Exploring Europe

Tomorrow in class, we'll be learning about the climate and vegetation zones of Europe. We'll be doing a bar graph interpretation, reading about weather trends throughout Europe and practicing for our Europe map quiz - which is on Thursday!

Please visit my Edmodo page for access to the handouts we'll use in class. http://edmodo.com/mrsblagg

for 1st block only!

     Today we reviewed the quiz results and completed another reteach handout to be sure to understand ecosystems and biomes. Then we finished our documentary on global warming, "Cool It!" We finished our film notes in class, but due to yesterday's schedule we did not have time to do the film reflection questions in class.
     Therefore, please complete the film reflection for "Cool It!" for class tomorrow. You may choose to complete and turn in the assignment digitally via Edmodo. You will need to access my Edmodo page for the film reflection questions and explanations.
      Please email me if you have any questions! Thanks!

-Mrs. Blagg

http://edmodo.com/mrsblagg

Did you know?
   Hurricanes almost never occur in Europe! In fact, there was no word for hurricane in English until Europeans settled in the Caribbean Islands. The Spanish took the name of a storm god, Huracán, from the Taino Indians. These storms are also known as typhoons, cyclones, and severe cyclonic storms when they occur in other oceans.

   *Please remember to complete your Extreme Weather current event analysis! And be prepared to share in class tomorrow! Also, you will need to bring your textbook!

Did You Know? Hail isn't always round or small enough to hold in the palm of your hand.Some of these hard chunks of ice are elongated or jagged. They are mostly the size of gumballs, golf balls, or even baseballs. But the largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States landed in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1970. That's my hometown!! It measured 17.3 inches around, this monster ice crystal weighed 1.67 pounds. The National Center for Atmospheric Research held on to it and made models. Imagine what it would have felt like to be hit on the head with that hailstone!

Please checkout the attached file on my Edomodo page to use for note-taking in class! Tomorrow we will contine with Unit 2: Physical Geography and Climates. Don't forget to find an article to use for your Current Event Analysis that's due on Friday!

continuing with the themes...

Yesterday we introduced movement and today we introduced human-environment interaction as the last two themes of geography.

We will continue with HEI tomorrow by watching a special movie, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax - the old school version! We will also review for our test that will be on MONDAY (September 10th)!!


Remember to join the Edmodo group for your World Geography class if you haven't yet. Here's a link to my page...http://lexington1.edmodo.com/profile/6995684

a new month, a new theme

What is the hydrologic cycle? The earth is made up of how much water?

Today we began our 3rd Theme of Geography: Region.

In class we.... took notes about region, designed our own regional map of the U.S., read an article about vernacular regions, and took notes along with a video from Discovery Education about the region of the south.

All students should have access to Mrs. Blagg's Edmodo page to be used for further reference and instruction. If you did not receive the code to join for your block, please email bblagg@lexington1.net.

Tomorrow is an early dismissal day! Students will be dismissed @ 12:40. Remember, go to 1st, 2nd, 4th, and then 3rd for tomorrow!

Friday Night Lights

It's game day!!

Today we started our first (of many) current events! We completed the analysis in our daily work logs (DWL) and shared our findings in class. Then we took our quiz over what we've learned so far - the Basics of Geography. After the quiz, we took turns presenting our place postcards. Lastly, we worked in partners to finish the landforms handout given yesterday. These need to be done for class on Tuesday!

Have a nice loooooong weekend and Happy Labor Day!!

Understanding Place

Today we used our online pre-quiz to practice some more with latitude and longitude. Remember - our first quiz is tomorrow! Study study cause school's your buddy!!

We used part of classtime today to work on our place postcard assignment. Remember they are due tomorrow after you present!

5 Themes: Place

What are the three main types of map projections?

Today we reviewed projections by completing a handout together in class. We also took an online pre-quiz over latitude and longitude. Then we discussed our second theme of geography: place. Our next assignment will be using this new theme. You are to create a postcard of a place and illustrate its physical and human features.

How is place different than location?

Map Projections

What are the Five Themes of Geography? Which do you think is the most important? Why?

Before discussing map projections, we reviewed our notes from yesterday and completed our handout on latitude and logitude. We traded our mental mapping assignment with a partner and tried to interpret each other's work. The assignment was then taken up to be graded. Mrs. Blagg returned work and explained the grading system used for daily work.

We took notes along with a PPT on the different types of map projections and their purposes. Then we began our grapefruit project! With a partner we labeled our grapefruit to transform it into a globe. Then we were challenged to create a specific map projection out of our "globe". It was messy and challenging! At the end of the activity we answered a reflection prompt about what we learned about projections.

