Uncategorized

IMPORTANT NOTICE: We will be getting an awesome behind-the-scenes tour of the museum, where they do the actual work of dinosaur research, by a BYU graduate student! The thing is, we need to be there RIGHT on time if we’re going to catch him! So…

*Arrive at class at 12:55 PM. We will be leaving at exactly 1:00 PM! If you are late, you will miss out!*

Homework for this class period

1. Start practicing your Middle East Seterra!
2. Watch one of these geology/Europe documentaries: The Alps or Iceland Volcanoes or Vesuvius
3. Watch a Geography Now from this list.
4. Catch up on your Globetrotter award work

Extra fun stuff

Globle

Worldle

Check out “GeoBee”, an app available on your phone (so fun!)

Homework Checkoff List

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wrnx0erLDkRzRMnm3bXvt1RZC8wGtigKF1axzbSsQQM/edit?usp=sharing

Today we will have a guest speaker from Ukraine!

Homework for this class period

1. Read the “Western Europe” chapter from “Prisoners of Geography”

2. Watch a Geography Now episode from this list

3. Watch this video as background for our guest speaker. It covers some ground we’ve already discussed in class, but also has useful historical background maps that really helped me better understand the importance of the USSR, NATO and the Warsaw Pact in regards to today’s war in Ukraine.

4. If you plan on getting the Globetrotter Award, check the requirements here. We have also posted photos of the award options for those who complete the award! They are pretty awesome, if I do say so myself! This week is a great time to catch up on what you’ve missed so far this semester.

Presentations: Lincoln Swan, Linnea Nelson, Olivia Bruening, Parr Young

Depth Learning

Learn more about Russia’s President Putin in this interesting video. This video is five years old, but the information is more relevant than ever.

European eye candy. Here’s more. Oh my gosh, let’s go guys.

Homework Checkoff Page

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VvRiqht5hrOzeOtyuqX-xdYhUBDLHtJ5XaTl9eg_3NY/edit?usp=sharing

This week we will begin learning European geography and discuss our book “A Woman in the Polar Night”

Note to mentors: this homework may change depending on speaker availability

Homework to prepare for this class:

1.Start practicing the Europe map on Seterra

2. Read the Arctic chapter in Prisoners of Geography. Bring a list of 5 interesting things you learned from this chapter.

3. Finish reading “A Woman in the Polar Night”

4. Highlight your favorite passage in “A Woman in the Polar Night” and bring it to share with the class, and come prepared to tell us why you like that passage best.

5. Pick five words that you think best describe this book and bring them to class.

6. Watch this video about a nation in the Arctic Circle

Presentations: Lincoln, Abby, Leslie, Josh Silva

Homework Check-off Page

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10taFqNdYhSuiVVXt0J6rTe3D5gCg4ADFUUDxWrIcT_A/edit?usp=sharing

Fun stuff

See what it looks like as polar night begins on Svalbard! First 7 minutes are the best.

A beautiful short film about a Sami man who lives in northern Norway.

Another video of midnight sun and polar night, this one in Sweden. This lady is essentially the Swedish version of China’s Li Ziqi. And this is my all time favorite video by her!!! Here’s another fun one about ice singing!

Watch a Geography Now episode about one of the northern countries, or a country near Ukraine, off this list.

We will discussing Russia and identifying rocks and minerals in class today.

If you want to see our photos from the field trip last week, use the word “posters” and push enter. Then click on the post again and it should show up for you.

Homework to prepare for this class period

1. Read Russia chapter of Prisoners of Geography. Pay especially close attention to the sections about Crimea and the Ukraine.

2. Get about 2/3 of the way through A Woman In the Polar Night.

3. Watch Geography Now Russia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8zAbdYx9SU

4. Massive world conflict is developing in Russia this week. To understand why, first watch this video about Alexei Navalny. Then, watch this video about the Russia/Ukraine crisis. Then, go on google news and see what’s happening in Russia today. Write a paragraph summary of what is happening with this evolving situation on the Russia/Ukraine border.

5. Watch this video about the rock cycle.

6. Don’t forget to keep practicing your Asia map on Seterra! We will be back to this map during our Mideast class section.

Depth Learning:

Watch Most Dangerous Ways to School Russia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HXXJg4vDF8&t=98s

Homework Checkoff Sheet:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dVkZfXtfPnXGj7L-NEvF__QN3vAszDwVZD0mVfsDjgc/edit?usp=sharing

This week we will be visiting the BYU MOA to see their awesome French Posters exhibit! Please be at class right at 1 PM to turn in homework and pile into our vans. We will be leaving at 1:05 PM sharp. Please bring a phone (with cell reception and a camera) if you have one!

Homework due for this class period:

1. Read Korea/Japan chapter of Prisoners of Geography. After reading, write a funny dialogue between North and South Korea, who have very distinctive personalities. For a sample, here is a recent video clip from North Korea. Here is a popular video from South Korea.

2. Start Reading A Woman in the Polar Night. We will be discussing it March 10th. This book may be challenging reading for you so I recommend you start now.

