Geography 12: Physical Geography (but I will add in a bit of Human Geography too)
Geography 12 Course Outline
Ms. von Bremen
Rm 208
Email: kvonbremen@sd19.bc.ca
Blog: vonbremensocials.blogspot.ca
What’s it all about?
Geography 12 will investigate the physical earth and the complex relationships that exist between humans and nature. Students will learn how natural processes impact the landscape and options for human settlement and how human action can affect the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere.
We will use two texts to support our learning: Earth Matters & Geography & The Physical Environment (online text) as well as many articles and internet sources.
The Big Ideas of the course provide some focus areas and themes for the class and help explain some of the reasons why Geography is important.
BIG IDEAS
Incorporating data from a variety of sources allows us to better understand our globally connected world.
Natural processes have an impact on the landscape and human settlement.
Human activities and resource use affect the environment.
Interaction between human activities and the atmosphere affect local and global weather and climate.
Competencies – Skills & Processes
Use geographic inquiry processes and skills to: ask questions; gather, interpret, and analyze data and ideas from a variety of sources; and communicate findings and decisions (evidence and interpretation)
Assess the significance of places by identifying the physical and/or human features that characterize places (sense of place)
Assess the interpretations of geographic evidence after investigating points of contention, reliability of sources, and adequacy of evidence (evidence and interpretation)
Draw conclusions about the variation and distribution of geographic phenomena over time and space (patterns and trends)
Evaluate how particular geographic actions or events affect human practices or outcomes (geographical value judgments)
Evaluate the features or aspects of geographic phenomena or locations to explain what makes them worthy of attention or recognition (geographical importance)
Identify and assess how human and environmental factors and events influence each other (interactions and associations)
Make reasoned ethical judgments about controversial actions in the past and/or present, and whether we have a responsibility to respond (geographical value judgments)
We will develop geographic thinking and literacy skills allowing us to examine the following topics through using our understanding of the five themes of geography as well as evidence and interpretation, geographical importance, sense of place and geographical value judgements.
Content may include the following topics:
features and processes of plate tectonics and their effects on human and natural systems
features and processes of gradation and their effects on human and natural systems
natural disasters and their effects on human and natural systems
Climate, weather, and interactions between humans and the atmosphere
Characteristics of global biomes, including climate, soil, and vegetation
Natural resources and sustainability
….and will be studied in the following units:
-The Study of Geography (could include Geographic Thinking, Maps and Map skills, Regions and People, Pressures on our Planet and the Earth in Space)
-The Earth’s Structures and Spheres (could include Geology, Plate tectonics and forces, weather and climate, Ecosystems, Biomes and Soil)
-Forces that Shape the Land (could include weathering, glaciation, river landscapes, natural disasters, Karst topography etc…)
-Human-Environment Interaction (could include cultural adaptation to space and resources, Global economic, agricultural and industrial systems, urbanization and forestry)
These topics will include field trips and working in the field quite often to help support our learning.
How to be successful in Geography 12:
-a good attitude
-come to class
-be prepared and ready to work
-bring texts, notebook & writing utensils
-participate and be present in class
-be respectful of yourself and others
-complete homework and assignments to the best of your ability
-ask for help
-turn off and put away cell phones into the phone hotel, unless they are being used for educational purposes under the teacher’s direction. Responsible use in an educational form!
***Act on teacher feedback and better your assignment, your understanding and your grade, often!
****ASK QUESTIONS!
Late Assignments:
“Stuff happens”. If you are reasonable, I will be reasonable. Bottom line: I’m a reasonable person however once an assignment has been handed back the maximum mark you may receive is 50%. Plagiarism and Cheating will result in a zero, a serious conversation and sometimes a learning opportunity.
Assessment: this may change as the course develops slightly depending on
Assignments, Field work & Labs– 60%
STAR – 10% - participation
Tests & Quizzes - 30%
Final Assessment = 20% of final grade (this will focus on skills and not just content)
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