for the weekend

As you can see in yesterday's post, I have posted a couple of Population Pyramids. Many thanks to the students who gave instruction in class on the various ways to post these pictures.

Your assignment for the weekend is to complete the assignment listed in my Thursday post: post population pyramids for two countries (one developed, one developing), along with their TFR and % of young and % of old people. Describe in a short paragraph what is projected to happen to the Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) in both countries as a result of your analysis of the data. (Will there be rapid growth, slow growth, or zero growth?)

Statistical comparisons

Homework Assignment for Sections 01 and 05

Using this website -- http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/informationGateway.php -- compare statistics and population pyramids for a more developed country, and a developing country.

Record vital demographic statistics that could help human geographers determine what is happening to the populations of these two countries. These statistics include Total Fertility Rate (TFR), % of Young, and % of Old. (Definitions of these terms are in your text, and on the Glossary page of the census.gov site.)

Also, record population pyramids for both countries by taking screen shots of the images (Windows key + S). Describe in a short paragraphwhat is projected to happen to the Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) in both countries as a result of your analysis of the data. (Will there be rapid growth, slow growth, or zero growth?)

Post your work on your blog.

Examples of developed countries are the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Canada, Iceland, Australia, Ireland, Norway, Spain, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, among others.

Examples of developing countries are Kenya, Afghanistan, Cuba, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Mexico, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Somalia, and many others.

Have fun!

Did You Know 2.0

The first of our Five Themes

Today we started discussing Population and Settlement, one of the Five Themes of Human Geography. We studied Population Pyramids as a graphic presentation of the population of a country, broken down by gender and age.

Section 03 made their way through the PowerPoint, ending with a small group exercise. Sections 01 and 05 are a tad behind, since they took their quiz today.

Homework for all sections tonight is to read the section in the text entitled Population Growth and Change, which runs from p. 18 to the beginning of p. 22. Pay close attention to the following terms:

• RNI (rate of natural increase)
• crude birthrate
• crude death rate
• TFR (total fertility rate)
• population pyramid
• life expectancy

As always, don't forget to post on your blog!

Monday, Monday

Grades continue to be posted from work you did last week. If you see a zero in your gradebook for "First Blog" or "Week Two Blog Check, " don't despair. Just make up the work and receive partial credit. If you're not sure what needs to be done, check my blog postings from the last two weeks for details, or come and see me. I'm available before school, after school, and during free mods.

Section 01 and 05 did not meet today. Section 03 took a quiz on world regions, globalization, and the five themes of Human Geography. 01 and 05 take that quiz tomorrow.

03: don't forget to post on your blog!

we're picking up steam

Reminders: Section 03 has a quiz Monday and Sections 01 and 05 have their quiz Tuesday.

This quiz will include a map of the world's regions, questions on globalization, plus a question on the five themes of Human Geography.

You can study the map on p. 12-13 in your text (which also appears on the right-hand side of this blog) to prepare. The Globalization Pros and Cons I have posted on this blog (plus your class notes) will also help you out.

I am also posting your first grades this weekend. The first grade is for your first blog, in which you posted HW covering the five themes and the definition of globalization. The second grade is what you scored on the in-class map work we did on Tuesday, 9/8/09. The third grade is a Week Two blog check. Are you posting to your blog after every class? Then you scored high on this grade. If you're not posting, your grade will reflect this.

As always, questions or comments can be made by clicking on the "comments" link below.

Today Sections 01 and 05 finished summarizing the pros and cons of globalization. I'll be checking your blogs and posting your results soon.

Also, I've decided that the quiz on world regions and globalization will be next Monday for Section 03, and on Tuesday for 01 and 05. Be ready!

The "Comments" section of my blog has now been activated. Your feedback is always welcome!

Tonight's HW: as always, post what we did in class today. I'll be reading!

The pros and cons of globalization

Today we worked in pairs studying the section of our text (p. 6-9) that deals with the pros and cons of globalization. Working together, students analyzed the information, and reported back to the class. These reports will continue in class tomorrow (or on Friday for Section 03).

As we discussed in class, tonight everyone should post their class notes in their blog. Both students in each team should post to their blog, not just the student who wrote down the notes in class. We will compile your results, and I will post all the pros and cons on my blog when we're finished.

BTW, I'm thinking this Friday (9/11) might be a good day to give a quiz on the regions of the world. What do you think? Feel free to enter any comments below...

