Global Studies A Course Guidelines
Mr. Thygeson
E-Mail: adam.thygeson@orecity.k12.or.us
Class Website: http://staff.orecity.k12.or.us/adam.thygeson
Remind Text Message Service: Text @bdga32 to 81010 or sign up on the app.
Course Outline: Global Studies A is a one-trimester course designed to introduce, examine and investigate the people and places of the world. The content of the course is designed to align with the Oregon Social Sciences Academic Content Standards. This trimester will begin by establishing a base of knowledge in geography, and the basic tools a geographer might need. We will then apply this knowledge by focusing on different cultural regions of the world, selected events in world history, and current issues. The Global “A” trimester will feature North America, Europe, Latin America, and Russia and the Eurasian republics. A continual updating of current issues from around the world will be part of the curriculum as well.
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2019 GLOBAL STUDIES A COURSE STANDARDS:
#1 Social Scientist Tools and Skills: Create, use, and interpret maps, graphs, tables, charts and other geographical tools and representations to gather and analyze geographic data.
#2 Place, Region, and Environment: Identify how different places and regions compare to one another in terms of human and physical characteristics, how humans interact with those physical characteristics and how they relate to the overall global community.
#3 Movement and History: Explain how physical and human characteristics affect the movement of people, goods, and ideas, and how that movement can affect change in that region, as well as globally.
#4 Professional Skills in Communication, and Advocacy: Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate in a professional manner with teachers and others, while monitoring and learning how to self-advocate in a proper way.
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2019 Class Outline
Unit 1: Basics of Geography ( approximately 2 weeks) -- STANDARD #1
- Five Themes of Geography
- Introduction to Geographers’ Tools
Unit 2: North America (approximately 1 ½ weeks) – STANDARDS #1 AND 2
- Physical & Human Geography
- Demographics, geographers tools, and current issues
Unit 3: Europe (approximately 3 weeks) – STANDARDS #1, 2, AND 3
- Physical Geography & Human Geography
- Population patterns (industrialization, imperialism, etc.) and current issues
Unit 4: Russia & the Eurasian Republics, Review and Final (approximately 2 weeks) – STANDARDS #2 AND 3
- Physical Geography & Human Geography
- Rise and fall of the Soviet Union and current issues
Unit 5: Latin America (approximately 2 weeks) – STANDARDS # 2 AND 3
- Physical Geography & Human Geography
- History, economics, culture, population patterns (urbanization, resource distribution etc.) and current issues
Communication: Communication between home, school and student is an extremely important key to success. That is why we have signed up for a program called Remind. This service allows me to send text messages to students and their families en masse. I’ll use this service to send notifications about upcoming tests, due dates, etc. I’m excited to use this program this year, and hope it will prove to be a useful strategy in keeping parents and students bettered informed about the goings on in the classroom. To sign up, simply text @bdga32 to 81010, or sign up on the app. While I will try to use Remind as much as possible, the quickest and most effective way to get in touch with me is via email at: adam.thygeson@orecity.k12.or.us. I will be available in my classroom no later than 7:30 AM each day, during lunch upon special arrangement, and after-school to help as well until 3:15 PM.
We will be using Google classroom extensively this trimester, so students will be required to log-in to that using their student email and log-in. We will also use my classroom website and calendar which can be found at: http://staff.orecity.k12.or.us/adam.thygeson
Each day in class, students will be required to keep notes in an interactive-notebook, as well as using their planner to write down upcoming due dates, etc., so parents and guardians can also check in with them using that.
Grading: This class uses a proficiency based grading system.
What is proficiency-based grading? Using the standards listed on page one of this syllabus, students will work toward demonstrating at least a proficient level of knowledge and skill. Their grade directly reflects their ability to demonstrate their knowledge of each standard. This system makes grades more meaningful, and will focus students’ learning and attention to the essential skills they need to be successful in the course.
Why switch from the traditional average-based system to a proficiency-based system? While the traditional system accurately measured some students’ performance, it was inaccurate for many others. While some students who could demonstrate proficiency (knowledge) on the assessments would earn lower grades due to low homework grades, others who could demonstrate less, but knew how to “work the system” earned higher grades. Few students truly understood what their grade actually reflected, and most saw grades as goals, or worse, as arbitrary, subjectivity-based gifts or punishments – “The teacher didn’t like me so I got a bad grade, but gave so-and-so a good grade because they were their favorite.” In this classroom your grade is based solely on the evidence you provide on assessments.
