Requirements & Grading

The basic requirements for this class are the same as for regular geography - that you behave, do your work, and participate in a meaningful manner.  The materials you need are also the same.  The differences include the type of activities we will be doing and the way you will be evaluated. Regular geography is based on effort; Honors Geography is based on learning.  You are all smart, good students or you would not be here.  Therefore, we do not need to spend precious time and effort on simple worksheets and get awarded 100's for copying definitions.  We will place more emphesis on projects, group activities, and discussion along with notetaking from powerpoint presentations and essay writing.  Unit tests will come primarily from the notes.  Map tests will come from the maps we work on for each unit.  Project scores, quizes, participation, and the occasional worksheet will make up the remainder of your grade.

In this class, points will be assigned for each graded activity and the accumulation of those points will result in your overall average.  Because assignments vary from unit to unit, I estimate the total points for the 9 weeks at 600, 50 for each test, and other graded work at 30, 20, or 10 points each. Counting map and unit tests, there will be 7 during the 1st 9 weeks accounting for 350 points, or more than 1/2 of your total average. I use Grade Keeper on my computer so your average will be accurate and available at anytime, but please don't bug me everyday about your grade! Check the grades online feature. Also, progress reports will go out at approximately 4 1/2 weeks and I will let you know if your grade is ever in jeopardy.

The information for this course comes from your text book supplimented by an AP Geography text that I have.  For each unit, I will add appropriate material from the AP book to the notes.  As we are completing 34 chapters in 18 weeks, you are not expected to read the entire book. All of the main facts will be covered in the notes. We will be moving very fast and your job is simple - keep up!