AP© Human Geography

Parent/Guardian & Student Overview 

Instructors:

       Colleen Schmidt                                                                 Charlotte Haney

cschmid1@houstonisd.org                                               Charlotte.Haney@houstonisd.org

Course website: http://www.houstonisd.org//Domain/26269  (Please bear in mind that the website has limited resources; all the information needed for the student’s success is housed in the HISD HUB (course webpage).  Through the HUB, student has access to syllabus, course handouts, lectures and the Fouberg textbook.

Course description: AP© Human Geography is the equivalent of a one-semester college-level course and is designed to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the earth’s regions, religions, languages, recent regional histories, governments, economic systems, and physical features. Assignments and assessments will prepare them for the AP Exam on May 5th as well as deepen the students’ understanding of the world we live in. The AP HuG teachers work closely to ensure homogeneity of the curriculum; however, we differentiate when appropriate, so it is vital that the student follow their own teacher’s assignment instructions. For more information about the course and exam description, please visit: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-human-geography.

Please feel free to visit the College Board website for more insight into the objectives of this course. Each student must register with College Board.

• https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-human-geography

The student will only be registered for the AP Exam through their registration with the College Board website, so it is essential that the student complete this registration immediately.  Through this website, the student will have access to additional resources and practice published by College Board.

Expectations:

This is an AP course, which simply means it is not like a college class, it IS a college class.  There is an expectation that all students act accordingly.  During this academic year we will be dealing with important world issues and each student is expected to handle this material, including video clips, with the maturity commensurate with the level of the course. It should go without saying that each person, the teacher included, should treat others with dignity and respect. 

F2F Expectations:

Examples of respect include punctuality, actively listening, waiting for your turn to speak, not getting up and walking around, and engaging in conversations based on course materials.  These expectations include not using your cell phone or headphones during class without express instructions from your instructor. (if your cell phone is present during ANY assessment, it is an automatic zero). 

Grading Policies:

Grading scale for AP Human Geography                                                                      

Grades:

Formative Category:                                                                                           40%

Includes Vocab, Group Discussion, Visual Analysis, and Class Work

Summative Category:                                                                                          60%

Includes Multiple Choice Quizzes and Free Response Question Assignments

Course Schedule:

In Houston, it is always important to be adaptable as such we reserve the right to adjust schedule, as needed, based on class needs.  Students will be informed well in advance of any changes.

ALL FRESHMAN STUDENTS SIT FOR AP TEST TUESDAY, MAY 5th

Class Procedures:

In this class we have a limited amount of time to pursue a subject rich and in-depth content area.  In an effort to create and maintain the best possible learning environment, the teacher has established certain classroom procedures.  These guidelines are in direct conformity with the philosophy of Carnegie Vanguard.

Late Policy:

Late Work: Work is considered on time when turned in as instructed by the teacher (by beginning of class, by 11:59 on the Hub, etc.).  From that point forward, students have 24 hours to turn the late work in for a maximum of a 70.  After 24 hours, students may turn late work in for the next 4 class days for a maximum of a 50. Late Work will not be accepted after this window has ended.

            Examples:

Assignment is due Monday at the start of the class period, student turns in assignment same class day, later time, maximum grade is a 70% on the assignment. 

Assignment was due 2^nd period on Monday, if in by 2^nd period Tuesday it’s a maximum of 70; if not, you have until the following Monday at 2^nd period to get it in for a 50.

Absences:

You are expected to attend class every day. If you are absent it is your responsibility to promptly gather the assignments that you missed. I will not remind you of missed assignments; you must take the initiative to find out what you missed.  If you miss a test YOU must schedule a make-up on the day you return to campus. Please keep in mind that the format of the re-test is at the teacher’s discretion. It is your responsibility to reschedule your missed test in a timely manner. Any assignments not made up from an absence will result in a zero. Tests and projects are scheduled far enough in advance that being absent the day before a test will not allow for a postponement of your test.  A tentative course schedule has been provided for the entire academic year, so please take this into consideration when considering family obligations as well as off-campus commitments.

Retakes:

Retakes are available under the CVHS re-take policy.  Each student is allotted two re-takes per 6 weeks. You may retake a test for a grade no higher than 70. All MCT Exam retakes require test corrections completed and submitted prior to the retake date and time.

Academic Integrity:  All students are held accountable to the CVHS Academic Honor Code as well as HISD policies regarding academic integrity/cheating.  The CVHS Academic Honor Code may be found in full in the CVHS Student Handbook/Planner and CVHS Website.   To supplement these policies, we would like to remind students that cheating, copying, talking during assessments, and plagiarizing will not be tolerated in this course.  All assignments, handouts, notecards, homework, etc. are expected to be completed INDIVDUALLY by the student unless EXPLICITLY stated in the assignment instructions.  It should be noted that academic dishonesty extends to any student aiding another student by providing test answers, quiz answers, assignment answers, or any disclosure of in-class activities prior to the other student having received the activity/information directly from the teacher.  Having unauthorized materials (papers, phones, smart watches, etc.) in sight – or with the potential to be viewed--during an assessment is considered an act of academic dishonesty. Any student displaying academic dishonesty will face the full consequences of their actions. In like manner, the student will receive a “P” in conduct and a zero on the assignment/assessment.  There will not be an opportunity to make up the assignment.  Academic Integrity applies to ALL parties involved, not simply the individual receiving assistance.  All Academic dishonesty will be reported to administration immediately and students may be exited from Carnegie after their third infraction.

Extra Help:

Please note this course is fast paced and requires a significant amount of college level reading.  The first question that will always be asked of students seeking help is: “Have you read?”  Vocabulary quizzes and reading quizzes are typically good indicators of whether a student has read.  In addition, we have found that reading on a college level is different than reading at the middle school level and often requires the additional steps of re-reading and outlining.  

If you experience unusual difficulty in the assignments, either in general or consistently in a specific area, this is a signal to seek extra help.  For best results, attend extra help sessions as needed, rather than only the day before a test or major assignment.  A teacher is ALWAYS available and willing to help, but sometimes the student needs to take the initiative to communicate this issue.   Communicate with your instructor about when you would like to seek help and we will set it up.  E-mail is checked multiple times a day or you may call the school and leave a message.

Books:

Your student will be provided the following:

Fouberg, E., Murphy, A., de Blij, H. (2009).  Human Geography.  11^th edition. John Wiley & Sons. Inc.

Palmer, David (2017). Human Geography.  AMSCO Publishing.

Your student will need to obtain the book below on their own.  Some copies are available in the Carnegie Library and at Houston Libraries: Yousafzai, Malala (2016). I am Malala. Little. Brown Books‎ ISBN-13: 978-0316327916.