Welcome to Geography / Trudeau at CMHS; here are the basics . . .

red dance
Originally uploaded by Mnemonix.

Robert Trudeau / CMHS / mondotrudeau.blogspot.com

The chief academic skill areas and the evaluations thereupon in Robert Trudeau’s geography classes:
a) Comparison essays. See the blue Guidelines handout. Carefully follow the guidelines. Late work will earn a 20 % penalty.
b) Projects that demonstrate research, clear communication and colorful imagination.
c) Multiple-choice tests that are based on class notes and the web site material.
d) Map quizzes. Misspellings lose a half point. Those with weak spelling skills will enjoy our in-class mnemonic building.
e) Build your point total by taking on independent assignments. The best way to earn these bonus points is by writing comparison essays.
You may also earn points through other projects. Ex: serve appropriate ethnic dishes - accompanied by an essay - for points. Please check with me before you begin any special project.

Materials
1) Purchase a copy of the Rand McNally Quick Reference World Atlas (about $6.00) from any bookstore. Call the store to check on availability of the RMQRWA before you go. Please do NOT substitute. I require that you have this book in class every day. It will not cost you more to order it from Amazon.com, btw.
2) Notebook: please use one with perforated page edges - so that papers handed to me will have a smooth edge. Additionally, make sure you can safely and neatly keep your handouts. Everyday there will be questions, notes and sketches to record. Handouts are presented on a regular basis. They must be kept at the ready for use any day.
4) Map pencils (or crayons, pastel markers, or watercolors) & scissors. To me these are very important items. Art projects make a vivid learning experience and enliven a class.

Mondotrudeau.blogspot.com
* Visit this class site every Sunday after noon to view and plan the next week's activities and requirements. Parents and students should then create a coordinated agenda for the week.
* Access this site by using computers in your school library or neighborhood library if you have problems with your computer, modem or ISP.
* Email me with any and all questions, complaints (remember to be diplomatic) and compliments. I'm an email-oriented person; I check it often and send out several messages each day.
trudeau@earthlink.net
Additionally, you may phone me at home: 861-6809. Students and parents are my priority.
Parents may also call cmhs, 221-2501, and leave a message for me.



Classroom guidelines ~
* When the bell rings I expect you to immediately open your notebook (without my reminder!) and attack the material which you'll find on the board. Frequently CMHS bells do not ring. You'll be expected to go to your tasks at the appropriate time regardless of the bell. Get your money's worth from Magnet!
* Water and water bottles are no problem. If there is a sort-of emergency, you may have a snack. Handle it super-quietly and realize that it will be a rare moment. If you must chew gum, please do so inconspicuously. Before addressing the class always expel gum ("Expeliarmus!"), please.
* Bring all necessary materials to class Each day:
* RMQRWA (Rand McNally Quick Reference World Atlas)
* notebook * handouts * pens * colors * scissors.
* Following directions efficiently is one of your biggest challenges. You must take responsibility for knowing the guidelines.
* Warmth! Generosity! Hugs!
** Our golden words are "please," "thank you," "pardon me," and "Is it possible that ...?"
* Dress smartly. I believe that you can help yourself get more out of class if you don a sort of student/business attire. This is, after all, your job for the next four years. High school is a job and it pays off with scholarships and competence in college.
* Compliment your fellow students (and teachers) every day.

Comparison essays
1) Snappy title and explanatory subtitle (2 points)
Because we live in a world described as an Information Blizzard, it is important to bring attention to your work through catchy titles. Techniques for writing snappy titles: alliteration, tweaking a pop song or movie title, brief quote, fresh phrases.
2) Colorful opening (5 pts.)
Use a quote, a question or a brief description to open your essay. Banish boring writing! Follow examples you'll see in magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
3) Informal documentation (3 pts.)
Example: use "..., according to Encarta Online." Give your primary source this way. Please do not add the attribution at the end of the paper. Drop in your first "..., according to..." at the end of the first paragraph.
4) Use examples to back up each general point that you offer.
Example: China has a communist, authoritarian government. Their most famous totalitarian edict has been "One family, one child."
Your points will be earned by the use of a generality combined with an example. (5 pts.)
5) In a comparison essay, you must blend Both topics in
Each paragraph.
You may not simply devote paragraph one to one topic,
para. two to the other topic, and briefly blend them in para. three.
A simple formula: para. one for colorful description,
para. two for similarities, para. three for differences. (5 pts.)
6) Save all papers on your computer hard drive,
compact disk or flash drive. Save all work until semester's
end. Growth in the skill of record keeping is a goal of social
studies class.















Geography / Trudeau / CMHS

Classroom guidelines ~
* When the bell rings I expect you to immediately open your notebook (without my reminder!) and attack the material which you'll find on the board. Frequently CMHS bells do not ring. You'll be expected to go to your tasks at the appropriate time regardless of the bell. Get your money's worth from Magnet!
* Water and water bottles are no problem. If there is a sort-of emergency, you may have a snack. Handle it super-quietly and realize that it will be a rare moment. If you must chew gum, please do so inconspicuously. Before addressing the class always expel gum ("Expeliarmus!"), please.
* Bring all necessary materials to class Each day:
* RMQRWA (Rand McNally Quick Reference World Atlas)
* notebook * handouts * pens * colors * scissors.
* Following directions efficiently is one of your biggest challenges. You must take responsibility for knowing the guidelines.
* Warmth! Generosity! Hugs!
** Our golden words are "please," "thank you," "pardon me," and "Is it possible that ...?"
* Dress smartly. I believe that you can help yourself get more out of class if you don a sort of student/business attire. This is, after all, your job for the next four years. High school is a job and it pays off with scholarships and competence in college.
* Compliment your fellow students (and teachers) every day.

Comparison essays
1) Snappy title and explanatory subtitle (2 points)
Because we live in a world described as an Information Blizzard, it is important to bring attention to your work through catchy titles. Techniques for writing snappy titles: alliteration, tweaking a pop song or movie title, brief quote, fresh phrases.
2) Colorful opening (5 pts.)
Use a quote, a question or a brief description to open your essay. Banish boring writing! Follow examples you'll see in magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
3) Informal documentation (3 pts.)
Example: use "..., according to Encarta Online." Give your primary source this way. Please do not add the attribution at the end of the paper. Drop in your first "..., according to..." at the end of the first paragraph.
4) Use examples to back up each general point that you offer.
Example: China has a communist, authoritarian government. Their most famous totalitarian edict has been "One family, one child."
Your points will be earned by the use of a generality combined with an example. (5 pts.)
5) In a comparison essay, you must blend Both topics in
Each paragraph.
You may not simply devote paragraph one to one topic,
para. two to the other topic, and briefly blend them in para. three.
A simple formula: para. one for colorful description,
para. two for similarities, para. three for differences. (5 pts.)
6) Save all papers on your computer hard drive,
compact disk or flash drive. Save all work until semester's
end. Growth in the skill of record keeping is a goal of social
studies class.