Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Culture, Day 9 - Class Recap


A clock in a park in Hanoi, Vietnam. Next class will used for your DBQ essay final! Today, students took a look at the documents and began to think of possible responses for the essay. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today was dedicated to Culture Project presentations! Next class, you will be writing an essay on the prompt "How does culture both reflect and shape society?" Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen. Selected for today because the song is typically seen as representing patriotic themes, but a closer look at the lyrics (as we did in class) show that the song is really about a deep dissatisfaction with American culture.

AGENDA 10/31/17:
News Brief – Emma
Culture Project Presentations
DBQ Prep
Work/Prep Time

Homework: Read the blog. Bring ALL of your culture unit work to be used during the first part of the DBQ!

1) Surface culture worksheet (National Geographic photos PowerPoint)
2) Cornell Notes on Culture definitions/iceberg PowerPoint
3) Nacirema writing (neatly written or typed, 200 words minimum)
4) Time for School Notes/Answers

Next news brief: Varsha.

News Brief: Emma had the news brief today and chose an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - Pakistan bride charged over 'poisoned milk' killings. We found Pakistan in the world map packet and talked about this story, and also shared some stories from the Halloween weekend and other current events.

Varsha was selected to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Culture Project Presentations: This was most the rest of the class, as students who did PowerPoint presentations or visual representations for their Culture Project talked about their own culture. I really loved this, and it is always so cool to learn more about different cultures around the world and in our classroom! Way to go, everyone that went today! If you did not turn in your project yet, please submit it on Google Classroom, or turn in a paper copy to the box in the classroom. I will grade these later this week - the grades will be on the progress report, so please turn it in ASAP if you have not already.

DBQ Prep: The last part of class was for getting ready for an upcoming Documents Based Question (DBQ), which is a type of essay that you will likely see many more times in your high school career. In order to help understand what to do with the writing portion, I had the class take notes on this PowerPoint presentation:


Your notes from this will help next class as we start the DBQ together! Thank you for your hard work! See you next class!
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Friday, October 27, 2017

Culture, Day 8 - Class Recap


Camels in front of the entrance to The Treasury in Petra, Jordan. Photo taken July 2014.

Hi everyone,

Today was our last in-class work day for the Culture Project assignment. Here's the recap for the day:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Selected for today because of the association with Halloween! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/27/17:
News Brief – Clayton
Fire Drill
Reflect/Shape
Culture Project

Homework: Read the blog. Continue working on the Culture Project - due next class! Next news brief: Emma.

News Brief: Clayton had the news brief today and came in early to find this article with me before class: BBC.com - Russian helicopter lost off Svalbard in Arctic Norway. We found Norway (which Svalbard is a part of) on our world maps and talked a bit about this story, before moving on. Thanks, Clayton!

Emma was selected to bring in the next news brief, and we checked in about the upcoming weekend, as well.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Fire Drill: A quick October Fire Drill during class, due to the nice weather outside.

Reflect/Shape: I wanted to be sure students had another opportunity to understand how to respond to the learning target of how culture both reflects and shapes society, so we went through this quick PowerPoint together in seeking to provide some more information about the terms:


Hopefully this helped in understanding some of the key terms of the learning target for the unit.

Culture Project/Grade Check: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the DBQ (which students passed back at the end of class) and continuing to work on the culture project, as I checked in with every student in the class about grades and what could help. There are a lot of options of what to do - it could be writing, a visual, a presentation, or something else. Here's the assignment:


This will be due in class on Tuesday, so be working on it at home and ask questions if you need help!

Have a great weekend, everyone!
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Culture, Day 7 - Class Recap


A big part of American culture is sports. This was taken at the 2010 Holiday Bowl, before Oregon played Oklahoma State, and won! :-)

Dear class,

Most of today was taken up with working on your Culture Project, which is due next week on Tuesday! Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus. Selected for today because we talked about American culture, as well as Halloween upcoming. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/25/17:
News Brief – Tristan
Culture Project
Grade Check
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Continue working on the Culture Project - due next Tuesday! Next news brief: Clayton.

