Geography 305 Bulletin Board

This semester you should try to follow the news as it relates to our state. Try reading a good state-wide paper, either on the web or purchased from a newsstand. The Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, and Austin American Statesman all have excellent websites.

To learn more about Dr. Bednarz, go here.

http://geog.tamu.edu/sarah/tests.html#studyhints provides you with information you need to study for the test next week.

I have posted your grades in this class as of Monday, April 2 under GRADES. This includes Activity 3. Remember, tomorrow, April 3, is a workbook activity day.

Week of March 20

Remember, Activity 3 is postponed until Tuesday, March 27. IF YOU CONSTRUCTED YOUR POPULATION PYRAMIDS INCORRECTLY, contact me directly by email or phone next Wednesday for an opportunity to improve your grade.

Week of March 6

I have posted your grades in this class as of Monday, March 6 under GRADES. Do not forget that Activity 2 is due on Thursday, March 8.

I understand an inconsiderate AGGIE has removed the Census volume from the library needed for the worksbook activity. I have a copy of the document in my office, Room 804 O&M. Please come to see me for that.

Thanks for the comments on the back of the test...I have not yet read them but will. I use this feedback to monitor and improve my teaching.

Week of February 19

http://geog.tamu.edu/sarah/tests.html#studyhints

It is time to start thinking about TEST 1 which will be Thursday, March 1. The link above will take you to the study hints for this test.

Week of February 12

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/11/world/11BORD.html?ex=982941567&ei=1&en=e78114e5779e37c7

This url will link you to an excellent article on US/Mexico border relations, particularly in Texas. I strongly recommend you read this.

Mike Funke, one of your classmates, writes:

As I was looking at the climatic data chart for Activity 1, I noticed a
temperature figure that seemed odd to me.  Under Data 6, the average
temperature goes from 69.0 in April to 60.8 in May to 83 in June.  I was
just wondering if the 60.8 happened to be a typo, because after checking
the average May temperature for the other regions, all but one was
either in the high 70's or low 80's, & that one that wasn't was 73.4.
Clearly 60.8 is quite a bit off from the rest, & I just wanted to know
if that was the correct figure or not.  Thank you.

Mike is correct--this was an error! The correct number was supposed to be 80. The average for this region is 70 degrees. I do not think this is going to make a significant difference to you--certainly no points will be taken off for the interesting temperature patterns evident.

Here is a Valentine for you!

Don't forget that Activity One is due at the BEGINNING of class on Thursday.

Week of February 5

Here is an ideal answer for the Activity 1 due on Feb. 15. The correct answer for Data Set 4 is the High Plains. An excellent rationale will USE THE CONCEPTS featured in the activity, for example:
" I selected Data Set 4 as the High Plains. The cold temperatures indicate a location with a high LATITUDE. The big range in temperatures between summer and winter indicate a region with an extreme CONTINENTAL location. There are no moderating ocean influences. The pattern of rainfall throughout the year (SEASONALITY) indicated that it was a location with a distinct pattern of dry winters and wet summers unlike most of the rest of Texas. "

Additional information regarding the material we are reading is to be found in the Almanac on these pages:

Vegetation: pages 73 on. More about trees than you need to know, but interesting detail.

Wildlife: pages 80 on. Information about critters in different regions.

Week of January 30

Now is the time to start emailing me if you have questions about your workbook activities. As soon as you finish Activity 1 feel free to email me with your matches (Data Set to Region) and rationales for your decision. Office hours are Wednesday 2-3 and Thursday 9-11 if you want to drop by Room 804 for a personal check of your work.

A question in class related to the distance from the Panhandle to Brownsville led a student to read the Texas Almanac and to find that the distance is 801 miles as compared to 773 miles from Texarkana to El Paso. Any way you look at it, Texas is big.

There is an excellent review of the regions of Texas in the Almanac on pages 55-58. It is a little dated in some respects (there is a lot less rice grown on the Coastal Prairie now than a decade ago) but still contains good information. Integrate it with the notes from class.

Week of January 17

Welcome to the Geography of Texas! If you have questions about the class please do not hesitate to send me e-mail (s-bednarz@tamu.edu) or call me (845-1579)