Class Expectations and Requirements
Human Geography AP         
Mr. Snyder  (Room 329)  daniel.snyder@pinecrest.edu
Extra Help: Tuesdays after school (3:45-4:15) and Thursdays before school (7:35-8:05)

Required Texts: Human Geography: People, Place, and Culture, 11th Edition; Wiley

Course Description: Students study human geography through the main themes of population, culture, political systems, rural and urban societies, economic and industrial development, as well as environmental issues. Students write descriptive, comparative, analytical, and document-based essays. Students take the advanced placed examination in Human Geography.

Rationale: This course provides students with the learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory human geography courses. Students study the patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding over time and space, as well as the use and alteration of the Earth’s surface. They employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to analyze human social organization and its environmental consequences.

*In addition to complying with the Pine Crest Student Handbook, the Honor Code, and the Acceptable Use Policy for the school’s computer equipment, the following rules apply in this class.

I.  Take responsibility for your own learning.

  1. Every student will treat the other students with respect, will do their best, will do what is right, and will establish sound goals and work habits.
  2. Come to class on time, dressed appropriately, with all necessary materials.
  3. Listen attentively during lectures, projects, and discussions.
  4. Complete assignments on time and be prepared to take tests on scheduled dates.
  5. Participate in class discussions.

II.  Respect the rights and needs of others.

  1. Students will act like ladies and gentlemen at all times.
  2. Respect yourself and come to class abiding by the dress code.
  3. Respect others by avoiding derogatory statements; use appropriate language at all times.
  4. Refrain from insulting other students. This will not be tolerated and may result in the issuance of a progress report, or a more severe deterrent.
  5. Prevent interrupting the speaker by confining conversations to appropriate times and forms.
  6. Turn off phones.  They may be confiscated if seen or heard.
  7. Contribute your share of effort to group work.

III.  Demonstrate proper classroom etiquette.

  1. Be on time and bring your tools (notebook, pen or pencil, laptop,...). 
  2. Enter quietly if you arrive late.  Place your pass on the desk, go quietly to your seat and, if necessary, quietly ask someone sitting near you to point out what the class is doing.
  3. Sit in your regular seat.  You may choose your seat on the first day of class.  Do so in light of any particular needs you may have (e.g., due to a learning or physical disability).  Periodically throughout the year, the teacher may change the seating arrangement as appropriate to improve the learning environment.
  4. You may submit a written request for a different seat any time during the year.

IV.  Use computers and phones for coursework only.

1.  Unless instructed otherwise, you may use computers for in-class assignments, but not for note taking.
2.  No student will be allowed to use another student’s laptop or phone unless specifically instructed to do so.
3.  Resist the temptation to play games, read and write email, surf the web, or engage in any activity other than the assigned task.

V.  Treat all property with respect.

1.  Ensure that school furniture and facilities are not abused.
2.  Use other students' materials and equipment only as expressly permitted.
3.  Clear the area around your desk before you leave.


CLASS PROCEDURES

        In this class we have a limited amount of time to pursue infinite opportunities.  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 Pine Crest School.

1.   All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on assigned dates unless the teacher is notified prior to the due date.  Work completed during class will not be accepted. If you leave school early for an appointment, sports or illness, please email your work, send it to class with a classmate, or have the Upper School Office place it in the teacher's mailbox.  It is YOUR responsibility to ask the teacher for missed work.

2.   Read the chapters under discussion.  Quizzes are given at random to assure that you keep yourself up to date. Quizzes will generally address what was discussed during the previous class or what is due for that particular day.  Tests will cover any material addressed in class, the textbook, or additional information presented throughout a particular unit or course of study.

3.   Every student must maintain a minimum of a 70 average to remain in good standing.  Should a student score below a 70 on a test or major assignment, a progress report will be sent home.  Any student failing by the first six-weeks, and especially by the end of the first quarter, may be asked to strongly consider choosing another course.

4.  Regarding test scores, students may earn as many as a fourth of their points back for incorrect responses by attending extra help sessions, correcting their mistakes by citing evidence from their textbooks and notes, as well as explaining how they plan to improve their performance on future assessments – in addition to their daily efforts.

5.   Keep track of your own grades.   Do not ask for points or extra credit.  Extra credit, if any, will be given at the teacher’s discretion.  There is enough “actual credit” to do well in the course itself.

6.   Every student must have a 3-ring binder in addition to their laptop, which they must keep up to date and organized. The binder does not need to be exclusive with APHG (it may be shared with other courses if desired). This requirement is necessary to foster the student's organizational habits as well as their overall understanding of the course material.

7.   Make-up tests will be in the designated testing area.  Tests missed because of an illness will have a three day grace period in which a makeup test must be taken.  If there are extenuating circumstances, these need to be discussed with the teacher immediately.  An unexcused absence (e.g., skipping) may result in a zero.

8.   If you will be absent (field trip, sports, family trip,…) assigned work is recommended to be handed in the day before you leave, or the work may be submitted the day you return. If there are extenuating circumstances, these need to be discussed with the teacher bfore you leave.

