9/30

Tuesday:
The 6th grade classes reviewed how HEI has two parts: 1) When people change nature, and 2) When people adjust to nature. Afterward we watched Cast Away while looking for and writing down examples of HEI from the film. There was no homework unless your progress report is not yet signed & returned.

8th grade: We began by going over reasons why European countries wanted to explore in the 1400s and 1500s; these reasons included looking for a way to Asia; gaining more land, power, raw materials (to make things with and sell) and riches; to spread Christianity; to expand their knowledge of the world, and to be stronger/better than their rivals.
Next: Mr. Griffith read the first chapter or two of each class' novel to the class.
Last: students who did not finish their explorer research activity last Friday worked on those to finish and turn them in; students who had finished had the choice of either reading chapter two of their novel (which is homework due Thursday) or looking at the explorer resources at Quia , another game at Quia, or the Walk the Plank game.
Homework: for Blood on the River, read to page 34. For Roanoke, read to page 41.

9/29

Monday!

6th grade: we reviewed the 5 themes of geography with lots of examples; we will have a quiz (open-note) on Wednesday. Please return your signed progress report, also.

7th grade: we turned in progress reports and "puzzle piece" homework, took a short quiz on archaeology terms, then labeled Africa maps for both countries and physical features such as deserts, lakes, and rivers. Homework is to finish labeling the maps if you did not do so in class.

9/26

Friday (B Day)...

6th graders took their 5 Themes of Geography Quiz, then began Cast Away, in which we're looking for examples of HEI (when people either change nature or adjust to nature). No homework unless you did not turn in your signed progress report.

8th graders: 1) turned in their Native Americans in North Carolina homework AND signed progress report, 2) did a computer activity about researching explorers and filling in the missing information, which included saving a copy to our student file before printing and turning it in. No homework unless your progress report was not signed and turned in.

9/25

Thursday:
The 6th grade classes began by reviewing the 5 themes of geography (Location, Place, HEI, Movement, and Regions). Next we went over examples and matched them to their theme. Lastly Mr. Duffey gave us a presentation on upcoming hiking trips he is offering; remember that you can use your field trip funds for those trips. Homework: 1) return your signed progress report, and 2) be sure to have your 5 themes paper and notes--quiz at the start of class tomorrow!

8th grade: We started with the meaning of the word "native." Second we checked our Native Americans in NC homework. Third: We looked at the "Old Mobile" archaeological site and did a grid plotting activity to see how archaeologists analyze clues. Homework is to return your signed progress report.

9/24

Wednesday:
The 6th grade class covered the 5 Themes of Geography, including examples that go under each theme. Afterward we had time to work on our text questions from sections 1-1 and 1-2. No homework was assigned.

7th grade: 1) We went over the archaeology terms we introduced last period; 2) we turned in our "Mammoth Mystery" & Time Capsule homework; 3) We looked at and labeled a real archaeological site (from the 1600s) to see what used to be there; 4) Homework: is to return your signed progress report AND finish the "puzzle pieces" sheet.

9/23

Tuesday!
6th grade classes took their 2nd geography vocabulary quiz, then covered the 5 themes of geography (location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and regions). On Thursday we will go into the themes in more depth. Homework: look over today's notes (the paper I gave you).

8th graders also took their 2nd vocabulary quiz, then read some about Native Americans in North Carolina long before it was a state. Homework is to finish the reading and questions that I gave you today.

9/22

Monday:
In the 6th grade we began by talking about how geography is the study of the Earth; "Geo-" means Earth, and "-graphy" can mean the study of. Afterward we looked through the first pages of our textbook to get an idea of how geographers look at the Earth--that is, by using lots of different questions. Finally, we read the first 2 sections of the text ("Understanding the Earth" and "The 5 Themes of Geography") and began working on the questions that go with them. On Wednesday we will finish these questions. Homework: read for pleasure.

7th grade:
We discussed archaeology, went over notes about it, and had homework on "Mammoth Mystery" and "American Artifacts" (both are on one paper). Study today's notes--some type of quiz on Wednesday!

9/19

Friday:
6th grade: We took our geography vocabulary quiz #2, then finished our geography dictionaries while watching how The Living Sea was made. Absolutely no homework other than to enjoy the fall temperatures.

7th grade: We took our second geography vocabulary quiz, had our ArtCrawl for the theme park maps, and (if time remained) played geography bingo. No homework.

9/18

Thursday:
6th grade classes finished their illustrated geography dictionaries, then we enjoyed the rest of The Living Sea. Homework is to study your side 2 of geography vocabulary for next Tuesday's quiz.

8th grade classes closed out their theme park projects, then critiqued each other's wonderful park maps. Lastly we played a cutthroat game (or three) of geography bingo. Homework is to study for Tuesday's geography vocabulary quiz, and to have a good weekend.

9/17

Wednesday:
6th Grade: We discussed the portion of the Earth covered by water (between 67% and 75%), then we watched The Living Sea while taking note of fascinating facts from the program. Homework is to work on our geography dictionary if you do not think you will finish during class Friday, and (for everyone) to study side 2 of the geography vocabulary for Friday's quiz.

7th Grade: We finished up our Theme Park maps, which we will present as an "ArtCrawl" on Friday after our geography vocabulary quiz. Those who were already done with their theme parks had an Internet Geography research assignment. Homework: study your side 2 vocabulary terms!

