Honors World Geography Syllabus

Mrs. Magoon Ninth Grade 2015-2016

Contact Information:
Phone

303-777-5870 ext. 270 (M-F, 7:30-4:00)

802-355-6262 (Cell phone, please no calls or texts after 9pm)

Email

smagoon@denveracademy.org

Website

Mustang Net
Go to www.denveracademy.org
Click on Log In in upper right corner
Enter your Username and Password
Click on Mustang Net in menu on left
Locate World Geography

Materials:
3-ring binder (1-inch)
4 dividers (Notes, Homework, Tests and Quizzes, Projects)
iPad and/or laptop, with ability to access Apple account
Homework folder (may be shared with other classes)
Resources:
World Geography and Cultures text by McGraw-Hill Glencoe, National Geographic Society
Course Summary:
This course will guide you through the study of Geography by examining various topics using the 5 main
themes as a lens: location, place, region, movement, and human-environment interaction. You will
learn about the world in spatial terms and gain an understanding of the interconnected nature of the
world and its people and places. The course will begin with an overview of geography skills such as map
reading, projections, map types, and navigational tools. Focus topics include climate and settlement,
population, culture, trade, conflict, and modern technology. Within each of these subjects we will learn
about various parts of the world, thus developing a greater understanding of people and places across
the globe. Current events will play a major role in our daily curriculum and will be incorporated into the
discussions surrounding our focus topics.
As with the Honors Literature course, the increased pace and volume of honors coursework within this
integrated class will generate additional reading and writing assignments; however, students will be
challenged not just to produce more work, but also to think more deeply and critically about the themes
and topics introduced in the study of world geography. The following honors humanities themes will be
addressed throughout the geography course as part of the units outlined further below:
Global Awareness
Financial, Economic, Business, & Entrepreneurial Literacy
Health Literacy
Civic Literacy
Environmental Literacy
Case Studies during each geography unit will integrate the places, cultures, and themes from each
honors literature book through discussion, written essays and multiple intelligence projects. The
following chart provides an example:

Book

Place

Night by Elle Wiesel

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Eleanors Story by Eleanor Ramrath Garner
Warriors Dont Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Germany
New Mexico
Chicago
(Nomadic)
Germany
Arkansas
Alabama
Alabama

Possible Integrated
Geography Units
1, 5, 6
2, 4, 5
3, 4, 6
1, 5
2, 3, 5, 6
2, 3, 7
2, 3, 6
2, 3, 6, 7

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Mississippi

2, 3, 4, 7

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

France, Spain

1, 2, 3, 4

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

India

1, 2, 3, 4

Students Will Understand That:

The five themes of Geography help explain the interconnectedness of the world in spatial,
cultural, and social terms.
Knowing about direction, absolute location, distortion and map projections gives us a better
sense of the world in spatial terms.
The relationship between Physical and Human (cultural) Geography helps us identify the why
of the where, explaining the connections between people and place.
Identifying patterns and trends in cultures and populations of developed and developing
countries can help us learn from the past to plan for the future.
Essential Questions:
What are the five universal themes of Geography?
How do maps help us define our world in spatial terms?
What skills do Geographers use and what do they study?
How does the physical landscape of a place affect its history and residing cultures?
What factors influence population growth in a given place?
What elements are characteristics of culture?
Students Will Know:
Patterns of movement of people, things, and ideas around the world.
Geographical terms, concepts and key vocabulary.
Population patterns and trends in developed and developing countries.
Cultural elements and characteristics that are tied to physical place.
Course Overview:
Unit 1: The World in Spatial Terms
Geography skills: maps, projections, navigation, GIS
Think Like A Geographer: 5 Themes, physical vs. human geography, research methods
Unit 2: Where and how people live

 World climates
Unit 3: Population
Unit 4: World Cultures, Kiva Project
Unit 5: Movement
Migration, economies, trade
Unit 6: Conflict
Boundaries, religion, money, resources
Unit 7: Our Changing World
Modern technology, social media, etc.
Grading:
Organization/note-taking/participation/in-class assignments = 25%
Homework = 25%
Tests/Quizzes/Essays = 25%
Projects = 25%
Expectations:
Be prepared! Be respectful and responsible! Be yourself!
Completing homework is crucial to learning and retention of information learned in class.
Therefore, I expect homework to be turned in on time, and fully completed. I understand there
might be times when homework is difficult or challenging. In those cases, rather than turning in
unfinished work or not turning it in at all, I need you to take responsibility for your work and
your learning by following these steps:
1. Call, text or email me (the night before) and let me know you are having trouble and
would like to meet. Please be specific.
2. See me first thing in the morning - we can work on it together or find a time to finish it.
3. Suggest Power Lunch or Homework Hall.
4. Write a note on your assignment regarding your confusion.
5. Be honest.