Welcome
Dear parent(s) & Guardians,
Well, winter is upon us and school is in full swing. Your child is exploring how the 5 themes of geography has an impact on their lives and the world’s. Students are using their literacy and technology skills to explore, understand, and explain the different ways geographers study and look at the world.
With the ending of this unit students will be able to explain that geography includes the study of physical, environmental, and cultural features of their community, state, nation, and the Western Hemisphere. Your child is using reading, notetaking, computer research, mapmaking and discussion skills and strategies in exploring this concept.Through the use of reading to gather information students are identifying consequences of geographic influences about how humans interact with the environment and how that influences the physical, cultural, and economic well being of us all.
Some of the questions students will be answering are:
1. What are the 5 themes of geography?
2. How does looking at the world through the 5 themes lens help geographers explain the world around us?
3.What are the major regions of the world & their physical & political boundaries.
4. How does technology impact the world around us?
At this point you are probably asking yourself how can I help my child learn all this information. One of the best tools you have is your own travel experience. Another excellent tool is the TV. Check out these channels and discuss the questions above with your child. The channels are: National Geographic, Travel, Home and Garden (What is your money worth? show), the Discovery channel, and the History channel. But as always, please check to see what is on first and if it is worthwhile for your child.
have a safe and enjoyable winter
Ms Montgomery
Social Studies
2nd Trimester
We have finished our 1st trimester. Your children have been working hard on understanding concepts and processes from geography to understand issues involving people, places, and environments in the western hemisphere. We will continue to explore this standard more in depth.
This trimester we will be continuing the homework club on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I hope your child will be taking advantage of this time.
I will continue to post all grades on line as soon as possible. Please remember to check them frequently. When I update the gradebook, I will mention the update in the homework blog. Also do to technological issues I will need to continue to use the 0 when students are absent, missing work, or redoing work. As last trimester the 0’s will receive a grade when the assignments are passed in. Late papers will still lose 5 points per class.
I have also added a new category to the nightly blog. It is called strategies. This category will be a collection of study skills and strategies students can refer back to for help with their home assignments. It will also be a good reference for you to read about some of the specific skills your child is expected to do.
Please remember if you have any concerns, questions, or just an update do not hesitate to e-mail me. This is a wonderful form of communication.
