World Geography

Today we discussed new classroom expectations and consequences. We briefly reviewed map concepts of Europe and discussed several graphs and statistics about various European countries.

Remember to return your signed expectations contract to Mrs. Blagg as soon as possible.

Hello World Geography Students!

I would like to take this time to introduce myself for I will be teaching you in World Geography indefinitely. As a social studies teacher, my basic aim is to equip my students with a sufficient knowledge of the world around them and the events that have shaped it. You will have the opportunity to learn the characteristics that strongly influence a country both geographically and culturally.

Each student is a unique and complex individual. Therefore, I will use a variety of teaching methods in order to appeal to a variety of students. I do not intend on teaching students to merely memorize places and facts. Rather, I would urge them to become active learners in order to prepare them for a successful future.

I am eager to get to know you and to be a part of Lexington High School. I look forward to a great remainder of this semester!

-Mrs. Blagg

"The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes."

-Marcel Proust

Global 1 - A & B days

   Your Global Studies 1 exam is today or tomorrow. It covers Eurasian Empires, African Societies, & Early American Civilizations. Please be prepared to turn in your textbook & any unused passes after your exam.

   Have a great summer & remember to....study, study, school's your buddy!
   :) Mrs. Blagg

"What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?" -unknown

Freshman Seminar

Your portfolio final should be uploaded onto your site before class (preferably midnight the night before) on Monday, May 23 @ 8:00am. If you completed & uploaded your mastery statement, artifacts, & artifact analysis....then you do not need to be present for the final exam. However, if you do not have all aspects completed & uploaded you must attend the exam time.

Refer to my website for instructions:
https://sites.google.com/site/mrsblaggsfreshmanportfolio/

Global 1 - A & B days

We will briefly review for our final.
Please bring past quizzes & notes to class to correct/organize.

The final will cover our material on the Eurasian Empires (Byzantines, Russians, Mongols, & Turks), African Societies, & the Early Americas.

Sociology

Today we discussed the process of modernization & how it affects a society.

For Friday, please bring your binder & book to class. We will review for our final. The final exam is on Tuesday, May 24 @ 8:00 am.

Global 1 - B schedule

How did the Nazca & the Moche develop rich farmlands?

  We began class with bellwork and updating the foldable on our current vault. Thus far, our study of the Americas had led us to examine the Olmec, Zapotec, Chavin, Nazca, & Moche.
  Today we continued with our study by examining the Maya, Aztec, & Inca Empires that rose up in Central & South America. We took notes along with a powerpoint & discussed the various accomplishments and beliefs of each culture.

  In class we completed a handout that outlined the unique irrigation techniques of the Maya.

Homework: Complete the handout,Aztecs Control Central Mexico. Read the source article on Machu Picchu (on the back of the handout).

* Please remember that we will have a quiz over our unit on the Americas on Tuesday, May 17.

Global 1 - A schedule

How did the Nazca & the Moche develop rich farmlands?

  We began class with bellwork and updating the foldable on our current vault. Thus far, our study of the Americas had led us to examine the Olmec, Zapotec, Chavin, Nazca, & Moche.
  Today we continued with our study by examining the Maya, Aztec, & Inca Empires that rose up in Central & South America. We took notes along with a powerpoint & discussed the various accomplishments and beliefs of each culture.

  In class we completed a handout that outlined the unique irrigation techniques of the Maya.

Homework: Complete the handout, Aztecs Control Central Mexico. Read the source article on Machu Picchu (on the back of the handout).

Freshman Seminar

Today we used our class time to complete some practice tests for Algebra 1 & Physical Science EOCs.

If you have not completed the 2nd English practice test, please do so by tomorrow morning.

You may also begin working on the final - your portfolio. Please follow the instructions on my website to create your Mastery Statement & your Key Artifacts. This needs to be uploaded onto your ePortfolio by Monday, May 23, 8:00 am.  https://sites.google.com/site/mrsblaggsfreshmanportfolio/

Global 1 - B schedule

What factors made the Oaxaca Valley a likely place for civilization to develop?

  To review last week's MesoAmerican civilizations we updated the foldable on our current vault unit. Then we took a closer look at the impressive city of Monte Alban. We spent time in class creating a travel brochure for this important Zapotec city. Each brochure should have a persuasive title, 5 accurate facts, & color! These were turned in during class. If you did not finish, however, they should be turned in first thing on Thursday.
  We took notes on the South American civilizations: Chavin, Nazca, & Moche. We took a gallery walk around the room to discover the mysterious Nazca lines. We evaluated each image & tried to figure out why they were created. Then we completed a handout in class to help us determine the validity of a historical document about the Nazca culture.

Homework: Complete the Building Vocabulary handout, The Americas: A Separate World.

