Map Skills

Another great link I found.  This one covers map projections, hemispheres, equator and even practice questions!

Basic Map Skills

Covering Rotation, Revolutions, Equator, & Prime Meridians?

Rotating Sky Explorer

HCISD Kick Off

(L to R)

• Veronica Arredondo, Social Studies Department Head @ HHS
• Michelle Ayala, Team Leader for Kinder & PTA President @ Rodriguez Elementary
• Dr. Flores, HCISD Superintendent
• Linda Salinas, World Geography Teacher @ HHS
• Erika Vela, 2nd Grade Teacher & PTA Vice-President @ Means



Global Footprint Network

"You’ve probably heard of the Ecological Footprint - the metric that allows us to calculate human pressure on the planet and come up with facts, such as: If everyone lived the lifestyle of the average American we would need 5 planets.  This Web site explains how the Ecological Footprint works in basic terms. It examines the benefits of ecological accounting, introduces some of the most important Footprint findings, and addresses provocative questions: Do we fit on the planet? How can the Footprint foster sustainable human development? How do carbon emissions contribute to humanity’s Ecological Footprint?"

Global Footprint Network



Interactive Student Notebooks

I'm currently working on my Course Syllabus and my World Geography Survival Guide.  Inside my survival guide, I include my rules, procedures, expectations, bell schedule, and anything else that will help make their year succesful.  Since my first year of teaching, I have incorporated the Interactice Student Notebooks (ISN).  I'm currently working on my handout for ISNs that will be in my survival guide and I found a link with great information so I thought I'd share it with you!

Interactive Student Notebooks

World Geography Standards Printable

My World Geography team & I have typed up our new 2011-2012 TEKS so that they maybe be printed on color paper and laminated.  This will make it easier to have our objectives displayed in the classroom.  Below you will see that I broke up the PDF into 3 separate documents. 1) Readiness Standards 2) Supporting Standards 3) Skills  Therefore you can print each group in a different color to help distingush between the different types of standards. 

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions... feel free to leave a comment or contact me through email.

Enjoy exploring!

WG Readiness Standards Printable

WG Supporting Standards Printable

WG Skills Printable

World Map Notepads

I stopped by DOS the other day and came across this cute World Map Notepad.  The notepad is pretty big in terms of size.  I want to say its about a foot in width.  I purchased the notepad and laminated each sheet individually so students can write on them with dry erase markers.  I plan to use them both individually and in groups when reviewing for map quizzes.  Its perfect for a class set because the notepad comes with 30 sheets.  I'm sure you can also find this notepad at Jones & Cook, Gateway, or online.  Below is the actual picture of the notepad. 

So Many Changes, It's Time to Prepare!

Working at my Alma Mater has been an amazing experience.  I've had the opportunity to work with people I've know for years and work on a campus that I already know like the back of my hand.  After many years of consistency, HHS welcomes a new head principal, two new assistant principals, a new department head for Social Studies, our schedule is changing to traditional, and on top of all that, I am now moving to a new classroom!  YIKES!  So many changes for this new school year!  But I'm up for the challenge and I know that change is for the best.  I'm excited to see what this new school year holds and I'm doing all that I can to prepare for the future! 

"For tomorrow belongs to the
people who prepare for it today."

So, as we are nearing inservice, I have been working on setting up my new classroom.  I have had a lot to do and my list is only getting longer.  I'll be uploading pictures of my room as it undergoes "transformation!"  Let me know what you think! 

I wish all of you luck as you begin the 2011-2012 school year!! Enjoy! 

So far, I've only moved the student desks.  10 desks still needed.

I've come to the decision that my desk will be in the back, center.  I'm making progress!

I've found a spot for my book shelf, table, and lamp.

 One board done!  I broke it up into 3 boards.  Over the past years, I have posted several maps around the room but when it comes to testing, I need to cover up a lot of stuff.  This might be the only map I put up this year.  On the left in blue, I'll be posting "NEWS" in the classroom such as upcoming quiz/test dates and homework assignments.  I haven't decided what I'll do with the orange section.  Any suggestions? 



Because reading and writing are very important in all areas of study, this year I added a spot on the wall that can be used as a reference when writing research papers.  The black giraffe section will be for my objectives.  Which reminds me, I need to type, print, & laminate all of the new World Geo TEKS.

 The green section you see below will be my official "WORD WALL"

 And finally, my office space.  As you can already see, this is where I display the priceless masterpieces that my daughters create.  When I pick them up from Pre-School, they usually bring home some kind of artwork and say, "Mommy, look what I made for your classroom!" 

More to come so keep coming back!!
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HCISD - New Theme

I really love the new theme for our school district!  Check it out!

5 Themes of Geography

I found this great link with ideas that you can use when incorporating your local newspaper with the 5 themes of geography! 

Check it out!

Teaching the 5 Themes of Geography

Another great idea that will incorporate the use of technology, your students can create a "poster" online using Glogster.  Glogster EDU is a collaborative online learning platform for teachers and students to express their creativity, knowledge, ideas and skills in the classroom.  Along with the link below, you'll find the link to Glogster on the right hand side of my blog for quick reference.

Glogster

Below is an example of a 5 Themes of Geography Glogster

5 Themes Glog





Bloom's Taxonomy Vocabulary Print Out

I have create two versions of the following vocabulary based off of Bloom's Taxonomy.  Both are very plain, without graphics.  The only difference is the font.  I prefer a "girly" font but in order to accomodate all, I also did another set in the font Papyrus.  Feel free to edit and print them.  I personally recommend having them up in your classroom all year long as reference and as a visual reminder.  Thanks for stopping by & please be sure to follow this blog!!

Bloom's Taxonomy Printables - French Script

Bloom's Taxonomy Printables - Papyrus

Videos in the Classroom

I'm very picky when it comes to showing films in the classroom.  Below you will find my favorites that made the cut.  Some may not relate to a concept in Geography, but I still feel it is some what educational and will leave a lasting impression on my students. 

Concept/Theme: Overpopulation

Film: NG China's Lost Girls

Concept/Theme: Communist, Dicatorship

Film: NG Inside North Korea

 

Concept/Theme: Overpopulation = Mass food production & health

Film: Food Inc.

 

Concept/Theme: Genocide

Hotel Rwanda

 

Other(s) that made the cut:

The Cove

Getting to Know Your Students

On the first or second day of school, I use a Facebook layout worksheet that my students fill out in order to get to know them better.  You can give them the option of taking it home to add pictures, or you can have them do it in class and draw the pictures by hand or cut them out from a magazine.

 

 

Getting to Know Your Students

Yay! Lilly

Interactive Animations for Visual Learners

The majority of our students these days are found to be audio and visual learners.  I found this great website that has education animations by subject that will be great to use in the classroom. 


Here is the link: EduMedia Sciences and below is an example of animated erosion.