Friday, May 9

Today in class ... Completed our Developing/Developed Country Comparison and discussed. We reviewed for Monday's quiz. Introduced our end-of-the-year project.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned, though a study guide was given to review (pages 91-100 in the textbook). Quiz on Monday.

Thursday, May 8

Today in class ... Smartboard presentation on developing and developed countries, which included time working on the Developing/Developed Country Comparison activity.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Students are to complete the written portion/questions of the Developing/Developed Country Comparison activity.

Wednesday, May 7

Today in class ... Reviewed different government systems as a class and discussed and compared them. We also discussed the differences between developed and developing countries. We used the class set of almanacs to and reviewed and discussed certain areas of developed and developing countries.

Tests/Projects and/or practice homework ... Students began working on Developed/Developing Country Chart, which we will complete in class using the almanac on Thursday.

Tuesday, May 6

Today in class ... Wrapped up our globalization unit and class ideas and examples, compared, contrasted and presented to class. Introduced and discussed government systems.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 91-95, questions #1 (a & b) and #2 (a & b); complete government comparison chart.

Monday, April 28

Today in class ... Using a story on population that we read together as a class, each class used a reading guide to further examine the article, including the problem exposed and textual evidence to support our findings.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Complete the reading comprehension guide.

* Test scheduled for Tuesday has been pushed back to Wednesday.
- Pages 86-90 in the textbook
- Population Distribution Notes
- Reasons for Population Growth Notes
- Cause & Effect Notes and Examples
- The "World's People" worksheet
- Continent Rankings Lists

Thursday, April 24

Today in class ... Population/Human Systems video was shown for part of the class, with a focus on why people settle where they do, why populations move from one place to another, the physical characteristics in determining how various populations live. We had assigned questions to answer for discussion and review of key terms and ideas we've learned about population.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned, though students are to bring back their assigned video questions and responses for Friday.

* There will be a population test on Tuesday, April. 29
- Pages 86-90 in the textbook
- Population Distribution Notes
- Reasons for Population Growth Notes
- Cause & Effect Notes and Examples
- The "World's People" worksheet
- Continent Rankings Lists

Wednesday, April 23

Today in class ... We examined the different continents in relation to their size and population, including discussions and examples on population density and population distribution. An emphasis placed on why some are more dense than others and why it's not evenly distributed.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Tuesday, April 22

Today in class ... We completed the Population Distribution notes (both the physical and human factors) and discussion. We began dissecting Population Growth topic and the reasons behind it.

Project/Test and/or practice homework ... Students should complete both the Cause & Effect Chart and "The World's People" population worksheet.

Monday, April 21

Today in class ... Each class continued with Population Distribution notes and discussion. We also completed and went over the Interpreting/Reading Population Maps atlas activity.

Projects/Tests and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Monday, April 14

Today in class ... We took a look at and discussed the population growth of the world over the past 2000 years, including a close look at population density.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Based on the class discussion and previous reading, students are to complete a short response to the question:

1) 3 advantages of living in a densely populated area.
2) 3 advantages of living in an area that isn't very densely populated.

Friday, April 11

Today in class ... An introduction to our next unit on population. We also went over how to properly use the reading guide as it relates to our population reading.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 86-90 in the textbook and complete the assigned reading guide.

Thursday, April 3

Today in class ... Using the knowledge we gained on Wednesday from the hands-on activity from the culture traits posters, students now compared and contrasted those traits to what we see in American culture. Students prepared short presentations to show the rest of the class how their specific culture trait is the same, different and obscure in comparison to the culture we are most familiar with.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Wednesday, April 2

Today in class ... Each class worked together in a hands-on activity placing and matching various culture traits with the appropriate photos and examples that were provided.

Project/Test and/or homework ... No homework was assigned.

Tuesday, April 1

Today in class ... Each class continued culture discussion, with the focus being on the importance of diversity and how American culture has gone from a "melting pot" to a "salad bowl." Group and class discussion based on the critical thinking metaphors that were given.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Students are to complete the one paragraph summarizing the discussion and topic: Provide one paragraph description/summary of how has the American culture changed from a "melting pot" to a "salad bowl."