Sociology

  Today we presented the Group Minority Projects that we've been working on in class. Each group presented a different minority group that has a prominence in the U.S. They illustrated a timeline of their immigration & determined their cultural significance. After all of the presentations, we completed a self evaluation using the project rubrics. Then we finished a handout with follow-up questions from the project.
  To end class, we defined vocabulary for our last unit (set 7).
  Thursday we will discuss collective behavior. We will also have a book check, so be prepared!

Global 1 - A schedule

What factors made the Oaxaca Valley a likely place for civilization to develop?

  To review last week's MesoAmerican civilizations we updated the foldable on our current vault unit. Then we took a closer look at the impressive city of Monte Alban. We spent time in class creating a travel brochure for this important Zapotec city. Each brochure should have a persuasive title, 5 accurate facts, & color! This were turned in during class. If you did not finish, however, they should be turned in first thing on Wednesday.
  Then we took notes on the South American civilizations: Chavin, Nazca, & Moche.
  We took a gallery walk around the room to discover the mysterious Nazca lines. We evaluated each image & tried to figure out why they were created. Then we completed a handout in class to help us determine the validity of a historical document about the Nazca culture.
Homework: Complete the Building Vocabulary handout, The Americas: A Separate World.

Freshman Seminar

  We are using USAtestprep.com to practice for upcoming EOC exams. Today in class we used a powerpoint handout to go over what the English EOC will look like. The majority of class was spent taking the 1st test practice created by Mrs. Westbrook.
  You need to complete the 2nd test practice for homework. This needs to be complete by Wednesday & you will be graded for completion of this task.
  Wednesday we will look at Science & Math practice tests.
  Friday we will finish up with our practices & discuss the final ePortfolio assignment.

Sociology

Describe 3 of the 7 discussed patterns of treatment for minority groups.

  Today we worked on research & our minority group timelines as a part of our group projects.
Thursday we will work on the immigration & culture posters. Finishing touches &  presentation practice will be on Friday. We will present our minority group exhibits on Tuesday, May 10.

Global 1 - B schedule

We began class by updating our vaults. We described the three main migration factors & then discussed push & pull factors for each.
  Then we finished a film that depicts the environmental interaction that takes place in Mozambique, Africa. Before we watched we developed a purpose question. While we watched we took notes. After we watched we wrote a 7-10 sentence response. This is homework if you did not finish in class.
  We took an open-note quiz over our unit on Africa.

  Lastly, we received our new vault on the Americas. You need to define the 7 terms in the Key Vocabulary box & create a foldable for the VIP section.

Global 1 - A schedule

  We began class by updating our vaults. We described the three main migration factors & then discussed push & pull factors for each.
  Then we watched a film that depicts the environmental interaction that takes place in Africa, more specifically in Mozambique. Before we watched we developed a purpose question. While we watched we took notes. After we watched we wrote a 7-10 sentence response. This is homework if you did not finish in class.
  Lastly, we took an open-note quiz over our unit on Africa.

Freshman Seminar

  Today we presented many of our Freshmen Seminar Research Projects to our class & various parents. I want to thank each of the parents who came to support their student.
  Unfortunately, we did not get to present all projects today. Therefore, several students will present on Wednesday & we will evaluate our progress after they present.

Freshman Seminar

  We practiced our presentations in small groups & critiqued each other's work in class.
  We discussed the procedure in which all presentations should be made, the research expectations, & the rubric guidelines.
  All ePortfolios must be complete & ready for submission on Monday, May 2. We will then present to parents & other guests! Practice & be prepared to do your best!

Global 1 - A schedule

  We took our map quiz over African countries today & graded them in class.
  We briefly reviewed African Empires & placed them geographically.
  Then we looked at an example of storytelling by reading from Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali.   We read this aloud with our table partner & answered questions about the griot's tale.
  As a class, we examined the Great Zimbabwe empire & completed a Writing History.


Exit Work: How is Swahili an example of cultural interaction?

Global 1 - A schedule

  We briefly reviewed Friday's lesson about environmental concerns in Africa & how the people adapt to those environments. We discussed & completed the "Diverse Societies" worksheet with a partner in class.
  Then we took notes on the migrations of the Bantu-speaking peoples & the effects of migration. We discussed potential reason for migration....push-pull factors. Then we worked through a handout in class which covered adaptations the Bantu had to make & the effects on others.
  We used a map to geographically & culturally map several rising empires in Africa. We discussed the Efe, the Almoravid, Ghana, Mali, & Songhai civilizations. Then we looked at an example of storytelling by reading from Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. We will finish reading & discuss on Wednesday.

Homework: Complete "Identifying Problems" worksheet. Study for map quiz!!