Discover Geography

Smiley Sky of 1st December, 2008 New Delhi

2008-12-01T19:25:00.003+05:30

You will see a "conjunction", as seen above in the picture taken by me from New Delhi India, of the crescent moon with two bright planets - Venus and Jupiter - this evening. Today, in the early evening, go out as soon as it starts getting dark and look south west, where the sun sets. Look for the thin crescent Moon. "The very bright 'evening star' just to the left of the moon is the planet Venus. “The other bright star above to the right of the moon is Jupiter." This will be visible for about two hours after the sun has set, for one evening only. "If you watch closely enough, you will notice the moon moving eastwards in its orbit around the Earth - the gap between Jupiter and the Moon will increase slightly. No equipment is necessary and it can be seen even from brightly-lit cities such as New Delhi.

Is'nt it Smiley? May God Bless All!

Interview with G Bush

2008-08-21T19:34:00.000+05:30

Ozone Gas depletion process

2008-08-16T08:30:00.014+05:30

Here is an animation for better understanding of the Ozone gas depletion process.
Part - 1
Part - 2

Explanation:

1. The atmosphere acts as a natural filter, absorbing harmful shorter wavelengths such as X-rays, UV rays, Gamma rays yet allows life giving visible light and infrared wavelength to pass.
One such gas Ozone in ozonosphere protects us from UV rays.
2. Ozone is a molecule formed by three atoms of oxygen, weakly bounded together in an unstable arrangement.
3. As oxygen levels in Earth’s atmosphere increased over billions of years, some oxygen gas (O2) migrated into the stratosphere where the UV radiation reacted and formed ozone layer. In this way ozone layer formed.
4. After World War II, humans developed chemicals for electronics industries. These are chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) compounds. It comprises of chlorine (CI), fluorine (F) and carbon (C).
These CFC molecules are inert in lower atmosphere but causes havoc in stratosphere. The UV rays cracks the CFC molecule apart, freeing the chlorine (CI) atom.
5. In these photochemical reactions the freed CI atom starts destroying ozone molecules. It turns ozone into oxygen gas molecules.
6. The problem is that oxygen gas is transparent to UV rays. Thus, we have our present atmospheric condition where the increased UV rays are threatening the living systems on the Earth.

Well done!

2008-05-24T11:07:00.006+05:30

The students of class 12 section C has shown that ICT in education is fruitful. They had utilised this blog and other offline tools to learn geography. Out of 27 students 6 got A1 grades and 15 of them scored Distinction and more marks in the Board Exam 2008. Surprisingly, students who took help from online and offline tools scored better marks than those who were averse to using ICT and related technologies in teaching.

Notice regarding Disaster Management, Unit 5 of Social Science, class X

2008-05-19T12:03:00.005+05:30

Dear Students,
Disaster Management in Social Sciences of class X will now be evaluated through one Project work and one assignment.

Detailed new guidelines are as follows :-
1. Tests:
There will be no test from Disaster Management. Other things remain the same.
2. Assignments – Class and Home
You are expected to do 4 different assignments in Social Science. Out of these, one assignment will be from Disaster Management.The remaining three assignments will be from Geography, Economics & Pol.Sci and History. These assignments could be based on the suggested activities in the textbook.

3. Project Work:
Every student has to compulsorily undertake one project on Disaster Management only. You have to make a choice from the list of topics enclosed here. The textbook entitled “Together Towards a Safer India, Part III”, is recommended for carrying out the project work. You will be sharing your project with other students or teachers through exhibitions, panel discussions, etc

List of Disaster Management Topics for Project work, Class X

Disaster Management Book Class X Click here (3.5 Mb)

Social Science projects - IX

2008-04-30T19:19:00.004+05:30

Why projects in Social science?

Education is a developmental process, which transforms us. It brings about a change in the mental and physical behaviour. To bring about this change, we need to introduce concepts, generalizations, issues and skills, which seem relevant to our lives.
Social Science is one of the subjects which brings all of closer to our environment, society
and the geographical, social , economic and political processes . It enables us to understand the process of social change and the role that we can play towards this change.
With the onset of new millennium, we are facing many challenges. Information explosion and widespread use of information technology has given us whole lot of information and data. Therefore its necessary for us to make sense out of it. In Social Science education particularly there has been a felt need to make its learning interesting, motivating and participatory in nature. Sensing this need we have to do projects in Social Science.

