Geography Course Syllabus

Orangewood Academy 2015-2016 Second Semester

Instructor: Mr. WhiteRoom 201

Email: dwhite@orangewoodacademy.com
Website: www.whiteoa.com

Course Description
During this course the students will study the physical and human
characteristics of the regions of the world and hopefully gain an appreciation
for the variety of the different regions of the planet.

Course Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Students will be able to describe the physical and human

characteristics of places.
Students will analyze how culture and experience influence peoples
perceptions of places and regions.
Students will identify the processes, patterns, and functions of
human settlement.
Students will apply their knowledge of geography to interpret the
past.
Students will analyze how physical systems affect human systems.
Students will be able to demonstrate the school-wide Student
Learning Outcomes in everyday learning and interaction with
teachers and other students.

Required Materials
Baerwald, Thomas J. World Geography: Building a Global Perspective. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2009.

Participation
Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared with a writing
utensil and textbook/notebook/homework (as assigned). Participation
also includes active in-class discussion and/or other class activities. Students
will receive participation points for participating in class activities. Failure to
come to class prepared and/or failure to participate in class activities may
result in the loss of 5 daily points per class period.

Daily Work
Daily reading and written assignments are given from the textbook or other
supplementary materials. Students are expected to turn in homework by the

end of the class on the day it is due, unless otherwise specified by the
instructor.

Projects/Research Paper
Various projects and/or research papers will be assigned during the year.
Papers may vary from 1-4 pages in length and will range in topics. Included in
project points will be one assignment that includes bringing food or drink
from the country that the student will choose. Students will sign up for the
country on the first week of class.

Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes will require reading outside of the classroom. This reading will be
crucial for success on quizzes, and essentially for success in the class. Tests
will be given at the end of each unit unless announced otherwise in class by
the instructor. If a student earns less than 70% on any test, the student may
retake the test but cannot earn higher than a 70% on any retake. Quizzes
cannot be retaken.

Late Work
Late work will not be accepted. Any student missing class for an excused
medical absence or school sponsored activity will have up to 1 week from
the day of the absence to make up quizzes or tests or turn in homework.
Any exception to this policy will be made at Mr. Whites discretion.

Semester Final
A comprehensive final exam will be given at the end of the semester.

Grades
Homework
Quizzes
Tests
Projects/Papers
Semester final

A
AB+
B
B-

15%
25%
25%
20%

94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%

15%

C
CD+
D
D-

73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%

C+

77-79%

0-59%

Student Learning Outcomes (as specified in the Orangewood

Academy student handbook)
Spirituality: Each student will identify and demonstrate components of a
Christian lifestyle including moral and ethical behavior based on biblical
principles and founded on a grace orientation.
Scholarship: Each student will acquire skills in studying, critical thinking,
practical living, goal-setting, and personal assessment.
Sportsmanship: Each student will demonstrate fitness, self-control, teamwork,
and honesty by modeling respect, courtesy, and consideration.
Service: Each student will recognize membership in the world community and
an inherent ability to positively impact the environment and society.

Honesty Policy
See OA Student Handbook for policy.

Attendance Policy
If the number of absences exceeds 15% of the class, credit may not be
issued for the class. All school-related activities do not count against the
15%. Student is responsible for bringing a note signed by a parent/guardian
in order to obtain an excused absence for class purposes. See OA Student
Handbook for full policy.

Discipline Policy
In general this is the process that will be followed in the case of behavior or
activity that is distracting to the education process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Verbal warning
Loss of participation point(s)
Out-of-class meeting between instructor and student to address
issue. Parent/guardian will be contacted and informed on issue.
Out-of-class meeting between instructor, parent, and student .
Referral will be given and issue will be presented to the principal.