Another handout on latitude/longitude was given for homework.


How might a projection be misleading?

Monday Monday

What are the three basic types of maps?

Today we worked on our mental map assignment in class - remember they are due tomorrow at the beginning of class. Don't forget you also need to bring a grapefruit for class tomorrow!!

Then we took notes about the Five Themes of Geography and discussed location. We spent the rest of class practicing latitude and longitude.


EQ: What are the 2 types of location? Give an example of each.

It's Friday!!

What is our 'official' definition of geography?

Today we added to our notes about the tools and technology used in geography. We also discussed mental mapping and practiced with a few in-class activities. We will be using our knowledge about the parts of and uses for maps to create our own map of Lexington. This map will need to be of a common route you take here in Lexington. You need to map the route from memory, including details, and all the parts of a map (TALDOGS)!
We will work on this for a little bit in class on Monday and the assignment is due on Tuesday, August 28.

+ don't forget to bring a grapefruit!

Have a happy weekend!

Day 2!

You made it through the first day of school and you're back for more!

What is geography?
Why does it matter?
How can we study it?

These are the questions we attempted to answer in class today. We started with our graffiti chart to see what your perception of 'geography' really is. In class we completed a textbook scavenger hunt and 7 important terms. We took notes in class to begin our discussion of the basic tools and technology of geography.

Please bring in a grapefruit to class for an activity we will do Tuesday. Thanks!

Welcome Back!

Here we are at the start of another school-year...where did the summer go?!
I am excited to teach World Geography this semester and I hope we have a great fall together!

Today in class we will discuss the goals and expectations throughout this course. You will receive a syllabus, a parent letter, and the class expectations. The 'parent info sheet' you will receive with your syllabus needs to be filled out and returned for class tomorrow. Today we will also take a geography pre-test to determine our skill level in each class.

Please refer to this blog for class information until Edmodo is up and running.

Thanks!
Mrs. Blagg

Farewell!

All final exams and grades should be in by today!

I hope you have enjoyed your time in World Geography this semester and learned something about the world around you!

Enjoy your summer break!

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -Theodore Roosevelt

Finals Week!

We are reviewing all week and preparing for our comprehensive final in World Geography!

2nd & 4th blocks will take exam on Thursday, May 31st.
1st & 3rd blocks will take exam on Friday, June 1st.

Each student should have a unit outline and a set of focus questions in addition to their notes and past quizzes to help them prepare for the exam.

Mrs. Blagg will be available before school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for anyone who would like to come in for extra study help.

All missing and makeup work must be completed and turned in no later than Friday, June 1st.

Latin America

Where is Latin America? How would you describe it?

   This week we will be doing a mapping activity, a Latin current event, and  a group activity that will culminate in Latin Fiesta Day! The groups have been assigned a common celebration from a Latin American country to research and create a poster of - each group will share a food sample and what they've learned on Friday, May 25th!

Next week we will review for our comprehensive final.

Need to Know!

Due to various End of Course testing next week, we are going to have to bump up our Africa test. Our unit test on Africa will now be on Friday, May 18th. I do not want to overwhelm you next week since your end of course exams are weighed so heavily. We have already covered all the information that will be on the test & you have the review sheets needed to prepare.


Our projects are still due tomorrow. We will get through as many presentations as we can & then briefly review for the test. On Friday, we will take the test and then do more presentations. 1st & 2nd blocks will most likely finish the movie on Monday.

Africa's Current Struggles

    This week in World Geography we will be looking at the current issues affecting many African countries. Today in our notes we discussed Africa's economy base, healthcare issues, and armed conflicts.

    Beginning on May 15th, my World Geography classes will view the movie, Hotel Rwanda. This movie deals with the holocaust of internecine tribal fighting in Rwanda that sees the killing of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children. It follows the story of one ordinary hotel manager who musters the courage to save more than 1,000 helpless refugees. The theme of this film directly correlates to the content we are learning regarding Africa’s human geography.
    Due to violence and brief strong language this movie is rated PG-13 and your student will need parental permission to view this film. A letter was sent home last week - if you have not seen this letter please ask your student for it. You may also provide written permission or email me your permission with your student's name at bblagg@lexington1.net.

Firsthand South African Experience

  Today's 1st block class enjoyed a special guest speaker from South Africa. Today's guest shared her cultural experiences and some of the country's historic legacy! We are grateful for her willingness to share about her home!