3. Watch Most Dangerous Ways to School Himalaya https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEJpkEctSEA

4. Don’t forget to practice for our next quiz at Seterra!

Depth Learning:

Very few people have been allowed in to North Korea and to witness what life is actually like there. “Under the Sun”, a Russian documentary about real life in North Korea, available at the library or on YouTube. Before you watch this movie, I recommend doing a little basic background research on conditions in communist North Korea (ask your parents for recommendations on sources they feel appropriate) and read the Wikipedia article about this documentary.

For a hilarious take, try watching the first episode of Crash Landing On You, a fun, cheesy Korean drama about the differences between North and South Korea. There are a few minor swear words in this episode.

A few tidbits from class last week:

Here is the promised video of Cambodian Apsara Dance

Watch Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – a beautiful classic Chinese film. This movie is rated PG-13 so please consult with your parents before watching.

The Rescue is a documentary about the real-life rescue of a Thai soccer team from a flooded cave. Available on Disney+. Be aware this story is VERY intense! Amazing!

Check out the Thai water festival!

Homework Checkoff Sheet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bDmVkDfJzQqgVtBJQvubqFNLEx42_gXYLGyTkfNfUA4/edit?usp=sharing

Homework to prepare for this class:

Read India/Pakistan chapter of “Prisoners of Geography”. Write a list of five things, in full sentences, that you learned from this chapter and bring it to class.

Finish your chosen book: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” or  “Heart of a Samurai”

Book discussion questions for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.

Book discussion questions for Heart of a Samurai

Watch a Geography Now Asia episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wufWxldBWsU&list=PLR7XO54Pktt-f5wUuqUFeyKL272PXlhmu

Watch Most Dangerous Ways to School Nepal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwGKy_dREpg&t=6s

Depth Learning

Watch one of Sis Stanfill’s all-time favorite movies, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi! You can watch it on Amazon Prime or on YouTube. This movie has some minor swearing.

Homework Checkoff Sheet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_NWF322wSK57LH9KEYb1_YB67AbY-gbUhONlvaacf1k/edit?usp=sharing

Homework to prepare for this class:

Read the “China” chapter of Prisoners of Geography. Use a highlighter and mark any passages you find interesting. Use a highlighter and mark any passages you’re struggling to understand. You may be asked to share these passages in class.

Read first half your chosen book: “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” or “Heart of a Samurai”

Watch a Geography Now Asia episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wufWxldBWsU&list=PLR7XO54Pktt-f5wUuqUFeyKL272PXlhmu

Watch Most Dangerous Ways to School Mongolia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKHF7rg1TMs&list=PLLgqOez346ZNjuArRDFymnJTw3Nl58eHi&index=5

Watch Li Ziqi

Homework Checkoff Sheet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ELmvHO8N1hO0V5BVAFsJE-GfnR9CSAYzC5CmhRkgsvI/edit?usp=sharing

Welcome to the world! Today we create our personal travel passports, learn how to read complex maps, and try navigating with latitude and longitude.

Supplies for this class

Before class, you can start making sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for class this semester.

Books you will need:

1. Rocks, Rivers and the Changing Earth, 2021 edition https://www.amazon.com/Rocks-Rivers-Changing-Earth-geology/dp/1955402043/
2. Esperanza Rising https://www.amazon.com/Esperanza-Rising-McDougal-Littell-Library/dp/043912042X/
3. I Lived on Butterfly Hill https://www.amazon.com/Lived-Butterfly-Hill-Marjorie-Agosin/dp/1416994025/
4. Call It Courage https://www.amazon.com/Call-Courage-Armstrong-Sperry/dp/0689713916

You can also start making sure you have all the supplies you’ll need for your at-home science experiments. Here is a list of what you’ll need:

Car wash sponge

Waxed paper

Platter

Pitcher

Baking tin or pan

Pieces of cardboard

Rough sand with pebbles

Large jar with lid

Soil with rocks

Large jar or glass baking dish

Sand or gravel

Clear glass cup

Dark colored dish

Salt

Rocks

Cookie sheet or pan

3 bottles with screw tops

Dry beans

Glass jar with screw top

Empty tin can

Baking dish

Sand

Sheet of paper

Homework for this class

Start reading Esperanza Rising

Today we do fun hands-on activities exploring tectonic plates and earthquakes.

Homework to prepare for this class

Watch Making North America: Origins https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/making-north-america-origins/

Read Rocks Rivers pages 125-129 and do all activities.

Keep reading Esperanza Rising

Prepare your passport by gluing in the materials provided for you. Designate one section for geography and one for science. Mark landforms on your map and glue it into your geography section of your passport. Record what you’ve learned about latitude/longitude, and the GPS system. Study where the countries are on your North/Central American map in preparation for the quiz. Record any other interesting things you learn from your reading or documentary this week. Writing down or illustrating what you’ve learned helps you process and organize what you’ve learned, and moves your learning from short-term memory into long-term memory.

Print and fill out checklist to turn in.

Blank North America map

Blank US States map

Depth Learning

Do the first five units of Kahn Academy’s Plate Tectonics class https://www.khanacademy.org/science/cosmology-and-astronomy/earth-history-topic

Try out these games! North America landforms and US states!