Many things - End of Quarter Grades, My Absences, Extra Credit, Etc.

Today Wednesday 27 Oct I have finally returned from a two day absence. My illness was almost 5 days long and didn't make for a good weekend. However, Monday and Tuesday were devoted to substitute assignments and cultural contacts. If you were here, you should have turned your work into sub. If you were not here, make up is not necessary.

Today we covered world vegetation patterns as a reading assignment. While students did their reading, I went over grades for first quarter. As of today the grades should be finalized. All students were given a final print out and given the opportunity to discuss an last, lingering issues.

IMPORTANT: All extra credit, flags, video of the week, etc. will resume as normal next week. Sorry For all those who are disappointed.

Thanks

Factors Affecting Climate: Ocean Currents & Landforms

Today Thursday 21st October we talked about how ocean currents and landforms affect the climates of the earth. Ocean currents are large 'rivers' of water in the oceans that are caused by the uneven heating of the earth. Land near currents tends to have a milder climate. Warm currents warm nearby land, while cold currents have the opposite effect. Mountains have a strong influence on the amount of precipitation that an are receives. Mountains block moisture from reaching the other side and create the rain shadow effect. Precipitation, of course, is any moisture that falls from the sky such as rain, snow, hail, etc.

Thanks.

Factors Affecting Climate: Latitude & Elevation

Today Wednesday 20th October we discussed how latitude and elevation affect the climate of an area. Basically put, the close you are to the equator the warmer it is. This is because the equator receives direct sunlight or is near direct sunlight all year long. Latitude is a measure of how far you are from the equator. There are three latitude belts, or regions that share common climates based on latitude. Elevation can also affect climate because the higher up you travel the colder it becomes. This is due to the air becoming thinner and losing its ability to hold heat. We then completed a worksheet in class.

Thanks.

Earth-Sun Relationship

Today Tuesday 19th October we discussed the earth's relationship with the sun and how sunlight affects weather and climate on the earth. The basic concept of today's lesson taught that direct sunlight affects temperatures on earth. The axis and revolution of the earth cause the areas with direct sunlight to change throughout the year. these changes result in the seasons. We also discussed equinoxes and solstices and that these events mark the beginnings of the season and can tell us where direct sunlight is falling on the earth. After today's lesson the students will be able to also describe how the seasons occur.

Thanks.

Physical Features: Advantages & Disadvantages

Today Monday 18th October we spent the time discussing the impact of physical features on human activity. For example, plains are good for farming, easy for building, and make transportation a breeze. However, plains can also make it easier for enemies to invade, often lack recreational opportunities, and can have severe weather events. Students then looked at a map of Europe and based simply on physical features attempted to answer questions about development in certain countries based on physical features.

Thanks.

Creating a Continent (Cont.)

Today Wednesday 13th October we continued with our making a continent assignment. We also passed out grade printouts and I talked to several students about make up and the deadline for make up is 22nd October.

Thanks

Creating A Continent

Today Tuesday 12th October we spent the day beginning to create our own continents. These continents are meant to show knowledge of landforms and water features. Each continent must have a minimum number of physical features. For example, 3 mountain ranges, 2 oceans, and at least one example of each of the remaining features that we discussed yesterday. These maps must also include all the other basic map elements including title, latitude and longitude, scale, key, and compass rose.

IMPORTANT: Students will need colored pencils for tomorrow as we finish up the maps.

Thanks.

Physical Features of the Earth

Today Monday 11th October we discussed the lithosphere and hydrosphere and what the are comprised of. We also listed out several features of the each of those spheres. Students were all given a study guide for the next unit and a new current event form. Our Current Event #3 will be due next Friday the 22nd.

Thanks.

Current Event #2

Today Friday 8th October we studied current events. We spent 5-10 mins. discussing new events that had been happening over the last two weeks. We then proceeded to read about children used as soldiers in an article in the Upfront magazine. Students turned in a Current Event form from watching the news over the last two weeks. These forms MUST be signed on both sides by a parent or guardian. Unsigned forms earn only half credit. Students who did not have the form today were given one last chance to turn the form in on Monday.

Thanks.

Quiz: Maps of the United States

Today Thursday 7th Oct we took our test on the political and physical maps of the United States. Students who used purposegames.com to study and were able to beat my times were excused from the test and received an automatic 100% on the quiz.

Physical Geography of the United States

Today Wednesday 6th October we worked on identifying the major physical features of the United States. The maps will be due tomorrow. Tomorrow is also our quiz on the states, capitals, and physical features of the United States. Please make sure to take care of any 'personal' business before you come to class. Also make sure to bring a book in case you finish early.

Thanks.

Reality Town Preparation

Today Monday 4th October we had guests from Reality Town visit our class to explain how everything will work for the Reality Town simulation. Students were given life situations (i.e., married or single, number of kids, profession, monthly income, etc.) and were instructed on the choices they would need to make. The purpose of Reality Town of course is to help motivate students to do better in school by making connections between their performance now and its impact later in life.

Students will earn extra money for Reality Town by doing the following:

1) Bring in an actual grocery coupon.
2) Dressing up like the profession they were given.
3) Bringing a complete Continuing Education form

Thanks.