Welcome back to 2012

Hi everyone,

Welcome back to an exciting year of Humanities! There are plenty of interesting activities planned for all year levels and we hope you enjoy your study this year.

As we get underway, remember to bring your planner, pencil case and a workbook to class and be prepared for anything…

Have a happy holiday

It’s that time of the year when we pack up the classroom, clean out our lockers and prepare for a few relaxing weeks in the sun. We’ve achieved a lot this year: we’ve learned about different cultures and times in history, participated in activities, created posters, projects and websites. We’ve expanded our minds and talked about new ideas. Time to relax, spend time with family and friends and take a break until next year. Enjoy your holidays everyone.

World Population Reaches 7 Billion

Not that I’m spruiking for a television channel, but SBS does have some great material on offer. This from their website:

This month, the global population reaches seven billion. That’s seven billion new, inspiring, world-changing stories for SBS to share. Seven billion also has implications for sustainability and health but offers a rare call to action opportunity to take action. That’s why SBS has joined with the United Nations Population Fund to focus on the ordinary, simple actions each of us can take to create a better world. Take action yourself at sbs.com.au/7billion

The end is nigh..

Not long to go now before we get that well deserved spring break. Just a reminder to keep your eyes on Edmodo and check what you have due before the end of term. Most of your teachers have given plenty of time to be finished before the holidays so we can all take a break and refresh before Term 4.

Enjoy the sunny afternoons (after you’ve done your homework )

Year 8 Disasters Unit

Year 8 Disasters Unit

By now you should all be collecting research for your disasters geography report. This week on ABC 1 there is a documentary about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster: Japan Tsunami – How it Happened; Tuesday ABC1, 8.30pm. If you are able to watch it, it should help you understand the complex issues that arise during a disaster.

The Australian Flag

You’ve all been talking about the Australian flag in class and by now should have some understanding of the components of this national symbol. If you want to study the information for yourselves there is a document you can download from any of the year level wikis (Humanities). Once you are confident you have the information, take the quiz to test your knowledge:

<a title=”Australian Flag Quiz” href=”Loading…” target=”_blank”>

Things to watch….

It’ll be a busy Tuesday this week – it’s Census night on Tuesday where we all have our chance to be counted in Australia’s population statistics. As this only happens once every five years, it’s not something we can put on the curriculum as often as it suits. So enjoy your chance to participate and help your family fill in the online survey.

While you’re filling out the form, keep an eye on the TV – a lot of us have engaged with the ideas surrounding climate change at different times in the humanities units. If you want to explore the debate about how the science  is used in the climate change discussion, watch “Science Under Attack” on SBS television, 8.30pm on Tuesday 9 August. Their promo quote: “Science is in trouble. From global warming to GM foods and children’s vaccinations, it seems the scientist’s word is not always trusted.”

Welcome back to Term 3

Well we’re past the halfway point of the year and as we huddle up in warm classrooms, each year level moves on to new topics.

Year 7s will be starting their study of Indigenous Culture and History. Students will be exploring a range of topics on Aboriginal culture, using film, websites and other activities to understand how an oral culture survived for over 40,000 years.

Year 8 students are taking on geography this term by studying some recent disasters including how they occurred, what geographic events might have triggered them and how the communities they affected responded.

Year 9 are preparing for their futures through a study of economics that will cover preparing resumes and job applications, understanding how governments operate and investigating a hot topic: the Carbon Tax.

It will be a busy and interesting term, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Important viewing: SBS TV documentary

Go Back To Where You Came From, SBS TV Tues 21st June, Wed 22nd June, Thur 23rd June.

This programme explores the challenges faced by refugees as they look for a safe place to live.

“Six Australians, who agree to challenge their preconceived notions about refugees and asylum seekers, go on a confronting 25-day journey tracing in reverse the journeys that real refugees have taken to reach Australia.” (SBS programme website)

http://www.sbs.com.au/shows/goback/

Recommended viewing for anyone struggling with the issue of ‘boat people’ and Australia’s asylum seeker policies.

Year 7 Fieldwork coming soon

As part of the Year 7 curriculum, students will be going on a local excursion to undertake geography fieldwork. Grades will be going out to take observational data of the local area. Students: you may need to be prepared for light showers but we won’t be going out in heavy rain. Your teacher will schedule your outing when it suits your grade’s timetable. This brief walk won’t require lunches, snacks or other additonal materials and will simply occur in within your usual class timetable. Permission forms are not required as you have provided this information at enrolment. Enjoy the fresh air!

Year 9 Naplan Week

Ok, doing well everyone – keep it up! (Your Naplan efforts I mean) We’ll be back to the fun classroom work soon enough.

While you’re engaged in this testing, we are going to be giving you a brain break by watching An Inconvenient Truth this week in order to prepare you for your fieldwork unit. This week you need to watch the film (in class or rent it and watch at home if you miss it). For those of you signed up to Dr J’s online homework question site, there are a set of questions there relating to the issues in the film awaiting your posts in response. If you haven’t signed up to the online homework site, get in touch with Dr J for instructions.

The next part of the unit will involve studying important geographical concepts which you will demonstrate when you complete the fieldwork task. Keep up to date with the class lessons and make sure you work hard to understand the concepts. Remember, there’s homework club if you need extra help.