HOW TIME IS MEASURED

Scientists have theorized that the Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old and that life (algae, bacteria, etc.) started around 3.8 billion years ago. Now, that's really old! But, how long ago is it really?

The link below has an awesome interactive timeline that shows the entire history of the world in million year increments. Check it out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/history_of_the_earth

 If you have ever read about something that happened long ago, then you are probably familiar with the abbreviations BC or BCE and AD or CE. Look at the time line on the previous page. Notice that Buddha was born in 563 BCE. Muhammad died in 632 CE. Both BC and BCE represent the years before the birth of Jesus. CE and AD represent the years after the life of Jesus.

AD mean the years after the birth of Jesus. The abbreviations stand for the following:

BC = Before Christ

AD = Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord)

BCE = Before the Common Era

CE = Common Era

You have probably also read of events happening, for example, in the 5th century or even in the 5th century BCE. A century is 100 years. If people lived in the 1st century, they lived in the first 100 years CE, or in the first 100 years after the birth of Jesus. So, if we say something happened in the l9th century, we mean it happened during the years 1801-1900 CE. The same rule applies to the centuries BCE, only we count backwards from the birth of Jesus. For example, Buddha was born in 563 BCE, which would mean he was born in the 6th century BC

Time Line

Hemispheres of the World and the Importance of the Equator and Prime Meridian

The four hemispheres of the world. The Equator splits the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and the Prime Meridian splits the Eastern and Western Hemispheres (see the two images below). You can also further divide the globe into the Northeastern Hemisphere, the Southeastern Hemisphere, the Northwestern Hemisphere, and the Southwestern Hemisphere. For example, North America is located in the Northwestern Hemisphere and Australia (Oceania) is located in the Southeastern Hemisphere. 

Geography 101

Geography is a complex subject that includes both physical and cultural geography. Maps, land forms, culture, history, and science are all part of geography.With that being said, most people know very little about the planet we live on. As a young student, you should definitely know some of the basics. The following covers some of the basics.


This map shows the 7 continents, the 5 major oceans, and the imaginary grid of latitude and longitude lines. Notice it also includes a map scale.



The world map above shows all the countries of the world. Although, you might not be able to make out all the names, you can clearly see the political boundaries and see the different nationalities of the world. Each of these countries have their own government system, their own laws, many have their own form of currency (money), and their own individual culture. 




On the map above you can see the major mountain ranges of the world highlighted in purple.




The above map shows the major deserts of the world. 




This is a world population density map. More orange dots means the area is more populated.





This pie chart shows how the continents stack up to each other with regards to population. Notice that Asia has over half of the world's population.





The map above is showing the different climate zones throughout the world. Climate refers to long-term weather patterns. 




The map above is showing the major religions of the world and in what areas that they are the dominant religion. 



The following website is a great site that has tons of different types of world maps (religions, climates, population, countries, government systems, world money, etc.)

http://www.mapsofworld.com/

"Big Picture" questions to think about and comment on:

1) How are countries and continents different?
2) Where are the continents and oceans located on the world map?
3) Where is the Amazon Rainforest, the Sahara Desert, the major mountain ranges of the world,       biggest cities of the world, major countries, etc. located on a world map?
4) What is the significance of the equator? What about the Prime Meridian?
5) How do the Equator and Prime Meridian create the 4 hemispheres? What hemisphere do we live     in?
6) Define geography.
7) Define culture.
8) How does physical geography affect population?
9) How does climate affect population?
10) How does physical geography affect culture?

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT RECIPES, BUT THE INGREDIENTS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME!!!!!

One of the most important things each student can do for themselves at the beginning of the school year is to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses; to think about their goals for the upcoming school year; and to make a game plan, so to speak, as to how to achieve their goals. 

Success is not determined by pure luck or chance. It is the result of consistent hard work. Each strong student is different in the way that they put the ingredients together but nevertheless, they all share the exact same ingredients. With that said, what are the ingredients, or rather characteristics of a successful student?

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS

• Consistent effort
• Organization
• Good listening skills
• Strong study habits
• Enthusiasm 
• Inherent drive to want to learn
• Use your personal passions as a vehicle to succeed

Below is a link to a 40 question survey/checklist to see how you rank yourself with regards to the characteristics of successful students. 

http://www.niagara.edu/assets/listpage/40-Characteristics-of-Successful-Students.pdf

Final Thought: 

Life is what you make of it. You can drive around aimlessly, OR you can learn, see, and experience our world and ultimately arrive at your chosen destination. I choose the later. 

 

WELCOME TO 2014-15 SCHOOL YEAR!!!!

Hello everyone!! Below you will find a copy of the class letter I handed out in class. Do your best to get the required class supplies. I'm excited about the upcoming school year and I hope you feel the same.

WELCOME TO MR. DEGAETANO’S SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

Dear students and parents,

Welcome to my social studies class. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you better throughout the year and hope you will do the same of me. I truly believe that the experiences each person gains through life are worth sharing with others and that is what makes life great. In addition to studying social studies content this year, we will also work on other lifelong skills such as reading comprehension, organization, proper social skills, among other things. With regards to social studies, I promise to not make you memorize facts and dates but instead will concentrate on teaching the “big picture” and the stories that make history, geography, and culture come alive. I realize that no two students are alike and because of this I will use a variety of assignments and assessments to create an engaging and balanced class for everyone. Now that I have briefly introduced the class to you lets go into some of the specifics.

I. SUPPLIES

• A 3-ring binder exclusively for my class
• A folder with 3 holes exclusively for my class
• A 5 subject notebook
• Pens or pencils
• Colored pencils
• Flash drive

II. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follow school and class rules
• Put forth your best effort

III. ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES/MAKE UP WORK

• You must be in class on time and prepared everyday to do your very best
• If you miss a class due to sickness or other circumstances you will be able to make up missed work but it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you missed and what you need to make up. TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR EDUCATION

IV. EXTRA HELP

• I am available after school and before school for extra help. You just let me know what works best for you and I will do my best to accommodate your needs.
• Remember, my job is to teach you and your job is to learn. So… you need to tell me if you do not understand or need extra help.
• Asking for help is a mature step in the right direction if you are struggling.

V. COMMUNICATION

• I welcome my parents to come by and see me to talk about any concerns that you may have.
• You can also call the school or email me at jdegaetano@.k12.wv.us  to reach me.

VI. CLASS RULES

• RESPECT me. RESPECT others. RESPECT yourself. And RESPECT our school.
• New FHS rules this year include:

1.      No cell phones in class or they will be taken and given to administration

2.      No food or drinks (including water) are allowed in classrooms

3.      No Ipods or MP3 players in classrooms at all

• I will deal with discipline on an individual basis. That means if you never give me any problems in my class and are generally not a behavior problem, I will ignore or dismiss something minor such as talking when you are not suppose to . BUT, if you happen to be someone who is always breaking the rules and I’ve had to deal with you before then I will be unlikely to give you a warning and instead jump right into getting parents and principals involved.

Please review this letter with your parents and keep it in your binder throughout the year so that you have it need be. Once again I look forward to a great year with you guys.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Mr. DeGaetano