Christmas Joy!

I hope that my students are enjoying their much deserved holiday break!  It is always good to be able to spend time with family and friends.  As I look around the room at my family enjoying the day eating WAY TOO MUCH food, laughing and playing a variety of games, and did I say, ...eating way too much food????

One week down and one more to go!  I could really enjoy the rest of the break if I did not have essays to grade!

Aral Sea

The Aral Sea Video - please watch - use your headphones!

http://www.orexca.com/aral_sea.shtml

This website provides an interactive map of the Aral Sea as well as more pictures to help you develop a better understanding of the impact this has had on the region.

Something to consider for the finals!

Do you think Europe is headed for more continued cooperation in the future, or will conflict erupt once again on the European peninsula?  Justify your answer.

Europe's Early History Cultural Analysis

QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS

Use the notes provided to answer the following questions. You must write a brief paragraph. Type your answers in Open Office and place your handout in the drop box in First Class.

1. How has Greek and Roman culture influenced Europe, and in fact America?

2. Why do you think the Church was so important in Europe during the Middle Ages?  Consider the lives of the average people. 

3. Why did Europe undertake the Crusades?  What possible implications might these wars from a millennium ago have today?

4. How do you think the Renaissance and the Reformation are related?

5. Explain the social & economic impact the Industrial Revolution had on the rest of the world?

Parent Database - A Work In Progress

I sent my first parent email using my parent database that I have set up.  It is not complete yet, but it contains about 75 or so of my parents.  If your parent did not receive an email today, please get their email address and check with me this week.  I normally send several emails a six week, sometimes a couple a week.  They inform parents about upcoming assignments, especially exams or projects, quiz reminders, etc.  These are generic emails and no personal grades or students are discussed!  This is just another way for parents, students, and teacher to communicate in an effort to improve your academic success.  Plus, parents are full of good ideas and educators can always use a new perspective; therefore I welcome input!  Plus, you may have some cool ideas yourself!  Let me know!

Introductions Using Xtranormals

Check these out!  They are awesome!  We can use the same application to teach or review geography concepts!

1.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7027707/

2.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7028095/

3.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7028327/

4.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7027707/

5. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7028845/

6. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7030149/

7. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7030867/

8. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7031047/

9. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7024105/

10. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7031815/

11.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7041081/

12. http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7049831/

13.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7058959/

14.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7065371/

15.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7095913/

16.  http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7110105/


More will be added later!  Have fun and enjoy!

pbj

Remind Your Classmates!

I want you to help me get everyone signed in and ready to begin our Blogging experience in World Geography.  Call your friends and classmates; please remind them to finish setting up their account.

Also, remind them about the upcoming exam Tuesday over the physical geography of Europe.  Review activities are on Moodle!


Thanks so much for your help!  See you Monday!

pbj

Welcome Students!

I am so excited about our very first blog in World Geography!  It is my hope that each of you are able to use, learn, and grow academically and technologically from our efforts.  You will soon receive the guidelines and expectations for our blog.  I can't wait to learn from you as you learn from me!  We are all in this together, moving forward in the digital age!  Welcome again!

Latin America

My students are currently studying the Latin American unit.  We have discussed the physical geography of the unit with an emphasis on the deforestation of the rain forests.  Students will write an essay over the cause and effect of rain forest deforestation and why the global community should be concerned.  What is the best alternative for those that feel that their economic survival is dependent upon rain forest destruction?

Fours Week Down!!!

We have almost finished the first six weeks of the new school year.  It has been a whirlwind!  My students are exciting and full of energy.  My biggest challenge right now is getting my students to begin to think critically and face difficult challenges with a determined attitude that "I can do this!"  Plus, I want them to know that I am here to help them.

Survived the First Week!

Today is Friday and I survived the first week of school.  It has been exciting getting to meet all of my new students.  I used a web 2.0 application called Xtranormal to introduce myself to the students on the first day.  Now, they are creating a one minute introduction so that we may all get to know each other.  This application can be used for students to demonstrate their understanding of a topic, tell a story, teach a concept, etc.  I am so excited about the new school year and hope that you will be too.

Check out my intro! Then go and create you an animated movie clip.  Have fun!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6993443/

First Day of In-Service

Our first day of in-service was held at Central Baptist Church.  It was really nice to see some familiar faces and hear about their summer.  The breakfast was especially nice and relaxing to start the year off right, especially since it was pretty difficult to get up so early this morning.  I think that's why schools have in-service - to get us back on schedule so we won't be yawning as much as the students next week.  Just kidding! 

The administration & staff reviewed us over some of the school policies and procedures, as well as expectations for the upcoming year!  We even shared some laughs along the way.  Can't wait until tomorrow!  BHS here we come!

Last Day of Technology Workshop

Where did the week go??? Today, we are posting a few of the new software & Web 2.0 applications on our workshop wiki to review and critique.  The teachers in this workshop with me are truly amazing and has put forth a lot of effort in grasping these new applications.  Although these are just rough drafts, they are still pretty awesome!  Some of them will be used at the beginning of school!  Watch out now!

New Features in iMovie '09

I was familiar with iMovie '08 and the new laptops that my students were working on had the '09 version.  We didn't have time to explore or look for any new features in '09 but I have learned about a couple of neat ones to share with my students this year.  One is called "greenshot" and the other one is "a picture in a picture."  These can be very exciting features for my students to use!  I am ready for school to start so that we can begin; well ALMOST ready! Now I have got to go try these new features out in my own creations.  Off and running!

Glenda's Birthday Jingle!

This original soundtrack was created for my little sister Glenda on her birthday, August 4, 2010!!  I know this is not World Geography but ...... please forgive me.

Global Issues Project Video 2010

I created my first video podcast, which is basically an iMovie, over the Global Issues project that my students completed last year.  This is definitely a diamond in the rough and probably shouldn't be published.  But, oh well, here goes nothing!!!

The Creation of A Star

I just became a musician! I created my first piece of music in GarageBand....You can purchase my new hot sound from iTunes!  Probably not ready for that yet but definitely a masterpiece in the making.

Review of Workshop

Although I have used iMovie quite a bit, I had never used GarageBand.  Well yesterday, I made my first podcast.  It was a basic one and there is definitely room for improvement!! Who knows, I may let you hear it someday when you need a good laugh!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!! Yea!!!!

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!

Learning New Technologies

Today, I am sitting in the library at Bryan High School learning about a variety of new technologies that can be used in my classroom.  It is my hope to incorporate as much technology into the curriculum that will aid my students in learning the required content, as well as provide avenues for students to excel beyond the walls of BHS and become life long learners.  With technology, the world becomes their classroom and there is no limit to what they can learn!