Current Events

Directions Article must relate to a foreign nation- not USA* Article cannot be older than a month from the due date Must be typed in Times New Roman 12 font & black ink-(handwritten assignments will NOT be accepted) Must deal with Physical or Human geography Complete sentences must be used & the number of each question posted before answer Hand drawing of the article/story as it took place on blank sheet of white paper (3-4pictures on sheet of paper) Copy of news article/story must be turned in with assignment Will count as test grade

Physical Geography An earthquake A volcanic eruption A tsunami A hurricane or a typhoon A tropical storm A wind storm Mudslides Floods Avalanches Drought

Physical Geography Deforestation-chopping down forests- Human/Environment interaction Desertification The melting of the polar ice caps A rise in sea and ocean temperatures Global warming The ozone layer Water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution- Human/Environment interaction Erosion of coastlines

Human Geography History Government/ Politics Language Economy Religion Social Groups Arts Daily Life Age/gender discrimination education Human/Environment Interaction Movement of people, ideas, and/or beliefs

Where do I find an article? In a newspaper (Boston Globe, Patriot Ledger, USA today, etc.) On television news On an on-line news source (CNN.com, Social Studies for Kids, etc.)

Where do I find an article? You can also go to Mrs. Spear’s homework page and find some on-line news links there. Go to Find my page by following the directions. Click on Manage Favorites link. * Remember to pick an article that is right for YOU!!!!

What kind of event did you read about? 1) The article discusses smog in China. **Do not write that the event was sad, happy, tragic, or any other adjective!!! That is your opinion and does not tell the reader what event took place!!!

Is the event considered human geography or physical geography or both? 2) Smog is a result of human/environment interaction which is both physical and human geography.

What was the source of your information? (Name of the newspaper, television station, or URL) 3) The article can be found at Time For Kids.Com--- china/ ttp:// china/116231

What is the title of the story that you read? 4) The title of the story is “Super Smog in China”. **Notice how the article title is in quotes but the name of the magazine or news source is underlined!!!

When-what date- was the story reported? (not printed out but reported) 5) The story was reported on October 21, 2013.

Where did the event take place? 6) The event took place in Harbin, China.

Where is the place located? Be as specific as possible, start with continent and narrow down as much as possible. Include relative location and if possible, absolute location. Write complete sentences.

7) The events took place in Harbin, China. China is north of India and south of Russia. The city of Harbin is northeast of Beijing. It is located on the Songhua River. The coordinates of Harbin are ° N, ° E.

Summarize the story in a complete paragraph, telling what has happened, why it has happened, how it happened. Write complete sentences. Complete paragraphs need an opening & closing sentence and should be no less than 5 sentences!!! * You must paraphrase!!!

8) The Chinese government is finally addressing the problem of pollution in the country. Just this week in Harbin, China, smog caused the productivity of the city to come to a stand still. Schools were closed, flights canceled, and highways shut down. The World Health Organization declared the pollution just shy of 50 % over the “safe” level. Conditions are not expected to improve as the winter begins to set in. Coal consumption to heat homes will increase as will the smog levels. After years of avoidance, Chinese officials are realizing the cost of dealing with problem now outweighs the cost if they continue to ignore the problem.

NEVER EVER EVER start a paragraph with….  My paragraph is about….  I am going to tell you about…..  This is going to be about….  This is what happened……

NEVER EVER EVER end a paragraph summary with……..  That is what my paragraph was about.  So that is what happened in my article.

If you read about a physical geography event please explain how this event can change the geography (the land or body of water) of the region where it has happened.

9) The issue of pollution is both physical and human geography. Pollution can contaminate drinking water and soil. High levels of smog can block out the sun for days which can impact the growth of crops.

Explain how this event may affect people living in the region. Write complete sentences.

10) Pollution is a health hazard for humans. Breathing in dangerous toxins can cause numerous medical issues some life threatening. Pollutants can also contaminate drinking water.

1) The article discusses smog in China. 2)This event deals with human/environment interaction which is both physical and human geography. 3)The source of this article is Time for Kids. The web address is source of this article is Time for Kids. The web address is 4)The title of the story is “Super Smog in China”. 5)The story was reported on October 21, )The event took place in Harbin, China. 7)The events took place in Harbin, China. China is north of India and south of Russia. The city of Harbin is northeast of Beijing. It is located on the Songhua River. The coordinates of Harbin are ° N, ° E 8)The Chinese government is finally addressing the problem of pollution in the country. Just this week in Harbin, China smog caused the productivity of the city to come to a stand still. Schools were closed, flights canceled, and highways shut down. The World Health Organization declared the pollution just shy of 50 % over the “safe” level. Conditions are not expected to improve as the winter begins to set in. Coal consumption to heat homes will increase as will the smog levels. After years of avoidance, Chinese officials are realizing the cost of dealing with problem now outweighs the cost continuing to ignore the problem. 9)The issue of pollution is both physical and human geography. Pollution can contaminate drinking water and soil. High levels of smog can block out the sun for days which can impact the growth of crops. 10)Pollution is a health hazard for humans. Breathing in dangerous toxins can cause numerous medical issues some life threatening. Pollutants can also contaminate drinking water.

Draw the events as it took place according to the details in the news story. Do this on a blank sheet of paper. Give the drawing a title. Make sure your name appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the paper. The drawing must also be in color!!!

Smog in China Mrs. Spears

Attach the story you have read from the newspaper or Internet news source. (if you first saw the story on television, you can go to the station’s website and print out the news story.)

Your Task!! Complete the assignment as described and explained today in class. The first assignment is due November 17. It is due even if our class does not meet!!! Do your very best. It will count as a test grade!!!