Terrible Lizard Project

Today we will begin the Terrible Lizard project in my class. You will need to bring your composition notebook to class every day until the project is completed. We will be conducting a majority of the research in my class. You will need to work hard to complete all of your work in the required time. We have provided enough class time for you to do all your work in school, but if you are absent or are not keeping on task you will need to stay after school to finish your notes.

Your first assignment will be to complete a webquest. You will visit the following website and answer the questions in your composition notebooks starting on pg. 30. This website describes how life has a history. To find out more,
Click HERE

Public Service Announcement

Our next project will result in the creation of a public service announcement that will be played for the school. Presentations will be created in Windows Movie Maker. Students will judge each project in class and a winning presentation will be selected from each class.

To make our PSA's, students will need to research one of the following topics:

• Corporal Punishment
• School Prayer
• School Violence
• Gender Issues
• School Vouchers
  

To access the Website and for more information, please CLICK HERE

Holocaust Project

To access the Holocaust Project website please click HERE

What's in a name?

A favorite Shakespearian quote of mine is "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" from Romeo and Juliet. We use our names on a daily basis, yet many of us do not know the origins of our Surname (last name) or the meaning of our "given name" (first name.)


The use of a Family or Surname is a relatively new phenomenon. The Greeks and Romans attempted to use a family name and even before that there is evidence of Surname use in parts of ancient China. For the most part, however, the use of Surnames did not become popular in Western Europe until the 13th and 14th century.


Your task is to find out the Etymology of your names. Use the following website to learn about the origin and meaning of your name. Not all names will be in the data base (my last name is not.) Try to use variations of the spelling or use your Mother's maiden name (if you know it.)

In your notebooks, create three columns. Put your first name at the top of one, your middle name in the middle and your last name at the top of the last. Find out as much information about your names as you can and write it underneath.

Use the following sites:
Best Site (start here)

This site is just ok

Lots of names, not much detail

Russian History Time Line

The following are major events that have occurred during the History of Russia. Use the list of events to make a time line in your composition notebook. You will need two full pages to complete this time line. Be sure to keep it as neat as possible. You must include all the following events AND THE DATE on your time line.

• Ivan IV
• Church of St. Basil's
• Tsar Ivan IV kills son Ivan
• Micheal Romanov
  
• Two Tsars -> Ivan (V) and Peter the Great (I)
• Peter (I)
• Church of Transfiguration
• Tsar Bell
• Catherine (II)
• Alexander (I)
• Napoleon invades Russia
• Alexander (II)
• Alexander (II) abolishes serfdom
• Alexander (II) murdered
• Nicolas (II) [last Tsar of Russia]
• Nicolas (II) and Family executed

You must also pick 5 events or people and write a brief (3 sentence minimum) description or summary. You can do this by clicking on the events that are YELLOW on the time line.

To access the time line of events, click here: TIMELINE

Europe 101

Read these directions first:

You will be creating 3 maps today!

• Use the following website to fill in the maps that I have provided
• Use PENCIL to label the maps
• For the political map, pick 3 countries and 3 capitals to find more information about.
  
• Use the Information box on the left side of the web-page
• Investigate the unique customs, traits or history concerning that country or capital
  
• Write at least 3 complete sentences in your own words about the country or capital
• Write this information on the back of each map

Click on the following link to get to your information:

European Maps

Round Table Discussion

Directions: Copy these directions and the following text. Open up a new Microsoft Word document. Paste this information into the document. In your groups, respond to the following questions. Each student will have a turn typing. When you are done with each question, include the initials of the student who was typing. While only one person will be doing the typing, all members of the group are expected to contribute to the answer. Respond to each question with complete sentences.


1.) What are the names of the members of your group?


2.) Trevor had three people that he Paid it Forward to. Who were they and what did he do for each of them?

3.) How did Mr. Simonet receive his scars?

4.) How would you change the end of the movie? If you would not change the movie explain why.

5.) Did Pay It Forward work? Justify your answer as a group.

For the following questions use your NYSTROM Desk Atlas

6.) What is the approximate land area of Europe in both miles and Kilometers?

7.) Where can both the highest and lowest elevation be found in Europe and what are they in meters?

8.) Name all of the countries that share a border with the Czech Republic.

9.) Use the Country Tables. In complete sentences give as much detail about Iceland as possible.

10.) What is OPEC? Who are the current members?

11.) Compare the primary cause of death in China to that of the United States.

12.) Compare the "Persons per Automobile" in China to that of the United States.

13.) What is the exact latitude and longitude of Ithaca, NY?

14.) What is the exact latitude and longitude of Key West, FL?

15.) What is the exact latitude and longitude of Sarasota, FL?


Now that you have answered all the questions, check them carefully and then copy and paste your answers into the "reply" box of this post.

Welcome Students!

Welcome to Global Studies. This year we are going to look at both human and physical geography. We will be studying North American, South America and Europe. These regions have a wealth of history which we get to briefly cover. I will use as many hands on activities as i can to make this year engaging. Overall, I hope that you all become as enthusiastic about different regions and cultures as I am.

Here's to a great year!

~Mr. Simoni