Sweet map skills

Today we designated the regions of the world on a map, then identified two dozen nations by region. Some of these countries were obvious (the US, Russia, China) and others were more obscure (Tibet, Haiti). But we need to have a geographic foundation as we begin to study Human Geography. As we study various regions of our planet, we need to know what nations (and what people) occupy these regions. You used a variety of sources to find these nations: your text, maps, even Google Earth. I will compile a list of the most useful sources and list them for you for your future use.

Tonight, complete today's work if you did not finish in class. Many of you need to update your blog to include two key elements of your notes: our definition of globalization, and the five themes of Human Geography (seen on the right-hand side of this page). Get in the habit of writing in this blog every day after class. What should you write? Sometimes it will be something as simple as reviewing what we did in class. You may transfer your class notes. Often you will do your homework assignment in your blog. The key is to spend at least a couple minutes thinking about today's class, and writing down your thoughts. I can't wait to read your stuff!

One final note: today we welcomed Rachel to the famous 01 section. We hope you enjoy JC and feel at home as a member of the class of '13!

Labor Day weekend - woo-hoo!

"Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades ... Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events." (from the Wikipedia entry for Labor Day, found here)

I think we definitely deserve three days off - we've been working hard! Here's what I want you to do over the holiday (besides having fun with your friends and family).

Many of you have been "laboring" over your blogs - picking a cool template, posting photos, changing colors, making it YOURS. Good job! More importantly, you need to start adding your notes and your homework assignments. In class we'll be talking about how to copy and paste from OneNote into your blog, how to set up new posts, etc. Lots of you are already up to speed on this; some of you have work to do.

In any case, by Tuesday morning, I want EVERYONE to have set up their blog, and have at least one posting that contains notes and a homework assignment. I am checking and grading this assignment.

I also want EVERYONE to "follow" my blog, as I am going to be "following" yours.

If you have questions or problems, please see me before the weekend. We will also devote some class time to this. I want everyone to be in the habit of checking my blog and posting regularly on your blog when we come back from break.

Also, don't forget about your summer reading assignments. If you don't have a Fine Arts class, you need to email your Pixton comic and your written reponses to me, at rschick@johncarroll.org. I'll be checking them this weekend, so get them in ASAP. I can't wait to see them, especially your comics. (If you want to see MY awesome Pixton, click here. Comments and ratings welcome!)

Happy Labor Day!

introductions are complete

Finally, all three sections have been "introduced" to Human Geography. We are underway!

For all sections: please begin bringing your book to class every day. Being able to leave your book home all semester was a luxury we couldn't afford. (Besides, it's not THAT heavy...)

Also for all sections: you should begin entering your notes, your homework, and your thoughts in your blog. Don't forget to become a "Follower" of my blog, and I'll follow yours.

Section 01 defined globalization today. Entering your notes is your only homework tonight.

Section 03 had the whole world in their hands today as they identified the regions of the world, as illustrated in the text on p. 12-13. This same map can also be found on the right side of this screen. Double click it to expand it, study it, learn it, and be ready for a quiz on it next week. See you next Tuesday! Don't forget to blog about today's class.

Section 05 viewed the first PowerPoint of the year today, which was quite a thrill for us all. Transcribe your notes into your blog, along with this homework:

Read p. 2 – 5
Define globalization
Take notice of headings
Jot down everything you see in a large font or a colored font
Devour photos & captions
Study maps
Peruse the Table of Contents (just called Contents in this text) and identify the five themes of geography

a fly in the ointment...

I've been told that my calendar entries - where I've been posting homework - have not been showing up in your emailboxes. Until we get that straightened out, I'll be posting HW assignments right here on the blog. Many thanks for your patience and understanding!

Section 01: We got everyone signed up to a gmail account, you're all subscribed to my blog, and you all created your own blog. This enabled us to actually begin discussing Human Geography! We went over the introductory PowerPoint (which will be posted soon).

Tonight's homework (Section 01):
Read p. 2 – 5
Define globalization
Take notice of headings
Jot down everything you see in a large font or a colored font
Devour photos & captions
Study maps
Look at the Table of Contents (just called Contents in this text) and identify the five themes of geography


Section 03 continued to discuss globalization, human geography, and physical geography, as well as the regions of the world as presented on p. 12-13 of the text. No homework for you tonight.


Section 05, like the 01 folks, worked on gmail and blogs. Your Human Geography work begins tomorrow.