News Brief: Tristan had the news brief today and came in early to find this article with me before class: WashingtonPost.com - Anne Frank diary to counter anti-Semitism in Italian soccer. We found Italy on our world maps and talked about this story, as well as some examples around the world of soccer supporters chanting racist/homophobic things. We also checked in about what students were up to outside of class.

Clayton was selected to bring in the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

Culture Project/Grade Check/Work Time: After the news, the rest of class was devoted to work time, in completing the Time for School questions, and continuing to work on the culture project, as I called each student up to check in about grades and if there was anything that could be done to improve. There are a lot of options of what to do - it could be writing, a visual, a presentation, or something else. Here's the assignment:


This will be due in class next week on Tuesday, so be working on it at home, bring work into class to do next class, and ask questions if you need help! I went around the class and answered questions about it, or helped brainstorm ideas. Please continue to be working on this at home! See you next class. :-)
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Monday, October 23, 2017

Culture, Day 6 - Class Recap


A pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This was right across the street from where my friend Clarke lived for a while. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today we finished the Time For School assignment and continued to work on the Culture Project. Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Rhapsody in Blue" by Leonard Bernstein. Selected for today because I went flying over the last weekend, and this song is used in United Airlines commercials. No lyrics, but listen here.

AGENDA 10/23/17:
Wildcat News Brief – Haddie
Time for School
Updates
Culture Project

Homework: Read the blog. Continue working on the Culture Project! Next news brief: Tristan.

News Brief: Haddie had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Typhoon Lan makes landfall in Japan, causing flooding and landslides. We found Japan in our world map packets (in Asia) and discussed this story for a bit before moving on. Tristan was selected to do the next news brief last class.

We checked in about what everyone was up to outside of class, before moving on.

We also watched BBC World News today in class. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Here is Westview Wildcat News for the day, if you missed class or wanted to watch it again:




Time For School: We finished Time For School today. If you missed class and the handout, here it is:


Again, the point to this was to analyze how we see surface culture and what deeper culture is like in different areas around the world.

If you missed class and need to catch up, or simply want to review it again:
Today, we went back to the assignment, talked about the students and their culture, then answered the three questions on the back side of the paper. Please keep this for the future, as it will be part of the Culture Unit Collection of Evidence.

Updates: After watching Part 2 (just the parts having to do with the students, not the interview at the end), I showed the updates that PBS recently put out about 6 of the 7 students in Time for School. Here are links to see them again (the video should start playing at the new sections of the video):





It was really interesting to see how everyone is doing now, and what they are up to in their lives!

Here is the most recent version of the Time For School documentary (including Shugufa) if you want to see what everyone is up to!


Culture Project/Work Time: I introduced this last class. This is one of the main assignments for the culture unit, and I hope it is interesting for students to work on! There are a lot of options of what to do - it could be writing, a visual, a presentation, or something else. Here's the assignment:


This will be due in class on Tuesday, October 31, so be working on it at home, bring work into class to do, and ask questions if you need help!

The rest of class was devoted to working on the Culture Project. Please continue to be working on this at home and let me know if you have questions by sending me an email! See you next class. :-)
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Thursday, October 19, 2017

Culture, Day 5 - Class Recap

On the football field at Westview, later this past summer. Athletic events are a big part of Westview culture!

Hi everyone,

We continued learning about culture today! I also introduced the Culture Project that you will be working on the next couple of weeks. Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets:
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Represent" by Weezer. Selected for today because we were talking about how people in different cultures represent themselves. This was also a pump up song for the 2010 World Cup. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/19/17:
News Brief – Megan
Culture Project
Time for School
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in missing/incomplete geography work ASAP. Start working on your Culture Project! Next news brief: Haddie.

