Thursday, September 28, 2017

Create a Culture - Due 10/10

Create a Culture

This is your chance to create a completely new and unique culture.  You need to work cooperatively with your group to complete this assignment.  FIRST, work together for the group assignment.  Second, complete the individual assignments WHILE consulting with each other.  Third, work cooperatively to assemble the poster, plan and practice your presentation. Last, present your culture with enthusiasm, flair, and hats!

Group Assignment

Decide on a location on the globe for the country where your culture is found.  It must be located where there is no land.  Write up a brief description of the weather and major geographical features.

Create the culture of your country.  Fill out a P.E.R.S.I.A. sheet for your country – be detailed and specific.  Under the S in P.E.R.S.I.A include 2 or 3 dominate cultural values. You must do these two things together before beginning the Individual Assignments.

Individual Assignments

Each individual in your group will complete one of the following individual assignments.  As a group, decide who will be responsible for each assignment.  Consider the strengths and talents of you and your members as you decide who should be responsible for each assignment.  Each group must do numbers 1-3.  Select from the remaining choices based on the number of people in your group. Remember, cooperate.

1. Physical map
     Draw a physical map of your country.  Name and correctly label at least 15 landforms that are illustrated on pages RA36 and RA37 in your social studies book or are on the LANDFORMS sheet in your ISN.  Also include:
·         Lines of latitude and longitude to locate your country on the globe
·         Compass rose
·         Scale
·         The name of surrounding ocean(s) and country or countries
·         Your national capital city
·         Natural points of interest (For instance in Texas I might highlight: beaches, lakes, hiking trails, rivers, forests.)

2. Political map and thematic map (2 maps)
     The political map will show state borders or other governmental borders.  Locate capital city for your country and other major cities.  Include TODAL elements.
     The thematic map should cover any theme, such as roads, waterways, or tourist sites, other than natural resources, that is important to your country.  Include TOAL elements.

3. Symbols of your country
     All group members should decide on the following elements of your country’s culture, but one of your members should create them.  This will definitely require compromise.
·         Flag of your country
·         Traditional hat of your country for each group member
·         National anthem (All group members will sing the anthem in your presentation.)
·         National motto
·         Currency of your country

4. Newspaper or magazine article with map
     Create a newspaper or magazine article that describes natural resources in your country.  Be sure to include the 5W’s and H in the first paragraph of your article (who, what, when, where, how).  Include information on how these resources can be used and how they can aid the economic development of your country.  Draw a thematic map showing the location of the natural resources.

5. Travel brochure
     Create a travel brochure that showcases your country’s highlights for potential tourists from other parts of the world.  Include pictures and illustrations of major holiday and/or religious celebrations, typical dress (including traditional headdress), homes, towns, and cities, recreation, and other cultural aspects of your country.  Be sure to include captions or write-ups for each picture.

6. News article
     Write a news article that reports on one of the following events that happened recently in your country.  Remember to include the 5W’s and H (who, what, when, where, how) in the first paragraph of your article.  The rest of the article provides details and additional information about the event.  Possible events are:   religious holiday, political election, major art exhibit, reorganization of the country’s school system, and any other important event to your country

Group Presentation

Arrange the completed assignments above on a poster board.  Add a title (the name of your country) and the names of your group members on the front of the poster.  Present your country by sharing the information on the individual assignments as well as interesting cultural traits you developed in the planning. Don’t forget to include the hats and anthem and other requirements of #3. Your group’s presentation of your country should be about 10 minutes. 

Evaluation

Each person in the group can potentially earn a different grade for this project.  It is a major grade.

_____(20)  worked cooperatively with your group, focused/on-task, respectful, contributed to the general success, daily participation
_____(50)  individual assignment meets all requirements as listed on this sheet, matches other components in the presentation and on the poster, shows depth and thoroughness of thought and planning, legible/neat

_____(30)  poster is neat and coordinated (shows planning); presentation is smooth and logical in order (shows planning); contents of poster and presentation show depth and thoroughness of thought and coordination in your planning; poster and presentation meet all requirements as listed on this sheet.                                    

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Textbook Pages for Maps and Globes and Culture Unit

This is a running list of the pages you have been asked to read in the SS Textbook during the Maps and Globes and Culture Unit.  While you will have review sheets to study for the quiz and test, it is always good to review the reading.

From the Maps and Globes Discovery Tour: 18-19, 44-46, 54-55, 73-75

Intro to Culture on 9/18: 96-101

Homework due 9/21: 32-39

Friday, September 15, 2017

Directions for ISN (in case yours is gone)

DECORATING YOUR  ISN

Your ISN (Interactive Student Notebook) is the organizational tool you will use in Social Studies.  Your work and notes will be kept in the notebook, and it should live in my room - unless you need to take it home to work on it or to study for a quiz or test.  It will be checked periodically to make sure all pages are up to date. You will need a
composition book for your ISN.

Your first assignment is to create one collage for the front cover and one for the back cover.  Your ISN will be a reflection of who you are. 

FRONT COVER: 
Make a collage that is all about YOU!  Include photographs of you and your family, your pets, holiday and family celebrations, hobbies, family activities, etc. Make sure your first and last name are CLEARLY written on the front cover.

BACK COVER:  Make a collage about the WORLD.  Include photographs or pictures (post cards or other paper souvenirs could be copied for this) from the Internet of places you have been and/or would like to visit

GUIDELINES:
Ø  Every inch of both sides of your ISN should be covered by the picture collage.  Don’t leave more than a sliver of the original cover peeping through.
Ø  Adhere a name tag in the lower right corner of the front cover (I will provide one for you if you wish).  Write the name you have asked me to call you and your last name
Ø  Use wide clear tape or laminating paper to cover and protect front and back covers.
Ø  Remember, all pictures must be classroom appropriate.
Ø  The finished, overall appearance and neatness of your ISN should reflect your very best effort.

Your decorated and laminated ISN is due at the beginning of the class on Wednesday, September 20.  Any ISN that is not completed by this date will receive a late grade (-25 points), which means the highest grade it could receive would be 75.

Please bring the ISN to class each day – no matter where it is in the decorating process.

If you have any questions about the ISN assignment, please speak to me.  I will help you before or after school and/or give you an ACTIVITY PASS to see me during Activity.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Important Dates for September/October

Check back for periodic updates.


Wed., 9/13 - ISN covers due - Please see me if you need help with materials!
Thur., 9/14 - It's Learning quiz over class handout tentatively due
Thur., 9/28 - Back to School Night
Wed., 9/27 - Maps and Globes Quiz
Tue., 10/10 - Create a Culture Project Due
Fri., 10/13 - Maps and Globes and Culture Test  -I am pushing back to Friday to give us more review time. That means if anyone fails (let's hope not) -they will need to retake the test MONDAY. Please check Skyward/Parent Access by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday to check  your grade on the test.  I will give re-takes for grades under 70 - for up to a 70 - in class on Monday.  They will have a chance to go over the original test and ask questions first.