Summer Assignment Directions and Parent Letter

AP Human Geography Summer Assignment Directions and Parent Letter

Dear Students and Parents:

I am excited that you have decided to accept the challenge of taking an Advanced Placement class, which is a university-level course taught in high school. I promise that you will strengthen your academic, intellectual, observation, and discussion skills. I am revved up to teach this class again next year and I am dedicated to providing a challenging and rewarding academic experience. Intrinsic in any AP course is an increased workload and some time for “field study” and review outside of class. I will provide advanced notices for these dates and times.

This course is a web enhanced course and consequently students will use e-mail, the course website, and various other computer programs such as Google documents to enhance their learning opportunities. This creates a very rich academic environment where students will take tests online, participate in online discussions, and have the capacity to communicate and learn outside of the traditional class time. The course web site is located at www.schoology.com and will be fully available after August 1st however, the summer assignment is already loaded on the site, and there is other information that is being placed on it regularly, including the updated course syllabus. Over the summer, I will begin to add assignments for each of our course units. In order to enroll, students should use the following access code to register: NKMFF-TW97Z. Once they register, they should be able to see the AP Human Geography files.

Part of entering an AP class is an assumption of a certain level of background knowledge and skills. With this in mind, the course requires the completion of a summer assignment. Your summer assignment has two parts: a book study and a series of maps that you need to complete. You must complete both parts of the assignment. Both parts are due on the first day of classes. Please review and be prepared to take an assessment during the first two weeks of school relating to the map portion of your assignment. The assessment will be mastery based which means you can take the assessment multiple times, but must attain 80% or above to pass. The assessment will be primarily a matching/identifying assessment – do not worry about spelling for this assessment. Don’t stress out about this, but do some review and familiarize yourself with the information in the summer assignment. Think of this knowledge as the ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s of geography. If you need a place to practice, you can use: www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm. Additionally, I want to warn each of you that the summer assignment has been designed to preclude students leaving the assignment until the last few days of summer break. So, begin now and do a little each day. You will finish with plenty of summer break remaining.

During my summer break, I am always available to help students via email. Students, and parents, may feel free to email me at: [email protected]. Regardless of where I am in the summer, I always have access to this email. I will almost always respond within 24 hours of receiving your email. If you email, please be specific about who you are and what exactly you need help with. I am looking forward to meeting you in August!

Sincerely,

Colin M. Ramsay

I. AP Human Geography Book Study Guide

Book Review/Analysis Writing

Pick any one of the books on the list provided below. Read the book and then complete all parts of this guide. This assignment should be typed, single-spaced with a double space between parts. Each of the books is designed to deepen your understanding of the world and make connections to your own background information. The assignment should help you to gain a sense of understanding of locations and places and why these places are important. Many of the books are available at public libraries or can be purchased online or at bookstores. You may read in any format, including Kindle.

Part I – Summary

Summarize the thesis or central point of the author in your own words. In other words what does the author believe and wants to prove/show. Identify three specific examples from three different chapters of the book that clearly support the thesis. Use specific examples from the text that the author uses to make his point. - This is not your opinion, I want to know what the author believes and show it with evidence. Hint the thesis is usually found in the first and last chapters of text.

Part II – Dialectic Journal - passages from text / describe and connect

Pick five significant passages from the text that resonate (evokes emotion) or that you can make connections to your current knowledge. Attempt to identify quotes that relate to the following concepts:

• Sense of place – Describes what is it like in a certain location (physical and/or cultural) • Geographic Patterns – What are the geographic patterns that exist in the world or region being discussed? • Why There? – Why are the patterns or processes being discussed in the book occurring in the locations being described? • Impacts / Effects – What are the impacts and effects of the patterns and processes being discussed in the book?

Part III – Reaction Paper (2 typed pages, single-spaced, 12 font)

Do you agree or disagree with the author’s thesis? Explain why and support with details? We want your opinion but support it with details and examples.

