Geography Syllabus

1. Buckhannon-Upshur High School Geography Mr. Isaac Casto
wicasto@k12.wv.us
Room 225 Course Syllabus (304) 472-3720 ext. 5225
Course Overview
This course will examine both the physical and human geography of the modern world. In addition to
learning landforms and climates, students will analyze the cultural, economic, and political characteristics
of countries/regions throughout the world. Instruction will also cover key themes in civics, economics,
geography, history, and literacy.
Expectations and Rules
In addition to assignments and classroom procedures, students will be expected to abide by the
following class rules:
 I will show respect.
 I will be engaged.
 I will participate.
 I will be positive.
 My actions, my consequences.
Materials
Students will need the following materials for class every day:
 3-Ring Binder (2 inches)
 Notebook Paper
 Writing Utensil
 Agenda
Student Work
Students will be expected to complete various in-class and out-of-class assignments: reading, notetaking,
discussions, research projects, mapping, etc. It is vital that students complete and submit assignments in a
timely manner.
Late Work
Students will be permitted to submit assignments up to ten days after the original due date. However, a
10% penalty will be imposed every day after the deadline. Late work will not be accepted after the ten-
day period.
Make-Up Work
Per the Upshur County Board Policy, all students will have the opportunity to make up work missed due
to an absence. Students will have the same number of days missed to submit assignments. It is the
responsibility of the student to request make-up work.

2. Tests/Quizzes
Summative assessments will be given at the end of each chapter/unit. Exams will assess students’ content
knowledge and aspects of literacy skills (i.e. reading comprehension, writing skills, etc). Exams will be
announced at least one week in advance. Students are strongly encouraged to utilize all available resources
(notes, maps, study guides, etc.) to prepare for exams.
Geography Binder
Students will be expected to compile all class notes and assignments in a Geography Binder. The Binder
will be collected and graded during each term (nine-weeks).
Special Projects
Students will be required to complete at least one special project each semester. Projects may include
research papers, class presentations, or multimedia projects and may be individual or collaborative.
Students will be given project outlines as they are assigned.
Citation & Plagiarism
Students will be expected to provide proper citation for all gathered research. The class will use Modern
Language Association (MLA) format for bibliographies and parenthetic citations. For more information
on proper formatting, please see the Purdue OWL website (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/).
Plagiarism is the copying/paraphrasing of established work without proper citation. Assignments that
have been wholly or partially plagiarized will receive zero credit (0%).
Grades
All grades will be based on the standard grading scale:
A = 100 – 92.5%
B = 92.4 – 84.5%
C = 84.4 – 74.5%
D = 74.4 – 64.5%
F = 64.4 – 0%
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions; my contact information is listed above. I look forward
to a great year!
Student and Parent Signature
I have read and understood the policies and procedures contained in this course syllabus.
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________________________