Miss Diaz, 2013-2014

Crossroads Christian Academy

E-mail: ldiaz@ccapanama.org

6th Grade Syllabus

Course Description:
Geography is designed to provide students with an introduction to physical and human geography of the
world. The course begins with an overview of 5 geography themes and how climate, environment, and
resources affect the worlds people. Students will learn, practice, and apply various Social Studies skills
including interpreting maps and analyzing visuals and other media. Students will examine first-hand
resources and literature to identify peoples points of view about an area and give them a basis for
interpreting historical and cultural information about a country. To further the students understanding of
the connections between the past and present, students will write and present reports on a country of
their choice.
Essential Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Articulate and give examples of the 5 Themes of Geography: Location, Place, Regions,
Movement, Human-Environment Interaction
Explain how sun, location, wind, water, and mountains affect weather and climate and shape
Earths different environments.
Explain what culture is and how does it change over time.
How to read and create maps.
Examine the physical geography and how it has an effect on the history, culture, and life today of
the following areas: the Americas, Europe/Russia, Southwest/Central Asia, Africa, South/East
Asia and the Pacific.
Biblical Integration:
God: How has God used the geography of certain areas in the world to fulfill His promises for His
people?
-"God is the author of geography and because He knows the end from the beginning He used
geography to help form the great kingdoms of the ancient world. He set mountains in strategic
locations to halt prideful man from conquering certain places too easily." (bible-history.com)
Creation: Our choices as humans have a great effect on the environment and climate of an area.
Creation is groaning for God to return, but He put us in charge of it to take care of it. (Genesis
2:15, Romans 8:22)
Mankind: Man is made in God's image, no matter what culture they're from. God put eternity into
our hearts, and so people around the world are continually looking for God and His Truth for their
lives. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Moral Order: When examining the values and beliefs of people around the world, we need to
keep in mind that there is absolute truth found only in Jesus Christ. (John 14:6)
Purpose: History shows Gods concern for and involvement in human events. (Romans 5)
Texts:
World Geography. Holt McDougal, 2012.
Online Textbook: my.hrw.com (enter username/code)
Academic Expectations and Grading Procedures:
Homework/Classwork: (30%) Homework will consist of section assessment and critical thinking
questions, vocabulary review, watching/responding to historical video clips, online interactive
textbook assignments, reading, maps, and other material we have covered in class. All homework
will be explained before class dismissal, and assignments will be posted on the board weekly.
Quizzes: (30%) Quizzes will be given periodically to assess comprehension and mastery.

Miss Diaz, 2013-2014

Crossroads Christian Academy
E-mail: ldiaz@ccapanama.org

Tests/Projects: (40%) Projects/Written Reports will be assigned with a rubric/scoring guide and
detailed instructions. Unit Tests will be given after the completion of a unit. There will be a final
exam both semesters.

Classroom Expectations
Be Prompt: Students are to be seated, working on the warm-up activity when the final bell rings.
If students are outside of the room, they will be considered tardy.
Be Polite: Use appropriate tone when talking to classmates and teacher, bring a positive attitude
to class, and respect school property and the personal space of other people. This means raising
your hand and waiting to be called on to speak and share ideas in class, as well as showing an
appreciation for different cultures we learn about.
Be Prepared: Upon arrival to the classroom, students should have all the necessary materials
and assignments for the day, and should quietly enter the classroom, ready to learn. Remember
being prepared is part of your Citizenship grade!
Citizenship Grade
The citizenship/character grade at CCA is based on the behavioral and attitudinal descriptors included
with each letter grade (in the Parent and Student Handbook) to better communicate to the student and
parent/guardian, the meaning of the assigned grade. Citizenship/character grades do not affect GPA.
Materials Needed:
Pencil box (see M.S. materials)
M.S. pocket folder (provided)
Agenda
One Balboa or spiral Notebook (lined paper)
Highlighter
Index Cards
*All Materials should be labeled with the students name.
*A class set of textbooks will stay in the classroom, and students will have the choice to use the online
version of the textbook or to bring their book home to study. Textbooks must be covered all year.
Students will be charged for any damage done to the textbook.
Room 7 Classroom Policies
1. Bathroom/Nurse/Hallway
Students need to make use of passing periods, break and lunch time to use the bathroom/get a drink of
water. A lot of pertinent information is covered in class, and students are still responsible for the material
they miss even if they leave the classroom. Students may only leave to go to the bathroom if it is during
independent or group work time or it is the last 5 minutes of class.
Students must fill out a hall pass form and get it signed by the teacher. They must carry the Room 7
bathroom pass when leaving for the bathroom.
If a student comes unprepared to class, it will be recorded in Renweb and disciplinary
consequences may follow if it is a repeated offense.
2. Late Work

