Country Profile Project, Day 5 - Class Recap

Some students are researching the France for their Country Profile Project. Here is the French flag waving in Paris, in 2013.

Dear class,

Thank you for your continued hard work on the Country Profile Project. Only about a week and a half left until it is all due! Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 10: I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.Behavior LT1: I can manage my responsibilities as a student.
Behavior LT1: I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who. Selected for today because was recently April Fools Day! I did not try to fool anyone in class. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/6/18:

News Brief - Jordan H.
Calendar Review

Research Outline
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Country Profile Project rough draft due on 4/17 (A Day) or 4/18 (B Day). Keep working on it over the weekend! Next news brief: Esther.

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News Brief: Jordan H. had the news brief today and selected this article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Judge orders arrest of ex-Brazil president Lula da Silva. We found Brazil in the world map, and talked about the recent history regarding presidential corruption there.

We also checked in about the weekend and what people were up to.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

The next news brief was assigned to Esther.

Calendar Review: There is a lot coming up with work on the Country Profile Project and a few changes to be aware of, so we went through the latest updates on the calendar, which is here:

Google Drive - Country Profile Project Calendar 2018

Research Outline: Next, I showed students an overview for the research essay (50% of the grade for the college project), and a helpful way to break down what you need to research. Copies for each student are in Google Classroom.

Google Drive - CPP Research Essay Outline

I hope this helps in terms of understanding what you need to do! We also looked at the Culturegrams website as being a helpful source of information, just like the CIA World Factbook.

Remember, there are plenty of research tools and examples on Google Classroom for you to take a look at!

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to working in class on the assignment, and I was happy to try and answer questions, as well as help as much as I could. I was really pleased by how hard everyone seemed to be working - I hope it is all coming together for you!

Have a great weekend! Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you be successful!

Country Profile Project, Day 4 - Class Recap

Revolution Square, in Bucharest, Romania has this monument to King Carol I. The square is quite famous in Romanian history! Photo taken in 2013.

Hi everyone,

It's time to get back to work as we get closer to the end of the year! We had a day in class of researching for the Country Profile Project. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 10: I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.Behavior LT1: I can manage my responsibilities as a student.

Soundtrack: "Come Together" by The Beatles. Selected for today because we began to work on Part A and Part B. Beatles. Part B. Get it? Also, because peer review involves coming together to improve. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/4/18:

News Brief - Jordan E.

Economics
Parts A and B
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Keep working on your Country Profile Project. If you do not have your Current Event turned in, you are behind! Next news brief: Jordan H.

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News Brief: Jordan E. had the news brief today and talked about this story: TheGuardian.com - Skripal poisoning: deleted Foreign Office tweet leads to awkward questions. We found the United Kingdom in the world map packet and talked about this story for a bit.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

The next news brief was assigned to Jordan H.

Current Events were due in class today for students. Make sure you upload it on Google Classroom so that I can grade it and give you feedback for revisions! It is also a good idea to get a peer review on this.

Economics: To try and help students understand some main economic concepts some more, in order to incorporate them into your Country Profile Project research summary, we took a look at this document (also on Google Classroom) together:

Google Drive - Economics Explanations

Use these to identify what kinds of economic systems are in your country!

Parts A and B: Next, we started the bulk of the Country Profile Project by looking into more depth at the countries. This was the worksheet to start (also on Google Classroom):

Google Drive - Part A Map Analysis Research

Here's an example of how to do this:

Google Drive - Part A Maps Analysis Example

Hopefully, by analyzing the maps and looking at the countries students are becoming more familiar with geographic and human characteristics.

After this activity, I passed out this guide for taking notes as students conduct research and start outlining what the final product should look like:

Google Drive - Part A Research Notes

We will have in class research and writing time for much of the next few classes, with your first draft of research summary being due by 4/10 (A Day) or 4/11 (B Day).

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to working quietly on the Country Profile Project assignment, and I was happy to try and answer questions.

Thank you for your hard work - please let me know if there is anything else I can help with!

Country Profile Project, Day 3 - Class Recap

Over Spring Break in 2015, I traveled to India, and went to Mahatma Gandhi's home. These footsteps mark where he was, leading up to the spot where he was assassinated. Photo taken in March of 2015.

Hi everyone,

Welcome back from Spring Break! We have plenty to do in class, in finding information to complete your Current Event and then using that research to write. Here's what we did in the last class before the break:

Learning Targets: 
Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts..

Soundtrack: "Give Your Heart A Break" by Demi Lovato. Selected for today because hopefully you feel rested up and ready to get back to work. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/2/18:

News Brief/Spring Break - Mr. Fritz

Current Event Expectations
Research

Lit and Comp Book Selections

Homework: Read the blog! Your typed Current Event is due next class! See example for what to do here. Next news brief: Jordan E.

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News Brief: I had the news brief today and selected this article to talk about: BBC.com - Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed wants to resolve Eritrea disputes. We found the Ethiopia in our world map packet and noted we did a story on this event, before moving on.

We checked in about what students were up to over Spring Break this year. I hope everyone is feeling ready for the last two and a half months of the school year! We have lots of work to do.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Finally, we watched Wildcat News in class. Here it is if you missed class or wanted to see it again:

Current Event Expectations: Next class, your CPP Current Event is due. It should be 2-3 pages with at least two research sources, cited in MLA format (use EasyBib.com to help with this for the Works Cited page, and remember to use the author's last name for in-text citations). Again, please be following the calendar for what we are working on in class. Remember to use this guide for taking notes on your Current Event and that your articles do have to be on the same topic.

Also, please remember that the grading rubric for the college dual credit portion of this assignment has these expectations:

1. Current Event explained in terms of economic and geographic principles such as location, organization, space, and place.

2. Impact of the event on individuals or groups in particular places is described.

3. Analysis is presented in an appropriate, clear and coherent manner.

Research: After explaining all of this, we had in class work time. I know this is quite a lot of information, all at once, so I tried to check in and help students figure out something to write about.

Lit and Comp Book Selections: The last 40 minutes or so of class was dedicated to looking into more depth with regards to Lit and Comp book club selections. Here is the PowerPoint we went through:

Google Drive - Conflict/Persecution/Resistance Book Club Options

The link to a Google Form to select which books are your first/second choices is on your Lit and Comp Google Classroom for Mr. Puterbaugh. Select wisely! :-)

See you next class, when your Current Event will be due and we will then start working on the bulk of your Country Profile Project.