Population Pyramids

Today in class we learned about population pyramids. I find it very odd that there are only three types of pyramids when they all look different. The box one is very confusing to me because it looks nothing like a box. I was explaining my confusion to Mr. Schick and he did not really care. The cup also looks nothing like a cup and more like a disproportioned parallelogram but no one else notices that. I don’t know maybe I am just stupid, but it gets my brain twisted. Also, the Christmas tree should just be called a triangle because it doesn’t look like a Christmas tree.

World Factbook Conversation

Today in class we talked about different countries and things from the CIA World Factbook. We have a test about it where we can look up things on it. I am a little scared that there are 15 minutes and we only have 15 minutes to look them up. I think I will do well since I am pretty good with the site, but I need to practice. We had a conversation for most of class about different facts of countries. I learned that Vietnam only has 2% adult obesity, and the United States has 36%. I also find it very interesting that that Africa has so many people with AIDS and the countries there have a very high rate compared to the rest of the world. Anyway I think I will do well on the test and I am excited to learn about the population pyramid.

World Factbook

          I decided to look more into the Pitcairn Islands. I find it very interesting because they are the least populated country in the world. They only have 54 people living there, making them 238th in the whole world.

          Another fact about them is that they are only three tenths the size of Washington, DC. Their total area is 47 square kilometers, making them the 4th smallest country in the world.

          The Pitcairn Islands have 0% agricultural land. 75% of the country is forest. There is 0% arable land, 0% permanent crops, and 0% permanent pasture.

           The island has occasional tropical cyclones. This is dangerous for the people living there because the island is so small and could be wiped out. They also have occasional landslides.

          Their economy exists because of fishing, handicrafts, and mainly postage stamps. They do not have any system of currency and trade essential things. 15 of the 54 residents work, the rest don't do anything.

         

Tests back

Today in class we got our tests back. I am very proud of myself because Mr. Schick rang the bell for me getting an A. Everyone in the class is so annoying and always talks so much. It is so annoying and I am glad Mr. Schick finally stood up to them. It was a little scary because he slammed the door and threw a pen but at least it shut people up. After that we went over the test. I was very surprised at how many people got such easy questions wrong. There was only one question on the whole test that everyone got right which is crazy. This I think is because people don’t actually listen in class. I studied for the test a lot and it paid off though, so I am proud of myself.

Tennis Tournament

Today I wasn't in class because I had a tennis tournament. I got to leave school at 12 which was very nice. Then, we drove to Garrison Forest, but I didn't play.

Test Day

Today we took a test. I think I did very well on it. There were only a few questions that I had trouble on. I think I may of gotten a high B or low A. I am happy with that and I hope that’s what I got. After I finished my test I took my shadow on a tour of the school. We went to the fine art wing, and then visited Mr. Ireton, toured the first, second, and third floors, and went to the counseling office. When we got back someone was still working on their test, so we couldn’t do anything, but now, everyone has finished the test so we can write our blogs. After this we have lunch and I am excited because I am very hungry. Overalll, I think I did well on the test.

Review Game

Today in class, we played a review game for the test tomorrow. It was fun, but everyone got very loud and it was hard to concentrate on the questions. I like when Dimitri teaches the class because I think that’s a very fun way of learning, but today it was difficult I feel like, because he didn’t really know what questions would be on the test. We did a lot of reviewing for it, but I still don’t feel like I am 100% prepared for it. After I finish this blog, I am going to study my notes. I really want to vet an A on this test, as I said in yesterday’s blog, but I don’t know if that is going to happen or not. Tomorrow my friend is shadowing me, so I am disappointed that she won’t get to see what this class is really like and will just see us taking a test. But hey… you win some, you lose some.

Test Review Day

Today we reviewed for the test on Friday. Mr. Schick read questions from a packet and we decided which ones would be on the test. It is very nice that he does this because most teachers don’t let us decide what goes on the test. A few things that I need to remember are most importantly, to bring the time zone maps, and other maps. He is letting us use our maps for the test which is very helpful. I think I will do well on the test and hopefully it will bring my grade up a little. I am trying to get an A in this class, so I am going to spend some time studying my notes tonight and tomorrow night. I am really glad that we went over test questions and I feel like I am really prepared for the test. 

Cartography Questions

• 1. He made the first accurate measurement of the circumference of the Earth
• 2. A crater on the moon was named after him
• 3. He compiled a star catalog with 675 stars 
• 4.  Portland, Oregon- 7:00 AM
• 5.  Greenwich, England 3:00 PM
• 6.  Toronto, Ontario 10:00 AM
• 7.  The South Pole 3:00 AM
• 8. Scotland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Ireland, Wales 
• 9. Philadelphia, Chicago, New York City, Malibu, Boston
• 10. Baker County Florida, Bagby California, Bainbridge New York, Baird Texas, Baker Montana
• 11. Christchurch, San Francisco, San Jose, St. Charles, Sata Fe
• 12.  Baltimore, Maryland- 39.2904° N, 76.6122° W
• 13.  Quito, Ecuador- 0.1807° S, 78.4678° W
• 14.  Taveuni, an island in Fiji 16.8414° S, 179.9813° W
• 15.  Christchurch, New Zealand 43.5321° S, 172.6362° E
• 16.  Juneau, Alaska- 58.3019° N, 134.4197° W
• 17.  Two points on Earth that are directly opposite from one another 
• 18.  Beijing, China- Departamento Consea, RN, Argentina 
• 19.  Bermuda- The ocean near Perth, Australia 
• 20.  Your house- “You’re in the water and all you need is a boat”

Culture

Today in Human Geography, Dimitri taught most of the class. We learned about culture and what makes it. Culture is what people care about and what they do. Dimitri taught the class. I think it is very fun that Mr. Schick lets students teach the class sometimes because most teachers don’t do that. Then we had a long conversation about culture and the different clothing, food, and sports that each culture has. After this we talked about McDonalds and how it has influenced so much of cultures. McDonalds are in every country in the world, except North Korea. This has influenced many other fast food restaurants and made others exist. This is how culture happens because of little things that end up spreading and influencing others.

Studying

Today in Geography, we reviewed for the test. I took a lot of notes for myself to study later. On Thursday I have to remember to bring my maps to class. Mr. Schick wouldn’t tell us if the test is open note or not, but I think it is. I think he wants us to think it’s not open-note so we study, and then it will be open note. Maybe not though, it could just be a big test that we can’t use our notes for and he wants to see who really studies for it. I am not sure what it will be, but either way I plan on studying a lot for it. I need to do well because I really want an A in this class. I really messed up last week and forgot to do the blogs so now I have a 2 out of 8 for that and need to make up for it.

GPS and Alexa

In class today, we learned about a lot of different things. I learned that G.P.S. stands for global positioning system. There are pros and cons to it like how it can be used for good and bad reasons. It can have good uses, like being able to find different locations and landmarks. But, it also be very bad, because people can hack into it and find out personal information about you. We also had a conversation about the Amazon Alexa, and how it listens to everything you say. With this information it is easy for hackers to spy on you and know about your every move. We also learned about the different time zones on Earth. There are so many!!! Class was very interesting today and we had a lot of cool conversations. Overall, the government is spying on us.