US Map Making - FINAL Day

Today Thursday 30th September was our final in class day to work on the maps of the United States. Most students were able to begin coloring or were just finishing with labeling. Students were instructed to take the maps home and have them finished for Tuesday 5th October.

IMPORTANT: This map is worth 120 pts. total and constitutes a significant portion of the grade for 1st quarter. Maps that are destroyed or lost will need to be redone for credit. Students were well-informed of this.

Thanks.

US Map Making Day 5

Today Wednesday 29th September we continued working on the US map. The main focus was labeling the cities and states. Those students who have finished the labeling began coloring the maps.

US Map Making Day 4 & Collection Day

Today Tuesday 28th September we continued on with map making and most students began the labeling process. States, capitals, and other major cities were included. Again students were instructed to follow the instructions on their instruction sheet.

IMPORTANT: All students MUST have colored pencils for coloring the maps. If a students has no way of obtaining colored pencils, he or she should talk to me so arrangements can be made. We will be using colored pencils for all mapping assignments.

We also spent the first 5-10 minutes of each class handing out materials for Student Led Conferences. Each student received:
1) A student assessment
2) A grade printout
3) A work sample (Paradise maps along with the grading sheet)
4) A script to help them talk about the work sample

Thanks

US Map Making Day 3

Today Monday 27th September we continued working on our political map of the United States. Most students spent the day drawing the states in the outline of the US that they created. Students were given an instruction sheet and told to follow the sheet carefully. The instructions were also given orally. As long as students follow the instructions given step by step, the maps will be the best they can be.

We also took a portion of the class to fill out student self assessments for our student led conferences.

Current Event #1

Today Friday 24th September we had our first current event. Students turned in both the Current Event Instruction sheet and their Current Event Form. Students who did not have these have until Monday to turn them in. Both papers need a parent signature or they will receive only half credit.

Our topic of discussion for today's current event was the mosque that is being planned for the vicinity of the former WTC. What are the reasons for and against such a building? Students offered input on both sides and were encouraged to support their decisions based on facts presented.

Quiz: Map Reading

Today Thursday 23rd September we took our quiz on map reading. Second period was unable to take the quiz due to the assembly. They will take the quiz tomorrow. Please remember, however, that ALL classes will be turning in their first current event tomorrow.

Thanks

US Map Making Day 2 & QUIZ Tomorrow!!!

Today Wednesday 22nd September we continued mapping the United States. Most students were able to finish the outline of the continental United States. After the outline was finished, I instructed the students to begin drawing in the states. These maps will be kept in the classroom and we will resume mapping on Monday.

Remember that tomorrow, Thursday 23rd September, is the Map Reading Quiz.

Thanks

US Map Making - Quiz: Map Reading

Today Tuesday 21st September we began working on our US political map. Grids were already pre-made and the students began doing the outline of the United States. We will be making a political map of the lower 48 states along with the capitals and major cities of those states. It is IMPERATIVE that each student bring a pencil for this project. Pens and markers are not allowed. Also you will need colored pencils and a large eraser. If you have not yet obtained these items you will need them ASAP!!! You were informed of this 3 weeks ago.

In light of recent events at the school and in the community, our quiz on map reading will be postponed until Thursday the 23rd of September. Please remember that this quiz covers only the first two parts of the yellow study guide. If you did not get a study guide, please see me to get one.

Thanks.

Reality Town Career Choices

Today Friday 17th September we spent the first 10 minutes of class grading our Paradise Map. Remember, this is the map that goes int he SLC folder for our Student-Led Conferences. If you did not turn your map in because you missed Wednesday or Thursday of this week, you have until Monday to complete the map.

We then spent the remainder of the period discussing Reality Town and choose careers for that. If you missed today, you will need to see the counselors about getting your career chosen. You NEED to do that quickly though, or a career will be chosen for you.

Thanks.

Finishing Up

Today we finished two assignments: the map of Paradise and the atlas activity involving the maps of Australia. The maps of Paradise we will grade tomorrow and will be using those maps in our SLC folders.

Making a Map of Paradise

Today Wednesday 15th September we worked more with using longitude and latitude. We made a map of a fictional continent called Paradise. Several coordinates were given for cities and various physical features such as rivers, lakes, and mountains. Using the coordinates, we plotted out these political and physical features and created our map. For most classes we will finish these maps tomorrow. It will be necessary to have colored pencils to color the maps neatly. All students were informed several times of the need for colored pencils in Geography class.

PLEASE BRING COLORED PENCILS WHENEVER WE DO MAPS!!!

This assignment will also be the assignment we use for our Student-Led Conferences. So you must put forth your best effort. It is almost as important to be neat as it is to be correct. What good is it to be correct, if no one else can understand you?

Maps and Five Themes

Today Tuesday 14th September we continued reading maps for information. We read the maps of Australia with the Five Themes in mind. As we analyzed each map we revisited absolute / relative locations, human / physical features, regions, and interdependence.

If you missed today, you will need:

1) To get the assignment.
2) There were NO new notes today.

