Studies in Asia

2006

A Year 4-7 (9-12yrs) Internet Investigation

Introduction
Asia is a unique and fascinating part of the world, filled with interesting geographical features and cultures.  Your mission as World Investigators is to complete the various tasks and report your findings back to the class. 

You can research one or many of the following countries to learn more information about their geography and culture in order to teach the class about your particular country.  You can choose a different country for each section.

Countries we will research include:

Task One: Geography
Use the Internet or provided links to research the answers to following questions about your country.  You will prepare a concept map using Inspiration that contains the following information.  Arrange your concept map in a way that will make sense to you and the audience members (other students and teachers) that you share it with. Click here for suggestions on your Inspiration concept maps.

Information might be found here     http://www.aneki.com/index.html

1. Where is the country?  Tell its relative location in relation to other nations, major landforms, and/or bodies of water.

2. What is the physical geography of the country like?

3. What major landforms are in the country?  What is the land like?

4. What is the capital city?

5. What natural resources are found in the country?

6. How many people live in your country?

7. What are the major industries?

8. What are the major religions?

9. What language do they speak?

10. What is their currency? How much is $1 Australian worth?

11. What is the culture like?  Write about 4 different elements of culture that are seen in your country.

Task Two: Festivals

Choose an Asian Country and research a traditional festival that they celebrate. Using FrontPage create a webpage to display your information. Create a folder (Your Name) in the ASIAN STUDIES folder in Student Common. Answer the following questions. Links

1. When is it celebrated?

2. What does the festival celebrate?

3. How is it celebrated?

4. Who celebrates?

Task Three:  Food

Choose an Asian Country and research about the food that they eat. Using Publisher create a page about the food found in your chosen country and include a recipe.

Task Four: Language

Choose an Asian Country and research their language. Use PowerPoint to make a phrase book slide show to talk about their language and show how to count to ten.

Task Five: Images

Choose between 10-15 images/ photos from your chosen country and create a movie using Photostory. Include traditional music as a background and label slides with facts about your country.

Task Six: Currency $$

Each Asian Country has a unique currency and its value against the Australian Dollar is different on a daily basis. Using Excel create a spreadsheet and graph to display what the Australian dollar is worth today against 10 Asian Countries. Include the names of the different currencies.

Task Seven: Travel

Create a 7 day Tour Itinerary for your chosen Asian Country using Word or Publisher

Task Eight: General

Using Hot Potatoes create 10 multiple choice online questions about what you have learnt during this unit. First write these questions in your book along with the choice of answers. Save your Hot Potatoes webpage in  the ASIAN STUDIES/questions folder in Student Common.

LINKS

Inspiration Concept Maps-Suggestions

You will use your concept maps to share information that you discover from your web quest with other students in your classroom.  You will be able to use a projector and Smart Board to share your maps.  You and your partner will have approximately 4-8 minutes to share your maps.  Here are some tips to help you prepare your concept maps for sharing on the projector:

1.  Use contrasting colors that are EASY to read.  Use simple fonts that are EASY to read.

2.  Use a font size around 18 for your presentation.  This may seem big on your computer screen, but should show up nicely on a projector.

3.  Use notes in Inspiration for more detailed information about a component of your map.  You'll be able to easily open your notes during your presentation by tapping on the Smart Board. 

4.  You may use 2-3 good quality graphics on your concept map.  You might choose to use flags, a map, a picture that reveals information about the culture, etc.

5.  Rehearse your presentation with your partner on a computer in the library or Middle School computer lab.  Practice your presentation at least 2 times on two different days if possible.

6.  During your presentation, feel free to use the Smart Board to enhance what you are talking about.  Circle items with the pens, highlight important topics, etc.  These tools will help you keep the attention on your audience on you and your presentation.

Back

Excellent Asia resources for teachers

http://www.askasia.org/

http://afe.easia.columbia.edu

http://www.aneki.com/index.html

http://www.teaneckschools.org/schools/bf/Resources/webquests/asiaquest/index.htm

 http://sose.eliz.tased.edu.au/AAP/acwq/task.htm

 http://www.cloudnet.com/~edrbsass/edgeography.htm#asia