Mr. K's Geoblog

Samoa eliminates December 30th from its Calendar!

2012-01-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

As a result of Samoa's precarious location extremely close to the international dateline, an imaginary line that separates the date as the earth rotates, they decided to go from December 29th directly to December 31st. Take a look at this article and leave your response for some extra credit!

http://goo.gl/707uM

Brazil Deforestation

2011-12-07T17:30:00.000-08:00

This article deals with forestry legislation in Brazil. Leave a post below to get yourself some extra credit.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16065069

Map for Census Data Activity

2011-10-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is the map used in class to complete the Census data activity on 10/3-10/4. Thanks.

2010 Census Data

2011-09-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

In the next couple weeks we will be studying human geography! This will be including an in depth look at our latest population and demographic detail data from the 2010 Census. Take a look at this link for article from NPR about the most recent census data. Read, and make a comment analyzing the article in a paragraph and you will receive EC!!

http://goo.gl/yvK2p

East Coast Earthquake and the USGS

2011-08-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

Feeling the aftershocks of the quake in Virginia? (If you live in Illinois, probably not...) The best place to go for information about seismic activity in your area is the United States Geological Survey. It is a primary function of the USGS to keep a constant stream of seismic data from numerous data points throughout the United States. You should also notice that MULTIPLE seismic events (earthquakes) have taken place in this area. Get yourself some extra credit by commenting below about what we call these smaller earthquakes that take place after a major earthquake. Feel free to blog about the quake itself, or if you want even more points, please blog about how having multiple data points and seismic stations throughout the US allows the USGS to more accurately determine the magnitude and location of an earthquake. Enjoy!!

USGS

Photos of Virginia Quake.

NAEP Geography Test Sample Questions

2011-07-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

These are some example questions from the test that is used to determine the "nation's report card" in education. They include some very difficult geographic questions, that I believe would require direct instruction in geography. A good earth science or history course would help as well, but success on this exam would require a solid background in the foundations of geography!

https://www.research.net/s.aspx?sm=s9waa63KyIxYWHSTkmOLucIKp7bdRd4XI93LRJ5h51Q%253d

Photos of South Sudan's first days.

2011-07-12T10:39:00.001-07:00

http://goo.gl/o00hP

Welcome to the World South Sudan!! Country number 196!

2011-07-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

The creation of the newest state to enter the map is official. The struggle to negotiate oil revenues and address ethnic concerns has been an uphill climb, but two sovereign Sudanese states should lead to peace in the border regions. All the best to South Sudan and enjoy these maps of the new nation.

Pipeline under the Yellowstone River ruptures spillling oil into river.

2011-07-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

http://goo.gl/ZboKI
This link will take you to the latest news about Exxon pipeline oil spill underneath the Yellowstone River. They have not yet even begun to estimate the amount of oil and contaminant that has been released into the river, and more on that will be coming shortly. However, in the meantime there is a very serious concern about the quality of water coming from this important watershed of this region.

Flooding of the Souris River in Minot, ND

2011-06-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the entire slideshow courtesy of the BBC.

http://goo.gl/yE6GR

Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an, China, great video.

2011-06-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

Watch the full episode. See more Secrets of the Dead.

Tsunami Warning Cancelled in Alaska.

2011-06-23T23:40:00.000-07:00

National Geography Bee

2011-06-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

The 2011 National Geography Bee will be on tomorrow at 5pm. It looks like it will be airing in four segments on the National Geographic Channel this week. The Bee will also air on PBS later this month, and it will on WTTW Chicago at 8PM on June 22. Enjoy!

http://goo.gl/x9kzH

The eruption of the Puyehue-Cordon-Caulle volcano range, about 800km (500 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, Chile.

2011-06-07T22:19:00.000-07:00

How The States Got Their Shapes

2011-06-02T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is the best thing to come to TV for geography since..... well, you know.......the invention of the TV itself! Such an amazing program and there is so much to learn from watching it. Here is a game you can play on the website to test your geographical knowledge.

http://goo.gl/4eASm

Important sites of Buddhism: Pic of Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong and a link to an article about Buddhism's most holy sites. http://goo.gl/CNgaB

2011-05-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Map of Sediment in the Mississippi Estuary

2011-05-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

It's incredible to see all of the various impacts of the flooding that has occurred over the past few weeks. As all of this water has flowed down river it has carried massive amounts of sediments. This is a boon, but also provides some challenges. Enjoy this article for more on this topic, and leave your comments below!

Summer Reading

2011-05-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

This a book by Sir Kenneth Robinson, a Liverpudlian who has written extensively on education. The Element is a must read to help you find your passion!

http://sirkenrobinson.com/skr/the-element

Population Pyramids

2011-05-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this amazing website with lots of population information in a comparative website environment!!

http://visualization.geblogs.com/visualization/aging/

Volcano erupts 84 miles southeast of Quito, Ecuador

2011-04-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Schools have been closed in the area around the volcano as volcanic ash has been raining down on their towns in this sparsely populated regions of Ecuador. Why would there be volcanic activity in this region of the world along the Andes mountains?

Students Questions

2010-09-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

Feel free to answer other students questions for extra credit.....great use of figurative language Jyotsna!!

Ethiopia asserting its role with the Nile River

2010-09-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130050352

Geo Game

2010-09-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

Play a couple rounds of geo spy at this website, and you can print your results as a PDF and send it to me in an e-mail! Feel free to brag about your scores in the blogosphere!

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/geographygames/geospy/

This could help you prepare for the 2010 National Geographic Geography Bee coming to BJHS this fall..... : )

World's Largest Mountain

2010-09-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Please feel free to blog on this topic for extra credit.