Part IV – Map

Create an original map that accurately portrays one or more of the following: • the author's thesis (main point or generalization) • the author's perspective of the world (or region) • the author's main points in a specific chapter • Key locations and places that are discussed in the text- create symbols to indicate the importance to the book. • Map data that relates to the text – ie. overall health of US states, countries with most internet connections – just explain how the data relates to the book and why you are mapping the information. • You can use a world, regional or national map to show your information. Your map needs clear, clean designs that include several types of data and information. Map should include a title, a legend with symbols and colors you use, and a compass rose. Different cartographic (map making) techniques you might use to show spatial patterns across the surface of the earth include:

• different colors to show percentages or ratios ( ex. percent literate, unemployed, etc.) - light to dark shades of the same color or warm vs. cool colors • different width arrows to show movement (ideas, migration, trade, etc.) wider arrows indicate larger amounts or quantities • symbols to show differences and similarities between countries or regions (ex. religious symbols, different dollar signs to show Gross Domestic Product, etc.) • other cartographic techniques you observe from other maps. • locating outline maps: this site has lots of maps that can be downloaded and printed. http://www.eduplace.com/ss/maps/index.html

Part V - Venn Diagram or Double Bubble Thinking Map

Throughout the books, the authors make many comparisons that lend themselves to comparative analysis. Choose one of these comparisons and create a Venn diagram or double-bubble thinking map that illustrates the differences and similarities. Being able to identify patterns that reoccur is an essential skill for academic success. In order to do this activity you will need to identify two people, regions, ideas, beliefs, or groups of people that are discussed in the book. Look for similarities and differences and write them down in the diagram. Identify a minimum of four similarities and differences. Some comparisons can be simple but don’t be afraid to be brilliant.

Book Choices: You are to select one of the following books

A Long Way Gone – Ishmael Beah City of Joy – Dominique Lapierre Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Train – Anna Kendall Cry the Beloved Country – Alan Paton Dreams of Joy – Lisa See Factory Girls: From village to City in Changing China – Leslie T. Chang God Grew Tired of Us – Jon Bul Dau and Michael Sweeney How Soccer Explains the World – Franklin Foer Mao’s Last Dancer – Li Cunxin Nectar in a Sieve – Karmala Markandaya Pearl of China – Anchee Min Ship Breaker – Paolo Baciqalupi Sold – Patricia McCormick The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope – William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer The Breadwinner – Deborah Ellis The Red Scarf Girl – Ji-li Jiang Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin Where Am I Eating: An Adventure through the Global Food Economy – Kelsey Timmerman Where Am I Wearing: A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People that Make Our Clothes – Kelsey Timmerman

II. Map Assignment

Goal: To identify and label important locations and physical features throughout the world in order to make pertinent spatial location connections.

Materials: Outline map and a list of important countries, cities, and physical features. You will also need a pencil or pen, and colored pencils to assist in labeling and coloring the given features.

Directions: Using the list provided identify and label all physical features on the physical map and all locations (countries and cities) on the political map. Additionally, create a map key that shows a symbol of your choice for the following items: capitals, cities, oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, and deserts. Use color to differentiate bodies of water (oceans, rivers & lakes, etc), mountain ranges, deserts, etc. Please carefully select the colors you use to reflect the natural landscape. Draw all features to scale.

Assignment Value: 100 points. – Failure to do the assignment will result in removal from the course!

Due Date: All maps are due on the first day of class. Directions: 1. I would suggest making some copies of your maps in case of a major goof-up (however, white-out can be your friend as long as it’s not used extensively!) Feel free to make larger copies of your maps if you want to. 2. Please take notice of the rubric included. This is how you will be graded! 3. This website: www.worldatlas.com/webimage/testmaps/maps.htm OR www.eduplace.com 4. Maps needed are: Americas – Europe – Africa – Asia – Australia. 5. YOU WILL NEED TWO MAPS EACH of those listed. 6. USE OUTLINE MAPS and make sure the map covers the whole page. On the left side the webpage you see the continents. Click on the continent and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the bottom left of the page to print a full page map. 7. For Lines of Latitude & Longitude & “other”, use a world (continent borders only) map. 8. You will have five political maps when finished and six physical maps. 9. Be mindful that this assignment was not meant to be completed in a day (or at 2 AM the day before school starts). You should work progressively on this throughout the summer. 10. Study these maps this summer. You will be tested on these locations throughout the year through announced and unannounced quizzes. 11. Take this seriously, and look on the bright side, you can take pride in the fact that you are no longer on the geographically deficient dark side. ☺

