Sept 10 -Fairy Tale Final Work Day

Ladies and gentlemen,
Today is your last day in class to work on your Fairy Tale Project. This is the first big project so you need to make sure that you put those finishing touches and get it done right. Make sure that you turn it in on time to Google Classroom tonight! If you do not turn it in you will suffer a late penalty to the assignment and this will adversely impact grade. If you have any issues or questions make sure that you ask me today and get it figured out before you turn it in! Below you will find our agenda, homework, and resources.
Objectives:

• Create a fairytale book set in the geographic setting of a foreign country and aligned to the 5 Themes of Geography

Agenda:

1. Final Workday: Fairy Tale Project
1. This workday should be all about polishing your project. Be sure to look over the Fairy Tale Grading Sheet rubric for this project. Some points from the rubric I want to point out to you:
1. Rewrite accurately reflects the assigned country
2. Clear plot with beginning, middle, and end
3. Easily read and pictures are relevant to the content of the page
4. ALL group members read an equal amount of the story
5. Reading is around 4-6 minutes per group.
2. Address Google Classroom Assignment and submit storybook.

Homework:

1. Finish and Submit Fairytale to Google Classroom tonight, if not already done so. 
2. Five Themes Quiz next Monday
1. You may wish to review the Five themes PPT as one method or preparing for the Quiz.

That's all for today ladies and gentlemen. I look forward to and exciting week and reading your fairy tales! I hope that everyone is doing well and getting it done!

Sept 7 -Fairy Tale Work Day 2

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today in class we will be continuing our Fairy Tale Projects. We will start with a little modeling of what a picture book should look like and how your presentation should sound. This is one of my favorite projects and I am so looking forward to seeing what you produce! Remember that you get two block days to work this week and I expect that you put a lot of effort into getting your work done! It's great to see you all after a long weekend apart! Below you'll find our agenda, homework, and resources for the day.
Objectives:

• Create a fairytale book set in the geographic setting of a foreign country and aligned to the 5 Themes of Geography

Agenda:

1. Connect: History Today
• Prompt: Countries
1. Describe the Place that your country is (some of the physical and human characteristics).
2. Skill: Modeling Storytime
3. Collaborate: Fairy Tale Project
1. The Goal of this project is Through a fairy tale, communicate the human and physical geography of a foreign country. You will research a country based on the 5 Themes of Geography and use your research you will rewrite a Fairy Tale as if it takes place, present day, in this modern country, incorporating your research into the story. Today you should be finishing your rewrite and building your storybook.
2. Country Info Sheet and Rewrite
1. You will start by filling out a Google Doc that shows your knowledge of the country you have chosen; you will complete the Fairytale rewrite on the same document
3. Rewrite
1. The rewrite will be located in a Foreign Country and demonstrate knowledge and accuracy of the 5 Themes throughout the rewrite
4. Design a 5 Themes of Geography Fairy Tale Book. 
1. You will use Google Slides or Paper to create a visual book of the fairy tale 
2. This will adhere to the guidelines of the information sheet
4. HT Close
• Prompt: Collaboration
1. Here is a video by Dan Coughlin. 
2. What is collaboration? How do you achieve true collaboration?

Homework:

1. Assign tasks to group members if needed for group members. Although you will have class time on Monday to wrap up and polish your project, your book will be turned in by end of the period.

I hope that you were able to get through your research and start (hopefully finish) rewriting your fairy tale! I hope that you all have a wonderful evening!

Sept 5 -Fairy Tale Project

Ladies and gentlemen,
Mrs. Lucarotti will be with you all today.  She is an amazing teacher and has been a Charger for many years.  We are lucky to have her with us today.

