It was nice to see so many parents last night, I hope all questions were answered at least partially.  The students are learning about early humans once again today.  They are playing popcorn while reading a few pages out loud from the textbook.  Today's lesson covers how early humans made their way out of Africa and into the rest of the world.

Bell-ringer:  What is the difference between an artifact and a fossil?

Homework:  Adapting to the Environment 

We are going to start this morning off by having the students read their stories from last night.  Since that would take the whole hour I think I will limit it to 3 or 4 students.  The students are then going to read a little about archeologists.  Following that they will receive a few minutes to work on their homework.

Bell-ringer:  If something happened 11,000 years ago, what year was it in BC?

Homework:  Digging up the past.

Update:  Friday we took a map quiz.  

Today we are starting the first real unit, Ancient Humans.  The first day is just an overview of the places around the world where ancient humans were found and some of the things they did.  The main part of today's lesson is a story called Maroo of the Winter Cave.  Students will be reading the story and then for homework will be required to finish the story.  Should be fun.

Bell-ringer:  What is an archeologist?

Homework:  Write an ending for the story we read in class today.

Today we tackle timelines.  Sometimes this proves to be a difficult concept so we will be spending to day on it.  Throughout the school year timelines crop up time and time again.  Students need to be able to read and understand the information on a timeline.  In order to do that, we are taking a few short notes followed by a timeline activity and then the students are creating their own timeline.  

Bell-ringer:  Where are the start and stop points for lines of Longitude?

Homework:  Study for map quiz tomorrow.  Remember they need to be spelled correctly.

Latitude and Longitude day.  Students are discovering the wonder that is those giant lines on the globe.  We are talking about the International date line and I am peeling an orange.  

Bell-ringer:  List 3 of the 5 themes of geography.

Homework:  Map Projections worksheet

Ah...the second day of school.  We talked about the 5 themes of geography today.  Including Beiberfever and Osiris shoes.  Students took notes on the 5 themes and we came up with examples for each one.

Bell-ringer:  What is the difference between physical and political boundaries?

Homework:  Locating the continents and oceans.

First real day of school!  Students came eager to learn and so on this day we talked about the parts of a map.  Students then got some time to work on their homework.  

Bell-ringer:  What is geography?

Homework:  Evaluate a map worksheet.