Students of class IX can download the Internal assessment Project list from here

Social Science Projects IX

(Note: You need Adobe Reader to view this pdf file)

Assignments for Board exams 2008

2008-02-26T22:15:00.003+05:30

As the board Exams are on nearing up you may be trying hard and smart. Just to ease your learning here are some of assignmnets for Class XII Geography.
click on geography assignment to download.
All the Best to you all.

Indian States!!! See how much you know

2008-01-24T17:55:00.001+05:30

How much do you know about the location and map of Indian states?

Want to know more about States.........then click on the map of india and start locating correct states.

There are max. 105 points if you answer all correct.

All the best.

Location of Plates

2007-12-25T20:08:00.000+05:30

This Activity is a jigsaw puzzle. The plate tectonic map of the world has been cut into pieces randomly. Click the activity and reassemble the tectonic map by clicking befuddlr it button. Describe the major geologic features that correspond to plate tectonic boundaries, i.e., mid-ocean ridges, trenches, and mountain ranges.

Geography video for fun

2007-12-20T21:05:00.001+05:30

Map Work for Class XII Geography

2007-11-24T13:21:00.000+05:30

You may click the link given below for the map items and their answers of both sem. books.

Map Work for class XII 2008

It is not necessary to learn all the map items. Only a few of them are asked. I will talk about it later.
For practical book these are the instructions:
1. Try to make the file more visual than just a scrible note book.
2. If you are writing something about a topic try to give one example of it. The example may be a picture cutting, sample, or an excersise of stats or diagram or map.
3. The examples are generally shown on the drawing sheet on the same page. If the ruled sheet is on the right then the diagram must appear on the left drawing sheet.
4. Make two files. One for the practicals and another for the survey which can be a soft sprial folder.
5. Most important than making file book is how much you have understood about the practicals. There are some catch points such as the pie diagram starts from 12 o clock and the highest to lowest variables are shown in decreasing order. Data called Others is shown in the last.

Check out Our School's New Web Site

2007-10-08T21:32:00.000+05:30

All the students must visit this web site for current happenings and events in our school and give your votes regarding school ehibition.

S.D.Public School Web Site

Regarding Sample paper for Board exams 2008

2007-09-06T19:04:00.001+05:30

Dear students you can view CBSE Sample Paper for coming board exams of 2008 in the link provided below.

CBSE Sample Paper 2008

Assignment for chapter 10 Human settlements

2007-08-04T21:07:00.000+05:30

Long Answer Questions of 5 marks each. For Chapter 10 Human Settlements

Q.1 Define the term settlement? Describe any four differences between two types of Human settlements.
Q.2 What are human settlements? Which are the two classification of human settlement found in different parts of the world? State any three characteristics of each.
Q.3 What are rural settlements? Explain any four factors which influence the location of rural settlements found in the world.
Q.4 What are the three criteria used to classifying rural settlements of the world? Also give two types of each.
Q.5 Describe five types of rural settlement classified on the basis of their forms or shapes.
Q.6 Explain why the problems of rural settlements in developing countries represent a great challenge and opportunity to the planners.
Q.7 “The definition of urban areas varies from one country to another”. Support this statement with four examples form different parts of the world.
Q.8 Describe any five factors which influence the location and expansion of urban settlements in the world.
Q.9 Describe five types of towns classified on the basis of their functions. Also give one example of each type of town from different parts of the world.
Q.10 Explain five types of urban settlements depending on size.
Q.11 Explain any four major problems in Mega cities of developing countries.
Q.12 Describe any two socio-cultural and three environmental problems of urban settlements in the world.

Natural Wonders - I

2007-08-01T16:52:00.000+05:30

Watch this natural wonder carefully. What happening? Reason out what causes this natural phenomena to happen?

Today's remaining assignments

2007-07-30T16:50:00.000+05:30

Hello everybody!
The following questions are of 1 and 3 Mark are to be done today itself. Complete your work in time and submit your copy tomorrow in the class.