Today in class we will be continuing our Fairy Tale Projects! We will start with a little modeling of what a picture book should look like and how your presentation should sound. This is one of my favorite projects and I am so looking forward to seeing what you produce! Remember that you get two block days to work this week and I expect that you put a lot of effort into getting your work done! It's great to see you all after a long weekend apart! Below you'll find our agenda, homework, and resources for the day.
Objectives:

• Create a fairytale book set in the geographic setting of a foreign country and aligned to the 5 Themes of Geography

Agenda:

1. Connect -History Today.
• Prompt: Stereotypes
1. What is a stereotype that you have about your chosen country? What type of theme (of the 5 Themes) relates to stereotypes?
2. Skill: Modeling Storytime
• Harold and the Purple Crayon
3. Collaborate: Fairy Tale Project (Google Classroom)
1. The Goal of this project is Through a fairy tale, communicate the human and physical geography of a foreign country. You will research a country based on the 5 Themes of Geography and use your research you will rewrite a Fairy Tale as if it takes place, present day, in this modern country, incorporating your research into the story.
2. Country Info Sheet and Rewrite
1. You will start by filling out a Google Doc that shows your knowledge of the country you have chosen
2. You will complete the Fairytale rewrite on the same document
3. Rewrite
1. The rewrite will be located in a Foreign Country and demonstrate knowledge and accuracy of the 5 Themes throughout the rewrite
4. Design a 5 Themes of Geography Fairy Tale Book. 
1. You will use Google Slides or Paper to create a visual book of the fairy tale 
2. This will adhere to the guidelines of the information sheet
4. HT Close
• Prompt: Fairytale Check-In 
1. Who is the target audience for your fairytale? When making the storybook how many words should be on a page (a lot or a little)? What needs to be submitted to Google Classroom?

Homework:

1. Assign tasks to group members to work on completing country research for Country Infosheet and Rewrite

I hope that you were able to get through your research and start (hopefully finish) rewriting your fairy tale! I hope that you all have a wonderful evening!

Aug 31 Growth Mindset

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am sorry I am not with you all today, but I know you will all do your best to be on task and complete the activities I have for you. Today in class you will be examining and discussing an important human behavior, a growth mindset. A growth mindset is about trying to change the way we think about things in life we don't like or find challenging to help ourselves grow and improve. It is absolutely something that can make you a better person if you commit to practicing it! Below you will find our agenda, homework, and resources for the day.
Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of having a growth mindset
• Create a poster/infographic displaying the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset using best practices of presenting

Agenda:

History Today -Video

1. Prompt: Neuroplasticity
2. What is neuroplasticity?
3. Students record their thoughts in their History Journal.  Students will share out their thoughts and responses to the prompt with their table group and record information from the group discussion in red pen in their history Journal.

View, Reflect, Discuss & Record

1. For the following 3 short videos, students will watch the video, reflect on the Checking for Understanding (CFU) question, Discuss their thoughts with their table group and record their response to the question on binder paper.  The binder paper should be written in ink and will be collected before the end of the class period for credit.

Growing Your Mind

1. CFU: Can your intelligence change? How does this happen?

Growth Mindset

1. CFU: What is grit? Why is grit important?

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset

1. CFU: Create a T-chart for growth and fixed mindset.  In each column list characteristics of each.  
2. CFU: How will adopting a growth mindset help you to succeed here at Leland? What one area of your life will you focus on having a growth mindset (to start)?

Poster Creation: 

1. Working with your table group, and using your notes from each of the videos, create a small poster showing your understanding of a fixed vs. growth mindset.
2. Paper will be provided (1 per group).  Colored pencils will be on the Chrome cart, and each table group has a supply box of markers in the desk with the green desk number. Please respect the supplies, clean up and put all things back as you found them before the end of the period.
3. Each poster should include:
1. Aesthetics (Looks GOOD!!!)
1. Use of Color
2. Easy to read
3. BOLD
4. Graphics
2. At least 4 characteristics per side
3. At least 2 images (one image for each side)
4. All names of the table group on the back

HT Close

1. Prompt: Grit
2. What is the connection between “grit” and a growth mindset?
3. Students record their thoughts in their History Journal.  Students will share out their thoughts and responses to the prompt with their table group and record information from the group discussion in red pen in their history Journal.

Homework:

1. None

That's all for today. I hope that you are all doing well and I look forward to seeing you all again next week. Remember that Monday is Labor Day, and a holiday, So I won't be seeing you until Wednesday. Keep the growth mindset with you and try to change the way you think, it doesn't happen overnight but if you work at it you can find it within you.