9.   Students are not permitted to work on assignments for other subjects during class time.  The same goes for studying for tests, quizzes, and the like.

10.   Any questions, concerns, or arguments for major point opportunities such as tests, projects, or papers can be submitted in writing for the teachers’ review.  Class time will not be used to discuss points earned (or not earned).

11.   It is strongly recommended that every student develop a new portfolio -- or add to an already existing one.  The portfolio may include quality papers, projects, tests, pictures…  Be sure to include materials from other classes, past and present.


ACADEMIC HONESTY

    For homework and in-class assignments, you are generally free to discuss your work with classmates, parents, tutors, etc.  However, you need to exercise discretion in how you do so in order to ensure that everything you submit accurately reflects your work (or that of your group for cooperative assignments). 

Assigned Task Rules:

1. Do not look at any other student’s work and do not show your work to any other student.

2. Take responsibility for your own actions.  A student's printer failing to operate properly, or any other excuse barring the most dire circumstances, will not be accepted for any assignment that a student has more than one day to prepare.  If you wish to approach the teacher about handing in a late assignment or project, please state what you want first (“I want to get an extension …”), then state your reasons/excuses; not the other way around.

3. Do not plagiarize or take any original ideas from someone else's work.  Plagiarism includes copying someone else's presentation/words (this includes your text and other books, encyclopedias, CDs, DVDs, internet sites, etc.) and handed in as YOUR work.  This will result in a zero on the assignment in question.  Copying someone else's work, whether written, spoken, or in any other form, is unethical and strictly forbidden.  If necessary, your case may be dealt with by the Honor Court, or with the Conduct Review Committee.

4. Under most circumstances, do not ask another student how he or she answered a particular question, and do not tell another student how you answered a particular question.  For instance, asking another student to clarify a point you are desperately trying to grasp, or seeking other students’ perspectives on a particular topic to educate yourself on various points of view would be acceptable, since your intent is to gain knowledge and not to simply find an easy solution.  However, simply asking another student for an answer without concerning yourself with the process (e.g. “What’s the answer to question #4?”) is ethically wrong, and will obviously be considered cheating.  Do your own work.

Guidelines:

1.   Make sure the use of information from other sources is appropriate for the assignment in question.
2.   Make sure that such information is used sparingly and only in support of the main thesis.
3.   Clearly designate the information used and accurately document its source.
4.   Keep your eyes on your own paper during tests.  Completely erase any answer you wish to change on your scantron sheet.  If you wish, you may ask for another while the test is still being administered.  Barring an obvious problem with your scantron sheet (e.g. the machine marking a correct answer as incorrect with no visible erasures), you will not receive extra points for errors.
5.   Demonstrate your commitment to behave honorably by including the Pine Crest Pledge (completely written out) on all tests and quizzes.  This action is only meant to reiterate each student’s commitment to honesty and integrity.  As everyone must sign the pledge in the handbook at the beginning of the year, it is not necessary to re-sign the pledge on take-home or in-class assignments.  Other teachers’ philosophies may differ in this regard, but it is understood that no student may receive or give work on any assignment unless expressly permitted by the teacher.
In addition to the Honor Code violation consequences described in the Student Handbook (e.g., a score of 0 on the compromised work, appearance before the Student Honor Court), it is recommended that any student who compromises his or her integrity - and is found guilty - NOT ask the teacher to write any letters of recommendation.


MY EXPECTATIONS

    While it is impossible to list all means of cheating, lying, plagiarism, etc., I expect all students to act with integrity, and to use common sense. To provide guidance in this regard, if you have done something that you do not want me to know the truth about, you have most likely used poor judgment.  If you cannot be forthright with me about the source of your information, you have most likely taken credit for someone else's work. If you have not received specific approval from me for any additional resources for all assessments and lessons, you have most likely violated the Honor Code by using inappropriate materials.
    You begin the year with a clean slate, for I have no reason not to trust you. However, if this trust is violated, it will be dealt with appropriately and immediately.  The bottom line is this, do what is right.


GRADING

    Students' averages are determined by a point system.  Each semester will consist of a summation of a variety of individual grades. Late assignments will be accepted at a lower point total.  The Blue Light Special is 10% off for each day late for assignments.  It is up to the teacher if credit will be given past the fourth day. 

            Tests                ~ 80-100 pts.

            Assignments   ~ 5-20     pts.

            Quizzes           ~ 5-10     pts.

            ¤  May not reflect exactly what will be on the tests.

            Projects          ~25-100  pts.

           ¤  Group Projects (graded on work presented, effort, creativity, teamwork, and other)
           ¤  Oral presentations
           ¤  Effort, Attitude, Class Participation, etc.


EXTRA HELP

    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.  Bring in homework to help locate troublesome areas if needed.
   I am available for extra help after school from on Tuesdays from 3:45-4:15 and on Thursdays from 7:35-8:05 in Room 329. I am available at other times by appointment.  Also, I check my email (daniel.snyder@pinecrest.edu) several times a day.

Back to the top