Welcome to Mr. Lachermeier's geography webpage. This a great place to find information about what is going on in class. If you need to make up or access a past assignment this is the place to do it. You will be using the neighborhood project document a great deal over the next few weeks.
Geography
Tom Lachermeier, Rm. 137 Roosevelt H.S.: 668-4800 ext. 48233
[email protected]
Course Description – What is Geography and why study it? Geography is the study of the earth, the earth’s features and the distribution of life on the earth. There are two types of geography: physical which is the study of natural features on the surface of the earth and human which is the study of people as they have spread across the earth. Geography enables us to understand our home by opening windows to the rest of the world.
To be successful contributors to a democratic society, all individuals need to have an understanding of geography. The geographically literate person knows where important things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located in those places, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment. In short, he or she understands the connections between people and places around the world. The three goals of this course will be for students and staff to: acquire and apply knowledge about the world in which we live to solve problems, learn critical thinking skills and habits, and develop reading and writing skills.
Academic Expectations
The academic standards for this class will be high. I also expect the following:
Student Work: Students are expected to turn in thoughtful, well-kept work that demonstrates their best efforts. All classwork and homework will be completed in your geography NOTEBOOK!
Community: Every student has the right to disagree in writing and in discussion, but those disagreements should be put forth with intelligence, care, and genuine desire to improve all of our learning.
Growth: Our goal is to focus on improvement. We want to constantly ask ourselves how can we improve?
Behavior Expectations
In terms of behavior, there are two simple questions I would like students to continually reflect upon: Is your behavior helping the class create a learning, respectful environment for all? Are your actions leaving the people and place better off than when you arrived?
Be Respectful
Ø Allow the teacher and students to speak, listen, teach, and learn
Ø Respect other people and their ideas. No name calling and swearing.
Ø Respect property belonging to other students, the teacher and the school
Be Prepared
Ø Bring your materials to class: pen/pencil, Geography notebook, folder, & planner (textbooks are kept in class)
Ø Use your locker: leave hats, jackets, cell phones and MP3/I-Pod players there
Ø Cell phone use is not allowed in class and if students can’t use them responsibly they will be taken away
Ø Eat in the cafeteria. Food is not allowed in the classroom.
Participate
Ø Do your very best! Be on task and involved in class discussions and activities.
Ø Turn in your work on time, late homework will not be accepted. However, summative assessments (projects and tests) can be retaken or redone for a chance to improve your grade. If you are absent you are responsible to get make-up work from Mr. Lachermeier another student.
Tardies
Ø You are tardy if the bell rings and you are not in the room.
Ø Once you accumulate 3 tardies you will be given a tardy referral to the Dean
I understand no one is perfect and there will be times when one or all of us may have trouble following the rules. This being said, repeated failure of class expectations will result in a detention with me or a referral.
Grading Categories
A. Geography Notebooks Organization and Classwork
30%
Warm-ups, daily assignments and classwork that we will complete individually and in groups.
B. Homework Independent Skill Practice
15%
Independent skill practice that will reinforce the skills and concepts being taught in class.
C. Formative Assessments Checking for Understanding Activities
10%
Assignments done at end of class to check for student understanding. Examples include: clicker quizzes, 4 corners, and exit passes.
D. Summative Assessments Quizzes, tests, and projects
25%
Quizzes, tests, and projects will be given to allow students to display their learning
E. Growth Self-Evaluation
20%
Students will also have the opportunity to evaluate their own learning giving themselves a grade the will count for 20% of their final grade
Grading Scale
A 90-100% D 60-69%
B 80-89% F Less than 60%
C 70-79%
Communication and Absences
Ø If a student misses a class, it is expected that he/she will meet with another student and/or Mr. Lachermeier (outside of instruction time) to get the missing work. The number of days you miss class because of an excused absence is the number of extra days you will have to turn in your make-up work.
Ø Please feel free to stop by my room anytime – room 137 or contact me at: [email protected]
Middle Years Program – MYP
This year our 9th grade teams will be participating in the Middle Years Program. This program is designed to prepare students to be life long learners who can move onto the International Baccalaureate Program. 9th grade team teachers will work collaboratively to create interdisciplinary units applying the MYP framework.