33. Name the largest electronic network in the world.
34. Mention one importance of uses of satellite in communication technology.
35. Name the Indian satellite which has made long distance communication and radio and television very effective.
36. What is cyber space?
37. Name major countries which have large numbers of internet users.
38. How the modern means of communication has made the concept of Global Village a reality?

Short Answer Questions of 3 Mark each.

1. State any three importance of water transport.
2. Mention any 3 developments which have improved cargo transport by ships.
3. Explain the 3 factors on which the development of inland waterways depend.
4. How the navigability of rivers has been enhanced?
5. Give any 3 examples of how the airways are accessible in inhospitable areas.
6. What are the significances of communications technology?

Tomorrow I will start Chapter 9: International Trade. The assignments for this chapter are uploaded in the Assignments section of the site.

New Seven wonders of the World

2007-07-25T21:15:00.000+05:30

Design of Sample Question Papers for March, 2008 Examination

2007-07-18T19:14:00.000+05:30

Design of Question Paper
GEOGRAPHY
CLASS XII

Time : 3 hours Max. Marks : 70
The weightage to marks over different dimensions of the question paper shall be as under:

B. Weightage to forms of Questions

C. No. of Sections

The question paper will have two sections A & B

D. Scheme of Options

No internal choice except for blind students.

E. Weightage to difficulty level of questions

F. Typology of Questions

v In order to assess different abilities related to the subject,, the question paper is likely to include questions related to statistical tables, diagrams and photographs.

Tidal waves

2007-07-04T19:09:00.001+05:30

Answers to Geography Extremes

2007-06-30T20:28:00.000+05:30

1. Mt. Everest, Nepal - China border; 29,035 feet
2. Dead Sea, Israel –Jordan Border; 1,348 feet below sea level
3. Challenger Deep, Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean; 35,838 feet (6.8 miles) below the ocean’s surface
4. Greenland; 840,000 square miles (Continents not included)
5. Nile River, Africa; 4,160 miles
6. Caspian Sea, Asia; 143,244 square miles
7. Lake Superior, United States-Canada; 31,700 square miles
8. Lake Baikal, Russia; 5,315 feet deep
9. Angel Falls, Venezuela; 3,212 feet
10. Great Barrier Reef, Australia; 1,250 miles
11. Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, Canada; 43.5 feet difference between high and low tides
12. Sahara Desert, Africa; 3.5 million square miles
13. Russia; 6,592,850 square miles
14. Vatican City, Europe; less than 1 square mile (108.7 acres)
15. Lake Titicaca, Peru –Bolivia; 12,507 feet
16. Al’Aziziyah, Libya, Africa; 139 degrees F
17. Vostok Station, Antarctica; - 128 degrees F
18. Verkhoyansk, Russia; 183 degrees difference. Highest: 93.5 degrees; Lowest: -89.7 degrees
19. Atacama Desert, Chile; Trace precipitation .03 inches
20.Waialeale, Hawaii; 460 inches per year
21. Cherrapunji, India; 1,042 inches (1861)
22. Andes Mountains, South America; 1,500 miles
23. Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Atlantic Ocean floor; 22,000 miles
24. Taipei 101–Taipei, Taiwan (2004); 1,670 feet
25. Akashi Kaiko - Japan; 6,570 feet
26. Asia - Mount Everest 29,035 ft.
S. America - Aconcagua 22,841 ft.
N. America - Mount McKinley 20,320 ft.
Africa - Mt. Kilimanjaro 19,563 ft.
Europe - Mount Elbrus 18,481 ft.
Australia/Oceania - Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid); 16,502 ft.
Antarctica - Vinson Massif; 16,066 ft.
27. Asia - Dead Sea; -1,348 ft.
Africa - Lake Assal; -512 ft.
N. America - Death Valley; -282 ft.
Antarctica - Deep Lake; -184 ft.
S. America - Valdes Peninsula; -131 ft.
Europe - Caspian Sea; -92 ft.
Australia - Lake Eyre; -52 ft.