News Brief: Megan had the news brief today and talked about this story with the class: BBC.com - Spain warns Catalonia on self-rule as deadline looms. We found the Spain in our world maps (in Europe) and talked about the ongoing conflict over the region of Catalonia. Thanks, Megan! Haddie was assigned to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Culture Project: This is one of the main assignments for the culture unit, and I hope it is interesting for students to work on! There are a lot of options of what to do - it could be writing, a visual, a presentation, or something else. I'm really interested in learning more about your own culture, and I hope that you are able to learn more about your own culture, too. Here's the assignment:


This will be due in class for Period 4 on Tuesday, October 31, so be working on it at home, bring work into class to do, and ask questions if you need help! Talk with me if you are thinking about doing something in the "Other" category!

Time For School: I really like this documentary as part of our unit on culture, because it is especially interesting to me to see how school and education is a part of different cultures around the world. Here was the handout that I gave to students to fill out as we were watching:


Again, the point to this was to analyze how we see surface culture and what deeper culture is like in different areas around the world.

We finished Part 1 of Time For School 3 today, if you missed class and need to catch up, or simply want to review it again:

We also started Part 2, and finished class about 30:51 in.


We will finish this next class and continue working on the culture project after that! Thank you!
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Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Culture, Day 4 - Class Recap


I really like this picture I took of a kid (I have no idea who it is) at Trillium Lake by Mt. Hood, last summer. Fishing could be a part of his family culture!

Dear class,

We are now really getting into the culture unit! Today, we learned more about education and culture, as well as sharing our Nacirema stories! Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Abc" by Jackson 5. Selected because it relates to the theme of school and culture, which we learned more about today with Time for School! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/17/17:
News Brief – Kanta
Review Cornell Notes
The Nacirema Stories
Time For School

Homework: Read the blog. Finish working on the Nacirema assignment if you did not in class (see below). Check your grade in Student VUE and improve it, if possible. Next news brief: Megan.

News Brief: Kanta brought in an article about this story to talk about for the news brief today: BBC.com - Raqqa: IS 'capital' falls to US-backed Syrian forces. We found Syira in the world map packet (the Middle East map) and discussed this article for a while in class. Thank you for all of your excellent questions and analysis here!

Here is a link with an updated map of what is happening in Syria:


Thanks, Kanta! Megan was selected as the next news brief.

We checked in about the weekend, and anything else that was happening, as well. I had an incredible time in Orlando, watching the Thorns win the NWSL Championship!

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

Review Cornell Notes: Last class, we went through a PowerPoint on culture. Today, we returned to our notes as part of the AVID process of Cornell Notes, and made questions about the material, as well as summarizing information. There were two handouts that went with this (from last class):



Again, here's the PowerPoint on culture that I wanted notes to be taken on:


Thanks for trying this way of taking notes!

The Nacirema Stories: We returned to the Nacirema reading and assignment from last class, as students tried to make their own versions of the Nacirema stories.


Here's the assignment that has to do with the with the Nacirema reading:


Remember, you are trying to identify something about our own culture, that, when described from an outsider's perspective, would actually seem pretty strange. We finished these in class (if you did not, please finish it at home) and shared a few out before moving on.

Time For School: I really like this documentary as part of our unit on culture, because it is especially interesting to me to see how school is a part of different cultures around the world. Here was the handout that I gave to students to fill out as we were watching:


Again, the point to this was to analyze how we see surface culture and what deeper culture is like in different areas around the world.

We got about 34:00 in to the following video, if you missed class and need to catch up, or simply want to review it again:


I hope you are finding this interesting and engaging! See you next class! :-)
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Friday, October 13, 2017

Culture, Day 3 - Class Recap


Today's soundtrack was "Wavin' Flag" by K'Naan, so the photo for today is of a picture I took of the flag of Turkey on a ferry, overlooking the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. Photo taken in 2013.

Hi everyone,

I enjoyed blowing your minds today (see below)! I think it was a good class, with finishing the culture PowerPoint lecture notes, and then having fun with the Nacirema reading. Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Wavin' Flag" by K'Naan. Selected for today because flags are a symbolic representation of a county, which is integrated into culture. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/13/17:
News Brief – Justin
Cornell Notes
The Nacirema
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Finish your Nacirema short writing, please! Check your grade in Student VUE and improve it, if possible. Next news brief: Kanta.

