S+Brock,+Jonathan

**Office:** Office 87 **Office Phone:** 207-xxx-xxxx **Office Hours:** Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:00-4:00 ** E-mail: ** jonathan.t.brock@maine.edu
 * Teacher:** Mr. Brock

=Summary of Unit= In this unit, students will understand the differences between physical and political geography, as well as the implications of these two types of geography. This understanding will be applied to concepts of unity and diversity on many different levels: globally, nationally, regionally, and regarding Maine. Students will adapt and interpret aspects of unity and diversity with specific situations. "Real world" connections will be made, and students will reflect on and consider how geography affects their culture and way of life. This links abstract, conceptual thinking with concrete examples that illustrate the importance of geography. To accomplish this, students will explore and learn about the aforementioned concepts and points of understanding. Assuming the role of a researcher, the students will collect, demonstrate, and share information via Type II technology. The role assumed by the students in their task will enable them to relate to the material, especially in their assumed-role interaction at the culmination of the project.

=Establish Goals= Maine Learning Results: Social Studies - D. Geography D2 Individual, Cultural, International, and Global Connections in Geography Grade 9-Diploma "Students understand geographic aspects of unity and diversity in Maine, the United States, and the world, including Maine Native American communities."

= = =Students will understand that= • there is a difference in unity/diversity imposed by physical vs. political geography. • geographic factors have a strong relation to culture. • geographic aspects of unity and diversity occur on many levels.

= = =Essential Questions= • how are unity/diversity affected differently by physical vs. political geography? • why do geographic factors have such a profound impact on culture? • how do geographic influences on unity and diversity vary based on many levels?

= = =Students will know= • Key factual information: Types of geography, understanding of unity/diversity, different "levels" of geography. • Formulas: Consequences of physical features, how industry relates to culture, how climate affects human adaptability. • Critical details: Differences, similarities, and connections between political and physical geography; the use and application of geographic concepts applied to current events and global perspective.

= = =Students will be able to= • discern between types of geography. • evaluate differences in influences based on type of geography. • decide how Maine's unity/diversity is affected by geography. • compare physical vs. political geography. • consider the role of unity/diversity on many levels. • be aware of how geography shapes their own culture.

**Performance Task Overview** As a member of your hometown's chamber of commerce, you are tasked with creating a wikispace that will bring tourism to your area. The wikispace will include promotion of tourism of your town using geographic concepts of physical vs. political geography and their effects, as well as geographic unity and diversity. Your audience consists of your colleagues in the chamber of commerce, who will review your wikispace for approval--they will be critical, because this will represent the town in a highly visible fashion. In order to further increase commerce and tourism, you will interact with the chamber of commerce of another town in order to collaborate on tourism strategies, lodging/attraction packages, and shared information resources for people looking to visit your area. This discussion must take place using the discussion feature of your wikispace.

=Expectations=
 * Absences:** Students are expected to communicate. If you are absent, contact me via email with so that together we can come up with a plan for getting you caught up. Class assignments and other resources are available online, and I will accept electronic submissions of assignments if the situation requires. Again, communication is key. Each class period is a busy and productive time period.


 * Assignment Expectations:** Assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class. No time to work on the assignment will be offered on the day that it is due. Students are allowed to work together unless specified not to. You have many resources at your disposal. I encourage you to come to my office hours with questions, or contact me by email at any time. As with absences, communicate with me about late work so that we can work out how to get everything complete in the timeliest fashion. Formatting for assignments will be clearly stated with every assignment.


 * Classroom Expectations:** Treat others as you would like to be treated. This classroom is an open atmosphere for academic discussion and contribution, but not disruption. Remember to always be civil and professional, especially when others share opinions or perspectives that differ from yours. This is a classroom where everyone has an equal opportunity for contribution, and everyone should expect to have their contributions respected. Combined with the right mindset, you will also need to bring the appropriate materials to every class. Be sure to bring your textbook or assigned reading, as well as a decent pen or pencil and three-ring binder with paper for notes.


 * Plagiarism:** There is no tolerance for plagiarism (intentional or not) or academic dishonesty. Specific format requirements or special citations will be explained in class. There is no reason to plagiarize unknowingly, as I am always available for questions (whether it be through office hours, or by email) regarding citations and copyright laws. Protection of intellectual property ensures creativity, and you will find that this class requires a lot of creativity!