9/16

Tuesday:
In the 6th grade classes we took our geography terms vocabulary quiz #1, then we worked on our illustrated geography dictionaries. For those who did not finish their dictionaries it was directed that you take home your unfinished portion to complete it. Our matching quiz for side 2 of the geography vocabulary is next Tuesday.

8th grade classes began with a discussion of grids such as those used in battleship, chess, bingo, and other games. Next we did a short assignment on reading a map with a grid plus how to use a map's mileage chart. Lastly we worked on our theme park projects, and groups who are not done should arrange to come before school, during break and/or after school in order to be finished by the start of class on Thursday, when we will display the maps. Remember to follow the rubric!

9/15

Monday...
6th Grade: We took our geography terms quiz #1 (archipelago through island), corrected them, and then worked on our illustrated geography dictionaries. Homework was to study side 2 of the the geography vocabulary terms sheet--quiz this Friday.

7th Grade: We took our geography terms quiz #1 (same terms as above), then worked on our theme park poster projects. Homework is to study the rest of our geography terms--quiz next Tuesday.

9/12

Friday (B Day)
6th grade: We began with 1) How many oceans are there? and 2) Are they connected?
Next we watched the Living Sea and took notes on what we found most interesting. Homework is to study for the vocab. matching quiz on side one of the geography terms (archipelago through island). Quiz on Tuesday!

8th grade: We worked on our theme park projects to make them look lovely. Homework is to study for our geography vocabulary (matching) quiz #2 next Thursday.

9/11

Thursday:
6th grade classes began with the difference between a bay and a gulf (a gulf is larger); afterwards we worked on our illustrated geography dictionaries, which we will finish in class next Tuesday. We also received the geography vocabulary terms list; there will be a matching quiz on the first page next Tuesday (study these for homework).

8th grade classes took a quiz on the first 17 geography vocabulary terms, then worked on their theme park map projects. We will finish these in class tomorrow, so no homework unless you are behind.

9/10

Wednesday.
The 6th grade class began with the difference between an iceberg & a glacier; we then began working on our illustrated geography dictionaries. Homework is to study the first side of the geography vocabulary list I handed out today.

7th grade: We continued working on our theme park map projects; I handed out a rubric that will be used to grade your maps next week. Homework is to study side one of the geography vocabulary list that you were given on Monday.

9/9

Tuesday:
6th grade classes began with the difference between a hill & a mountain; we then began working on our illustrated geography dictionaries, and both classes did a great job of staying focused and drawing well. There was no homework.

8th grade:
We finished the Columbus program, found out about his death, and completed the questions. Then we began working on our Theme Park Map project, which we will continue working on Thursday. There was no homework.

9/8

Monday:
6th grade: We went over the difference between a hill & a mountain (a mountain is 1,000 feet or higher; a hill is lower than 1,000 feet); then we began working on our illustrated geography dictionaries. There will be a quiz on the terms next week. No homework today.

7th grade: We began working on our theme park maps (using our theme park symbol homework from last week as the key). Before creating our own maps we looked at several real parks' maps online.
Carowinds then go to "Plan A Visit," then "Park Map."
Hershey Park (in Pennsylvania) and click on "Map."
Six Flags then choose a park (there are 17!).
Walt Disney World then click on "Parks," then select the park you want, click on "Park Info & Map," and then "View Park Map."
Busch Gardens then select your park, then "Park Info and Events" then "Park Map."

Homework: Study side 1 of Geography terms page (handed out today). Study those terms, especially the ones you don't know well and those with similar definitions.

9/5

Friday (A Day):
6th grade: We checked our latitude questions from last time, then looked at longitude and time zones, and lastly practiced labeling cities using both latitude & longitude. We spent the rest of time on Google Earth getting accustomed to using it.

7th grade: Homework Due today was 1) Elevation & Altitude Map and 2) Theme Park Symbols. During class we did a short map with Natural and Human-Made Features, then explored Google Earth--no homework assigned.

9/4

Thursday:
6th grade classes checked our latitude questions from last class, then explored how longitude helps us tell time, and lastly looked at latitude & longitude together on a global map. There was no homework.

8th grade classes had Theme Park Symbols homework due; we read a map of Columbus' 4 voyages and watched a program about his life. We did not quite finish the program or the accompanying questions; there was no homework.

9/3

Wednesday:
The 6th grade class went over latitude (parallel) lines, practiced writing and reading them on the "Constructing a Latitude Diagram," and had the following homework (if not done): 1) try to finish your full-color map of either your room or yard or my room, with 5 items in your map key; and 2) Side 2, questions 1 & 2 of "Determining Latitude and Distance" handout. Friday we will explore longitude.

7th grade classes: we did activities on Understanding Altitude and Color Elevation Maps; next we took a quiz on map reading and drawing; lastly (for homework if not done) we did an art assignment on Theme Park Map Symbols.

9/2

Tuesday!
6th grade classes went over latitude (parallel) lines, practiced writing and reading them on the "Constructing a Latitude Diagram," and had the following homework (if not done): 1) finish your full-color map of either your room or yard or my room, with 5 items in your map key; and 2) Side 2, questions 1 & 2 of "Determining Latitude and Distance" handout.

8th grade: We practiced how to read distance on a state map, then finished our NC map questions and city/county map creations. Homework is 1) finish anything from the NC map assignment, and 2) Theme Park Symbols.