News Brief: Justin brought in an article about this story to talk about for the news brief today: ABCNews.com - Volcanic eruption in Japan spreads ash in 4 cities, towns. We found Japan in the world map packet (the Asia map) and discussed this story for a bit. Thanks, Justin! Kanta was selected to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Cornell Notes: This is a note-taking strategy that we are going to be using frequently this year at Westview - especially if you are at all familiar with the AVID class. There were two handouts that went with this:



We went through both of these together, as I made sure to talk about the way in which Cornell Notes help with retaining information. Here's the PowerPoint on culture that I wanted notes to be taken on:


Really, the Iceberg Model is all about what we cannot see. We had an interesting discussion in class with this, as we looked more into deep culture, and what some good examples might be. As I said in class, I think everyone does not want to stereotype cultures, or be prejudiced against them in some way, so we need to seek to understand cultures around the world. Your notes are a good start in this!

The Nacirema: I always enjoy this (an old school reading, but a good one). To begin, we used another AVID strategy that involves numbering the paragraphs of a reading. We read this famous article together, as most students sat perplexed about what the heck was going on.


Spoiler alert: here's the assignment that has to do with the with the Nacirema reading:


The end of class was spent looking at the reading, and trying to analyze how the Nacirema story might relate to our own culture. Next class, we will share our writing about the Nacirema using similar language and theme. This is usually a pretty fun assignment, once you think of an aspect of our culture to use!

That was it for the day! See you next week! :-)
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Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Culture, Day 2 - Class Recap


Another part of my culture is having dual citizenship, due to my mom being born and raised in the United Kingdom.

Dear students,

Today, we got back to work on our new unit of culture. We learned a little bit more about the "iceberg" model for it. Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.
Behavior LT 1:  I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "American Pie" by Don McLean. Selected for today because we were talking more about American culture, and this song famously contains lots of references to it. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/10/17:
News Brief – Krista
NG Slides
Our Culture
Cornell Notes

Homework: Read the blog. Check your grade in Student VUE and improve it, if possible. Next news brief: Justin.

News Brief: Krista brought in this article to talk about for the news brief today: NBCNews.com - Experts: North Korea Targeted U.S. Electric Power Companies. We found North Korea in the world map packet (the Asia map) and we talked for a bit about why North Korea would want to do this. Justin was assigned the next news brief.

Next, we checked in about the weekend and anything else students wanted to talk about, before moving on.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

NG Slides: After the news, we finished the National Geographic culture slides activity from last class. I passed out this sheet last class (it is also on Google Classroom):


After that, we went through this slideshow of pictures from the National Geographic Photography: Culture website. Here are the photos we went through:


I love all of these pictures because the world is such a diverse and interesting place! I enjoyed the class guesses as to what was going on in each. At the end, I revealed where each photo was taken and a bit of a description, as well.

Our Culture: After the slides, we moved on to looking at what our own culture is like. Due to time, we brainstorm the following as a whole class: What is our culture like? With your group, brainstorm aspects of what culture is like at the following three levels. Use your culture traits from the slideshow last class!

American Culture
Portland/Beaverton Culture
Westview Culture

I had a lot of fun listening to the examples given for each of these, which did do a good job of highlighting different elements of culture! I think it was really fun and productive in understanding culture.

That was it for the day! See you next class, when we will start taking Cornell Notes on Culture! :-)
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Monday, October 9, 2017

Culture, Day 1 - Class Recap

Part of my family's culture is attending Oregon Duck football games (well, maybe not so much for my sister). This is us outside the 2011 BCS National Championship Game in Arizona.

Hi everyone,

Today, we moved on to a new unit: Culture! What an interesting topic. Culture defines who we are, yet we shape and create it every day! Here's what happened today in class (we did a lot, so be ready for a fair amount of reading):

Learning Targets:
Knowledge LT 15: I can explain how culture both reflects and shapes society.

