WELCOME

2008-2009

MRS. ZDROJEWSKI AND MRS. HABER'S HOME PAGE

GREETINGS TO ALL OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

A LITTLE INSIGHT ON THE TEACHERS:-)

ZDROJEWSKI

SOUNDS LIKE:( STRAW + YES+ KEY )

        Please allow me to share some facts about myself. I'm Barbara Jean Zdrojewski, formally Barbara Jean Augustine. Yes, I went from "A" to "Z" 44 years ago, and have been happily married ever since. My husband Michael was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and I have had a wonderful opportunity to travel and teach in many different parts of the world. That's probably why I love geography so much. We have three wonderful daughters, and four "perfect" grandchildren.

  One daughter Michelle, teaches here in Atlanta, Cathleen works for the government and has been to 54 different countries and 6 of the seven Continents so far, and my youngest daughter who married June 2004 is now living in Italy on the Italian Riviera. (Guess where I will be going every summer).

    My educational background includes a Bachelors Degree in History/Education and a Masters Degree in School Administration. Both degrees were received from Canisius College (a Jesuit college in Buffalo, New York.) I will continue taking more education  courses which I hope will make the classes more interesting and fun for your child. I just wanted to add that I will have help sessions on Monday and Tuesday mornings. I will be available for extra help sessions on request. However; Monday and Tuesday mornings will be my regular help sessions:-)

                                                                                            HABER

    My name is Lizzie Haber, Mitch, my husband, and I got married in England, which is where I am from. The wonderful news is that Mitch and I are now expecting our first child on October 31st:-) I moved over to Atlanta after working for many years at a summer camp in North Georgia. After college I traveled around the world for a year, living and working my way around. It is there that I learned that you really can live on a shoe string budget and eat plain noodles every day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

    Mitch and I have two dogs, Biscuit and Peaches. We rescued Peaches and got Biscuit through an old student of mine, but don't get any ideas! Two is PLENTY!!! I have an older brother who is starting his own business in Philadelphia, and a younger sister who is an editor and lives in London. My dad, David, is originally from New Mexico, and passed on his love of Mexican food to me! My mum (not Mom!), Mary, is English through and through and if you think my British accent is strong, spend a moment with her! They still live in Bournemouth, England and that is where we spend most of my school vacations!

    I have taught kindergarten up to 7th grade, in both the private and public school systems and LOVE Autrey Mill Middle. I hold a Masters Degree in Education which I received in Georgia.

    We both look forward to spending the next year getting to know your child. Please email either of us if you have a question.

Course Description:

 The course content for Fulton County TAG classes is the same as for the regular education classes at the appropriate grade level and subject.  State mandated objectives are covered in all classes.  The TAG class instruction is enriched using the following guidelines:

1. Gifted students will develop advanced research methods and independent study skills, which will allow for the in-depth learning of self-selected topics within the area of study.
2. Gifted students will develop and practice creative thinking and creative problem solving skills with a variety of complex topics within the area of study.
3. Gifted students will develop and practice higher order and critical thinking skills in the area of study.
4. The curriculum activities and delivery models used in gifted programming should (a) be sensitive to the unique social and emotional needs of gifted students, and (b) encourage the development of self-understanding.

 Unit One: Origins of Asian Culture

• Religion plays an important role in the development of a culture’s ideas and beliefs and its influence on the world.
• Political decisions have an effect on the economy of a country.
• Every place has unique physical geographic features that influence how cultures develop.

 Unit Two: 20^th Century Asian History

• Major conflicts reshape countries.
• Cultural diversity is expressed through language, customs, and traditions.
• Every place has unique physical geographic features that influence how cultures develop.

 Unit Three: Asia’s Political and Economic Systems

• Humans and their natural environment affect each other.
• Governments have a direct effect on the type of economic system found in a country.
• Voluntary trade and the factors of production lead to economic growth.
• Overpopulation affects consumption of the world’s resources and impacts the world market.

 Unit Four: Origins of Middle Eastern Cultures

• Religion plays an important role in the development of a culture’s ideas and beliefs and its influence on the world.
• Small cultural groups often have an impact upon a region disproportionate to their size.
• Cultural and religious divisions affect the development of a region.
• Every place has unique physical geographic features that influence how cultures develop.

 Unit Five:  Division of the Middle East

• Nationalism plays an important role in the development of countries.
• Every place has unique physical geographic features that influence how cultures develop.
• Different ethnic groups represent diverse cultural traditions.
• Natural resources in a region can lead to economic growth.
• Cultural diversity is expressed through language, customs and traditions.

 Unit Six:  Middle Eastern Political and Economic Systems

• Humans and their natural environment affect each other.
• Governments have a direct effect on the type of economic system found in a country.
• Political structures reflect the culture of a nation.
• Availability of resources and voluntary trade influence the factors of production of goods and services.

 Unit Seven:  Origins of African Culture

• Small cultural groups often have an impact upon a region disproportionate to their size.
• Every place has unique physical geographic features that influence how cultures develop.

 Unit Eight: Colonization and Independence of African Nations

• Cultural interactions lead to cultural diffusion.
• Physical features and natural resources in a region can be an incentive for exploration and colonization.
• The slave trade impacts regional development.
• The struggle for independence and freedom can lead to conflict and compromise.

 Unit Nine:  20^th Century African Issues

• Political decisions without cultural consideration for ethnic groups lead to conflict, political instability and political corruption.
• As cultures interact, customs, traditions, and beliefs are modified.
• Key individuals make significant contributions to a region’s culture.
• Literature, art, and music are expressions of a culture’s history, daily life, and beliefs.

 Unit Ten: Africa’s Political and Economic System

• Humans and their natural environment affect each other.
• The structure of government is a reflection of the culture of a nation.
• Governments have a direct effect on the type of economic system found in a country.
• Availability of resources and voluntary trade influence the factors of production of goods and services.

 Unit Eleven: Personal Finance

• Personal decisions affect how people live.

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