Middle Years Program (MYP) Students Strive to BE…
Inquirers
They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable
They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open – Minded
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk Takers
They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced
They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
Tom Lachermeier, Rm. 137 Roosevelt H.S.: 668-4800 ext. 48233
[email protected]
Course Description – What is Geography and why study it? Geography is the study of the earth, the earth’s features and the distribution of life on the earth. There are two types of geography: physical which is the study of natural features on the surface of the earth and human which is the study of people as they have spread across the earth. Geography enables us to understand our home by opening windows to the rest of the world.
To be successful contributors to a democratic society, all individuals need to have an understanding of geography. The geographically literate person knows where important things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located in those places, how places differ from one another, and how people interact with the environment. In short, he or she understands the connections between people and places around the world. The three goals of this course will be for students and staff to: acquire and apply knowledge about the world in which we live to solve problems, learn critical thinking skills and habits, and develop reading and writing skills.
Academic Expectations
The academic standards for this class will be high. I also expect the following:
Student Work: Students are expected to turn in thoughtful, well-kept work that demonstrates their best efforts. All classwork and homework will be completed in your geography NOTEBOOK!
Community: Every student has the right to disagree in writing and in discussion, but those disagreements should be put forth with intelligence, care, and genuine desire to improve all of our learning.
Growth: Our goal is to focus on improvement. We want to constantly ask ourselves how can we improve?
Behavior Expectations
In terms of behavior, there are two simple questions I would like students to continually reflect upon: Is your behavior helping the class create a learning, respectful environment for all? Are your actions leaving the people and place better off than when you arrived?
Be Respectful
Ø Allow the teacher and students to speak, listen, teach, and learn
Ø Respect other people and their ideas. No name calling and swearing.
Ø Respect property belonging to other students, the teacher and the school
Be Prepared
Ø Bring your materials to class: pen/pencil, Geography notebook, folder, & planner (textbooks are kept in class)
Ø Use your locker: leave hats, jackets, cell phones and MP3/I-Pod players there
Ø Cell phone use is not allowed in class and if students can’t use them responsibly they will be taken away
Ø Eat in the cafeteria. Food is not allowed in the classroom.
Participate
Ø Do your very best! Be on task and involved in class discussions and activities.
Ø Turn in your work on time, late homework will not be accepted. However, summative assessments (projects and tests) can be retaken or redone for a chance to improve your grade. If you are absent you are responsible to get make-up work from Mr. Lachermeier another student.
Tardies
Ø You are tardy if the bell rings and you are not in the room.
Ø Once you accumulate 3 tardies you will be given a tardy referral to the Dean
I understand no one is perfect and there will be times when one or all of us may have trouble following the rules. This being said, repeated failure of class expectations will result in a detention with me or a referral.
Grading Categories
A. Geography Notebooks Organization and Classwork
30%
Warm-ups, daily assignments and classwork that we will complete individually and in groups.
B. Homework Independent Skill Practice
15%
Independent skill practice that will reinforce the skills and concepts being taught in class.
C. Formative Assessments Checking for Understanding Activities
10%
Assignments done at end of class to check for student understanding. Examples include: clicker quizzes, 4 corners, and exit passes.
D. Summative Assessments Quizzes, tests, and projects
25%
Quizzes, tests, and projects will be given to allow students to display their learning
E. Growth Self-Evaluation
20%
Students will also have the opportunity to evaluate their own learning giving themselves a grade the will count for 20% of their final grade
Grading Scale
A 90-100% D 60-69%
B 80-89% F Less than 60%
C 70-79%
Communication and Absences
Ø If a student misses a class, it is expected that he/she will meet with another student and/or Mr. Lachermeier (outside of instruction time) to get the missing work. The number of days you miss class because of an excused absence is the number of extra days you will have to turn in your make-up work.
Ø Please feel free to stop by my room anytime – room 137 or contact me at: [email protected]
Middle Years Program – MYP
This year our 9th grade teams will be participating in the Middle Years Program. This program is designed to prepare students to be life long learners who can move onto the International Baccalaureate Program. 9th grade team teachers will work collaboratively to create interdisciplinary units applying the MYP framework.
Middle Years Program (MYP) Students Strive to BE…
Inquirers
They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.
Knowledgeable
They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.
Thinkers
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.
Communicators
They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
Principled
They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.
Open – Minded
They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.
Caring
They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.
Risk Takers
They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.
Balanced
They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective
They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.
Neighborhood Unit Research Packet
2011_neighbor_hood_packet.doc | |
File Size: | 50 kb |
File Type: | doc |