  In class we continued to research and create our project - African Country Analysis. Remember, this is an individual project with a digital presentation. The project instructions were explained in class, emailed to each student, and a paper copy was offered. Please pay close attention to the rubric - the project is worth a quiz grade!

  Tomorrow is our map quiz over Africa. We have been studying and preparing all week in (& hopefully out) of class. A concise list of the major countries and cities was provided for your study aid.

All About Africa

   We've started our Africa Unit! Our mapping activities should be turned in for grading and we've started our interactive map practice in class. The map quiz will only be over Africa's political features - it's this Friday so study, study!

   In class we are taking notes and learning about Africa's physical geography - its climate, resources, and examples of HEI. We are also beginning work on our African Country Analysis - an individual digital project (worth a quiz grade). More to come on that!

Asia Test & Asian Culture Day!

Today we took our unit test over Asia. This covered all material taught on South and East Asia.
Don't forget, tomorrow is our Asia Culture Day! If you haven't brought an item to contribute yet - its not too late! We are still needing fruit roll ups and wax paper - drop by my room tomorrow before class.
Also if you have any missing or makeup assignments and would like credit for them - please turn them in ASAP!







Thanks & enjoy your extra long afternoon!! :)

Edging into East Asia...

   Today we took a content quiz over our material on South Asia.
   Then we used the outlines we started to take notes on some key physical features of China and their affect on the region. We used a digital note-taking tool to analyze the pros and cons of the Three Gorges Dam built to control the flooding of the Yangtze River.
   Tomorrow we will continue with our notes to discover the climates and vegetation zones of East Asia.

*Please remember to bring in an item or two for our Asian Culture Day on Friday. I really want all of my classes to be able to participate - and we can't if we don't supply the materials! Thanks!!

Upcoming Events!

FYI!!

Attention Parents & Students:

On Friday, April 27th the geography classes will jointly participate in an Asian Culture Day. We will be making 2 different kinds of sushi and creating various types of art. With almost 400 students participating, we are asking for your help in providing supplies for the event. If you are able to contribute for the event, we ask that you have your student bring it by Wednesday, April 25. Thank you in advance for your support!!

~Mrs. Blagg
and fellow Geography teachers

• box of rice krispie cereal
• bag of marshmallows
• 2 bags of gummy worms
• 2 boxes of square fruit rollups
• 2 rolls of paper towels
• package of small paper plates
• package of wet wipes
• box of disposable gloves

welcome back!

  As we return from Spring Break we will dive into another sub-region of Asia - South Asia. This week, we will be looking at the physical and human geography of India and its surrounding countries.
  In class today, we did our mapping activity for Asia. We will briefly go over this tomorrow in class & you will be quizzed over Asia on Friday, April 20th.
  Then we did a partner timeline activity for the name changes that Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka went though.
  Lastly, we finished with notes on the physical geography of South Asia.

spring break!

I hope you each have a fun and relaxing break!

When we come back on the 16th we will continue with our unit on Asia by looking at the South & Southeast Asian sub-regions. We will have HSAP testing that week so be prepared for some weird schedules.

I will be grading Arab Spring essays - so if its not in my inbox - its late (and remember it counts for 30% of your quiz on the Middle East).

See ya Monday!

Middle East & Major Religions

Today we prepared for our essay assignment on the Arab Spring. We will be using a CSE format which was explained and modeled in class. All essays should address 1 of the 2 claims provided. Factual evidence must be provided to support your claim. Be sure to cite your sources at the bottom of your essay in proper formatting.

After starting our essays, we finished our unit on the Middle East by taking notes on the 2 major monotheistic religions from that region. We also examined an excerpt from the Qur'an and completed our day with a Venn diagram to compare/contrast Islam & Judaism.

Remember to complete the review sheet that was handed out in class. We will take our quiz over the Middle East tomorrow and finish our essays.

Mapping the Middle East

What do you know about the Middle East? What would you like to know about the Middle East?

Today we completed our mapping of the Middle East (turned it in) and began notes about its physical geography.
In class, we mapped four major mountain ranges in this region and took notes about each range.
After talking about the Middle East's significant waterforms and resources, we completed a Guided Reading handout on the areas Climate and Vegetation. We will briefly review this at the beginning of class tomorrow.

a trip through Russia

Today we finished with World Geography midterm exams.

Already, we have begun our next unit: Russia!
We will be taking a brief tour through Russia - exploring its extreme physical geography and unique human geography!

We started on a mapping activity of Russia to gain an understanding of where we will be exploring. This map needs to be completed and turned in by Thursday.

