TGIF

Hey guys, it's Friday. Today we completed the geography video part two and completed the map that went with it. We also passed back the presidential economic plans assignment and discussed them briefly. I am including the video part two on the Edmodo post as well as some tips for Tuesday's geography quiz.

What the geography quiz will cover: Locate the listed countries of Europe on the map provided; Identify each country's capital city; Locate the listed physical features of Europe on the map provided.

You will be responsible for the map of Europe from Wednesday's class work and the map of Europe from Thursday and Friday's class work. Any parts of the maps that you did not get completed in class will have to be completed outside of class. There are practice maps on the November 7th and 9th posts. Be sure to look before asking questions about where they are located. The completed map of Europe may be required as a ticket to begin the quiz.

Google Earth around the World

Hello! Today we discussed the physical and political map of Europe that was due today and that the quiz will be over on Tuesday. Student were given another handout to follow along and mark as we traveled around the world virtually to learn more about the geography in North America, South America, and Europe. This screencast is also located on the blog under the tag for geography. We will continue to work with this tomorrow. Students should be preparing for the quiz on Tuesday.

Wednesday Geography

Ok, it's Wednesday. Today students worked on creating map study guides. It consisted of two outline maps of Europe. One map is for political and the other physical features. Tomorrow, students will continue working with geography as we go around the world with Google Earth. There will be an assessment next Tuesday the 13th over the material on these map study guides. The maps may be used as tickets to take the quiz so it is mandated that they be complete and in student possession for that day. In other words, it is homework between now and next Tuesday.

 Another note on homework items. We typically don't have any homework assigned other than to view and respond to video clips at home. But, any work began in class must be completed unless we specify that there will be more time given the next day or at a later date. Attached is a copy of the map handout from class today.

 Also, I have included some links to Internet games that you may use to practice your countries, capitals, and other important features of the world. Please click over to the Geography page of this blog.

Election Day!

Happy Election Day! I hope you were all able to get out and vote today. All the students went through a mock election in the IMC where they used their identification cards to allow them to vote for president on Edmodo Election Group. It was cool to see them all! We also discussed the summaries they wrote (and some finished today) from the election articles that they had textcoded. We also researched the economic plans of both candidates to write a paragraph about 2 parts. The goal was to show them how to be informed voters. All in all, it was a successful day and students were both engaged and challenged! We encouraged the students to check out the election results tonight!

Monday, November 5

Hey all, it's Monday afternoon. Students took the social studies acuity pre-test today and did their best, I trust. This score does not count as a grade and will be used to compare to the post-test at the end of the quarter. Also, students posted their sticky notes back on the large posters representing their main ideas and details from their articles. We will be moving into Europe geography study as we move toward the middle ages study. Today and tonight will be the last chance to "register" for the vote tomorrow.

Students need to read my daily blogs carefully every day as valuable information is contained therein. The sign up or registration process is very simple. You merely join the group DMS Election 2012. Voting is optional and must be completed at your earliest opportunity throughout the day. The IMC will be closed to all other foot traffic and regular use as it will be used for the voting process.

TGIF

Friday is here and we all can take a break for the weekend. Not so fast. You can log onto your DMS Election 2012 group and interact with the election tools made available to you. Remember, you have to pre join the group in order to be "registered" to vote on Tuesday. You will need to have a photo id or something with your name on it, as well. You can find the code on the October 31st daily post (Edmodo) and if you have not registered, signed up with the group code before school on Tuesday, you will not be eligible to vote. Today we continued working with the political articles in the student Upfront Magazine. We completed our pre write forms, transferred information to stickies, and teamed up to place main ideas and details onto the team posters. Students began writing their summaries of the articles and will complete them the next time we have a slot in our schedule. That will be later next week. Monday, we will be taking the equity pre-test for the second quarter. Have a great weekend.

Text Coding Articles about the Election

Hello! Today students worked in their small groups of 2 or 3 to complete the text coding (annotating) of the articles about the election. They were marking the articles up for the main idea, details, and questions. Groups also began work on their pre-write for a summary of the articles. Reminder....be sure to check Edmodo post from yesterday for the group code for DMS Election. There are some posts within the group to explore as well.