AP Human Geography Summer Assignment: Political Maps Place Location List

The Americas Suriname Washington D.C. Countries Guatemala Los Angeles Colombia Santiago (Chile) United States Ecuador Buenos Aires Cuba Peru Montevideo Haiti Bolivia Norfolk Dominican Republic Paraguay Montreal Puerto Rico Uruguay Quebec City Mexico Argentina Toronto El Salvador Chile Vancouver Belize Bahamas Rio de Janeiro French Guiana Caracas Jamaica Cities Lima Canada New York City Bogota Honduras Chicago Nicaragua Atlanta Europe Costa Rica Seattle Countries Panama Havana Brazil Mexico City France Venezuela Sao Paulo Germany Guyana Houston Italy Belgium Helsinki Botswana Netherlands Minsk Lesotho Luxembourg Prague Swaziland United Kingdom Zaghreb South Africa Ireland Warsaw Zambia Denmark Berlin Western Sahara Greenland Lisbon Seychelles Greece Vienna Cape Verde Spain Athens Guinea-Bissau Portugal Moscow Togo Austria St. Petersburg Gambia Finland Kiev Sweden Sofia Cities Norway Cairo Switzerland Africa Khartoum Iceland Countries Johannesburg Cyprus Kinshasa Poland Egypt Lusaka Czech Republic Libya Mogadishu Slovakia Tunisia Abidjan Hungary Algeria Cape Town Romania Morocco Dakar Bulgaria Ethiopia Lagos Yugoslavia Eritrea Abuja Bosnia-Herzegovina Sudan Casablanca Croatia Congo (Dem. Republic) Rabat Macedonia Uganda Luanda Slovenia Kenya Brazzaville Albania Tanzania Nairobi Russia (European side) Rwanda Dar es Salaam Estonia Burundi Addis Ababa Latvia Congo (People’s Republic) Algiers Lithuania Somalia Tripoli Belarus Mozambique Tunis Ukraine Madagascar Conakry Moldova Senegal Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Asia Cities Mauritania Countries London Central African Republic Edinburgh Niger China Belfast Benin Taiwan Dublin Chad Japan Paris Angola North Korea Madrid Zimbabwe South Korea Gibraltar Djibouti Indonesia Bucharest Namibia Malaysia Budapest Nigeria Singapore Naples Ghana Philippines Belgrade Burkina Faso Armenia Rome Sierra Leone Pakistan Geneva Mali Bangladesh Brussels Liberia Sri Lanka Amsterdam Guinea Israel Copenhagen Malawi Yemen Stockholm Cameroon Cambodia Oslo Gabon Vietnam Thailand Baghdad Southern Alps Myanmar (Burma) Bombay Great Rift Valley Laos Calcutta Mt. Kilimanjaro India New Delhi Azerbaijan Jerusalem Deserts Kazakhstan Tehran Uzbekistan Mecca Atacama Turkmenistan Sahara Tajikistan Australia & Oceania Namib Kyrgyzstan Countries Kalahari Afghanistan Taklimakan Russia (Asian side) Australia Gobi Mongolia Guam Great Victorian Desert Jordan Samoa Lebanon New Zealand Grasslands Palestine Papua New Guinea Maldives Samoa Great Plains (US & East Timor Canada) Turkey Cities Pampas Nepal Canberra Kirghiz Steppe Bhutan Sydney Serengeti Plain (Tanzania) Georgia Wellington Singapore Auckland Bodies of Water/Water Iraq Features Iran Lines of Latitude & Kuwait Longitude & “other” Great Lakes United Arab Emirates Hudson Bay Syria North Pole Chesapeake Bay Oman South Pole Gulf of Mexico Qatar Arctic Circle Mississippi River Saudi Arabia Antarctic Circle Caribbean Sea Bahrain Tropic of Cancer Strait of Magellan Tropic of Capricorn Colorado River Equator Arctic Ocean Prime Meridian Atlantic Ocean Cities (Greenwich Mean Line/0° Tokyo Longitude) Pacific Ocean Seoul International Date Line Indian Ocean Pyongyang (180° Longitude) Southern Ocean Hong Kong/Macau Great Barrier Reef Bering Strait Beijing Panama Canal Shanghai Mountains Amazon River Bangkok Rio Grande Ankara Andes Baltic Sea Amman Alps North Sea Yangon (Rangoon) Atlas Mediterranean Sea Kuala Lumpur Urals St. Lawrence River Jakarta Caucasus English Channel Manila Pyrenees Danube River Dhaka (Dacca) Tian Shan Black Sea Karachi Himalayas Adriatic Sea Islamabad Eastern Ghats Aegean Sea Hanoi Western Ghats Rhine River Kabul Rocky Mountains Volga River Novosibirsk Cascades Seine River Riyadh Appalachian Mountains Po River Lake Baikal Caspian Sea Lake Chad Aral Sea Persian (Arabian) Gulf Niger River Red Sea Sea of Japan Orange River Dardanelles Strait Tigris/Euphrates Rivers Lake Victoria Bosporus Strait Ganges River Suez Canal Arabian Sea Indus River Tasman Sea Bay of Bengal Yangtze River Coral Sea South China Sea Mekong River Timor Sea East China Sea Nile River Yellow Sea Congo (Zaire) River

