World Map Practice

Today, we discussed relative location and how to use it.  We checked the Latitude/Longitude assignment, it will go in the study packet.  Students had lots of work time to complete the World Map practice, it is due on Tuesday.  Next week, we will take our first assessment.  On Thursday, students will be assessed on their ability to use coordinates to find cities, countries and continents.  On Friday, students we take the post test for Geography and Map Skills.  

Relative Location

•A location of a place in relation to another place (i.e. south or downhill).

Learning Style Survey and Latitude/Longitude

 - There was no word of the day in class today.  Mod 1 went to the magazine assembly and will need to finish their Latitude/Longitude worksheet for homework.  Every student in Mod 1 checked out an atlas.  
 - Mod 3-6 completed a survey to understand their own learning style.  We will use the data to decide on projects, test, and assignments.  We discussed strategies for studying and testing using their own learning style.  Ask your son/daughter about their learning style tonight.  
 - Student used the rest of class time to complete the Latitude/Longitude practice worksheet.  It is due tomorrow at the beginning of class. I will be available for help at 7:15.

Find Latitude/Longitude Worksheet  

Latitude and Longitude Practice

The word of the day was "Absolute Location".  It is an exact location, for example coordinates or an address.  Students reviewed lines of latitude and took notes on lines of longitude.  We worked on one of our learning objectives, "I can apply latitude and longitude coordinates to find cities and countries".  We will finish the worksheet on practicing coordinates tomorrow in class.  

Compass Rose and Latitude

Today, we started by defining the job of an Anthropologist. We review the sixteen directions of a compass rose. To practice we played compass rose Simon says. Finally, we took notes on Latitude and tomorrow we will look at longitude. 

Maps and Geography Pretest

Today, students did their first word of the day (ethnocentrism).  Students were asked to summarize a paragraph of information on the word into a 1-2 sentence definition.  Students will keep all their words of the day until the test.  
Students completed a pretest related to our first unit on Geography and Map skills.  The test scores are not put into the grade book. I use the scores to decide what needs to be taught and what we can review.  

Ethnocentrism - . It means believing that the way you're used to doing things is the only right way to do them, and that people or cultures that do things differently are wrong.
 

If the world was a village of 100 people...

Today, students took a quiz over expectations.  All students passed the test and understand expectations.  We will discuss consequences for not following expectations on Monday.  

Students also worked on an activity that asked them to shrink the world down to 100 people and guess how many people would be European, able to read, and a home.  Students were surprised by what they noticed.  This will lead the class to discussing ethnocentrism on Monday.  

Examples
  /100 European
  /100 Asian
  /100 African
  /100 From the Western Hemisphere

Reminder: Students need either a binder or notebook by Monday

Nacirema Tribe

Minds were blown today in Social Studies today!  Students were put into groups and asked to read an article about the Nacirema tribe.  The article described strange rituals and practices, for example, ceremonial painting of the body(tattoos).  We discuss whether the culture was civilized or not and what it means to be a civilization.  At the end of class students discovered that the Nacirema backwards is American.  The culture we were discussing was their own culture.  We talked about being open minded toward other cultures and civilizations.  "Just because it seems weird to us does not mean it is wrong, bad, or uncivilized".

Expectation Quiz tomorrow

Students need a Social Studies notebook or binder by Monday

Brainology and Mindset

We are spending the first couple days of school to discuss how students brains work and having a growth mindset.  Students discovered that the brain is like muscle that they can grow and improve with practice.  By learning new things and practicing, we can increases our neurons and synapses. So tonight ask your son or daughter if they grew their brain today.  We discussed strategies that will help students handle adversity in the classroom.  We looked at John McEnroe's tennis career and his inability to learn from mistakes and take responsibility.  Students brainstormed appropriate responses for learning challenges.

Reminder: Review classroom expectations (Quiz on Friday)

Expectations and Mindset

We started class by writing down our classroom expectations which will be listed below.  Students will need to be ready to quiz over these expectations by Friday. Students participated in a rock, paper, scissors brain break tournament.  Brain break are a nice way to keep students active and paying attention.  Student learned whether they have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset.  Students with growth mindsets take on challenges and learn from mistakes.  Tomorrow we will discuss learning strategies for a growth mindset.  Finally, we played two truths and a lie to learn more about our classmates.

—Respect (Everyone)

  - Raise your hand

  - Listen and pay attention to speaker

  - Voice Level 1-3

  - Golden Rule

  - Take care of classroom materials

—Responsible

  - Pick up after yourself

  - Get work done on time and correctly

  - Bring all materials

  - Get sleep

  - Fill out agenda

  - Ask lots of questions

—Integrity

  - Stay organized

  - Participate

  - Help each other

  - Focus on the teacher

  - Try your best

  - Use time wisely

First Day of School

It was a great first day! It is always wonderful to see all the new faces.  Today, we talked about classroom procedures for entering and exiting.  We took a tour of the classroom.  Students compiled a list of jobs for themselves and the teacher. I will use the job list to create a list of classroom expectations.  All classes will learn classroom expectations tomorrow.  Student were able to learn a little bit about Mr. Hajek.  I also had students answer questions so I can get to know them better. 

Social Studies students will need a notebook or binder by Monday, 8/25

iExcel students will need a free reading book by Wednesday, 8/20

First Day of School

Well, it's that time again! The first day of school is tomorrow. It will be exciting to see new faces in my classroom. I will use the first week to discuss and practice expectations as well as get to know the students. Students will learn how their brain works and strategies to help themselves work through challenges in all their classes.  

School year will be starting soon...