About once a week I will put a question or problem up on the board for you to answer with 1 or more paragraphs (usually about 1/2-1 page long).  You will write your answer on a separate sheet of paper in your notebook.  Near the end of the semester , I will ask you to tear out the 12-15 entries you have done, staple them together, put your name on them, and turn them in.

You will search and respond to various media forms or do another activity that you will enter into your journal. (See below).  Entries should be about 2-3 pages. You should get a small loose leaf binder or note pad (8.5" by 11" or similar) or a lab record book. You will write on the pages and paste articles and other items to them. Below are listed a number of possible entry options. I will collect the extra credit journal on or near the same day I collect the mini-entries from all the students (check the syllabus). Each of the entries should each reflect a different Entry Option (though you can do two of Option A.)

A) Cut out a long newspaper article (or a group of shorter articles on the same subject) or photocopy a magazine article that discusses some aspect of Physical Geography (preview our book so you will know what topics to look for). Write about a two-page reflection and analysis of what you read (i.e., What is the problem or issue raised? What are the physical geography components? What did, could, or should happen? Were humans affected? How? What do you think of this?) You may do two of these.

B) Watch a movie, video, or television show that features some aspect of Physical Geography. Describe in detail (more than 1 page) what the show or movie showed in relation to our study of physical geography. While most of these may be Discovery Channel or PBS type programs, if you pay close attention to some feature length movies, they show significant aspects of the earth's geosystems (You will have to convince me you leaned something about physical geography from these movies!) You may do two of these.

C) Write a 2-page book report on the physical geography topics in the book (fiction or non-fiction). Grapes of Wrath?

D) Describe in detail (about 2 pages) the physical geographic features you saw on a trip you took (include pictures and maps of the area if you want). I will be looking for thoughtful exploration of physical geography topics (as opposed to a simple travelogue - i.e., NOT: "I went to Colorado and saw a mountain and a glacier". Use terms from class! Give me details such as Did it show signs of erosion? Was it old or young? What shape?)

E) Do an interview with a family member or friend who lives or has traveled in a different part of the country or the world. Have them describe the physical environment (landscapes, weather, environmental problems) of that place to you. Summarize the highlights of the conversation in about 2 pages. Name the location.

F) Do an Internet search on a topic that we have covered in class (e.g., sand dunes, tornados, sea cliff erosion, ...). Find 3 sites that have information on this topic. Describe what is found at each site and give the full address of the site (this should take about 1/2 page each). Also print out an image, table, graph, short document, or home page from each site.

G) If you are handy with a camera, take set of photos(4-12) of a geographic feature(s) near your home or on your travels. Annotate each picture (i.e., In a few sentences for each photo, explain how each picture shows some of the concepts we are learning in class).

H) Respond to one or two of the Critical Thinking Exercises on our textbook author's web page. Pick one of the chapters we have covered, then look for the link to Critical Thinking on the left of the web page. Your responses should total about 2-3 pages. Be sure to include the question you are responding to. (http://www.prenhall.com/christopherson)

I) Do one of the virtual field trips on the CD found in the back of your text book. You should complete the Critical Analysis questions. Explain the reasons for your answers in detail (about 2 pages).

J) Or come up with some other creative way to explore the dynamic world we live in (clear it with me first!)

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Last updated August 15, 2005

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