Retrieved from: http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/earth-records/75-biggest-mountain

Google Geo Teachers Institute

2010-07-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

I'm heading to Mountain View, CA to check out the Googleplex and Mac Headquarters. Google has chosen me to take part in this new conference they are hosting. This will be focusing on using Google Earth and Sketch-Up to.... BLOW STUDENTS MINDS!

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/05/save-date-google-geo-teachers-institute.html

Hong Kong Arrival

2010-06-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have arrived in Hong Kong and am about to travel throughout the city. Visit Repulse Bay and the Giant Buddha. After a fifteen hour flight I am pretty wiped. Hopefully my excitement level will stay like this the whole time. It's very humid and people are having "fog up" issues with cameras and with ridiculous gigantic Ray-Ban glasses.....Well, signing off until next time.

Google Earth and Genocide

2010-04-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the layers in Google Earth, and find the section on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Locate the region of Darfur. Which country is it located in and what information is available about what is happening in Darfur?

Map of Haiti

2010-01-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

Interested in extra credit? Explain how this map relates to the disaster in Haiti, analyze this map to draw conclusions about the magnitude and location of the seismic event (aka Earthquake!)

Haitian Earthquake

2010-01-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in extra credit for third quarter, you can receive up to 10 points for reading the attached article on the earthquake. Then, blog three to four sentences that analyze the disaster from one of the five themes of geography (hopefully you remember those!).

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122602342

Europe Maps

2010-01-05T19:48:00.001-08:00

Maps due with the quiz on January 20th and 21st!

Welcome back!!!

2010-01-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Break is over.... :) We will be taking our first quiz on Europe on either January 20th or 21st.

Latin America Test

2009-12-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

We will be taking our Latin America test on December 18th and 21st! Good luck y'all!!!

Map suggestions

2009-11-11T20:15:00.003-08:00

How can we make the maps easier to do? For future maps, what would help you to be more successful?

Testing, testing, 1....2.....3

2009-11-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

The test for geography class will be on Monday and Tuesday of next week. Students will be taking part in the test writing process, and we will be reviewing together on Monday and Tuesday before the test!! :)

Extra Credit!!

2009-10-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

An extra credit opportunity for the 2nd quarter. Head to Matt Rosenberg's blog from my homepage, and find the article on the 2010 Census. What is the concern about this upcoming census? Post your answer to the blog!!! (Remember, as the quarter ends many people ask for EC. Please take advantage of these opportunities as they come along)

Grade Sheets

2009-10-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

Students received grade sheets in class on Tuesday and Wednesday this week!

Earthquake in Samoa

2009-10-01T10:58:00.001-07:00

Reasearch one interesting fact about the earthquake in Samoa and post it as a comment to this post for extra credit in geography!!!

Question 2

2009-09-28T16:44:00.002-07:00

This theme in geography is used primarily for comparisons.

Question 1

2009-09-28T16:44:00.001-07:00

Latitude and longitude help us determine this geographical theme.

Unit 1 Review

2009-09-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

Students have received their unit review, which is due the day they take the test. Their OPEC letters to President Obama are due tomorrow!!

GEOGRAPHY TEST!!

2009-09-23T11:46:00.001-07:00

We will be taking our first test in geography class on September 30th and October 1st. Students should be prepared to cover chapters 1&2. Don't forget to check the blog this weekend for example test questions!

Chapter 2, Section 1

2009-09-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

Most students have already completed this assignment; however, some students have not yet completed their homework. After their quiz last Friday, students had time to read and complete questions 1-7 on page 30. Thanks everyone! I just have to mention how wonderful the start of this new year has been, I am very excited about how this new year is starting off!!

Classroom Cartography

2009-09-09T21:51:00.001-07:00

Students will be learning how to create maps, and mapping our classroom over the next few days. They will be very proud as they work on them, so make sure to check in with them to see how they are doing!!!

QUIZ!!

2009-09-03T11:49:00.001-07:00

QUIZ TOMORROW!! If you have study questions, please let me know!!!

QUIZ FRIDAY!!

2009-08-31T13:07:00.001-07:00

This Friday we will take a quiz over chapter 1, sections 1&2. Students have a rap and vocab sheets to help them study!

Welcome to my class update blog!

2009-06-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome students, parents and guardians! I know that 7th grade is going to be a very successful year for everyone involved with Bloomington Junior High School. The purpose of this blog is to keep everyone up to date with the latest information on what is happening in geography class on Team 7H. This will help make our communication more effective throughout the year. Blogs can be a wonderful place to interact, and unlike a webpage, you have the ability to edit the content on the blog. When you notice something on the page you will have the ability to ask questions about it and receive feedback in the same place.

This would be a great place to come to make sure you know what must be completed for class, and also a wonderful place to ask questions about how something should be done. Parents and guardians, this will be an outstanding place to ask questions about class content; however, if you have questions about your student's personal information (grades, etc.) this would not be the place to post. An e-mail would be perfect for that. If your student has a question about how to complete an assignment, then other students might benefit from visiting the blog and reading their question!

The limit of this blog is that, just like e-mail, I will not be able to check it and respond EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. However, you will find that most of the time I will respond within twenty four hours. This means that if an assignment is due in a week, you will not receive an extension if you post to the blog the night before it is due. You will not be able to rely on receiving a response with enough time to apply the information and still hand it in on time.

You will also notice that my blog requires you to be a member to be able to post messages on the webpage. Once you become a member you will be allowed to post comments. These comments will also be edited by me before they are able to be posted. Therefore, I will be posting questions that are relevant to other students and add to the overall class dialogue. This will also prevent anyone from being able to post WHATEVER they want without me checking it first.

Thanks so much for visiting and I look forward to an outstanding year. I hope you are all as excited and enthused as I am!