My Dear Parents,

Today we started a new block, or a continuation of the geography block, by moving into European Geography. We will be going over the countries and areas of Europe and talking about the different biomes there. I will be asking the students to do a report on one country. The parameters are as such:

Step 1: Choose a country.

Step 2: Find at least four (4) sources with information about your country. One of the sources must be an encyclopedia.

Step 3: Read the books and take notes about the country.
* Look for interesting contrasts, for example, is there a low fertile valley in one area and a tall mountain range in another area?
* Include information on the food products produced today in each region.
* Look at the history of your country between 500 B.C. and 50o A.D., basically until the fall of the Roman Empire, if the Romans occupied your country focus on their influences on the lives of the original inhabitants. If the Roman's did not conquer your country write about the tribal life during that time. Some will have quite a bit of information and some will not. Check in with me if you are having problems.
* Write your notes into a first draft.

Step 4: Have your parents correct your first draft. Write a final draft using a cartridge pen. Write neatly, leave margins, and take care with spelling. The first page of writing needs to have a ruler border. In the border draw little pictures that relate to your country, for example, for Holland you may draw some windmills, cows, cheeses, dikes or tulips. Only draw on one side of the paper. The other writing pages need decoration, but they do not need ruled borders (you may add them if you like).

Step 5: Draw a picture of a typical landscape from your country. Your colored pencils need to be smoothly shaded and the colors need to be well blended.

Step 6: Draw a freehand map of your country. Label rives, mountain ranges, oceans, large lakes, capital city and neighboring countries. This is an artistic page, be colorful.

Step 7: Make a title page; the name of your country should be large, dark, beautiful, and highly decorated.

Step 8: Find a recipe from your country. Write it out neatly, decorate the page, and hand it in separately. Be prepared to prepare it for our potluck.

Step 9: Find a song, dance or poem from your country. You can share it by yourself or include other people.

Due: The report is due Monday Dec. 7. You may turn in your work earlier.
Food sharing: Due date to be announced.

Refer to this sheet as needed.