How Your Grade is Determined:
This class has three standards that you will be focusing on this trimester. Each time we have an assessment you will be scored on a 0–4 scale. Think of the numbers like your GPA: 4 = A (mastery level skills), 3 = B (advanced), 2 = C (proficient), 1.5 = D, 1 = F. All assessments are weighed equally. Individual assessments will be graded on the following nine-point scale:
4 = 100% = A+
3.5 = 93% = A
3 = 86% = B
2.5 = 81% = B-
2 = 75% - minimum level of proficiency = C 1 = 50% = F
1.5 = 65% = D
0.5 = 35% = F
0.1 = Work not turned in, still eligible to be completed = F
0 = No credit given due to plagiarism or other misconduct, no chance for retake = F
IN ORDER TO PASS THE CLASS YOU MUST DEMONSTARTE PROFICIENCY BY SCORING AT LEAST 2.0 TWICE FOR EACH STANDARD.
Assessments: Most of our assessments will come in the form of tests or quizzes. Tests will usually include some multiple-choice questions that allow you to demonstrate a proficient level of skill, a “C” grade. Higher order thinking questions such as short answer, essays, etc., will be used to determine if you can show advanced (“B”) or mastery (“A”) level skills. Almost all tests and quizzes can be retaken, if you meet certain requirements. If you wish to retake a test you will need to prearrange this with the Mr. Thygeson. In order to qualify for an initial retake on an assessment, you must have completed all homework and in-class activities from that unit of study. Additional retake opportunities will be allowed upon completion of extra practice activities. All assessments may be retaken or revised except the final exam. Retakes must be done BEFORE the next unit test, and the absolute last day for retakes will be Tuesday, November 20th
Homework/Practice Activities: You can expect to have some kind of activity/assignment almost every day (no joke). While these assignments will not be a direct part of your grade in this class, don’t be fooled, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do them. Homework is not, and should never be used as some sort of torture inflicted upon students, it is an opportunity to practice and develop the skills learned in class. Students who regularly practice their skills should do well on their assessments. Students who choose not to practice their skills may be taking a gamble with their own education.
As further incentive to complete your practice activities, you’ll be allowed to use your completed work on most assessments (hint: open note tests/quizzes), and some problems on assessments will be taken directly from the practice problems assigned.
PLAGIARISM: Plagiarizing another student’s work will be dealt with in accordance to the student handbook, as well as given an automatic score of zero, and result in no retakes for that assessment.
Classroom Rules
1) This is a Hate-Free Zone. Here, as in all of OCHS, we welcome all nationalities, genders, races, religions, body types, abilities, sexual orientations, and family structures. In this class and in our school, we speak with positivity and respect.
2) Listen: If you are not listening, you will not understand what is going on in class, and you will be forced to disrupt the class in some way to catch up.
3) Participate: If you are actively involved in the class you will do better than those who are not involved. Ask questions, answer questions, join in on discussions!
4) No hats: Hats and other head coverings are not allowed. They are often a distraction, and it is rude to wear them indoors.
5) No grooming: Please leave all personal grooming devices in your locker. This includes but is not limited to: combs, brushes, lip-gloss, PERFUMES, LOTIONS, and OTHER SMELLIES
6) No food or drink: Only bottled water is may be consumed in the classroom. Gum will be allowed as long as Mr. Thygeson doesn’t see or hear it during class, and as long as it does not show up on the floor, desks, or chairs.
7) No electronic devices during unauthorized times: This includes but is not limited to: cell phones, MP3 players, Discmans, two-way messengers, beepers, video games, and calculators. If your electronic toys become a problem, the sanctions listed below under the school-wide policy will be enforced. Receiving phone calls/texts from parents during class does not constitute an excusable reason to use your phone. EMERGENCY calls need to go through the main office. Unauthorized pictures or video recordings are strictly forbidden and will be dealt with harshly.
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The following is the school’s official cell phone policy:
Students are permitted to carry cell phones while at school. However, cell phones must remain out of sight with no power, while in any classroom or during their class time in all academic areas, i.e. library, career center, counseling office. Cell phone use will not be permitted in the restrooms or locker rooms at any time.
Use of a cell phone, iPod or any electronic device during a test, i.e.: text messaging will be considered cheating (see Code of Conduct) and appropriate action will be taken.
No use of cell phone cameras will be permitted during the school day.
Cell phones may not be used in any manner that will cause disruption to the educational environment. If a cell phone is brought to school, it is at the individual’s own risk and the school will not compensate a student for lost, stolen or damaged devices.
Sanctions:
· First Offense: Verbal warning by teacher. Student will secure cell phone out of sight (i.e. immediately turn off and put in
backpack/purse/locker).
· Second Offense: Parent notification by teacher, referral to Vice-Principal for consequences.
· Third Offense: In-school suspension.
· Fourth Offense: Full range of sanctions.
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