Watching weather Worldwide

2007-06-25T20:08:00.000+05:30

Going to extremes

2007-06-25T20:01:00.000+05:30

Name ______________________________
Going to Extremes
Directions: In this activity you will research the highest, lowest, tallest, longest, deepest, largest, smallest, hottest, coldest, wettest, driest places on Earth. Use a world atlas, world almanac, encyclopedia, or Internet sites to help you find the answers. Write your answers on your class notebook.
1. What is the highest mountain on Earth and its elevation in feet?
2. What is the deepest point on the Earth’s surface and its depth in feet?
3. What is the deepest point in the ocean and its depth in feet?
4. What is the world’s largest island and its area in square miles?
5. What is the longest river in the world and its length in miles?
6. What is the world’s largest lake and its area in square miles?
7. What is the largest freshwater lake in the world and its area in square miles?
8. What is the deepest lake in the world and its depth in miles?
9. What is the highest waterfall in the world and its height in feet?
10. What is the longest coral reef in the world and its length in miles?
11. Where are the greatest tide changes (high to low tides) in the world?
12. What is the largest desert in the world and its area in square miles?
13. What country is the world’s largest and its area in square miles?
14. What country is the world’s smallest and its area in square miles?
15. What is the highest navigable lake in the world and its elevation in feet?
16. What is the highest temperature in the world and where was it recorded?
17. What is the lowest temperature in the world and where was it recorded?
18. What is the greatest difference between the highest and lowest recorded temperatures and where was it recorded?
19. Where is the driest desert on Earth based on annual precipitation?
20. Where is the wettest place on Earth based on annual precipitation?
21. Where was the greatest one-year precipitation recorded and the inches of rainfall?
22. What is the longest continental mountain range and its length in miles?
23. What is the longest mountain chain anywhere on the Earth?
24. What is the tallest building in the world and where is it located?
25. What is the longest suspension bridge in the world and where is it located?
26. What are the highest mountains on each continent and their elevations in feet?
Asia
South America
North America
Africa
Europe
Antarctica
Australia/ Oceania
27. What are the lowest points on each continent and their depths in feet?
Asia
South America
North America
Africa
Europe
Antarctica
Australia/ Oceania

For Answers Wait for next post.

Map Projection

2007-06-03T20:05:00.001+05:30

Global Warming and Radiation Balance

2007-05-20T11:54:00.000+05:30

Ox-bow lake formation

2007-05-20T11:33:00.000+05:30

Locating Volcanoes

2007-05-20T11:28:00.001+05:30

Daytime Activity

2007-05-10T20:47:00.000+05:30

In this activity, you will learn about a natural factor affecting our everyday lives: daylight.
Activity: Investigating Daylight
First let us discuss about daylight. Think about the following:
•Do you know approximately when the sun will set today?
•Do you know when the sun rose today?
•How will this be different from now in six months?
•What determines the amount of daylight we have each day?
•If the earth turns all the way around every 24 hours, then why are some days longer than others?
•How is this related to the seasons?
Summary of the Activity
In Step 1 of this activity, you will look at actual sunrise and sunset times of Delhi to determine a pattern in the amount of daylight. You will collect your data in Excel and create a chart to help you identify the pattern. You will then write an explanation of why you think the amount of daylight varies throughout the year.

In Step 2 you will work to understand why there is a pattern in the amount of daylight over the course of the year. For example, if the earth always turns one rotation every 24 hours, then why does the amount of daylight vary? You will view an online demonstration that explains this and then write an explanation in your own words.

Step 1: Research
• What to do
1. Collect and chart sunrise and sunset times for Delhi over a period of one year. Fortunately, there is a Web site where you can get the sunrise and sunset times so you don't have to wait a year to collect the information.

2. Open Internet Explorer and go to this Web site: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

3. Open an Excel spreadsheet and, using the data from the Web site, record the sunrise and sunset data for the first day of each month for one year.

Notes
• When entering the time, be sure to use this format: 7:05 AM, 5:08 PM.
• The amount of daylight will automatically be calculated for you in column D

4. Using Excel, create a bar chart of the daylight in column D when you have finished entering the data.

5. Now open a Word document and, in your own words, explain the pattern you see for the daylight data. Include why you think this pattern occurs. Be sure your finished Word document includes your data, chart, and written explanation.

Step 2: Analyze and interpret your data
• What to do
1. In the Word document you saved in Step 1, write notes that explore the following questions in as much detail as possible:

• What is the pattern for the amount of daylight during the course of a year?

• Why do some days have more daylight than others?

• What roles do the earth and sun play in determining the amount of daylight?

