Syllabi Length of the Course:
Full Year
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Semester One
Geography: The World and Its People |
Semester Two
Arkansas History |
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Course Description: The Humanities World Geography program for grade seven is
designed to expand each student’s ability to effectively identify and
demonstrate an understanding of major components in world geography by
highlighting physical, climatic, and cultural features and focusing
briefly on the people, their environment, and way of life.
*Technology integration will make up an integral part of the curriculum. |
Semester 2 Course Description:
The Humanities Arkansas History program for grade seven examines the
political, social, economic, and cultural development of Arkansas
from the pre-colonial era to the present.
*Technology integration will make up an integral part of the curriculum. |
Texts and Materials:
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![[Image] Geography: The World and It's People](images/3_ss_geo_2002_bk.jpg)
Click on the Geography
textbook for
online resources available for this book. |
Leave your book at
school? Click here to access the
on-line student version. (PDF format)
Username: GWIP
Password: gubRERan35 |
- Geography - The World and Its People,
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, 1996..
- A variety of other supplementary
materials.
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Texts and Materials:
- Arkansas History text (to be assigned).
- A variety of other supplementary
materials.
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Course Outline:
- Geography Handbook
- Ch. 3 - The World's People
- Ch. 4 - The United States
- Ch. 5 - Canada
- Unit 3: Latin America (Ch. 6-9)
- Unit 4: Project based study (Ch. 10-13)
- Ch. 16: Overview of North Africa
- Ch. 17 - Southwest Asia
- Ch. 19, S3 - Coastal Countries
- Ch. 20 - Central Africa
- Ch. 21, S4 - The Horn of Africa
- Ch. 23, S1, 2 - India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh
- Ch. 24 - China (brief overview)
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Course Outline:
- To be assigned.
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Major Concepts Covered:
The World In Spatial Terms – This course introduces the use of maps and
other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire,
process, and report information from a spatial perspective. Using Mental
maps to organize information and analyze the spatial organizations of
people, places, and the environment is an area of focus.
Places and Regions – This course surveys the physical and human
characteristics of places and how culture and experience help to influence
people’s perceptions of places and regions.
Physical Systems – This course investigates the physical processes that
shape the patterns on Earth’s surface as well as the characteristics and
spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth’s surface.
Human Systems – This course evaluates the characteristics, distribution,
and migration of human populations on Earth’s surface and the patterns and
networks of economic interdependence. It looks at how the forces of
cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control
of the Earth’s surface.
Environment and Safety – This course looks in depth at how human actions
modify the physical environment and the changes that occur in the meaning,
use, distribution, and importance of resources.
The Uses of Geography – This course uses an understanding of geography to
interpret the past and present to plan for the future. |
Major Concepts Covered: Time
Continuity and Change - Students will demonstrate an understanding
of historical chronology, concepts, and relationships.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of how ideas, events,
and conditions bring about change.
People, Places and Environments -
Students will demonstrate an understanding that people, their
cultures and systems, are
connected and that similarities and differences exist among them.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the significance of
physical and cultural characteristics of Arkansas.
Production, Distribution and
Consumption - Students will demonstrate an understanding of the
economy of Arkansas and its relationship with other economies.
Power, Authority and Governance -
Students will demonstrate an understanding of our national, state,
and local government and of the rights and responsibilities of
participating in a democratic society within Arkansas.
Social Science Processes and Skills
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through
research, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and problem
solving using the tools of social sciences. |
Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of:
- geographical regions’ using globes,
maps, art, and photographs.
- different cultures and way of life in
all parts of the world.
- how physical environments shape human
society.
- how human society shapes physical
environments.
- the effects natural forces and cultural
activities have on geographic regions.
- geographical, social, economic and
environmental conditions in the world.
- how to analyze, evaluate, draw
conclusion and make predictions regarding content extrapolated from
various resources.
- methods of presenting historical and
geographical information.
- methods of accessing information using
the library and technological resources.
