Curriculum Unit: East Asia
Lesson: Introduction to Unit
Duration: 1 Day

Overview: This is the introduction of a new unit on the countries of East Asia.

Purpose/Goal: This lesson is to familiarize the students with the goals and expectations of the teacher as well as an overview of the unit requirements for assessment. Furthermore, it is hoped that students will seek and be motivated by extra-credit opportunities to learn more through individual research.

Anticipatory Set/Hook: (Speaking to Students) Do you remember the presentation on Historical Cartography I gave during first quarter? Do your remember how the early explorers were searching for a western route to the mysterious land of silks, spices, and other riches that they named "Cathay"? Can anyone tell me what country or region 'Cathay' is called today [China - Asia].

Did you know that the dominant culture of the region, the Chinese, is one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world. Furthermore, China was far more advanced in technology than the west prior to the golden age of exploration. For example, the Chinese invented gunpowder and the highly prized silk was discovered 4,500 years ago by a 14 year old Chinese Empress. she plucked a cocoon dangling from a mulberry tree and placed it in water. It softened into a tangled web that could be unraveled into a fine yarn and woven into a delicate fabric. The Chinese kept the silk making process secret for almost 3000 years.

Now we are going to discover what else makes this land and its people so unique today.We will explore the physical features of the region with its immense areas of mountain and desert. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have had a strong impact on its people. Cut off geographically from Europe and the rest of Asia, this region has developed its own distinctive civilizations.

Procedure/Activity: Explanation of Unit Guidelines/Activities

1) Grading Procedures

A) Brainstarters will required daily and submitted weekly on Fridays.{Brainstarters are geography questions posted on board for students to look up answers for during the first 5 minutes of class while roll is being taken}
B) Article reviews will continue and the topic will be Asia -- Due Thursdays.
C) Due dates for other activities will be announced when assignments are given.
D) Makeups/Retakes will be allowed for tests. See teacher for specific dates.

2) Extra Credit Opportunities will be announced at the beginning of the unit for students to complete on their own initiative.

A) A maximum of 20 points may be earned and applied as extra credit.
B) Students have the choice or combination of two research activities to be displayed in class. Final Due Date will be announced.

1. One page captioned illustration of a specific aspect of traditional Chines culture. Pictures may be photocopied, traced, and original diagram, or drawing. Topics can include Science & Technology, Architecture, Arts, Inventions Government, Philosophy, and Family Life. (5 points possible per illustration/counts toward maximum)

2. Confucius Says ... Students are to research Asian philosophers and write quotes from their writings including source and what that quote means to them. Each quote complete with name of philosopher, source, and meaning will be worth 3 points. *Extra points will be award to students who research and find Asian Philosophers other than Confucius and Buddha counting toward maximum. Students are to write their quotes on available 5x7 cards to be displayed on bulletin board. Presentation/Neatness counts.

3) Preparation for next day's activity: Students will be grouped by fours and assigned a country or sub-region: East China, West China, Japan, Koreas, South East Mainland (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma), South East Islands (Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo).

Homework: Read Chapter 30: Section 1. Pages 620-628 and think of at least 3 questions with answers about their assigned area. Questions are to be based on the Map on page 622 and information in section one. Due at beginning of next class period.

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