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Mrs. Oliver |
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Geography |
1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th Periods CLASS SYLLABUS |
Description:
I have taught Geography in the past and look forward to working with this year’s 7th grade students and parents. I have a B.A. and M.A. in Geography and an M.A.T in Social Science Education. I have traveled around the United States and internationally and have a great love for our subject material. In this class, we will study different regions and cultures around the world. Students will work frequently with atlases, graphs and tables of demographic data and periodicals featuring current global events. Student research and interpretation of information should lead to conclusions and presentations. This may involve multi-step projects, self-assessment, and oral presentation with graphic and technological support.
Bell Work:
At the start of every class, students should enter the class quietly, sit in their assigned seat and read the directions for the clockwork assignment. If necessary, students should sharpen their pencil and get materials before the bell rings. Students should then complete the clockwork assignment on their own. If they finish early, students can silently work on an approved activity.
Homework Policy:
Students may have homework to do at home if they have not finished that day’s assignment in class. However, in most cases, adequate time is provided in class for students to complete their work. There will be an occasional research project that will require additional work at home, but there will be sufficient notice of deadlines and the work will be completed in a multi-step process where portions of work are handed in over time.
Absent Work Policy:
In the back of the room, I have a bin that contains a binder for Geography Class. Before the end of each day, I write the assignment in this book. I also write the day’s assignment on the poster hanging in my room. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to look in that binder or on the board (any handouts, etc., will be in the binder). A student has three days to collect the absent work, after that, I remove it from the file and they do not get to make the work up. If a student knows they will be out of class for an excused absence, with sufficient notice, I will try to get their work to them before they are absent.
Make-Up Work and Extra Credit Policy:
Students may, in cases of extreme emergency, turn work in late. However, they need to discuss this with me to get permission. Otherwise, I subtract ten percent off the earned grade for an assignment for each day it is late. I do not provide extra credit assignments.
Passes:
Students have time to use the bathroom and get a drink of water between classes, so they should use that time wisely. If a student has an urgent situation, such as feeling ill, then they should see me to request a pass.
Planner Policy:
I will check planners each Friday. A student will receive 5 points for each week if they have filled in the assignments for each day. They will receive an additional 5 points each week (for 10 points total) if they have their planner signed that week by a parent. This means that, for each six weeks, every student will have an opportunity to earn 60 bonus points to average into their grade. Additionally, for each test, if the student has written “TEST” in the box for the day of the test, and a parent has signed in that box prior to the day of the test, the student will receive 2 extra points on that test grade.
Class Rules:
1. Bring supplies to class.
2. Remain seated-keeping hands, feet, objects and inappropriate comments to yourself.
3. Be on time.
4. No food, candy, gum or drinks allowed without permission.Follow the teacher’s directions.
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. Warning/Modification/Intervention Conference
3. Warning/Intervention/Modification/Intervention Conference/Parent/Guardian Notification
4. Warning/Modification/Behavior Contract/Parent/Guardian Notification
5. Office Referral/Parent/Guardian Notification
6. Required parent conferenceOffice referral/Parent/Guardian Notification
Grading Scale:
I use the designated grading scale:
A = 93-100
B = 85-92
C = 75-84
D = 70-74
F = Below 70 (failure).
Policies and Procedures:
1) Each student is expected to be in his/her seat and quietly working on the clock work when the tardy bell rings.
2) During class changes, enter the classroom only when the door is open or when the teacher instructs you to enter.
3) Bring required materials to class everyday.
4) Pencils are to be sharpened before the tardy bell rings (and have extra pencils in the event that one breaks).
5) Once the tardy bell rings, no student is to leave his/her assigned seat without permission.
6) Raise your hand if you have a question, need assistance or would like to contribute to the classroom discussion. Wait to be recognized before speaking.
7) Book bags are not permitted in the classroom.
8) Trash is to be deposited at the end of class in the trashcan and never thrown.
9) All school and county rules will be enforced in the classroom.
10) It is the student’s responsibility to check, as described above, for work that was missed due to an absence (before or after class).
11) All students will take assigned tests on the day they are given unless the student has been absent two or more days immediately prior to the test.
12) Gum, food candy or drinks are not allowed without permission.
13) Sleeping is not tolerated.
14) Desktops, walls and textbooks should be free from any marks.
15) It is each student’s responsibility to keep the area around his/her desk clean.
16) Personal grooming is to be taken care of outside the classroom.
17) The sound of the bell at the end of class is not the signal to get up and leave – the teacher will dismiss class.
18) Cheating is considered morally wrong and is a serious offense.
19) If a visitor comes to the door of the class or enters the class, students should continue with their work as if the visitor did not arrive.
20) Students are not allowed at the teacher’s desk, the storage cabinets or the closet without specific permission by the teacher.
21) When working in groups, students are to keep the noise level to a minimum to allow other groups and classes to continue to work.
22) If the teacher raises their hand, the students should immediately stop what they are doing, turn toward the teacher, stop talking and wait for further directions.
23) If there is an emergency, such as a fire drill, then the students should remain silent, look at the teacher and immediately follow any instructions provided.
24) When we move from one part of the school to another as a class, students are to stay in a single file line, walk quietly, and keep their hands, feet and comments to themselves.
25) Be considerate of everyone’s right to an education by respecting yourself, others and the teacher.
Contact Information:
School Phone: (423) 581-2407
