Winter 2013 CSUSBPD Geog 300

Geography for Elementary and Middleschool Classroom

Information

• Instructor: Lisa Schmidt• Class No.: 20487• Time: 12:00-3:50 PM Thursdays• Room: IW 303• E-mail: Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com• Office Hours: Before/After Class• Web Site:

http://geographyforteachers.wikispaces.com/

Course Description

• This course Introduces students to Human Geography concepts while integrating methods of dissemination to K-8 students.

• It focuses on human interaction with the cultural landscape through emphasizing lesson plans that are age appropriate for spatial reasoning.

• Students are introduced to several geographic themes. Resource materials are available on the internet and at the library.

Textbooks

• Human Geography Places and Regions in Global Context 6th Ed.

• Paul Knox and Sallie Marston ISBN 978-0321769664

• Teaching Geography 2nd Ed.

• Phil Gersmehl ISBN 978-1-59385-715-8

Course Objectives

• Upon completion of the course students will be able to do the following: – 1. Apply human geography concepts and terms. – 2. Integrate geographic themes in lesson plans. – 3. Access materials for creating geographic models. – 4. Disseminate critical thinking and spatial reasoning

at age appropriate levels. – 5. Explain the world around us, current event topics

and our global interrelated dependence on this planet.

Class Structure

• This class will consist of in-class lectures, demonstrations, discussions and hands-on applications through workshops. There will also be assigned readings and course projects beyond the class room. Quizzes and exams will test student comprehension of assigned readings, lectures, and discussions.

Class Structure: Assignments and Grading Scale

• Chapter Quizzes 11 @ 10 pts each = 110

• Exams 3 @ 100 points each = 300– Based on the Human

Geography Text• Blog Discussion 6 @ 10 points

each = 60– Lesson Plans

• Presentation 1 @ 100 = 100– Final Project

• Workshops 5 @ 10 = 50– Based on the Teaching

Geography Text• Total Possible Points = 730

• See grading scale in syllabus.

Chapter Quizzes

• Chapter Quizzes will be composed of material from the Human Geography (Knox and Marston) textbook.

• They will be given using Blackboard. • Chapter Quizzes will open at the end of class

and will close 30 minutes before the next class, at 11:30 AM.

• You will have two chances to complete each chapter quiz.

• Chapter Quizzes will be timed; you will have 30 minutes to complete them.

Exams

• Exams will be composed of material from chapter quizzes, lectures, and discussions.

• Exams will be given using Blackboard.

• Exams will be timed; you will have 60 minutes to complete them.

Blog Discussions

• You will be required to join a group and contribute to an online blog.

• You will discuss your posts in class.

• As a group, you will post one lesson plan per week that you have revised to include geography.

Blog Discussions

• You will need to make an account at www.wikispaces.com AND you will need to join the class wiki. Go to this page: http://geographyforteachers.wikispaces.com/ and see the *buttons* at the top right corner.– We can work on this in class today.

Blog Discussions

• Blogs will be done in groups.– We will pick groups today.

• At least one group member must also join www.slideshare.net so lessons plans can be posted to the class web page.– We can discuss this today.

Presentation

• You will be required to give a final presentation. This presentation will be a lesson plan that includes a field trip. Details for the presentation are posted on the class web page.– Please read this assignment on the web page

and ask me questions.

Workshops

• Workshops will consist of hands-on mapping activities based on material from the Teaching Geography textbook.

• You may want colored pens or pencils for these activities.

Schedule

• Note the schedule in the syllabus…

Class Rules: Late Work

• Late work will not be accepted. Missed quizzes or exams will NOT be reopened on Blackboard.

Class Rules: Absences and Tardiness

• I reserve the right to drop students who miss class twice. If you have to miss class, you should stay in contact with me. You may be dropped for excessive tardiness. If you are going to be late, come in quietly and take a seat WITHOUT interrupting lecture. Excessive tardiness is being more than five minutes late three times. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes, or ANY other information, including schedule changes.

Class Rules: Dropping

• If you wish to drop this course, you must do so formally. Not dropping the course will likely result in an F.

Class Rules: Extra Credit

• Some extra credit may be offered during the quarter. It will be announced in class and your attendance will be required to take advantage of it.

Class Rules: Academic Honesty

• Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any incidences of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the deans office. Please refer to CSUSB*s policy on academic honesty.

Class Rules: Changes

• All point totals, topics, and assignments are tentative and may be changed if it becomes necessary.

Blackboard

• Blackboard will be used for this class.

• It will be essential for you to use it. – If you have questions about Blackboard,

please ask me today.– Your first quiz will open on Blackboard today

after class.

Class Web Page

• You are also required to contribute to the class web page which is located at: http://geographyforteachers.wikispaces.com/

• You will need to become a member of Wikispaces and JOIN this page.

• If you have questions about the web page, please ask.

• Documents, videos, and other information will be posted on the class web page.

Contacting Me

• The best way to reach me is through my e-mail Lisa_M_Schmidt@yahoo.com.

• I do not have office hours and will only be on your campus once a week.

• I do check this e-mail address daily, but some times it may not be until late at night.

CSUSB Resources

• There are a variety of resources available to you as a student. Take advantage of Student Health Services, Childcare Services, Library Services, Computer Services, Counseling Services, and more. Ask me if you have questions about resources available to you.