• What is the daylight pattern for the North Pole?

• What is the daylight pattern for the South Pole?

• What is the daylight pattern for a location near the equator?

2. Open Internet Explorer and go to this Web site: http://www.amnh.org/education/resources/rfl/web/antarctica/seasonal.html

3. View the online demonstration and read the information on the Web site.

4. Now that you have seen the online demonstration, go back to your Word document, review the notes you previously made regarding the six questions above, and revise them if necessary. Be sure to write your answers in complete sentences.

Assessment

• For Step 1, students will be assessed on the accuracy of their data collection and creation of a chart from their data. You should use accurate scientific and mathematical terms when describing the pattern they see.

• For Step 2, you will be assessed on the responses to the questions after viewing the online demonstration.

Fun Activities - I

2007-05-04T21:12:00.000+05:30

Home Sweet Home: Learn your address and find it on a local map. When you go someplace with an adult, use a map to find out how to get there.
Fridge Finds: Look for stickers on the toys, electronic items, fruit, and vegetables at the home or in your refrigerator. Where were they grown? How many countries are represented in your Home or fridge?
Tubetrotting: Keep a globe, world atlas, or a world map where you watch television. When a place is mentioned on one of your favorite shows, look it up.
Flag It! On a map of the India & World, use a flag to mark the home town of your favorite sportsman. Move the flag each week to show where your sportsman is playing.
Go 3-D: Make a map of your or yours friend state using Play-Doh or modeling clay. Shape physical features, like mountains or lakes.
State Your ABCs: Name a state/Country. Now think of a state/Country whose name begins with the last letter in the name of the first state/Country. (Like this: Rajasthan … Nagaland … Denmark …) Carry on until someone gets stumped!
Map Your Hood: Make a map of your neighborhood. Include a map key, title, and scale, and design your own compass rose.
Weather Watch: Record your local weather (high and low temperatures, precipitation, storms, etc.) for a month. Compare your weather with cities around the world.
Como Está? When you're with your parents at the bank, grocery, video store, or other business, ask if there are employees who speak other languages. If so, ask politely if they would be willing to teach you how to say "Hello," "How are you?" and "Thank you."
Where’s It From? Find out where your drinking water comes from, which natural resource you use to heat your house, and which natural resources are probably used to generate your electricity.
X Marks the Spot: Use an Internet site to find and print out a map of your town. Make four Xs out of sticks and place them around your neighborhood, then mark their locations on the map. Have a friend, brother, or sister try and find the Xs.
Click-a-Switch Contest: Record the amount of your family's latest electricity bill. Be in charge of switching off all unused and unnecessary lights and appliances for a month. Compete with a friend to see who can reduce your bills by more!
Collect Maps: Collect different kinds of maps—a state highway map, a subway or bus route map, an amusement park map, a city map, a map of your school, a bike path map, a ski area map, a state park map. How many different kinds can you find?
Get Some Sun: Locate sunrise and sunset times for your town in a newspaper, on the local news, or on the Internet. Make a chart, and record these times for a month. Compare these times with the sunrise and sunset times for another country.
Find a Pen Pal: Choose a large city in another part of the world. Look online to find an International or Indian School there. Contact the school and request a pen pal who is approximately your age. Learn as much as you can about the place your pen pal lives.
Climb Your Family Tree: Look at old photos of family members. Talk to relatives about what life was like when they were children. Ask them about where they were born and where they grew up and went to school. After your conversations, write a biography of one of your relatives and present it to them as a special gift.
Spot the Source: Think about how you receive information and new ideas—from watching TV, listening to the radio, surfing the Internet, talking to your family and friends, and reading magazines or newspapers. Make a list, and think about how each one gives you different kinds of information. Think about if there are any differences and which ones are the most reliable.

2007-05-04T20:33:00.000+05:30

Window to the world is meant for the students of Class XII-C. You can view the chapter wise notes of Fundamental of Human Geography by following the link. Soon chapterwise worksheet will be posted here which you are supposed to complete in the vacations and submit them when we meet again (Ofcourse in the Class room!) till then this will be our den. You can post your views or questions through the comment option.

2007-05-03T19:30:00.000+05:30

It going to be fun! Wait here till i come back with lots of things.