Mrs. Mansfield's Middle Ground
 
This cold snap is fitting weather for a unit on Antarctica.  The results for the Five Themes of Geography test are out.  Students will be getting their results this week. We will continue to reinforce the Five Themes as we move forward. In addition, we will be wrapping up our unit on Antarctica and moving on to the study of Australia.  While these early units are short, students should plan on studying Asia, Africa, and the U.S. and Canada in considerable depth.
 
This week in social studies the children have had many opportunities to learn about the Five Themes of Geography and practice their new skills.  At the end of last week, students took notes about a country of their choice using a packet of graphic organizers.  This week for homework, they were to create a small project, chosen from an approved list, showing how the Five Themes of Geography are present in that country.  This project and the note-packet are due Friday.

We are also learning about Antarctica.  We have read several articles on the subject and tried to identify the Five Themes within these articles.  In addition,  students viewed a short movie about tourism and science in the Antarctic.  Tomorrow, students will take part in a simulated  science expedition in the computer lab. 
 
We have been learning about communities of inquiry and the inquiry process.  Students have been reflecting on how they and those they know use the inquiry process in their daily lives.  There will be a short quiz on this on Friday, September 18th.  Please prepare.

Tomorrow, we will begin reviewing the Five Themes of Geography.  Each student will research an assigned place and then create a visual representation showing their discoveries.  For example, a student might create a collage on "France and the Five Themes."
 
Today, students reviewed the policies and procedures for our class.

We also reviewed the homework on continents from Friday.  Students should be able to read a chart about the continents and calculate size and population comparisons based on this lesson. Please ask your child about this homework, and offer to review any "fuzzy" areas with them.

Tomorrow, we will begin learning about the inquiry process.  Expect to be interviewed later this week as homework.
 
Thank you for attending our Open House.   I appreciate your time and interest.

If you were unable to attend, your child will be given a course syllabus and Student Handbook.  Please ask them to review these items with you.

Your child's education is my primary concern.  Please feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail.
 
Social Studies - World History & Geography

Supplies
3 ring binder or binder section devoted exclusively to Social Studies
#2 pencils

colored pencils - optional
fine point black Sharpie marker - optional

Students are expected to bring their binder, sharpened pencils, and any issued books to class with them daily.

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