Election 2012

This week and next we will be talking about U.S. government and the upcoming elections.  We will be talking about the positions on the ballot, the major political parties, and doing research about where the candidates stand on issues. 

Here are some links to help you out with your Election Packet
Electoral College
Dictionary
Barack Obama
Mitt Romney
Amy Klobuchar
Kurt Bills
Joe Atkins
Paul Tuschy
Presidential Candidate Match

Help Wanted Posters

Today we will start talking about the upcoming elections.  There are people being elected to various positions throughout the U.S.  Over the next week and a half, you will be learning about what the positions are, who is running, what the candidates are saying and on election day, you will cast your own vote.

Today, you will do some research on one elected position and create a help wanted advertisement for the position. 

Your help wanted ad should show

• Requirements for the position
• Duties of the position
• Salary/benefits
• Qualities in a good candidate

Helpful Links

• President
• Senate
• House of Representatives

State Road Trip Project

This week we have been working on a State Raod Trip Project.  Students had to choose 6 locations to visit within 1 state. 

This project starts our exploration of North America, while building on our use of the 5 Themes of Geography and ABCs of culture.

Students had to

1.  Identify 6 locations to visit

2.  Plan a route

• Calculate distance between stops
• Find the absolute location for each stop

3.  Research locations and write a postcard about each stop

• Each postcard includes an illustration and written description of the place. 

Population of U.S. and Canada

Today we will be working on a map of the U.S. and Canada.  Follow the instructions on the map to find the countries and physical features to label on the map.  You can use these physical maps for help.

To color the map, please use the two sources below to shade the population of the states within the U.S., and provinces and territories of Canada accourding to their population.  Make sure to include a key on your map!

Population of Canadian provinces and territories

Business Location Assignment

Driving around Inver Grove Heights, you can see a number of new businesses opening.  What kinds of businesses do you think Inver Grove Heights still needs?  How do people decide on the location of their business?

For this assignment, you are going to be answering those two questions, using the 5 themes of geography as your guide. 

You will need to

1. Create a new business.
• Decide on the type of business.
• Choose a name for your business.
2. Choose a location for your business.
• Should be in or near Inver Grove Heights.
• Consider the themes of place, movement, regions and human-environment interaction as you choose your location.
3. Prepare a presentation about your business.
• On printer paper, draw a scetch of what your business will look like.
• Write a 3/4 page to 1 page explanation of the location you chose for your business, and why that is the best location for your business.  Make sure to address the geography themes of location, place, movement, regions and human-environment interaction in your presentation. 
• Be prepared to share this information with the class.

You will be graded on

• Appropriateness of location choice
• Understanding of the 5 themes of geography
• Quality of written response
• Quality of oral presentation

5 Themes of Geography Stations

In order to learn more about each of the 5 Themes of Geography in greater depth, you will be completing a series of 6 stations.  Each station focuses on a different theme of geography.

At some stations you will need to use web sources to help you complete your assignment.  Helpful links are listed below.

Station 1: Absolute Location

Station 2: Relative Location

Station 3:  Regions & Google Account Set Up

Station 4: Place

• Landforms with definitions and pictures

Station 5: Movement

• McDonald's Information
• McDonald's World Map

Station 6: Paper Globes

• World Map

5 Themes of Geography

Good morning and welcome to the geography blog!  I'm so sorry I'm not there today, but my baby is very sick.  Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to finish up your paper plate globes and start talking about some of the 5 themes in more depth.

Today, I want you to become familiar with the 5 themes of geography.  The 5 themes give us a framework to use as we study geography throughout the year.  Each of the 5 themes is a different area to focus on as we study the world.

To help you organize your notes on the 5 themes of geography, you are going to make a foldable. 

Here is a link to the power point with help making your foldable. 

Here is a link to the Prezi with notes on the 5 themes of geography.