Geography and Consumer Economics

Ms. Vessey
E-mail: kvessey@lotusschool.org
Phone: 303-360-0052 ext. 234
Website: http://msvesseysocialstudies.weebly.com

I will be available by appointment before or after school on most days. I also expect students to come in
for help if they need it throughout the school year.

Students: please do not wait until the end of each grading period to become concerned with your
performance, take an active role in you learning. The key to success of the class is to stay focused and
listen to your classmates (and me, of course). Maturity and respect will be expected.

The following are expectations for this course:

ASSIGNMENTS
A. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A GRADE DROP!
Late, means any time after I have collected the work. A student may turn in late work with an
automatic drop on the assignment and a one week window.
First Quarter: 10% decrease
Second Quarter: 25% decrease
Third and Fourth Quarter: 50% decrease
B. Assignments missed due to an excused absence are your responsibility. Please make sure you
request make up work.
a. If you know you are going to be gone in advance, please take it upon yourself to come to
me and get work before or after school. (Not during class.)
b. Any vacations that will be longer than a few (2) days need to be approved through the
office in order to receive full credit for worked missed.
C. No assignments will be accepted for unexcused absences.
D. I would prefer that all research papers are typed. If not possible, they need to be done as neatly
as possible. Please refer to the following guidelines for all work in this class:
a. All typed research papers must be done in the font Times New Roman, be no larger than
a 12 point font and have margins no larger than one inch.
b. Proper spelling and grammar will be expected.
c. Use complete sentences on all assignments, unless otherwise directed.
d. Be legible if I cant read it, I dont grade it!
e. Keep all assignments, notes and tests in you interactive composition notebooks (not in
your textbook).
E. If students send me any work, it must be in an attached Word Document. Do not just copy and
paste text into the body of an email. If it is sent in any other format, I will not print out or accept
any work.
F. Homework, quizzes, and tests will be given throughout the year.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
A. Attendance Be absent as little as possible, it is hard to catch up on the work, concepts and skills
missed.
B. Tardies are a disturbance to learning and are unacceptable. Be prepared and be on time.
Excessive tardies will lead to a series of consequences. Refer to the PowerPoint presented at the
beginning of the year.
C. Behavior Be respectful, be prepared, and take responsibility. This class will operate on the
concepts of mutual respect, tolerance and courtesy. Class discussions require both speaking and
LISTENING.
D. No food or drinks are allowed in the class unless I advise differently.
E. Turn off your phones! Refer to the Student Handbook for the consequences of breaking these
rules. There will be times when you are allowed to use cells phones or music devices however
this is ONLY with PERMISSION from the teacher!
F. Cheating will not be tolerated in any form. Cheating includes: sharing answers, copying work
(homework, quizzes or tests), talking during any quiz or test after being told it had begun and
plagiarism or cheat sheets. Any student found cheating will receive a 0 for the assignment.
G. Vandalizing any school property (desks, walls, lockers, bathroom stalls, etc.) will result in an after
school detention with me and a phone call home. This detention will entail the cleaning of every
desk and all walls of my room if the item was located in the room. If it was located in another
location the detention will be done in that location.
H. Use passing periods wisely, leaving the classroom will only be allowed in the case of an
emergency.

GRADING
A. Grades will be organized into specific categories and each category will be assigned a specific
percentage.
a. Essays and Projects 20%
b. Exams and Quizzes 15%
c. Interactive Notebooks 40%
d. Participation 10%
e. Mid-term/Final 15%
B. Grades are available through the CoolSIS, please ask the office for an username and password if
you do not already have one. Also, progress reports are sent home periodically throughout the
year.

AUDIOVISUAL PERMISSION
During the course of the year in Geography and Consumer Economics TV shows, movies and other
audiovisual resources may be shown in class (more than likely we will view clips rather than entire
features). The content of these support materials are always pre screened by Ms. Vessey and relevant to
the content being taught at that particular period in class. The ratings of these audiovisual recourses
range from PG to PG-13.
It is my understanding that Lotus does not necessarily support all that is portrayed in the movie, but
does recognize its educational value. You may contact the teacher with any questions.
By signing the syllabus form I have given my child permission to view the audiovisual recourses
relevant to the content in this class.

MATERIALS
A. You will need:
1) 2 Composition notebooks [college rule preferred but not required] (1 for Geography and 1 for
Consumer Economics)
2) Blue or black pens and pencils
3) Colored pencils or crayons, glue, scissors
4) Also, a box of Kleenex to turn in at the beginning of the school year.
B. Students are highly encouraged to keep a planner every day! There will be many deadlines and
assignments that students need to keep track of somewhere.
C. Do not expect to be able to go to your locker if you forgot any of the above.
D. This class will cover Geography first semester and Consumer Economics next semester. Books
will be available on a check out basis. Students will have books available in the classroom at all
times and are able to take one home if they see me in advance. Most of the books are either a
year old or brand new, so damages will be billed accordingly.
E. You will not be given extra copies of handouts. If you lose a paper, you may pay $ .25 for an
additional copy (any money collected will be put into the Social Studies fund).
F. Keep this list of classroom expectations in your composition notebook.

TUTORING
A. Tutoring sessions will be on an as needed basis on Mondays after school, unless otherwise
announced.
B. Intervention: If you feel you need extra help in this course please notify me immediately. I will set up a time
with you to go over the material. I will be happy to set up tutoring sessions or assist in any per assignment
way.
C. Students who are failing or missing multiple assignments may be required to come to mandatory
tutoring. Failure to show will result in consequences refer to the student handbook for more
information.

SEMESTER OUTLOOK
This is for first semester Geography.
Month Topics Covered
August Mapping; The United States and Canada; Latin America
September Continue Latin America; Europe
October Russia
Mid-term
November Africa; Asia
December Continue Asia; Australia, Oceania and Antarctica
Review and Final
**Semester Outlook is subject to change**

I have read the above information very carefully and fully understand what my responsibilities are for
this class. I fully accept and understand the consequences of my actions should I choose to violate any of
the procedures/expectations listed above.

Please sign and return to Ms. Vessey (Geography and Consumer Economics).
No textbooks will be checked out to students until this is signed and returned.

___________________________________ __________________________________
Student Name Parent Name

______________________________ ________________________
Student Signature Date

______________________________ ________________________
Parent Signature Date

____________________________________________________________________________
Parent E-mail This is a crucial form of communication and the best way to get a hold of me as well!