"Good movie!"

I'm getting good feedback from you guys regarding God Grew Tired of Us.  The story of Daniel, John, and Panther is a pretty compelling one.  I'm hoping it breathes some life into migration rates and push forces.

I'm taking my TV Production classes on a field trip tomorrow, so I won't be in class with Section 1.  But you will be in good hands with Ms. Stathes, who will show you the next part of the movie and possibly facilitate a discussion.  Sections 2 and 3: I'll see you in class!

more test review, more movie

Sections 2 and 3 took their turn at reviewing the last test, followed by another look at God Grew Tired of Us.  Section 1 got deeper into the film, and had a fine discussion at the end of class, for which I thank you.  A class that has insights like yours makes my job truly enjoyable.

test review, and more of the film

Today Section 1 reviewed last week's test.  I wouldn't be surprised if you saw some of these questions again...on the final exam (which is in about 13 weeks).  We also caught a few more minutes of God Grew Tired of Us.  The other sections will do the same tomorrow.

What's next?

Today we took a test on population terms and concepts.  Now we transition to a real-world situation that involves population and migration: the recent civil wars in Sudan.  We will be watching God Grew Tired of Us, an award-winning film about three of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

If you didn't know what a push factor was before, you sure will by the time we finish.

news you can use

As mid-quarters approach, here are some things you should know to ensure a good Human Geo grade on your MQR.

There are only a couple people who are still having blog trouble.  Everyone else should be sure to post missing blogs immediately.

If you have any zeroes in PowerSchool, you should post the missing assignments to your blog by midnight Sunday.

Monday's test will be all objective questions.  This will enable me to grade it in time for MQRs.  I suggest you take some time to study this weekend to give yourself the best chance possible to show me what you've learned. 

Let me know if you have any questions or problems.

first test of the quarter

On Monday we will test on what we have covered since the beginning of the year.  Expect a handful of questions about A Message to Garcia, ancient Greece, and the Did You Know 3.0 video.

Expect a greater number of questions about population statistics, the student reports given in class, and the CIA Factbook.

Like most tests in Human Geography, the test is worth 100 points.

Have a great weekend!

change in plans

To allow enough time to properly view all your presentations, I am postponing the test until Monday.

Google presentation

Now it's Section 2 and 3's turn to work in small groups  The idea is that you will teach each other about some of the world's most important nations, and how they relate to our studies of population.  These graded, 50 pt. presentations will be done through Google Docs, and the collaboration continues at home tonight to complete the work done in class today. 

Section 1 started on their presentations today, and actually did a great job of showing how these terms relate to each other, and how they can be used to describe and analyze any nation on earth.

To prepare for Friday's test, you should concentrate on the population terms we have been studying.  I would also look back at the notes you took on A Message to Garcia, on Socrates and the Greeks, and the Did You Know 3.0 video.

our first project

Section 1 kicks off our first class project of the year.  Working in small groups, we will teach each other about some of the world's most important nations, and how they relate to our studies of population.  These graded, 50 pt. presentations will be done through Google Docs, and the collaboration continues at home tonight to complete the work done in class today.

This exercise will help you prepare for the test we have scheduled for this Friday.


And remember:

Thoughts become words,
words become actions,
actions become habits,
habits become character,
and character becomes destiny.

helpful background information

The issues surrounding population are pretty complex.  In order to understand them, we need to build a solid foundation.  We need to be able to define certain terms and concepts.  That was the purpose behind today's discussion, and the PowerPoint that came with it (the link to this PowerPoint has been posted).

Essential terms include:

• life expectancy
• crude birth rate (CBR)
• crude death rate (CDR)
• developing nations
• developed nations
• rate of natural increase (RNI)
• net migration rate (NMR)
• immigration
• emigration
• push forces
• pull forces
• total fertility rate (TFR)

nice to hear from you!

All three sections had terrific discussions today!  I guess it helps when the subject is as interesting as "Did You Know 3.0," but you guys really stepped up.  I find class a lot more engaging when you get more involved, and I'll bet you do too.  Don't forget to get your Friday blogs in before Saturday night ends.





Blogger.com update:  Of the 42 blogs that went down yesterday, all but seven are up and running again.  I am working with the tech crew at Google to get service restored to Grace, Damon, and Pat in Section 1, Alice, Richard, and Carly in Section 2, and Mary G in Section 3.  Stay tuned to my blog for further updates.

Have a great weekend, and thanks again for all the enthusiasm!

the Blogger Blues

Many of you are unable to access your blogs at this time.  I am in contact with the Blogger tech people, and hope to have this problem resolved soon.  In the meantime, if you can't post to your blog, you need to write your blog assignment in a Word document, or any other word processing software.  Save it until we get this all straightened out, and then you can post it to your blog.  There will be no late penalties for late postings, but there will be penalties if you don't post after I give you the go-ahead.

If this problem is not affecting you, and you are able to access your blog, post to it as usual.

Reminder: tonight's assignment is to watch the "Did You Know 3.0" video, choose two of the factoids that really caught your attention, and explain what relevance they have for you.

Thanks for your patience while we sort this all out.

oh, 21st century...

When I think about some of the questions we discussed in class today, 

and when I consider some of the facts presented in "Did You Know 3.0" 

(which Section 1 watched today, and the other sections will see tomorrow), 

I think this is a great time to be alive.  

At the very least, it is an interesting moment in history.  

Your blogs tonight will focus on our class discussion; 

Section 1 will also include personal reactions to two of the statements in the video. 

the wonders of the Factbook, and an historic day

Today's class (only Section 1 met today) proved that a handful of questions and answers from the CIA Factbook - coupled with a very sad anniversary - can really jump-start a far-reaching conversation.

I'm looking forward to reading your blogs after this class.

working with the CIA

The CIA World Factbook is an extremely useful website - but you knew that already, based on our incredibly informative and exciting class today.  To get you familiar with this site, here is your homework assignment for tonight.

Go to the link "Questions for the CIA Factbook," which I have posted on my blog.  Using only the CIA Factbook as a resource, answer those 25 questions on your blog.  In addition, I want you to pick out the two questions that you find most compelling, interesting, or important to you as an American, or to you as a young person.  Briefly tell me in your posting why you chose each question.

Note taking, research, and the Prairie State

It being Thursday, only Sections 2 and 3 met today.  Section 2 worked on note-taking skills and learned why Nebraska is actually far flatter than a pancake.  I received a good report from Section 3's sub that you all worked hard and stayed focused in class, and for that I thank you.

As usual, your homework is to blog about today's class.  I would also recommend that everyone take one more look at your summer reading book tonight, so you can come in tomorrow and have some great discussions in your small groups.  Also, keep in mind that there is a graded assignment given tomorrow based on your book, so be ready!

See you next week!

research and note taking

Class discussions are focusing on two skills essential for academic success: research methods and note-taking.

Section 1 met yesterday and covered evaluation of websites; Sections 2 and 3 covered that today.

Today Section 1 performed a note-taking exercise, which Section 2 will do with me tomorrow.

Tomorrow Section 3 will work with a sub while I am out of the building.  Students will click on the "Evaluating websites" link, and look closely at the nine numbered websites.  Decide whether each one is appropriate for use as a primary source for a research paper, and whether it would be useful in a general research context.  Explain your answers and post them to your blog.  If you do not complete this in class, finish it for homework.