=Benchmarks=
 * Total Point Value: 435**

You will use Google Earth to to see differences and similarities between physical boundaries and political borders. You will receive an unmarked map from Google Earth where you must trace places where political borders are also physical boundaries, with my help and instruction. Next, will pick an area of the world to analyze for physical boundaries and political borders, and make brief notes on it by labeling a map of your chosen area while collaborating with others. The class will then hold a discussion where different ideas are exchanged about similarities of political borders and physical boundaries from examples all over the world. To further refine your product, you will consult maps of different time periods to better evaluate your chosen part of the world. Finally, you will develop short written examples that prove the similarities or parallels you are exploring. **Points: 50**
 * Google Earth**

You will write a blog entry that states how you think geography shapes your culture and your life. Students will know the use and application of geographic concepts applied to current events and global perspective. The content will be explored in a graphic organizer that allows you to make bulleted lists of how geography affects various parts of your life and that of your community--like industry, language, etc. You will engage in a think-pair-share activity with another classmate to review your findings for your blogs. Next, you will self-assess by comparing your blog to an example I have made that focuses on a different area not chosen by anyone in class. Furthermore, I will comment on your blog with constructive feedback. Your final product will be evaluated by a checklist to ensure that it has met content standards. **Points: 30**
 * Blog**

You will post your perspective on how Maine's geographic unity/diversity is affected by geography. To begin, we will learn exactly what geographic unity/diversity is. To organize your thoughts for your post, you will be given a graphic organizer that consists of three sections to fill out. One section is labeled "culture," another "industry," and the last "unity/diversity." You will fill in contributing factors to each of the sections. You will use this organizer to post your thoughts. After that, we will interact with each other and comment on these posts. This will culminate in revised responses to the feedback given. **Points: 30**
 * Discussion board**

In order to demonstrate understanding of the two types of geography (physical and political), you will create a presentation using iMovie. This will be graded using a rubric with clear expectations. You will begin work on the iMovie by brainstorming together in groups of three to create outlines of what they think defines/distinguishes the two types of geography. Next, you will form a storyboard for the iMovie, and engage in a think-pair-share that will be guided by a discussion topic checklist. This will allow you to reflect and refine your presentations before I give you some concrete non-graded feedback. All of this will culminate in a polished final product which will be graded. **Points: 75**
 * iMovie**

You will create a comic that illustrates the differences in influences imposed by the two different types of geography. You will get a graphic organizer with tables for categorizing the effects of geography. I will provide examples, and you will fill in the table. You will then use a printed template to create a storyboard for their comic, working in groups to aid brainstorming. Students can orally review their ideas for the comic with me, leading up to the final product. You will revise your storyboards for the comic so that it is on topic and has content accuracy. My written feedback and availability of informational resources for geographic influences will help you to perfect your storyboard for the final product. **Points: 75**
 * Comic**

Using Glogster, you will depict different levels of geography by showing maps with descriptions that compare geographic effects on the multiple levels of geography. You will share ideas about differences between your town and a neighboring town, your state and a neighboring state, etc. While this sharing appears really informal at first, it is meaningful because the understanding of the citizen of how their culture fits into the region and interaction reflects actual unity/diversity. These thoughts will be written down on a printed set of fields. You will then come up with short descriptions of geographic unity as it relates to your hometown, county, state, region (New England), and nation, building off of each others' contributions to prior discussion. This will help you formulate and refine the content for your Glogster product. **Points: 75**
 * Glogster**

As a member of your hometown's chamber of commerce, you are tasked with creating a wikispace that will bring tourism to your area. The wikispace will include promotion of tourism of your town using geographic concepts of physical vs. political geography and their effects, as well as geographic unity and diversity. Your audience consists of your colleagues in the chamber of commerce, who will review your wikispace for approval--they will be critical, because this will represent the town in a highly visible fashion. In order to further increase commerce and tourism, you will interact with the chamber of commerce of another town in order to collaborate on tourism strategies, lodging/attraction packages, and shared information resources for people looking to visit your area. This discussion must take place using the discussion feature of your wikispace. **Points: 100**
 * Final Project - Wikispace**

=Grading Scale= **A** (93 -100), **A-** (90 - 92), **B+** (87 - 89), **B** (83 - 86), **B-** (80 - 82), **C+**(77 - 79), **C** (73 - 76), **C-** (70 - 72), **D+** (67 - 69), **D** (63 - 66), **D-** (60 - 62), **F** (0 - 59).