We are also beginning a project about the Trans-Siberian Railroad. We will be working on this in class today, tomorrow, and Friday. Projects will be due by the end of class on Monday, March 26! More info to come!

MidTerm Preparations

Who is the symbolic head of Canada?

Today we explored some of the unique aspects of Canada's culture. In class, we practed peer teaching to learn about different parts of Canadian culture. Then we took a gallery walk to take notes on each topic.

In class, a review outline as well as some practice questions were handed out in order to prepare you for the mid-term. Remember, it is a cumulative exam covering Units 1-4. 2nd & 4th blocks will test tomorrow (Tuesday 20th) and 1st & 3rd blocks will test on Wednesday 21st.

Please email me for any questions concerning the exam.

Oh, Canada!

This week we've spent time mapping and learning the physical & human geographies of the U.S. and Canada.

In class today, we worked on a group assignment to create a gallery walk of Canadian Culture. We will share and take notes on each topic on Monday and review for our 9 weeks exam.

MidTerms --
Tuesday: 2 & 4 blocks
Wednesday: 1 & 3 blocks

A European Finale!

Today was our last day in Europe! We took our unit test and then began a mapping activity for our next unit - U.S. & Canada.

Please make sure your map of the U.S. is completed according to the provided rubric - color, key, and all!
Happy mapping!

Terra Australis Incognita

We've enjoyed a brief tour through the land down under - taking notes, participating in debates, and more. Yesterday we discussed Australia & New Zealand's unique physical geographies and today we highlighted the history and European colonization of these lands.

Tomorrow we will take a test over our unit on Europe. In class, a review guide was handed out to aid you in studying and preparing for the exam.

the European Union & other issues

BW: Which European sub-region do you think has the most cultural diversity? Why?

    Today we began class with a discussion on modern issues throughout Europe. We focused on the creation and development of the European Union and its results. After taking notes we watched a film by Discovery Education on European immigration issues. We used video notes to then analyze and interpret the film.
    Assigned homework: complete worksheet "Case Study: The European Union"

Remember, your postcard activity is due tomorrow and we will have our unit test over Europe on Thursday.


EQ: How can EU expansion pose potential problems?

Human Geography of Europe

This week our focus has been on the human geography of Europe. We are learning about the four sub-regions of Europe. In class today we are using the infographics we created yesterday to teach about an aspect of your assigned region. We are using a chart to take notes in class as we add to our knowledge of the four regions.

*Don't forget that the European map quiz is tomorrow!! We have been preparing for this for more than a week. Study study school's your buddy!!

Entering Europe

What are five landmarks in Europe?

Today we finished off our unit on Culture by taking a quiz on language, government, population, and economy.

We began our study of Europe by discussing some major landmarks and then analyzing several features from our atlas section. In groups, we interpreted graphs and maps to find out information about Europe.

Then we got started on our European Mapping Activity. An instruction sheet and 2 maps (physical & political) were given out. You are to correctly find, label, and color the features of both maps. A key must also be provided. We will take a map quiz over the major countries & landforms of Europe on Wednesday, February 29...so study, study school's your buddy!

Create-a-Culture Presentations

How is a country's population growth rate figured?

Today we presented our Create-a-Culture projects. Each group had 10 minutes to detail the culture they created. Each group will be graded per the rubric provided at the beginning of the project assignment.

After presentations, we completed a personal reflection and evaluation to be turned in by the end of class.

Then we spent the last few minutes of class organizing last week's notes on Culture to prepare for a quiz tomorrow!

How do we define culture?

Happy Monday!

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend!
I want to remind you to be prepared to share your Create-a-Culture projects with your group tomorrow in class!! Please make sure to turn in your Group Proposal sheet before you present your project. Each group will have 10 minutes to present. Your presentation should be organized, practiced, and informational. You will be demonstrating the various aspects of culture through this project.

After presentations, you will complete a personal reflection and evaluation regarding this project.

Also, please take a few minutes to look over your notes on culture. We will have a quiz at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Blagg





"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." -Theodore Roosevelt

Understanding Population

   This week we've continued with our unit on Culture. We discussed language families, types of government, and today we learned about population rates. We began class with a series of statements about population and its affects. With each statement we decided what our "stand" on the statement would be by going to a designated part of the classroom. We discussed varying viewpoints of each statement and then took notes along with a powerpoint about populaiton rates, densities, and distribution.
   Then we individually completed a handout on population pyramids according to the Census Bureau's website.
   The remainder of class was spend working in your groups for the Create-a-Culture project. Remember, your keynote/PPT and your typed papers must be organized in turned in tomorrow by the end of class. We will present our projects on Tuesday, Feb. 21 in class!

