Mrs. Mitchell\’s Social Studies Community

Welcome to Geography.  Geography is the study of the earth that we inhabit and what we do with it.

This class will look at the basics of geographical study and apply what we learn to real world problems such as human slavery, famine, natural disasters, political unrest, and disease epidemics.  We will use what we learn about the world and the problems to think of possible solutions and ways we as individuals can make a difference.  I hope this class brings Geography to life for you rather than putting you to sleep!

PORTFOLIO

This class centers around our portfolio.  You need to bring the following items to class on Monday, when we will put our portfolios together as a class to avoid confusion on how it should be set up. 

1.  One three ring binder, at least 1/2 inch capacity, not to exceed 1 inch capacity.

2.  one set of dividers (no pockets, just plain dividers with tabs to label the sections)

3.  Personal set of colored pencils

4.  Loose leaf paper to keep in your portfolio

STORAGE ISSUES

I don’t know yet if I will have room for all of my students to keep the portfolios in my room (180 portfolios!).  While I’m working on a solution to this problem, I would welcome any suggestions you may have.  I don’t want you to have to carry these around and possibly lose them, but we may have to do this until it is solved.  Please bear with me and in the meantime, BE CAREFUL not to lose your portfolio because you won’t be able to replace work you put in it during the project and it will kill your grade.

GRADING

There is no homework in this class.  This means it is imperative (super duper important) that you are in my class every day.  All of the work will be done in class, so if you miss a class, it’s like missing the class plus a night’s worth of homework. 

Most of your work will be graded and recorded in my grade book.  Then you will choose certain items to place in your portfolio depending on what is being asked for.  The portfolio itself will also be graded, but in an unusual way.

PORTFOLIO GRADE

A rating of E means: A = exceeds the standards –  You met the Geography standards (see M below) and then you went above and beyond by helping others learn the material or by choosing additional assignments that further your own learning.

A rating of M means: B = meets the standards - You met the standards, your portfolio was professional quality, and the work inside reflects how much you’ve grown from day one to the end of the class.

I (incomplete) = You have not met the standards, your portfolio is incomplete and does not show growth.  This grade can be changed through the course of the class.  It is not too late to move from an I to a M or even an E, except in the last two weeks of the class.  At this point, I need time to review the portfolios, so last drafts are due two weeks before Winter Break.

Your overall rating of E, M, or I will count heavily towards your final grade.  Grades should be ways of learning how to improve, not a punishment. 

Please note, if your rating is an I at the time portfolios are due, you will earn an F on your portfolio, which will hurt your overall grade, even if you had a 4.0 outside of the portfolio.

 I will hand out an official syllabus and my grading policy at open house in September.  Please encourage your parents to attend so that I may answer any questions they may have about this approach to teaching.  I think this is a positive thing and we will display your portfolios for your parents to see when they come in.  I think they will be very impressed with your knowledge and hard work.  I look forward to seeing it myself!