Curriculum Post #2

Are you ready for you next challenge? 

Hello Grade 8's! The Amazing Race has officially started and your maps looked absolutely great! In class, we started to differentiate between Developing, Developed and Underdeveloped countries and began identifying these countries on your maps. However, if you did not have a chance to finish, please refer to the image below to fill in your maps! Are your ready for your next task?

Your next challenge will be to create a information sheet that outlines the differences between Developing, Developed and Underdeveloped countries for an audience of your choice. This is where you have creative freedom! You can create your information sheet using a computer program, pamphlet, poster board, info-graphic etc. Use whatever technology you feel most comfortable with! In class tomorrow, we will developed the success criteria together and you can begin to work on your information sheet. Before tomorrow, start brainstorming and exploring how you will present your information. Get ready, get set, GO!

Photo from Wallpho, http://wallpho.com/39445-countries-of-the-world-map-for-kids-id-25271.htm 

Parents/Guardians: 

We have begun our Amazing Race challenge, and after identifying the various countries that are Developed, Underdeveloped and Developing, we are now going to look more closely at what these terms really mean. Students will be responsible for creating an information page using resources of their choosing (web-based software, Microsoft programs, bristol board etc). This page will be a useful tool for them to reference in the future of this unit as well as when studying for the unit test. Students will create the information sheet for an audience of their choosing which will challenge their writing and develop their knowledge of various perspectives. This activity not only covers expectations from Geography (as outlined by my previous post- please see below) but also incorporates the Language curriculum. Below, you will find the specific expectations for this lesson, if you would like more information, please visit the Language Curriculum. 

Specific Expectations: 

1.1 Identify the topic, purpose, and audience for more complex writing forms 

1.3 Gather information to support ideas for writing, using a variety of strategies and a wide range of print and electronic sources 

3.1 Spell familiar words correctly 

3.7 Use a wide range of appropriate elements of effective presentation in the finished product, including print, script, different fonts, graphics and layout

Curriculum Post #1

Introducing the Amazing Race! 

Good afternoon Grade 8 students! 

We are about to begin our new Geography unit...are you ready??

Amazing Race Theme Song from YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJqHHBiilZ0

Over the next month, we will be participating in a spin off of The Amazing Race. While we participate, we will explore economic development, global inequalities, social inequalities and which factors contribute to these overarching themes. Those of you who have been to a Developed or Developing country may have some very interesting incite to share with the class in the near future-so consider reflecting on these experiences. Understanding why and what influences social inequalities on a global scale is our end goal, but before we get there, lets make sure everyone understands the basic layout of the globe. Please play the GeoGame before coming to class next week and bring a hard copy of your finished map to class with you. The fun game will be a quick reminder of the location of some countries we will be discussing. Those who finish will receive points for their teams! The Amazing race is underway, get ready, get set, GO!

Terms to familiarize yourself with: Developed Country, Developing Country and Underdeveloped Country.

Good afternoon Parents/Guardians! 

We are about to begin our new Geography unit that focuses on economic development, global inequalities, social inequalities and which factors contribute to these overarching themes. Because we are looking at these topics on a global scale, students will be participating in an Amazing Race spin off. Every week, there will be several challenges for them to complete in class that all lead to their understanding of social and economic inequalities as well as social and economic development. Students will work both independently and collaboratively with others when completing these challenges. We hope that by the end of this unit, students will understand that there are inequalities present, be able to identify the economic factors that influence development and quality of life in some countries and differentiate between Developed, Developing and Underdeveloped countries This unit will cover several curriculum expectations in the grade 8 Geography unit which are listed below. Please refer to the Ontario Curriculum Document for more details.

Specific Expectations:

B 1.1 Analyse some interrelationships among factors that can contribute to quality of life
B 1.2 Analyse how various factors have affected the economics of specific developed and developing countries around the world.
B 2.3 Analyse and construct digital and print maps as part of their investigations into issues related to global development and quality of life.
B 2.5 Evaluate evidence and draw conclusions about issues related to global development and quality of life.
B 3.1 Identify and describe the significance of several indicators that are commonly used to measure quality of life on a global scale.
B 3.2 Compare findings with respect to selected quality of life indicators in some developing and more developed countries.

Take a Look at these Helpful Links!

Useful Links

A great resource I use is Merriam-Webster. This resource is both a dictionary and thesaurus which is extremely helpful for those language assignments and other papers! A thesaurus is a great resource for those times you are in need of a different word,  BUT make sure you understand the words you are using because sometimes they are not appropriate for the context.

Another great link I visit daily is International Movie Database. As a frequent movie goer, I love to keep up-to-date with what movies are out and upcoming! There are also lots of interesting articles, especially around Oscar time!

Before you go, check out this last link! The Weather Office is Environment Canada's weather site that provides the short-term and long-term forecast for a ton of cities across Canada. I don't know about you, but I always like to be prepared so I am a frequent visitor to this website so I know whether to grab my umbrella or sunglasses!

Photo of Long Point, Houze 2012

Consider This!

Resources

Bitstrips Example from Zach's Blog, http://blogs.hpedsb.on.ca/harm/zach/

Hey Grade 8's! Looking for a creative way to present a topic or concept? Check out Bitstrips! Bitstrips gives you the creative freedom to produce a comic strip. You can put in your own script and create your own characters. You could use this website for a book summary, to describe a concept or scenario. I have used this source myself for a chapter summary in a handout for my class. Consider this resource for your next presentation or handout!

Welcome: I Can't Wait to Meet You!

Welcome!

Hello Grade 8's! I am very excited to be apart of your classroom in the upcoming weeks! This blog will be a great resource for you as students to check out on a regular basis. I will be posting information about upcoming assignments, some helpful reminders and great resources for you! I hope to make your learning experience extremely fun as I love interactive learning and technology in the classroom. i hope we can all work together in a safe learning environment, and if I can offer my first piece of advice... do not be afraid to make mistakes! I can't wait to meet all of you, but until then, check out my Pinterest page to learn more about me! I hope you're ready for fun, let's get this learning started!