9th grade Geography @ I.C.S.

Final Review

2008-05-28T00:26:00.001-07:00

Locate on Map:

N. America & Caribbean

1. Canada

2. USA

3. Mexico

4. Cuba

5. Jamaica

S. America

1. Venezuela

2. Brazil

3. Bolivia

4. Chile

5. Argentina

Europe

1. UK

2. France

3. Spain

4. Germany

5. Italy

Middle East

1. Turkey

2. Israel

3. Saudi Arabia

4. Iraq

5. Iran

South & Central Asia

1. Afghanistan

2. Nepal

3. India

4. Kazakhstan

5. Sri Lanka

East Asia

1. Mongolia

2. China

3. North Korea

4. South Korea

5. Japan

Southeast Asia

1. Thailand

2. Vietnam

3. Philippines

4. Indonesia

5. Myanmar

Africa

1. Egypt

2. Nigeria

3. Kenya

4. South Africa

5. Madagascar

Australia & Oceania

1. Australia

2. New Zealand

3. Papua New Guinea

4. Fiji

5. Micronesia

Antarctica

1. Antarctica

Bodies of Water

1. Pacific Ocean

2. Atlantic Ocean

3. Indian Ocean

4. Arctic Ocean

5. Southern Ocean

6. Mediterranean Sea

7. Caspian Sea

8. Lake Victoria

9. Red Sea

10. Aral Sea

11. Bay of Bengal

12. Baltic Sea

13. South China Sea

14. Black Sea

15. Hudson Bay

Rivers

1. Nile

2. Amazon

3. Mississippi

4. Indus

5. Ganges

6. Mekong

7. Niger

8. Volga

9. Danube

10. Huang

11. Tigris

12. Euphrates

Mountains

1. Himalayas

2. Alps

3. Rocky

4. Andes

5. Ethiopian Highlands

Deserts

1. Sahara & Arabian

2. Gobi

3. Atacama & Patagonian

4. Great Sandy

5. Thar

Languages and Language Families

1. Niger-Congo

2. Germanic

3. Slavic

4. Arabic

5. Romance

Ethnic Groups

1. Han

2. Austronesian

3. Celtic

4. Dravidian

5. Bantu

World Population:

- ~6.6 Billion

Types of Maps:

1. Population Density

2. Biomes

3. Topographical

4. Political

5. Cultural / Language

Test - Friday, 23 May, 2008

2008-05-19T18:07:00.000-07:00

156	Singapore - Singapore
157	Slovakia - Bratislava
158	Slovenia - Ljubljana
159	Solomon Islands - Honiara
160	Somalia - Mogadishu
161	South Africa - Pretoria
162	Spain - Madrid
163	Sri Lanka - Colombo
164	Sudan - Khartoum
165	Suriname - Paramaribo
166	Swaziland - Mbabana
167	Sweden - Stockholm
168	Switzerland - Bern
169	Syria - Damascus
170	Taiwan - Taipei

Also, chapters 27, 28, and 29 - East Asia, and Mainland SE Asia

Test - Monday, 21 April, 2008

2008-04-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

Chapters: 24, 25, 26

South Africa and South Asia

Countries: 141 - 155

141	Qatar - Doha
142	Romania - Bucharest
143	Russia - Moscow
144	Rwanda - Kigali
145	Saint Kitts and Nevis - Basseterre
146	Saint Lucia - Castries
147	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Kingstown
148	Samoa - Apia
149	San Marino - San Marino
150	Sao Tome and Principe - Sao Tome
151	Saudi Arabia - Riyadh
152	Senegal - Dakar
153	Serbia - Belgrade
154	Seychelles - Victoria
155	Sierra Leone - Freetown

Test

2008-03-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

Chapters 22 and 23, plus class notes (West and East Africa)

Countries:

Myanmar - Nay Pyi Taw
Namibia - Windhoek
Nauru - no official capital
Nepal - Kathmandu
Netherlands - Amsterdam
New Zealand - Wellington
Nicaragua - Managua
Niger - Niamey
Nigeria - Abuja
Norway - Oslo
Oman - Muscat
Pakistan - Islamabad
Palau - Melekeok
Panama - Panama City
Papua New Guinea - Port Moresby
Paraguay - Asuncion
Peru - Lima
Philippines - Manila
Poland - Warsaw
Portugal - Lisbon

Contrary to previous information, we will only be testing over West and East Africa - NOT chapter 24 on Southern Africa. Scheduling did not allow enough time to cover that, so we will fit Southern Africa into our next test - focus on ch.22 and 23.

Good studying to you all!

-Mr. Smith

Test on Feb 21, 2008

2008-02-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

Test on The Islamic World - Chapters 19, 20, and 21
Focus on notes from class, too.

106	Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
107	Maldives - Male
108	Mali - Bamako
109	Malta - Valletta
110	Marshall Islands - Majuro
111	Mauritania - Nouakchott
112	Mauritius - Port Louis
113	Mexico - Mexico City
114	Micronesia, Federated States of - Palikir
115	Moldova - Chisinau
116	Monaco - Monaco
117	Mongolia - Ulaanbaatar
118	Montenegro - Podgorica
119	Morocco - Rabat
120	Mozambique - Maputo

If you have any questions, feel free to email me.
Good Studying!

-Mr. Smith

Test - Monday, 28 January, 2008

2008-01-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

Test on Countries 91-105, and chapters 17 and 18 (Russia/Eurasia/Central Asia) in the textbook.
As always, extra credit will be given for cultural food from that region that is brought in on test day.

91	Korea, South - Seoul
92	Kuwait - Kuwait City
93	Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek
94	Laos - Vientiane
95	Latvia - Riga
96	Lebanon - Beirut
97	Lesotho - Maseru
98	Liberia - Monrovia
99	Libya - Tripoli
100	Liechtenstein - Vaduz
101	Lithuania - Vilnius
102	Luxembourg - Luxembourg
103	Macedonia - Skopje
104	Madagascar - Antananarivo
105	Malawi - Lilongwe

Test - Final Exam

2007-12-11T16:26:00.000-08:00

76 Iceland - Reykjavik
77 India - New Delhi
78 Indonesia - Jakarta
79 Iran - Tehran
80 Iraq - Baghdad
81 Ireland - Dublin
82 Israel - Jerusalem
83 Italy - Rome
84 Jamaica - Kingston
85 Japan - Tokyo
86 Jordan - Amman
87 Kazakhstan - Astana
88 Kenya - Nairobi
89 Kiribati - Tarawa Atoll
90 Korea, North - Pyongyang

The final semester exam will cover those countries and capitals as well as:
- class notes
- textbook chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16

Countries Test - 61 through 75

2007-11-18T18:36:00.000-08:00

61	France - Paris
62	Gabon - Libreville
63	The Gambia - Banjul
64	Georgia - Tbilisi
65	Germany - Berlin
66	Ghana - Accra
67	Greece - Athens
68	Grenada - Saint George's
69	Guatemala - Guatemala City
70	Guinea - Conakry
71	Guinea-Bissau - Bissau
72	Guyana - Georgetown
73	Haiti - Port-au-Prince
74	Honduras - Tegucigalpa
75	Hungary - Budapest

This test will be next week, Tuesday, 27 November, 2007.

It will be ONLY a countries & capitals test - not other class information.

Presentation for European Countries

2007-11-18T16:27:00.000-08:00

The presentation may be either powerpoint-based, or use a poster-board with pictures and text.

The information on your assigned country should include:

- Topography
- History
- Modern Politics, Economic, and Culture
- What makes this country unique?

The presentation should be approximately 5 minutes long and is due Wednesday, 21 Nov, 2007

Test - Thursday, 1 November, 2007

2007-10-28T04:04:00.000-07:00

Nations 46 - 60:

Equatorial Guinea - Malabo

46	Czech Republic - Prague
47	Denmark - Copenhagen
48	Djibouti - Djibouti
49	Dominica - Roseau
50	Dominican Republic - Santo Domingo
51	East Timor (Timor-Leste) - Dili
52	Ecuador - Quito
53	Egypt - Cairo
54	El Salvador - San Salvador
55	Equatorial Guinea - Malabo
56	Eritrea - Asmara
57	Estonia - Tallinn
58	Ethiopia - Addis Ababa
59	Fiji - Suva
60	Finland - Helsinki

Also on the test will be information on the Caribbean and South America from class notes and the text book, chapters 11 and 12.
If you need any clarifications on what you are expected to know for the test, please email me!
- Mr. Smith

Equatorial Guinea - Malabo

countries 30-45

2007-10-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

Cameroon - Yaounde

Canada - Ottawa

Cape Verde - Praia

Central African Republic - Bangui

Congo, Republic of the - Brazzaville

Congo, Democratic Republic of the - Kinshasa

Costa Rica - San Jose

Cote d'Ivoire - Yamoussoukro

Croatia - Zagreb

Cuba - Havana

Cyprus - Nicosia

Upcoming Test!

2007-09-30T19:54:00.001-07:00

Our next test in class will be Tuesday, 9 October, 2007.

It will be a combined countries and textbook test.
Countries included will be #30-45, as well as the following sections of the textbook:
7.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 10.1, and 10.2 (each of these sections are very short, some only 2 pages).
Class notes will also be important - (such as "Power Distance", "Individualism", "Rock'n'Roll", and Jambalaya).

Apart from the countries 30-45, the test will focus on our studies of North America (Canada, USA, and Mexico).

-Mr. Smith

N. American Cities Presentation

2007-09-17T04:33:00.001-07:00

Mr. Smith – Geography

N. American Cities Presentation

Assigned: 18 September, 2007

Assignment:

Most of North America’s population is concentrated in urban areas. Depending on the location and demographics, cities even within a country can show an amazing amount of cultural diversity. In order to get a deeper understanding of cultural particulars in North America, each student will be expected to choose a city and create a presentation on it to give to the rest of the class. Please keep this sheet to be turned in with your presentation – (no writing is required here, but you must have things to present in class).

Details and Requirements:

- The presentation must include a visual component such as a poster with pictures, or a PowerPoint presentation. It will be due on Tuesday, 25 September, 2007.

- Overall, the presentation must be at least 5 minutes long, but no longer than 10 minutes.

- Your subject city must have a population of at least one million, or be a state/province capital. The city must be in either the U.S. or Canada.

- Things to include about your city presentation:

o Give a feel for the local flavor and culture

o History, demographics, and economy of the area

o Any other details that makes your city unique or helps to define itself

o You must also cite where you got your information (if you use wikipedia, you must also have at least 3 other sources)

Content _____ / 25

Form _____/ 15

Citing Sources _____/ 5

TOTAL _____/ 45

Countries Test - 1 through 30

2007-09-14T00:32:00.000-07:00

It is time for round #2 of the countries and capitals test. It will take place Friday, 21 September.
The test will contain all the information from the last test, and will be in an identical form. Countries 15-30 will be added.
Here are a list of the countries to be tested on:

1	Afghanistan - Kabul
2	Albania - Tirane
3	Algeria - Algiers
4	Andorra - Andorra la Vella
5	Angola - Luanda
6	Antigua and Barbuda - Saint John's
7	Argentina - Buenos Aires
8	Armenia - Yerevan
9	Australia - Canberra
10	Austria - Vienna
11	Azerbaijan - Baku
12	The Bahamas - Nassau
13	Bahrain - Manama
14	Bangladesh - Dhaka
15	Barbados - Bridgetown
16	Belarus - Minsk
17	Belgium - Brussels
18	Belize - Belmopan
19	Benin - Porto-Novo
20	Bhutan - Thimphu
21	Bolivia - La Paz
22	Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo
23	Botswana - Gaborone
24	Brazil - Brasilia
25	Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan
26	Bulgaria - Sofia
27	Burkina Faso - Ouagadougou
28	Burundi - Bujumbura
29	Cambodia - Phnom Penh
30	Cameroon - Yaounde

If you have any specific questions, just email me!
-Mr. Smith

Project 1 - Your Own Nation!

2007-08-29T05:02:00.001-07:00

Project 1 – Create Your Own Country!

Assignment:

Your teacher, Mr. Smith, has given you one billion US dollars! – but there is a condition! You must use the money to create a nation, using the cash to benefit and build up this nation.

Things to consider when spending the money for a country:

- getting land (using your climate knowledge to pick a nice place!)

- building up an economy

- developing land and natural resources

- how to attract immigrants/citizens

- political situations in your region

- security and defense

The rules:

- For imagination’s sake, any land that you find for sale from an actual government is usable for your purposes. Land bought from private citizens is already claimed by a country.

- Actual land is not the only thing on which nations are built. Ocean platforms, sea-floor domes, vertical cities, nation-ships, and even moon settlements are possible (yet not practical!)

- You may NOT attack other nations to get land until after you have established your own country first – but this is not recommended. You might be labeled as a terrorist organization! (which would hurt your grade!)

- You may ally with your classmates’ nations in class for economic purposes, but you may NOT merge countries – and you may NOT attack another classmate’s nation.

Required parts to turn in:

1.) Maps (2) – They must be colored.

a. Topographical – This map should show landforms of your nation. One half-page description of the climate, natural resources, and land features should be attached

b. Political – Make sure this map includes your capital and how you divide province and city governance. It may also include neighboring countries.

2.) Constitution

This must be at least one page in length and include what kind of government your nation has, how it functions, and why.

3.) Flag, Motto, and Coat of Arms

Your nation must proudly display its colors and symbols to the world! Your flag and coat of arms must have symbolic meaning for your country. A nation’s motto defines its purpose and outlook, such as “Majulha Singapura” [Onward, Singapore], or “In God We Trust”.

4.) Demographics

This is a half-page summary about your nation’s population, such as ethnicity, religion, language, and economic status.

5.) Development Summary

At least one page in length, this section will detail how your one billion dollars was spent to develop your nation. Tell what you did and why you did it that way.

6.) 5-Year Plan

In order to continue to be prosperous, you must plan ahead now that you’ve spent all of your one billion dollars. In your five year plan, write at least one page on how your nation will continue to thrive, grow, and develop. Include such things as defensive additions, economic or cultural trends, and population growth.

Cover Sheet

All of these things should be put together in a folder or binder of some kind that you can turn in to Mr. Smith on Tuesday, 11 September, 2007. On the front of this should be a cover sheet with the following information:

- Student’s Name

- Nation’s Name

- Nation’s Flag

If you have any questions about the assignment, you may email me at:

zsmith@ics.edu.sg

Countries Test - 1 through 15

2007-08-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

Here are countries 1-15. Our first test over these will be this Friday, 31 August, 2007.
You will need to know the country's location, be able to find it on a map, and write the capital.
This is not a matching test.

1. Afghanistan - Kabul
2. Albania - Tirane
3. Algeria - Algiers
4. Andorra - Andorra la Vella
5. Angola - Luanda
6. Antigua and Barbuda - Saint John's
7. Argentina - Buenos Aires
8. Armenia - Yerevan
9. Australia - Canberra
10. Austria - Vienna
11. Azerbaijan - Baku
12. The Bahamas - Nassau
13. Bahrain - Manama
14. Bangladesh - Dhaka
15. Barbados - Bridgetown

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!

-Mr. Smith

Test 1 Review

2007-08-22T04:34:00.001-07:00

Geography Review – Test on Friday, 24 Aug, 2007

- Section 1.1 Discussion

o 1. Cartography

o 2. Meteorology

o 3. Region

o 4. Formal Region

o 5. Functional Region

o 6. Perceptual Region

- Section 1.2 Definitions

o 1. Parallels

o 2. Meridians

o 3. Degrees

o 4. Hemispheres

o 5. Map Projections

o 6. Compass Rose

o 7. Legend

o 8. Topography

o 9. Equator

o 10. Prime Meridian

- Organizing the Globe

o How to measure in degrees (such as, the difference between 15 degrees North, or 15 degrees East)

- Weather Systems

o Ocean Currents (where do they come from? How do they spin? Gulf-Stream?)

o Coriolis Effect

o What creates a dry/wet/warm/cool climate?

o Rain Shadow

- The Earth in Space

o 1. Time Zones

o 2. Habitable Zone (Goldilocks Zone)

o 3. Rotation

o 4. Revolution

o 5. Solstice

o 6. Equinox

o 7. Tropics

o 8. Polar Regions

o Where in the world can it be daytime for months?

o What is the tilt of the Earth’s axis?

o What is the relationship between the seasons and the Northern or Southern Hemispheres?

o The functions of the moon – ocean tides, and taking comets/asteroids

o The functions of the atmosphere – protecting us from solar radiation, smaller asteroids, keeping us warm

Also, a small portion of materials may be drawn from Chapters 2 and 3 in the text, so at least read these. Please be familiar with all class notes.

Syllabus

2007-08-13T01:54:00.001-07:00

Mr. Smith’s Geography Class ’07-‘08

Welcome, students! I am very excited to be your teacher and guide as we study the vastness and diversity of our planet. It is my prayer that you come to a fuller understanding of the world and the human cultures that inhabit it during the coming year. To ensure that class is as smooth (and as fun) as possible, please read this syllabus so we can all be on the same page (no pun intended) with policies and expectations.

Grading Policies:
- Daily Work (Notebook) and Class Participation 15%
- Projects / Papers 20%
- Tests 50%
- Quizzes 15%

Notes on Assignments:
- Because of the cultural emphasis in geography, many projects may include the need for at-home preparation, such as making food or costumes.
- Quizzes may be given without notice.
- A key component for this class will be a cumulative end-of-year exam covering all the countries of the world and their capitals.

Required Items:
Geography Binder – (ringed binder, loose-leaf notebook paper, dividers)
Colored Pencils – (no markers; crayons are tolerable, but not preferred)

Classroom Procedures:
- Textbook – Unless previously told otherwise, please bring your text to class everyday.
- Bathroom Policy – Breaks may only be taken during transition times between instructions, and may not be taken within the first 15 minutes of a period.
- For all other necessary information on procedures, please refer to the Student Handbook and your own common sense.

Teacher Contact:
- Conference – I would be happy to meet with any parents. Simply email me to arrange a visit during my planning period.
- Email – You may reach me via email through my school email address: zsmith@ics.edu.sg
- Blog – To keep up on what is going on in our class, you may occasionally visit: http://mrsmithgeography.blogspot.com/