Aug 29 -5 Themes & Fairytales

Ladies and Gentlemen

Today in class we will be starting our Fairy Tale Projects! This is one of my favorite projects for the year. You will be working with others to research another country and then rewrite a fairy tale as if it took place there. This is supposed to be creative and fun so enjoy it! Below you will find our agenda, homework, and resources for the day.
Objectives:

• Define the 5 Themes of Geography and provide an example of each theme
• Create a fairytale book set in the geographic setting of a foreign country and aligned to the 5 Themes of Geography

Agenda:

1. Connect: History Today.
• This HT is based on a video. The file of too large to post so we will watch it whole class
1. Prompt: Bad Geography
2. What does this video make you think of?
2. Notetaking: Complete Discuss: 5 Themes of Geography 
1. Location 
1. Absolute 
2. Relative 
2. Place 
1. Physical 
2. Human 
3. Human Environment Interaction (HEI) 
1. Depend 
2. Adapt 
3. Modify 
4. Movement 
1. people 
2. land 
5. Region 
1. Formal 
2. Functional 
3. Perceptional
3. Intro: Fairy Tale Project
1. One person in your group will need to open the Google Doc for the Fairy Tale Project instructions.
1. This person will need to select File > Make a copy and save it into your World Cultures folder in your Google Drive.
2. Share the file with all the members of your group
2. We will begin by walking through the directions, linked just above. Key details will be clarified and expectations will be reviewed, The idea for this project is for you to research a country based on the 5 Themes of Geography. Using your research you will rewrite a Fairy Tale as if it takes place, present day, in this modern country, incorporating your research into the story.
3. Assign Teams & Countries
4. CFU on Directions
5. Collaborate: Start Work on project
1. NOTE: Although we are beginning this project today, we will be taking a pause on Friday.
2. The plan for Friday is for you to take a look at Metacognition and the Growth Mindset.
4. HT Close
1. Prompt: What's next?
2. What task with the activity did you accomplish today? 
3. What will be your first 2 next steps at the next class meeting?

Homework:

1. None

That's all for today folks. You and your partner need to stay on top of this project so that you can complete it on time! Don't worry, this is a lot of work but it is totally worth it! Take care everyone and have a great evening!

Aug. 27 -Finish presentations & Intro 5 Themes

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome back and great to see you after the weekend! I hope that you all had a great one! Today in class we will be wrapping up our partner presentations and then begin taking a look at our first main content unit, the Five Themes of Geography! This is a nice place to start our year as the Five Themes will play a major role in most of our future discussions in this class. Today we will begin to go over the information and set our base of knowledge for the semester. Let's do this! 
We have a "Blue Monday" Schedule today in anticipation of the rally on Friday and it is a spirit week.
"Blue Monday" Schedule                       Spirit week Schedule

Per.	Start - End
0	7:00-7:50
2	7:55-9:39
Brunch	9:39-9:49
4	9:55-11:39
Lunch	11:39-12:09
6	12:15-1:59
7	2:05-2:55

Monday = Tie-dye

Tuesday = Tropical Tuesday

Wednesday = Sponsorship day (come decked out in all Nike, Adidas, bass pro, etc.)    

Thursday = Squad day (Dress together as a department)

Friday = class colors day (9^th = yellow/gold, 10^th = white, 11^th Columbia Blue, 12^th = Navy)    




Below you will find our agenda, homework, and resources for the day.

Objectives:

• Present information about a peer using Google Presentation and best practices of presenting
• Work collaboratively to create a map of the world in under 10 minutes
• Define the 5 Themes of Geography and provide an example of each theme

Agenda:

1. Finish Presentations
1. Audience members complete the feedback form for each speaker.
2. History Today
• Prompt: Geography
1. Why is geography important?
3. Table Group Activity: Map of the World
1. With your table group, you will have 10 minutes, using the materials provided, to draw and label a map of the world. 
2. Requirements for the map include: All continents, Prominent landmarks, Major cities, Oceans, Major countries
3. Be prepared to share out your map to the class.
4. Discuss: 5 Themes of Geography
1. Define geography
2. Take notes on binder paper about the 5 themes of Giegraphy reviewed in class.
1. Location & Relative Location
2. Place
3. Human Environment Interaction
4. Movement of people & Movement of Land
5. Regions -Forma, Functional, & Perceptual
5. HT Close
• Prompt: 5 Themes review
1. Identify and provide an example for each of the 5 themes disussed today

Homework:

1. None

Thats all for todyay.  I hope that you have gotten to know you classmates better from our introdctions and have sparked your interest about the wonders of Geography.