Syllabus

Syllabus-Geography 9th Grade

Pathways Community School

Geography

Mr. Uriel Quiñones

uquinones@pathwayscommunityschool.org - Room 287

               

                Welcome to 9th Grade Geography at Pathways Community School!  This year we will help you see the world through a geographer's eyes.  With those eyes, you will be able to make a better sense of the world around you.  We will discuss important themes like resources, gender inequality, and immigration.  You will master the basic concepts, skills, and tools that you will be using all year during class instruction.  Each element of this program has been designed to help you not only reach this goal, but to have fun doing it.

Materials

Students are expected to have the following materials in class everyday:

·         An 8.5 x 11-inch college ruled spiral notebook with at least 150 pages.

·         A folder for loose pages

·         3 + Pencils or Pens

·         A Highlighter

Students must have all of the above materials in class beginning Monday, August 15th

Daily Routines

While this is a Geography class, my primary goals are to help you develop as readers, writers and analytical thinkers.  Most days will involve one or more of the following activities:

·         Short (5 minute) daily journals (do now's)

·         Reading excerpts from books and articles

·         Annotation of texts for both comprehension and deeper analysis

·         Note taking (when applicable)

·         Class discussions about content

·         Analysis of pictures and short videos

·         Games and puzzles connected to geographical concepts

·          Individual and group projects

·         Essays, quizzes, and tests

Classwork and Homework

Classwork should be completed within the amount of time that you are given during class. Expect to have homework every week.  Any assignments turned in late will lose points, unless excused by instructor.

Behavioral Expectations

All school rules will be enforced as well as the following expectations and policies:

Respect our safe learning space. Everybody deserves to feel safe and included while they are learning from and teaching each other. Behaviors such as bullying and distracting the class from learning are harmful and will be dealt with

Listen and Learn. Everybody here can learn a lot from each other. When someone else is speaking, please allow them the space to be heard. Talking over anyone is not permitted.

Leave all electronics in your pockets or backpacks. Cell phones, tablets, iPods, and other electronic devices are not to be used during class unless given permission by instructor. Parents and guardians, if you need to contact your student, please call the office.  Students using any electronics will first receive a warning, and on the second offense I will confiscate the device.

Nourish yourself before or after class. Food and drinks are not allowed in the classroom (except for water).

Be positive towards each other.  Clowning or teasing will not be tolerated at all in the classroom, even if you are just joking with your friend. 

Do honest work. Cheating, plagiarizing, and copying other students’ work are not tolerated. Turning in copied work will result in a zero on the assignment and a conference with the student and parent.

Discipline Policy

1st = Verbal Warning

2nd Time = Behavior sheet + A brief discussion with Mr. Quinones

3rd Time =  Lunch Detention where we will further discuss our next steps + Phone call home.

** If any violations continue, then we will further conference to discuss alternative consequences.**

Classroom Policies and Practices

Be on time. If you have not arrived to class by the time the bell rings, you will be considered tardy.

Be here in class. If you are not here, you are not learning! If you are frequently absent, I will be calling home and/or speaking with our administrator to create a plan to get you where you need to be to learn.

Grading

Formative Assessments (classwork, homework, class participation)          40%

Summative Assessments  (test, projects, essays )                                          60%

               

I look forward to working with you all: students, parents, guardians, and families! Please, if you have any questions, please email me at uquinones@pathwayscommunityschool.org or call/text me at 714-206-3895.  I will be able to take your call or receive your message any time from 3:30 P.M. to 9 P.M., Sunday through Friday.

                Thank You,

Mr. Quiñones