Map Scoring Rubric: The following rubric will be used to score your maps.

Category 14 points 9 points 6 points 3 points Labels – At least 100% to 90% 80 -90% of the 79-70% of the Less than 70% of Accuracy/Text Size of the items are items are labeled items are labeled the items are labeled and and located and located labeled and located correctly. correctly. correctly. located correctly. Map – Legend/Key Legend is easy-to-find Legend contains Legend contains Legend is absent and contains a a an almost or lacks several complete set of complete set of complete set of symbols. symbols. symbols. symbols. Scale All features on map Most features on Many features Many features of are drawn to scale and map are drawn to on map are NOT the map are the scale used is scale and the drawn to scale drawn NOT to clearly scale used is even though a scale indicated on the map. clearly scale is clearly AND/OR there is indicated on the indicated on the no scale marker map. map. on the map. Color Scheme Student always uses Student usually Student Student does not color appropriate for uses color sometimes uses use color features(e.g. blue for appropriate for color appropriate appropriately. water; black for features(e.g. blue for features(e.g. labels, etc.) on map for water; black blue for water; and text for labels, etc.) black for labels, on map. etc.) on map. Graphics – All graphics & A few graphics All graphics & Several graphics Pictures/Relevance pictures are attractive or pictures are pictures are or pictures are (size and colors), well not attractive or attractive but a unattractive or executed and support well few do not seem poorly executed the theme/content of executed but all to support the AND detract the presentation. support the theme/content of from the content theme/content of the presentation. of the the presentation. presentation. Attractiveness The map The map is The map is The map is exceptionally attractive in acceptably distractingly attractive in terms of terms of design, attractive though messy or very design, layout, and layout and it may be a bit poorly designed. neatness neatness. messy. It is not attractive. Spelling and Grammar There are no There are 1-2 There are 3-4 There are more grammatical/mechanic grammatical/ grammatical/ than 4 mistakes on the mechanical mechanical grammatical/ map/poster. mistakes on the mistakes on the mechanical map/poster. map/poster. mistakes on the map/poster.