World Geography

Mr. Tuning Parry McCluer High School Room 144

I. Course Description

The focus of this course is the study of the world’s peoples, places, and environments, with
an emphasis on world regions. The knowledge, skills, and perspectives of the course are
centered on the world’s peoples and their cultural characteristics, landforms and climates,
economic development, and migration and settlement patterns. Spatial concepts of
geography will be used as a framework for studying interactions between humans and their
environments. Using geographic resources, students will employ inquiry, research, and
technology skills to ask and answer geographic questions. Particular emphasis will be placed
on students understanding and applying geographic concepts and skills to their daily lives.

Geographic skills provide the necessary tools and technologies for thinking geographically.
They also help people make reasoned political decisions and aid in the development and
presentation of effective, persuasive arguments for and against matters of public policy. All
of these decisions involve the ability to acquire, arrange, and use geographic information.
Maps, as well as graphs, sketches, diagrams, photographs, and satellite-produced images, are
essential tools of geography.

II. Course Objectives

 Synthesize evidence from artifacts and primary and secondary sources to obtain
information about the world’s countries, cities, and environments
 Use geographic information to determine patterns and trends to understand world
regions
 Create, compare, and interpret maps, charts, graphs, and pictures to determine
characteristics of world regions
 Evaluate sources for accuracy, credibility, bias, and propaganda
 Use maps and other visual images to compare and contrast historical, cultural,
economic, and political perspectives
 Explain indirect cause-and-effect relationships to understand geospatial connections;
 Analyze multiple connections across time and place
 Use a decision-making model to analyze and explain the incentives for and
consequences of a specific choice made
 Identify the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and the ethical use of material or
intellectual property
 Investigate and research to develop products orally and in writing
III. Course Outline
 Physical and ecological processes shape Earth’s surface
 Concept of a region
 Significance of natural, human, and capital resources
 World Regions
o United States and Canada
o Latin American and Caribbean
o Europe
o Russia and Central Asia
o Sub-Saharan African
o North Africa and Southwest Asia
o South Asia and Southeast Asia
o East Asia
o Australia and Pacific Islands
 Distribution, growth rates, and characteristics of human population
 Past and present trends in human migration and cultural diffusion
 Patterns of urban development
 Impact of globalization
 Forces of conflict and cooperation affect the division and control of earth’s surface

IV. Required Materials

 3-ring binder
 Loose-leaf paper (enough for the entire year)
 10 tab dividers
 Pens/pencils
 Highlighters (preferably multiple colors to use on maps)
 Colored pencils (for color-coding maps)

V. Grading Procedures
PMHS Grading Scale:
A: 100-95 C: 79-77

A-: 94-92 C-: 76-74

B+: 91-89 D+: 73-71

B: 88-86 D: 70-65

B-: 85-83 F: 64-0

C+: 82-80

Grading Policies

Tests: 40%** Quizzes: 30%

 Classwork: 20%** Homework: 10%

**Tests include all unit tests, notebooks, projects, and other examinations or
activities worth the value of a test.

**Classwork includes all activities completed during class, bell ringers, and class
participation.

VI. Classroom Expectations and Procedures

Student Conduct and Expectations

1. Treat yourself, others, and property with respect by your actions and language.
2. Be on time and in your seat with required materials ready to learn by the tardy bell.
3. Listen carefully the first time that rules or instructions are given.
4. Produce work that represents your full potential.
5. Ultimately, your behavior must allow teachers to teach and students to learn.

Procedures and Policies

1. Only closed lid bottles are allowed. No cans. Absolutely no food is allowed.
2. If you bring your book bag to class, it must be placed in the closet. They are not allowed
at your table.
3. No student will be allowed to leave the first 10 minutes and the last ten minutes of
class.
4. Upon entering class, deposit your cell phone in your pocket number.
5. After depositing your cell phone, sit in your assigned seat and begin the bell ringer.
6. All bell ringers must be written on the “Bell Ringers” handout. Each bell ringer should
have the date and number. Bell Ringers will be collected every 5 class meetings for a
grade.
7. At the end of class, please remain in your seat until dismissed by the teacher. You may
not stand at the door. Before leaving, chairs must be pushed in and trash must be
picked up.
8. All assignments must have a title in the center of the paper. In the upper right corner,
you should put your name, date, and block. Points will be deducted for missing header.
9. When turning in papers, you should place it in the appropriate slot for your class in the
blue mailbox on the counter.
10. When you are absent, it is your responsibility to check your class folder in the “While
You Were Out” box. You are responsible for all notes and information from class. You
must come before or after school, or during Blues Academy to discuss make-up and
missing work, not class time. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz, you must
schedule a time to make it up.
 11. Raise hand to ask or answer a question. Wait to be called on.
12. When I want your attention, I will ask you to “Give Me Five.” If you are working in
groups, I will ring a bell. When you hear either signal, you should immediately stop
work and get quiet.
13. If you need help during an activity, please first ask your neighbor in a quiet voice. If
your neighbor does not know the answer, raise your hand and I will be there to answer
your question as soon as possible.
14. You will not be allowed to leave the classroom during the block. We will take “brain
breaks” during class, which will provide you with the opportunity to use the bathroom
or get a drink of water. However, if you leave you must sign out and sign back in on the
clipboard by the door.
15. Please be sure that your pencil is sharpened at the beginning of class. You will not be
allowed to sharpen your pencil during instruction. If your pencil breaks or if you’re
writing so enthusiastically that you dull down the point, then you should wait until a
break in instruction to sharpen your pencil.
16. Late work will be accepted up to 5 days after the due date. For every day an
assignment is late, 10 points will be deducted. Excessive amounts of missing work (3 or
more assignments) will result in after school detention. The highest grade will be a
50%.
17. Coming to class unprepared will result in lunch detention.
18. The PMHS Code of Conduct and Student Handbook will be in effect at all times.

VII. Homework Policies

While you may not have written homework every night, it is important that you study
your notes. You should study the notes you take in class each night to make sure you
understand the content. The key to success in this class is nightly study and review.

VIII. Contact Information

Email: william.tuning@bvcps.net
Phone: (540) 261-2127
To The Parents of World Geography Students:

I am looking forward to working with your student this year in World History I. There is an SOL test
for this class, which will be administered at the end of the year. Please be advised of the following:

1. While your student will not have written homework every night, please encourage them to
study every night. If they spend about ten minutes each night going over their notes from
class, they will be better prepared for graded assignments. Students may find it helpful to
engage in a variety of study techniques to help retain information. Flashcards, highlighting,
pneumonic devices and oral questioning may all be helpful.

2. The class webpage will be kept up to date with class information and assignments. Google
Classroom will contain many class handouts, notes, and study material that students will be
responsible for. Additionally, the remind app will be used. More information on this will be
distributed later.

If you ever have any questions regarding grades, an assignment, or anything else, please feel free to
email me (william.tuning@bvcps.net) or leave a message at school (261-2127).

Please keep the top of this page for your reference. Again, I am looking forward to working with
you and your student. Together, we can make sure your student succeeds.

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I have received course information for World History I.

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Parent’s Signature Date

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Student’s Signature Date

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Parental e-mail address – Please print clearly