7^th Grade MYP Humanities 2009-2010

Keith Jones – Phone: (720) 972-3275 E-mail: keith.jones@adams12.org http://www.century.adams12.org/kjones.htm

Course Description: In accordance with the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Curriculum Framework, the following will be covered in this 7^th grade Geography class during the year.

1^st trimester	2^nd trimester	3^rd trimester
Map skills Review of basic skills such as latitude/longitude, keys/legends, time zones, and climate zones; and application of that knowledge to use maps and atlases (Time: Approximately 4 weeks)	Middle East Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the region. Specific areas of study will include the role of oil in the history of the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict. (Time: Approximately 5 weeks)	East Asia Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of China and Japan. Specific areas of focus include Chinese history, especially the communist era, and the Japanese language. (Time: Approximately 5 weeks)
Australia Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the continent, with a particular focus on the history of Australian interaction with the Aboriginal people. (Time: Approximately 3 weeks)	South Asia Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the Indian subcontinent, with a particular focus on the comparisons of the various religious beliefs in the region and how those religious differences shape political geography. (Time: Approximately 4 weeks)	Southeast Asia Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the region. Particular attention will be paid to the modern history of Vietnam and Cambodia. (Time: Approximately 4 weeks)
Africa Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the continent. Specific areas of study will include African history (including the slave trade, colonialism, and South African apartheid), modern conflicts (including Rwanda and Sudan), and particular environmental issues (including Lake Chad and the Aswan Dam). (Time: Approximately 7 weeks—into 2^nd Trimester)		Europe Study the cultural, physical, and political geography of the continent. Students will also survey the history of the continent from ancient to modern times. (Time: Approximately 4 weeks)

MYP students will also be responsible for meeting the aims and objectives of the MYP as outlined on the back of this page.

· Homework is given to support class objectives and to provide opportunity for extensions of learning. Usually at least one week is provided for completion, although less time may be provided.

· Assessments and grading standards are applied consistently to students of similarly demonstrated ability

· Assessments are based solely on demonstrated student progress and achievement of reasonable and clear standards

Grading Scale
A	90-100
B	80-89
C	70-79
D	60-69
F	59 or below

Grade Percentages / Weights
Assessments	50%
Homework	25%
In Class Assignments	15%
MYP Requirements	10%

Progress Reports: Progress reports, that include assignments, will be emailed to parents and students periodically. In order to accomplish this, parents/guardians need to remove my name from any “spam” filters and to keep the school updated when email addresses change. For families who do not have email addresses, paper copies of progress reports will be given to students.

Academic Honesty: All students are expected to demonstrate academic honesty in all classes at all times. Academic honesty is performing and producing your own work using your own knowledge, talents, and efforts. Please review the CMS academic policy in the student agenda.

Assignment Policy: It is the expectation of all the core teachers that all assignments must be completed and turned in on time. The core teachers realize that situations arise which may interfere with school. Therefore, the Moose Core provides each student 6 Homework Passes which allow individual assignments to be turned in one day late; if a homework pass is used and accepted, the assignment is still worth up to 100% of the original credit. If a Homework is not (or cannot) be used, students may make an appointment within one week to come in before or after school to work on the assignment until it is completed; assignments that are turned in through this process are worth up to 75% of the original credit. Assignments turned in more than one week after the original due date are worth no credit; however, students are expected to complete all assignments. For policies for assignments missed due to absence or suspension, refer to the student agenda.

Tardy Policy: It is expected that all students are on time to all classes. Unexcused tardies will result in detention or loss of privileges.

Agenda Policy: Because it is an essential tool for student success, we have instilled the following policy:

1. Agendas must stay intact. Important information is located at the beginning of the agenda and many student and/or parent questions may be answered in that information.

2. Students may not borrow anyone else’s agenda as a hall pass. It is imperative for your child to have his/her agenda in class every day.

	Geography Standards		History Standards
1.	Students know how to use maps, globes, and other geographic tools to locate and derive information about people, places, and environments.	1.	Students understand the chronological organization of history and know how to group people and events into major eras to identify and explain historical relationships.
2.	Students know the physical and human characteristics of places and study regions for the purpose of interpreting patterns of change.	2.	Students know how to use various processes and resources of historical inquiry.
3.	Students understand how natural processes shape Earth’s surface patterns and systems.	3.	Students understand that societies are diverse and have changed over time.
4.	Students understand how economic, political, cultural, and social processes interact to shape patterns of human populations, interdependence, conflict, and cooperation on Earth’s surface.	4.	Students understand how science, technology, and economic activity have developed, changed, and affected societies throughout history.
5.	Students understand the effects of interactions between human and natural systems and the changes in meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources.	5.	Students understand political institutions and theories that have developed and changed over time.
6.	Students apply knowledge of people, places, and environments to understand the past and present and to plan for the future.	6.	Students know that religious and philosophical ideas have been powerful forces throughout history.

MYP Aims

The aims of the teaching and study of Humanities are to

encourage and enable the student to develop:

· An inquiring mind

· The skills necessary for the effective study of Humanities

· A sense of time and place

· A respect for and understanding of others’ perspectives, values, and attitudes

· Awareness and understanding of people, cultures, and events in a variety of places at different times

· An understanding of the interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies, and their environments

· And understanding of the causes and consequences of change through physical and human actions and processes

· And understanding of contemporary Humanities issues

· A sense of internationalism and a desire to be proactive as a responsible global citizen

· An awareness of the connection with other subjects

· A lifelong interest in and enjoyment of Humanities

MYP Objectives

The objectives of any MYP subject and of the personal project

state the specific targets set for learning in the subject. They

define what the learner will be able to do, or do better, as a result

of studying the subject.

CRITERIA

A Knowledge

B Concepts

· Time

· Place and space

· Change

· Systems

· Global awareness

C Skills

· Technical skills

· Analytical skills

· Decision-making skills

· Investigative skills

D Organization and Presentation