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!