Monday, Mar. 31

Today in class ... Each class went over the culture unit test from prior to break. We also continued our culture discussion with a focus on diversity and its importance in small groups with topic questions.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Monday, Mar. 17

Today in class ... We reviewed and went over the different culture terms and concepts, using various pictures and photos to connect and relate to the terms. Students are working on in-class work on Monday and Tuesday involving various photos/pictures and the culture terms, while connecting and relating to one another.

Projects/Tests and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned. There will be a short Culture Test on Thursday, covering ....

Key terms: ethnic groups, culture, culture diversity, cultural diffusion, culture region and culture traits on pages 80-85 in the book.

Friday, Mar. 7

Today in class ... Each class reviewed the term cultural diffusion. Introduced an activity that helps apply the concept.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... We will complete the in-class activity on Monday.

Friday, Feb. 28

Today in class ... Each class was introduced and told how to write and complete the "3 main ideas" culture writing assignment. We also began to piece together the various parts of American culture, which will lead to our Monday discussion and activity on culture.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Students should complete the "3 main ideas" culture writing assignment, using the three main ideas of Culture Traits, Culture Groups and Cultural Change as discussed in class.

Thursday, Feb. 27

Today in class ... Each class to a basic geography pop quiz that will not count towards their grade. We continued our discussion on culture and previewed the reading assignment, including how to correctly complete the reading guide worksheet.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 80-85 in the book and complete the Reading Guide worksheet we went over today in class with the reading.

Wednesday, Feb. 26

Today in class ... Each class went over the Chapter 3 test together that we took on Tuesday. We also introduced culture in preparation for the culture unit.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Tuesday, Feb. 25

Today in class ... Students in each class took the Chapter 3 test.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Monday, Feb. 24

Today in class ... Each class did a review activity for the Chapter 3 test on Tuesday.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Review and study for test, using pages 50-61 & 68-72 in the book, study guide and the energy resources pros/cons sheet.

Friday, Feb. 21

Today in class ... Reviewed the study guide and went over what to study for Tuesday's test. We also had a class discussion regarding the video from yesterday and the connections to the Chapter 3 topics.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Review and study for Chapter 3 test.

- Review pages 50-61 and 68-72 in the book
- Review study guide
- Review Energy Resources Pro/Con Sheet

Tuesday, Feb. 18

Today in class ... Smartboard presentation and conversation regarding the different energy resources available to us. We went over the pros and cons for each and discussed.

Project/Test and/or practice homework ... Students were given a Chapter 3 study guide in preparation for next Tuesday's test. The study guide should be completed for Friday.

Friday, Feb. 14

Today in class ... We went over and discussed the Magnet Word and summary, including the natural resource discussion question. We continued the natural resources unit with an activity looking at the pros and cons of the various energy resources.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Students should complete the Energy Resources Pro/Con Chart using the text (pages 68-72).

Thursday, Feb. 13

Today in class ... Introduced the section on Natural Resources, with discussion and examples. We also reviewed how to best complete the Magnet Word Sheet.

Test/Project and or Practice Homework ... Read pages 68-72 in the textbook. Students should complete the Magnet Word Sheet and Question #1 (a, b, c) on page 72.

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Today in class ... Students prepared for persuasive presentation on one of the world climates of their choice.

Project/Test and/or practice homework ... Students should prepare for their persuasive presentation on Wednesday.

Wednesday, Feb. 5

Today in class ... Each student identified their individual choices for favorite climates, using the characteristics and locations of the climate. Within small groups, we debated and persuaded to come up with one specific climate. Each class also reviewed the various climates as we put them to pictures in a Smartboard presentation.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... No homework was assigned.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

Today in class ... Each class continued our work on the various climates found around the world, connecting the climate to various countries and areas of the world.

Project/Test and/or practice homework ... Students should complete the advantages/disadvantages portion of the Identifying Climates Around the World sheets.

Monday, Feb. 3

Today in class ... Each class continued its look at the various climates around the world, while also examining the short response questions from last Friday and discussing. We also introduced and began working on the world climates research work, becoming more familiar with specific climates and their characteristics and locations.