Thanks

Map Reading and Map Parts

Today Monday 13th September we looked at the parts of a map and how to read those maps for information. Maps are tools we use to answer the first question of Geography or where is it? The KEY or LEGEND of a map explains the symbols and colors used on a map. The COMPASS ROSE shows directions on a map. The SCALE is used to make measurements and show distances on a map. The three main kinds of maps are political maps that show cities, states, countries, and boundaries. Physical maps show physical features and elevation. Finally, special purpose maps show a specific characteristic such as resources, climate, or population. We then used maps of the United States to gather various information.

If you were absent, you will need to get:
1) The notes and copy from a friend
2) The assignment on map reading. (NOTE: This assignment must be done in class so you will need to come after school or during 7th period, if your 7th period teacher will allow you to do so.)

Current Events

Today Friday 10th September we discussed the Current Event Assignment. Every student was given a yellowish instruction sheet that must be signed by a parent or guardian. This assignment will be an ongoing assignment all year. I will be requiring all students to watch at least 30 mins. of national news programming each week and then fill out a current event form. There are no restrictions on which news program may be watched. If a student does not have access to a televised news program, he or she may use an internet source such as cnn.com or he or she can use newspaper articles.

The first current event forms and the signed instruction sheet will be due on Sept. 24th Friday.

TEST: Five Themes of Geography

Today Thursday 9th September we had our first quiz in Geography. This quiz covered the Five Themes. Students also handed in their note packets for points. The quiz was worth a total of 60 points for the regular Geography classes and 65 for the Honors Geography classes.

Students in the regular Geography classes are allowed to redo any test that they received a C or lower. Students who receive Fs are REQUIRED to redo the test. Redos can be done anytime after school except Mondays, but I will need notice so that I can make sure I am here.

Honors students are required to achieve at least a B on their tests and are REQUIRED to redo any test on which they get a C or lower. Same procedure as described above.

Culture Contact #1 - National Geographic

Wednesday 8th September we did a culture contact for 3rd-6th periods. The culture contact involved watching a National Geographic Taboo video that documented an aspect of culture from various places around the world. Culture is a major component of the third theme of Geography or Movement. Students watched the video and we looked at aspects of culture that are new to us. The two episodes that were chosen were "Gross Work" and "Marks of Identity". Each episode contained information on cultural traits that had aspects that were unusual and common to us.

First and Second periods unfortunately were behind the other class and we used this day to catch them up. First period received the notes on Region and Human/Environment Interaction while second period just got the notes for Human/Environment Interaction.

The Fifth Theme of Geography - Human Environment Interaction

Today Tuesday 7th September we talked about the fifth theme of Geography or Human / Environment Interaction. We discussed that people are attracted to certain environments because of climate, economic, and recreational reasons. Every environment on earth has environmental advantages and disadvantages. For example, Utah has great recreational opportunities based on its physical climate, but its weather can be seen as a serious disadvantage by many. We also talked about some of the more extreme impacts on the environment such as deforestation, endangered species, and pollution.

If you were absent today you need to get:
1) The notes from a friend
2) And the assignment entitled Human/Environment interaction

Thanks

The Fourth Theme of Geography - Region

Today 3rd September we discussed the fourth theme of Geography, region. Region answers the question, how is this place the same as other places and how is it different from other places? Places are divided into regions to help us compare and contrast and make connections between places. The two main kinds of regions are formal and functional regions. A formal region is an area that shares a common characteristic, such as the Midwest which is a predominantly flat, farmland. A functional region is an area that is centered around a hub city, such as the Wasatch Front is centered on Salt Lake City.

Thanks.

Third Theme of Geography - Movement

Today Thursday 2nd September we talked about the third theme of Geography which is movement. People, things, and ideas are constantly moving from one part of the world to another. This process has happened since the beginning of history and continues today. Two important concepts that are connected to movement are INTERDEPENDENCE and CULTURAL DIFFUSION.Interdependence is the idea that we all depend on each other to meet our needs and wants. Even a powerful country like the United States needs other countries to function properly. Cultural diffusion is the process by which cultures spread to new areas and intermingle with one another. For example, salsa is a very popular condiment in the US that came here from a different culture.

If you missed today, you will need:
1) To copy the notes from a friend.
2) Complete the Culture Questionnaire at home.

Thanks

Second Theme of Geography - Place

On Wednesday 1st September we looked at the second theme of Geography, place. Place answers the questions, what is it like there? We use two main types of descriptors when talking about place. Physical features are permanent, naturally occurring things in the environment such as mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and oceans. Human features are relatively permanent, stationary, man made things in the environment such as buildings, roads, dams, and canals. Physical features can be modified by humans to meet their needs and wants, while human features often reflect the physical environment and the culture of an area.

If you were absent, you will need:
1) To get the notes from a friend.
2) The assignment which is to analyze pictures and describe what kind of places they are.

Thanks.

First Theme of Geography - Location (Continued)

On Tuesday 31st August we continued practicing using absolute and relative location. Using a map of the United States we found the coordinates of several US cities. We then used relative location to describe the location of several physical features and states.

If you were absent, you will need:
1) To turn in your assignment from Monday.
2) Get the new assignment from Tuesday (a map of the US is needed).
3) There were NO new notes.

Thanks.