We have been looking topographic maps the last two classes and learning how to read them properly. In addition we have also worked with contour lines and what they tell us. Today we did a couple of activities that got students to apply their knowledge of the past couple of classes.

Students were informed that they can expect another test/assessment prior to the long weekend which will provide another mark for their first progress report in November. I would expect the tentative date for that assessment to be on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Students should make sure they have read section 3 of their textbook (pages 26 - 47) by now and should be reviewing material we cover in class.

If students want to review some good information on topographic maps they should google atlas of Canada and they can zoom in and view topographic maps of any areas in Canada.

Worked on topographic maps during Thursday's class. Elements of a topographic map were presented quite thoroughly. Students given some problems from Textbook to work on. They were #7, 8, and 10 on pages 33 -35. These should be finished for Tuesday's class. Today we are finishing a college activity that the students started on Wednesday. Students should see me when they require extra assistance.

The first test was handed back on Monday. Students who experienced difficulty were asked to do the test as homework and correct items they had wrong. They could then hand it back to me and I would credit it to them in the homework category of their evaluation. Students have to make sure they know the provinces and territories of Canada as well as the provincial and territorial capitals. It is an expected and easily achievable outcome. I am available for extra assistance most days if asked.

On Monday students were also given a worksheet that dealt with most of the terms to be covered in respect to landforms. They are to complete this in the next week if they did not complete in class. In Wednesday's class the students will be working on a collage of the various landforms in Canada in the Art Room. This should enable them to visually be able to identify with the various landform regions in Canada.

1st quiz tomorrow - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

We will have our first test tomorrow prior to the two day close out for teacher PD. Students were given a good overview of the test today as well as provided with some notes to help them review. Students should do well if they have prepared.

Students will have to know:
-provinces/territories and capital cities
-time zones
- the rock cycle (students were given a PowerPoint presentation on this cycle as well as a handout with the terminology they would be expected to know)
- the landform regions of Canada - at this point students should know the names of the various regions and be able to answer some basic questions such as in which landform region would you find Saskatchewan?
- know the four geological eras outlined in the textbook; which was the longest? which one are we in now?
- students will also have to write a short essay outlining what is good about living in Canada - What are the disadvantages/advantages, etc. This is very much like the essay they wrote a few weeks ago.
Good luck - Enjoy the break!!

First Test - Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - Period 5.

The first test is scheduled for next week before students are off for a few days due to the PD Conference. The test will give me some feedback as to what students have retained during the first month. The test will be straight forward and students will need to know and use information related to the following

• Know all provinces/territories and capital cities and be able to identify provinces/territories on a map.
• Know landform regions
• Know time zones and be able to tell time in various time zones
• Be able to write a short essay on the geography of Canada such as what are the advantages/disadvantages presented by Canada's geography, why is Canada a good place in which to live or explain how Canada is a very diverse country. The question can be asked in a variety of ways but you can sue the same information to answer the question and give your thoughts at the same time.
• Some(not all) of the terms to make sure you know are:

igneous, metamorphic, relative location, sedimentary, compaction, cementation, sediment, extrusive rock, intrusive rock, weathering, erosion, absolute location, Prime Meridian, equator, longitude, latitude, lines of parallel, region, Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Palaeozoic, Precambrian, era, impervious, rock cycle.

We are now looking studying Unit 2: Physical Diversity. We introduced the unit today and looked at a slide show of images of Canada. The various regions that we will be working on were noted and students were then given a blank map on which they had to identify the various landform regions of Canada. It is important that they know the various regions by name, and be able to identify those regions. Also students should be able to relate to and respond to the fact that Canada has a lot of diversity. Diversity is indeed a concept they should be able to relate to.