Project/Test and/or practice homework ... Identifying Climates Around the World research assignment is due on Wednesday. Students will have some time in class on Tuesday to work on it, using the class atlas set.

Friday, Jan. 31

Today in class ... Reviewed the "Differences Between Climate and Weather" assignment. Continued introduction into climate, connecting the location of various deserts around the world as an example of how location effects climate. We also introduced the different types of climates that can be found on Earth.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 55-61 in the book. Complete questions 2b and 3b on page 61, along with the World Climate Chart (using pages 56-57 in the book).

Thursday, Jan. 30

Today in class ... Went over Effects on Climate Chart and Notes, highlighting the impact sun, location, wind, water and mountains impact climate. Prepared for tomorrow's lesson by working on a comparison chart with world deserts and their location in relation to their latitude and distance from the equator.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Complete "Difference between weather and climate" worksheet.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

Today in class ... Went over the Water on Earth quiz and poem application. Also introduced the difference between climate and weather.

Test/Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 50-54 in the book and complete "Effects on Climate" chart and notes.

Friday, Jan. 24

Today in class ... We took the Water on Earth quiz and began working on the Water Poetry assessment.

Project and/or practice homework ... Complete the Water Poetry for Monday.

Thursday, Jan. 23

Today in class ... We broke down many different parts of water and its uses with short, mini-video segments, which included turning ocean/salt water into fresh water, sewage water into fresh water, hydroelectric power from dams, disbruting water, water scarcity, etc. With certain small groups assigned different topics, we then taught and discussed each segment as a class.

Projects and/or Practice Homework ... There will be quiz on the mini-unit on Water on Earth. Students can review the class notes, pages 30-34 in the book and water cycle sequence review.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Today in class ... Each class took a close look at the different ways we obtain water, through surface water and ground water. We examined the water shortages, issues and concerns through short video references and discussed.

Project and/or Practice Homework ... Nothing was assigned. There will be a quiz on the mini-unit on water, based on the notes and discussion from class and from pages 30-34 in the textbook.

Tuesday, Jan. 21

Today in class ... Continued our introduction to the water unit, with a focus on going over the notes each student took on the reading (pages 30-34). We also looked at the water cyle and its importance.

Projects and/or Practice Homework ... Complete the water cycle sequence chain. There will be a quiz on Friday, based on the notes and discussion in class (from pages 30-34 in the textbook).

Friday, Jan. 17

Today in class ... Introduced and began our Water on Earth mini-unit, with an early emphasis of uses and needs.

Project and/or practice homework ... Read pages 30-34 in the book and complete the notes we began in class using the headings, format and columns we came up with in class.

Wednesday, Jan. 15

Today in class ... Each class completed the Illinois geography map, atlas activity and written portion of the mini-Illinois unit.

Projects and/or homework practice ... Quiz, based on the notes and discussion, on Illinois Geography will be on Thursday.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

Today in class ... Continued our mini-Illinois geography unit, including a map/atlas actvity that relates to both physical and human characteristics of the state. We finished up the iPad webquest activity.

Project and/or practice homework ... The Importance of Corn written portion is due on Tuesday. Also, students should have their Illinois information sheets completed. An Illinois quiz, based on the notes, will be on Thursday.

Monday, Jan. 13

Today in class ... Each class continued working on the in-class activity, using the iPads and the Illinois webquest.

Project or practice homework ... Nothing was assigned.

Friday, Jan. 10

Today in class ... As a class we discussed and showed through a SmartBoard presentation the importance of corn in Illinois as we continue our mini-Illinois geography unit. We had class discussion on all that we use corn for and where it goes as we prepared for our activity and assignment that will be on Monday.

Homework practice and/or project: Nothing was assigned.

Thursday, Jan. 9

Today in class ... Each class continued our introdution into the geography of the state of Illinois, which included a class webquest using the iPads and designated website.

Homework practice and/or projects: Nothing was assigned.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

Today in class ... Each class began the mini-unit on Illinois geography, with an introduction and discussion on physical and human characteristics of Illinois.

Projects and/or Practice Homework: Nothing was assigned.