Change & Exchange

Today's discussion was about cultural changes and exchanges. We discussed cultural diffusion and how it affects food and religion. Then we completed a partner activity in which we mapped the major world religion and analyzed how those religions traveled.

The Create-a-Culture project was assigned today. Groups were formed and proposal sheets were handed out to record our brainstorm sessions. Your culture project proposal will be turned in for approval on Friday.

the Culture Behind Cave Art

  Our classroom was set up like an art gallery today. Each exhibit had an example of ancient cave art. As a class, we discussed the possible interpretations behind each art exhibit and what it tells us about that society's culture.
  Next we looked at modern examples of cultural expression.
  Then we created our own "cave art" in groups. Each group had to decide on shared characteristic to illustrate at least 6 of the 8 identifiers of culture.

{Please read Ch. 4 in your textbook for class tomorrow.}

Reviewing Climate Regions and Changes

Thursday - We worked on a partner project in class in which we created a climate map complete with latitudes, pictures, and a key. Then we used a worksheet to analyze weather in each region.

Friday - After our current world event research and discussion, we watched a film about climate changes and its effects. We completed a video notes handout as we watched the film and turned in our daily work logs before leaving for the weekend!

Finishing our 1st Unit

What type of climate region do we live in?

Our first test was given today over Unit 1 - Basics of Geography, Mapping Skills, Themes, and Climate.

After the test we turned in our homework - Extreme Weather Current Event.
We also completed a handout about climographs.

What was your favorite thing we learned about from our first unit?

Tomorrow we will begin our unit on Culture!

Climate Regions

  Today we reviewed what we have learned about weather and climate and we watched a film by the Discovery Channel about Extreme Weather. We completed a questions handout about the film as we watched.
  Then we took notes along with a presentation about the climate regions of the world and the basics of soil and vegetation.

*Remember your Extreme Weather homework is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will take our test over Unit 1!

Climate & Extreme Weather

How would you describe the type of weather you experience living in the Lexington area? 
   After finishing our ABC Book presentations, we began a new section on Climate and Weather. We completed a handout in class on the various types of landforms and then took notes along with a presentation about what causes climate patterns and extreme circumstance weather. We used our daily work logs to respond to a writing prompt.

   A research handout was distributed to be completed and turned in at the beginning of class on Wednesday. You will need to research a world current event about extreme weather and analyze it with our themes of geography.

   *Remember, we will take our test over Unit 1 (Basic Geography Skills and Mapping) on Wednesday, February 1.

Happy Friday!

  In our Friday tradition, we began class by selecting a current world news article and comparing the article to what we are learning in the classroom. Today you were asked to relate your article to our themes of movement and human-environment interaction. After reading and logging the information on our daily work logs, we took turns sharing our articles in class.
  We took our quiz today over the themes and latitude and longitude. After all quizzes were in, we took turns presenting our ABC Book of South Carolina projects.

Human Environment Interaction

  Today we took notes along with a presentation describing how and why we interact with our environment.
  We watched The Lorax - adapted from the Dr. Seuss book - to get a visualization of how we affect the world around us everyday. After watching we completed a worksheet in which we analyzed the positive and negative effects of that interaction. We also discussed the daily activities we take part in and if those activities are more helpful or harmful to our environments.

*Please remember that tomorrow we will take our first quiz.
*We will also present 4 pages from our ABC Books of South Carolina to the class before turning them in.

Movement

  Today we discussed our 4th theme of Geography. We began class with a film of the different places and regions of America. We used the film to aid our understanding of how people, products, and ideas move through our world.
  After taking some notes along with a lecture, a worksheet was handed out as a homework assignment. You are to use this to log the products in your home that represent movement.
  For the remainder of class we worked on our projects - the ABC Book of South Carolina.

Exploring the Five Themes

  Yesterday, we talked about the 2nd of our Five Themes of Geography: Place. We took a few notes and refreshed our knowledge of latitude and longitude. To put place into practice we had groups create a skit to describe a place that the class had to guess. Then we received an assignment for our ABC Book of South Carolina. This project will count as a quiz grade and is due on Friday, January 27. We received our rubrics for the assignment and spent about 30 minutes getting a start on it.
  Today we explored the theme of Region! We talked specifically about the perceptual regions of the U.S. After a mapping activity and some notes, we spent the rest of class working on our projects.