2. Apply and use:
- geographical facts and concepts related
to the concepts listed above.
- strategies using maps, globes, charts,
tables, diagrams and technology for gathering information and making
meaning of content.
- appropriate methods to present
geographical information.
3. Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance,
independence and responsibility appropriate for effective evaluation,
problem solving, and personal growth.
4. Demonstrate the skills necessary to accomplish tasks/projects with
accuracy and safety. |
Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Use chronological order.
- Utilize primary and secondary
sources.
- Compare and contrast causes and
effects of conflict.
- Analyze how past decisions and
events affect subsequent decisions throughout Arkansas's
history.
- Explore and explain the effects
of technological changes.
- Demonstrate an understanding of
how government brings about change.
- Use reading, writing, listening,
speaking, debating and role playing skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding or
one's identity in connection with the state's culture.
- Identify and discuss various
racial/ethnic groups and cultures in historical and contemporary
Arkansas.
- Examine and explain belief
systems in Arkansas traditions.
- Analyze how humans have adapted
to the state's environment.
- Distinguish similarities and
differences among the six natural geographic regions of the
state.
- Locate, map and describe
physical features.
- Describe economic institutes.
- Understand role of political
leaders, organization, function, and operation of local, county
and state governments.
- Discuss and evaluate the concept
of good citizenship.
- Practice forms of civic
participation through simulations.
- Analyze artifacts, oral
histories, photographs, landmarks, literature, and the arts to
understand Arkansas's culture.
- Apply historical methodologies
to understand the differences between fact and opinion.
- Develop creative and critical
thinking skills.
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Assessment:
Students are expected to complete assigned reading, homework, and short
and long term projects. Reading comprehension of content material is
assessed using teacher evaluation, response journals, performance outcomes
and various quizzes and tests. Oral presentations are assessed through the
use of scoring guides measuring the degree of content understood and
mastered. Written expression is evaluated using (content-related)
analytical and holistic rubrics. Projects/models are assessed using
comprehensive checklists and outcome-based scoring guides related to
objectives set forth in directions/instructions. Performance activities &
tasks are measured using performance scales, checklists, and videotaping
as related to instructions and expected outcomes.
Tests and Quizzes = 40%
Technology Projects = 40%
Homework = 20%
General expectations:
- Binders - Students are required to
utilize their three-ring binders to accommodate the many handouts that
they will be given to support technology integration and other
supplemental information.
- The binder must contain notebook paper to be used for daily journal entries, reading and class notes, and for
homework assignments. Students are expected to bring their
binders, textbooks and workbooks to every class unless they are told
otherwise.
- Assignments – Students are expected to
submit, "fully completed assignments" at the beginning of class. All
work must be typed using a standard format (1" margins, New Times Roman
or Arial, 12 Font, and double-spaced). The first page of all assignments
must contain the student’s name, class, and date. If the assignment
being submitted includes more than one page, the pages are to be
fastened by a single staple in the upper left corner and numbered. Work
that is submitted on non-standard paper or still requires printing,
stapling, the addition of a cover-page, or any other last minute effort
will be considered late and will be penalized accordingly.
- Late Work – Unless a student has
received an extension from the teacher, all work is due at the beginning
of class on the announced due date. No late work will be accepted
(with exception to illness, family emergency, etc.).
- Preparedness - Students must come to
class with their binders, textbooks, pencil, paper, and any other
necessary materials.
- Copies of all tests and quizzes will be
kept by the instructor.
Grading Policy: Each assignment must be turned in at the
beginning of the class on due date. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
(excepting illness, family emergency, etc.)
Methodology: The classroom is a place of social relations where
students explore values and observe rules for social living. Respect for
others and tolerance is part of the daily interaction as students
communicate ideas and design projects. Students use cooperation and
appreciate the opinions of others while engaged in discussing material and
completing tasks. Social studies involves students working individually
and in cooperative learning groups.
Humanities through Technology Level II Past & Current Projects
Coming Soon!
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