Miss Diaz, 2013-2014

Crossroads Christian Academy
E-mail: ldiaz@ccapanama.org
Homework will be written on the board everyday for the students to copy into their assignment notebooks.
Everyday homework expectations will be discussed and questions reviewed before students are
dismissed from class.
All assignments are due at the beginning of class on their due date. Assignments that are not turned in at
the beginning of class on their due date will be graded based on the following scale:
1 day late = 80% as the maximum grade
2 days late = 60% as the maximum grade
3 days late = 40% as the maximum grade
4 days late = 20% as the maximum grade
More than 4 days late = The assignment will not be accepted for a grade.
Note: All late assignments will receive a Missing (M) in RenWeb until the assignment is turned in. After 4
days, the Missing (M) becomes permanent in RenWeb.
3. Absence
Students are responsible for all work that is done in class. When a student is sick and unable to come to
school, they are responsible to come to me when they return and create a plan to make up assignments.
*If you know you are going to be absent, email me ahead of time and I can prepare a folder of
missing work for you. Together, well set a date that it will be due.
4. Make-up Tests/Quizzes
Students can make up quizzes during lunch, and unit tests may be taken after school with office approval
of date/time. A fee may be charged to the students account. (See Student Handbook.)
Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment, and the student will have to
resubmit the work for a maximum of 50%. Tests may not be retaken.
5. Electronic Devices/Cell Phones
Cell phones are to be turned off and stored in the students locker or backpack during class time.
Students may choose to store their device in the pocket holder provided, but they are responsible for the
safety of the device. There will be days when I require the use of technology in class and that will be
clearly noted on Renweb or on the homework board that week. If a cell phone rings or if a student is using
a cell phone/electronic device in class without teacher permission, it will automatically be a lunch
detention.
6. Test Correction Policy:
I reserve the right to allow the student to make corrections on tests. When corrections are allowed, the
following guidelines apply if corrections are made completely and accurately and turned in at the
beginning of the following class period:

Original score 90 or above = 3%

Original score 80 or above = 4%
Original score 70 or above = 5%
Original score 69 or below = 6%

added to the grade

added to the grade
added to the grade
added to the grade

7. Food/Drink
Water bottles are allowed if they are not a distraction. Food/drink other than water will not be allowed in
the classroom, unless it is a special event and there is teacher permission.
8. Trash
Trash should be placed in the trash can ONLY. Trash is never to be thrown. Student must receive
permission to leave their seat.

Miss Diaz, 2013-2014

Crossroads Christian Academy
E-mail: ldiaz@ccapanama.org
9. Genius Hour
Often called 20% time, this is a creative project that allows students time to focus on what interests them
(20% of their time). Middle School is a formative time where students are discovering their gifts and
talents and how to use them for the Lord. Genius Hour is a time to hone in on those gifts. It is also a time
to develop soft skills: personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and

harmoniously with other people(dictionary.com).

Examples of soft skills include (National Career Service):
-communication
-teamwork and collaboration
-adaptability
-problem solving
-accepting responsibility
-critical observation
-conflict resolution
-making decisions
-showing commitment
-time management
-self confidence
-leaderhsip skills
-flexibility
-ability to work under pressure
-creativity and problem solving
Starting in September, we will spend each Friday, until the end of the semester researching, learning and
creating an end of the semester project. I will encourage students to explore their interests, things in
which they want to do better, problems they wish to solve, or things they wish to create. There is no
required topic for this project, because I truly want them to discover something on their own. The project
has few limits, only that students must do effective research, pitch their idea to the class, write weekly
about their progress, and finally, give an end of the semester presentation to showcase what was learned.

How will students be graded?

It is more about the process for this major project-based learning assignment. Therefore, grades will be
given in the following areas:
The Research (Can you demonstrate understanding of how to evaluate the credibility of a website?)
The Pitch (Does it address the required questions appropriately?)
The Blogs (Do the posts meet the required length, address the required topic, and use basic writing
conventions?)
Final Presentation (Does your presentation meet all of the required elements: voice, eye contact, proof of
research?)
We will talk more about Genius Hour in the coming weeks, and I will be showing students examples of
student presentations from other schools. Check out http://www.geniushour.com/ to learn more.
10. How to Contact Miss Diaz
I am available to talk with students briefly after class, during lunch, during my free periods, and after
school. Email is the best way to contact me with questions, concerns and to let me know you would like to
discuss your student anytime.
As the school year progresses, I will be posting announcements, rubrics, and links to helpful courserelated websites on RenWeb as well as the class website: missdiazclass.weebly.com. Check RenWeb
and the class website daily for course updates, records of student behavior, grades, and other relevant
school information.

Miss Diaz, 2013-2014

Crossroads Christian Academy
E-mail: ldiaz@ccapanama.org
Contact me by e-mail: Ldiaz@ccapanama.org OR missdiazclass@gmail.com
Miss Diazs Available Office Hours:
5th and 6th periods (meet outside of room 7)
Tuesday, Friday 2:30-3:00p
Schedule of Activities for the Year (dates may be subject to change):
Expect at least one major project/report per Unit
Q1: Aug 6-Oct 2 (42 days)
Unit 1: Intro to Geography
Unit 2: The Americas (Ch. 1-9)
Q2: Oct 8-Dec 17 (43 days)
Unit 2: The Americas (Ch. 10-11)
Unit 3: Europe and Russia
Genius Hour Showcase
Q3: Jan 18-April 5 (48 days)
Unit 4: Southwest and Central Asia
Unit 5: Africa
Q4: April 8-June 9 (44 days)
Unit 6: South and East Asia and the Pacific
Genius Hour Showcase