*Remember you will also have a quiz over latitude/longitude and the themes on Friday!

it's grapefruit day!!

  Today we started class by selecting a current world news article. Sites were provided to look up on your iPad or magazines can be found in the classroom. After reading, we discussed our articles and tied it into the 5 Themes we've been discussing in class.
  Then we completed a map skills handout on projections. On the back of this handout is some more latitude/longitude practice. This needs to be completed as homework to turn in on Monday.
  After a brief presentation on the major types of map projections, we used our grapefruit for a group activity. The goal was to create a globe on each grapefruit and then try to produce a map projection. Each group member received a handout to complete by Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!

*Tissues for the classroom would be appreciated!

a geographer's tools...

What are the two types of location we discussed in yesterday's lecture?

  Today we practiced our latitude and longitude skills! We started with a handout which we completed in class and then we used our iPads to scan a code that took us to an interactive quiz. We then used the handout to find the absolute locations for 11 major cities. (This needs to be turned in for credit.)
  Later, we took notes along with a presentation about some of the tools and technologies used in geography today.
  Tomorrow we will discuss map projections! Remember to bring your grapefruit! :)

Back to the Basics

What is geography?
  We began class today with a graffiti chart - organizing our thoughts about geography and pinpointing a consensus definition.
  Then we explored our textbooks by completing a Textbook Scavenger worksheet during class. These do need to be turned in for daily credit.
  We took our first notes today along with a powerpoint about the basic ideas and tools of geography. We described the Five Themes of Geography (location, place, region, movement, human-environment interaction) and explored location today.
  We ended class by playing Famous Amos - an activity in which you have to guess what location you are in by asking questions to find your relative location.
* Please bring a grapefruit for an activity we will do on Friday!

Welcome to World Geography!

  Welcome back students! I trust you enjoyed your long weekend and are ready for a new semester!
  Today in World Geography we began class with a notecard and a question - If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? We used this to start a class discussion and we will come back to these later - so stay tuned!
  We went over the syllabus today and you need to have a parent fill out the info sheet so you can return it for class tomorrow. We went through introductions and there is a "contract" on the bottom of the parent letter that also needs to be signed and returned for class tomorrow.
  After a little icebreaker activity, we took a pre-test to gauge our geography skills. We reviewed this in class,   but I will also look at these to gain a consensus for our class geography aptitude.
  Today we also got our textbooks! Please make sure to write your name in ink in the front cover. We will use these often during class, so come prepared!
  I'm excited about this new semester and the road ahead of us! Please feel free to email me or come by my room if you ever have any questions or issues.

World Geography Final

  Our final will be over the material we learned about Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia, and the Asia map.
  Exams will be today and tomorrow during normal class schedule. Study guides and unused hall passes must be turned in after final exam for redemption.
  All textbooks must be turned in to my room by Friday.

Good Luck & Hope you have a great rest of the year!

Preparing for the Final

  Looking back to last week, in my absence on Thursday and Friday, we read an article in class about the latest tsunami in Japan and wrote a response about how the people interacted with their environment as a result of that natural disaster. Then we completed a guided reading handout about Issues in East Asia. On Friday, a study guide for the final was given out to be completed.
  Today, we briefly reviewed key issues in Asia with a worksheet about Quality of Life and we went over the Issues in East Asia handout together in class.
  Useful resources to use while studying for the final were explained and we spend the majority of class completing our study guide and going over any questions.
  The map quiz over Asia had to be post-poned for various reasons. Therefore, it will now be included as a part of your final.
  *The final consists of material covered about Europe, Russia, Africa, Asia & the Asia map.

Religions of Asia

  We began class by examining map of the religions throughout Asia for our bellwork.
  Then we took notes along with a presentation about four major religions found in Asia. We read a primary source document about Siddhartha Gautama and completed a writing response about the Eightfold Path. To learn about Islam and Judaism we divided up the class to gather research and discuss.
  Tomorrow we will learn about Current Issues in East Asia! Be studying for your Asia map quiz on Friday!

Welcome back from break!

   I trust you all had a great holiday season! Today we started our unit on Asia! We began by completing a map together in class with 20 significant countries in Asia. Our map quiz will be on Friday, January 6 - so be studying!
   We took notes along with a presentation on the regions of Asia and their significant physical features. We examined an article in class together about the social geography of China. Then we watched part of a film regarding their One Child Policy. After the film, we wrote a response in the "writing" section of our daily log.
   Tomorrow we will look at the various religions and cultures of Asia!