Soundtrack: "Food" by Common and Kanye West. Selected because we talked about what we had for breakfast today, as a part of our culture. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/9/17:
Grades/Wildcat News Brief – Bob
What is Culture?
The Lost Boys
Our Culture

Homework: Read the blog. Make sure you have all of your Geography unit work turned in if you haven't turned it in already! Next news brief: Krista.

News Brief: Before the news brief today, I passed back the grades from the Geography unit (record turnaround on them for me!) and explained why I gave what I did. Then, Bob brought in an article about this story for the news brief: BBC.com - Turkey and US scale back visa services amid diplomatic row. We found Turkey in the world map packet and talked about what happened with this story for a bit, before moving on.

Thanks, Bob. Krista was assigned to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Finally, we watched Wildcat News in class. Here it is to watch it if you missed class or wanted to see it again:



What is Culture?: I started this section and new unit by asking what everyone had for breakfast today. The answers were:

• Pastry x 7
• Waffles x 4
• Oatmeal
• Sandwich x 5
• Eggs x 4
• Fruit x 4
• Rice
• Spam
• Pancakes x 3
• Cereal x 3
• Sausage
• Nothing x 4

I saw this article a while ago and thought it was interesting, which is why I asked:


We looked at a few of these different types of breakfast (all of which were certainly better than "nothing" as the high answer - you need to eat before school, everyone!) and identified "food" as an aspect of culture. Then, I passed out this sheet (most students did this in Google Classroom using their Chromebooks):


After that, we went through this slideshow of pictures from the National Geographic Photography: Culture website. As we went through, we brainstormed as a class all the different aspects that could go in the second box, of 10 characteristics of culture. Here are the photos we went through:


I love all of these pictures because the world is such a diverse and interesting place! I enjoyed the class guesses as to what was going on in each. We only went through the first 12 in class today, so don't skip ahead and do the rest, yet!

The Lost Boys: Next, I showed part of a documentary on The Lost Boys of Sudan. This shows the dramatic differences between the culture in Sudan and the culture in America - something I think we do not think much about at all:


As a counterbalance, I showed this commercial that was made about Lopez Lomong, who was one of the "Lost Boys" and who eventually gained American citizenship, made the US Olympic Team, and carried the American flag into the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing:


I showed these videos to highlight some key aspects to American and Sudanese culture. We will continue to explore cultural similarities and differences of various different cultures during this unit.

Our Culture: We didn't have the time at the end of class to dive into this, so I ended it here. Next time, we will finish the photo slides and continue introducing culture. See you then!
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Thursday, October 5, 2017

Geography, Day 9 - Class Recap

This is me doing the Gangnam Style dance, at Gangnam Station in Seoul, South Korea, in January of 2014. Yes, the Korean girl who took this was laughing at me.

Dear class,

We are finally done with map quizzes and most of the Geography unit! Thank you for your patience and understanding as we finished today and there was a flurry of activity. I will grade your packets in the coming days for your upcoming progress reports. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets:
Behavior LT 2: I can self-direct my learning.
Knowledge LT 7: I can demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of locations and regions.
Knowledge LT 10: I can demonstrate an understanding of the connection between physical and human systems.

Soundtrack: "Gangnam Style" by PSY. Selected because we had our last map quiz today, on Asia. South Korea is where PSY is from, which is in Asia. Lyrics (which are mostly Korean, and hilariously translated to the English alphabet) here.

AGENDA 10/5/17:
News Brief – Kiran
Asia Map Quiz
5 Themes/Map Work
Turn in Collection of Evidence

Homework: Read the blog. Your geography packet needed to be turned in today, so if you have parts you did not turn in, please get it to me ASAP. Next news brief: Bob.

