sponsored trip, you still must make arrangements to get it to class or it will be a late grade.
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Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of the period on the date specified or it is considered LATE.
Late work will be accepted up until the last week of the grading period.
o Daily grades: 1 day late: 30pts off. Every day after: 50pts off. Major grades: 1 day late: 25pts off, 2 days late: 40 pts off, Every day after: 50pts off
You are allowed ONLY 3 late assignment opportunities per each nine week grading period.
Any more than 3 late assignments turned in during a 9 week grading period will receive an automatic Zero.
Communication: I am constantly on Edmodo, you will receive the code in class. Parents will be emailed the code within
the end of the first week of school. I don’t like to send it early because of changes in schedule that usually take place the first
week of class. I also utilize Remind 101 and REQUIRE that students sign up, it is a homework reminding system that is excellent
for both PARENTS and STUDENTS.
First Semester
Unit 1 – The World
Unit 2 – The United States and Canada
Unit 3 – Latin America
Unit 4 – Europe
Unit 5 – Russia
Second Semester
Unit 7 – Africa South of the Sahara
Religion Unit
Unit 6 – North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia
Unit 8 – South Asia
Unit 9 – East Asia
Unit 10 – Southeast Asia
Unit 11 – Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica
Students ~ Welcome to Ridge Point High School! I know we are going to have a great year. If you
have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to come speak with me. I am always available
to talk. If you ever feel like you need some extra help, please just let me know.
After your parents have filled out the information below, cut at the dotted line and KEEP THE
REMAINDER OF THIS SYLLABUS – you will be putting this in your ISN. Thank you in advance for all of
your hard work and cooperation!! Good luck with your first week of high school!!!
Parents ~ I anticipate a great year and thank you in advance for your assistance and cooperation. I
would ask that you read this course syllabus and go over it with your child. If there are any questions
or concerns please do not hesitate to call or e-mail me. I would also like to take this opportunity to ask
for your contact information so we may keep in touch throughout the year. Note: I utilize Remind
101 and Edmodo.
Remind 101 Instructions Below:
To receive messages via text, text @jkees to 81010.
Trouble using 81010? Try texting @jkees to (469) 275-4941 instead.
Note: This is NOT my personal cell phone number, it is a given number using Remind 101 to protect student
and teacher privacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------By signing this, you are acknowledging that you have
received a copy, read, and understand the course
syllabus for Mr. Keese’s World Geography.
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Parent/Guardian Name (Print): ____________________________________________________
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Further Comments: