7th Grade Virtual Voyager #1 - Current Events

Newspapers are divided into different parts.  There are normally 14 parts of a newspaper that include: International, Politics, Local, Business, Technology, Science, Health, Sports, Entertainment, Weather, Obituaries, a cover page story, and the table of contents.
      
PART I  Using a newspaper, choose 5 of the following 9 topics and make a post on the blog that gives the title of the article.
1. International
2. Politics
3. Local
4. Business
5. Technology
6. Science
7. Health
8. Sports
9. Entertainment

For example:  The Gazette Wednesday, August 28, 2013
1. International - "Envoys: West could hit Syria in days" (Amman/Beirut, Lebanon)
2. Politics - "Some in Congress push for vote ahead of possible strike" (Washington D.C.)
3. Local - "Council unanimously backs casino deal" (Cedar Rapids)
8. Sports - "Hawkeyes open Big Ten on road" (Iowa City)
9. Entertainment -  "Last swim of summer" (Cedar Rapids)

PART II Now use one of the current events sources from the blog to find an article on your assigned country.  Read the article and post a summary paragraph on the blog.

For example:  ABC News - "Brazil Grants Visas to Syrians Fleeing Conflict," September 24, 2013
     The conflict in Syria has led to a deterioration in living conditions for Syrians.  Brazil has responded by offering a refuge for Syrians by granting special visas to those wishing to leave the warring nation.  Brazil's refugee population continues to increase adding to the already existing 3 million Syrian immigrants.

8th Grade "The Cost of War"

The French and Indian War was a financial burden that Great Britain looked to the American Colonies to pay off.  So a war with the American Colonies continued to strain the Crown's pockets as well as stress their military resources.  Although the technology has changed, past and present wars all have human, economic, social, and political costs.

Using the website "Costs of War," http://costsofwar.org/ and working in a small group, read an article from each pull down menu (human, economic, social, and political costs).  Then, TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU READ and READ IT AGAIN IF NECESSARY.  If you have questions - ASK FOR HELP.  If you don't have questions, complete the case study organizer and post your group's findings on the blog.

Lawrence of Arabia

In order to complete the Chapter 1 activity, please use the following link:
http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/players/index.html

Chapter 2: The Training of a Desert Fighter
http://www.pbs.org/lawrenceofarabia/revolt/survival.html

Picturing the West

Painters and photographers were amazed by the spectacular scenery of the West.  View the work of painters Albert Bierstadt and Frederic Remington and photographers William H. Jackson or Ansel Adams.  Then, choose one piece of artwork to analyze.

"The Sierra Nevada in California"

Albert Bierstadt

"Dismounted Moving Led Horses"

Frederic Remington

"Hot Springs on Gardiners River"

William H. Jackson

"Clearing Winter Storm"

Ansel Adams

Westward Ho! CyberHunt

Head west on the wagon trail to learn more about early pioneers who settled the frontier.


Use "The Oregon Trail" (http://www.america101.us/trail/Allabout.html) to read and record the answers on your worksheet.

Pep Talk from Kid President

We all need a little encouragement every now and then. Kid President, knowing this, has put together a video you can play each morning as you wake up or to share with your friend who needs a kick in the right direction. Take a moment and spread some encouragement. "It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o)

Virtual Voyager ##7 - Rank Order

How does your country rank in the world?
     Using CIA Photius Ranking (http://www.photius.com/rankings/), click on four different Factbook Data Fields (geographic area, infant mortality rate, oil consumption, GDP - PPP, population, internet users, roadways, people living with HIV/AIDS, life expectancy, oil production, GDP per capita).  Find you country's rank (they are in highest to lowest).
     Then, record the fields researched, your country's rank, and WHY YOU THINK THAT IS.  (You are going to have to use what you know about your country thus far to make an educated guess.)

FOR EXAMPLE:  ARGENTINA

1.  Internet users in Argentina are estimated 10 million people and ranked 27th in the world.  I think Argentina is ranked 27th because it is geographically remote and establishing internet connections outside of major cities is very difficult.

2. Argentina is ranked 24th in roadways with 229,144 km.  In addition to the geography limiting the amount of roads in Argentina, I think climate might affect the usefulness of a permanent road.  Rain and flooding probably wash out roads.  Additionally, due to the climate, the number of vehicles might be limited (warm weather) and people walk, ride animals, or bikes.

3.  Argentina produces 745,000 barrels per day ranking 26th in world oil production.  The countries producing more oil than Argentina are the typical large oil producers and Argentina would have to have vast oil reserves to keep up with the production of countries like Kuwait.

4.  Argentina is ranked 135th in world infant mortality rate.  That means per there are approximately 14 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in Argentina.  Other countries ranking higher on the list are undeveloped or developing countries that do not have the resources for supporting infant lives.  Argentina must have hospitals and trained medical staff to keep the infant mortality rate low.