News Brief: Kiran brought in an article about this story for the news brief: NYTimes.com - Inside North Korea, and Feeling the Drums of War. We found North Korea in the world map packet and then had an extended conversation in class (I love these!) about the Korean War, daily life in North Korea, and what is happening there. Thanks, Kiran! Bob was selected to do the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Asia Map Quiz: This was the last map quiz opportunity (remember, you had 6 possible opportunities with different map quizzes - 4 of which you choose as your best work to be graded along with the other geography work we have been doing). We graded and passed this back in class, so everyone should have had all the graded quizzes available for selection.

Atlas/Map Work: There was time in class for students to be finishing any geography unit work, after the Asia quiz. I hope you used your time wisely! The assignments for the unit are:

1) The completed world map packet, labelled and colored. Link here.
2) Your choice of the top four out of the six map quizzes that we took in class.
3) Latitude and Longitude in Central Asia worksheet. Link here.
4) The Five Themes of Geography Atlas activity. Link here - also on Google Classroom to submit there.

Turn in Collection of Evidence: Finally - the first graded packet of work for the semester! This was the accumulation of all the work we have done with the geography unit - the quizzes, five themes papers, the latitude and longitude assignment from Asia, and your completed world maps by continent (colored and labelled). Here is the rubric students used in class to self assess (I will be using this same paper to write grades and comments on):


I will look at what students wrote on this, along with the work that was stapled and turned in with it, in order to determine your proficiency grades are for these two learning targets, which is what the first grades of the year will be based on. Thus, if you did not do well with keeping up with your maps, doing well with the quizzes, and making sure to use class time effectively for the Five Themes of Geography packet, you may have some unfortunate news coming soon if you do not make up the work.

Next class, we will start our look at culture in depth. See you then!
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Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Geography, Day 8 - Class Recap


The Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, taken in July of 2014. Today, we had our Africa map quiz in class, which included Egypt!

Dear class,

Welcome back to our first week of October! This week should close out the first big unit of the year, on Geography. Next class is our last map quiz, and then we will start moving on to Culture later in the week! Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
Behavior LT 2: I can self-direct my learning.
Knowledge LT 7: I can demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of locations and regions.
Knowledge LT 10: I can demonstrate an understanding of the connection between physical and human systems.

Soundtrack: "Runnin' Down a Dream" by Tom Petty. Selected for today because of Mr. Petty passing away yesterday at the age of 66. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/3/17:
News Brief – Rachel
Africa Map Quiz
Latitude/Longitude
Atlas/Map Work

Homework: Read the blog. Finish Asia/Middle East maps (colored and labeled) for the quiz next class. Bring all of your other geography unit work/quizzes to be able to turn in - your completed map packet, top four quiz scores, latitude/longitude worksheet, and 5 themes map activity (on Google Classroom). Next news brief: Kiran.

News Brief: Rachel had the news brief today and selected this story to talk about: CNN.com - Two women accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam plead not guilty. We found North Korea in our world maps and talked for a bit about what happened with the assassination and why it could have happened. Thanks, Rachel! Kiran was selected as the next person up.

I also checked in about the weekend with everyone to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun, before moving on.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Africa Map Quiz: The second to last map quiz out of the six! Remember that your top four scores will be turned in for your grade for the geography targets. We corrected the quiz in class and then passed them back.

Latitude/Longitude: I wanted to make sure that we went over the concepts of latitude and longitude again, in identifying where places are in the world. With that, I passed out this worksheet having to do with Asia (which, not so coincidentally, students were labeling in class today):


I will collect these as part of the collection of evidence for the geography learning targets later in the week, along with your top four map quizzes, finished map packet, and Five Themes of Geography packet.

Atlas/Map Work: The last part of class was dedicated to labeling and coloring the Asia and Middle East sections of the map packet, in order to be able to use it on the last map quiz next class. For checking the blog, here's a question from the quiz: This island country—an archipelago made up of many atolls—is located south and west of India. If you are missing your map packet and know you need to have it done, please print out another and have it ready to go for next class:

Google Drive - World Maps Packet

Here's the Five Themes of Geography Atlas activity to continue working on (which mostly has to be in class with the atlases here):

Make sure to have your map packet completed, and as much of the Five Themes packet done as possible for next class!
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