Suggested Activites -- Overview of Asia

OVERVIEW OF ASIA

Geography Puzzle/ Geography Gin:
materials needed:
large Bristol board paper
markers
scissors
Asian/world map
country profiles
graphics and pictures could be used on the puzzle pieces if you have time to get more creative
tape , blackboard and chalk.

Click here to see our country profiles

activity time: 30-40 mins.

Steps:

1. On the blackboard draw a rough outline map of Asia, adding in the names of the surrounding oceans and Canada relative to this map.

2. Next, using the Bristol board, cut out rough geographic shapes of some Asian countries matching them to the rough outlines drawn on the blackboard ( chose at least 7) Draw puzzle-like pieces on your cut out. In each puzzle section write a piece of information about the country, then cut into pieces along the puzzle lines.

3. Place all pieces of the countries into a common box in the centre of the room.

4. The students work together in groups to build a map of Asia. One student from each group comes to the central puzzle cache and goes to the board to place it on the map...the rest of the group guides them as to where the piece should go. Once the group agrees the piece gets taped to the board. If it is right , the group scores 10 points. If not, the next group to come up has one chance to move the piece for 15 points if they can place it where it belongs. Prizes at the end, if you want. The objective is to learn overall facts about the countries, shape, size and location in the world.

Variation: Make smaller card sized pieces for each country (7 per country ). Each person is trying to build a country in their hand. Seven card match = gin. Played just like the card game only you need a full hand ..run of seven for gin.

Human Geography

materials: student bodies and imaginations...Asian music and creative props ( can adapt items from the classroom)

Link to the country profiles

The puzzle geography activity would be a good lead in for this. This is physical geography at its finest!!! Students break into groups of at least 6 per group and chose one country to represent to the rest of the class via their body and imagination. Props can be used if desired. The idea is for the students to do a live representation of a particular country. One or more of the students do the narrative for the audience viewing their live geography lesson. Music and art can also be interesting additions to the presentation. Students can move and represent more than one part. After each group country presentation all groups move into the room and form the overall map of Asia. This activity is a great team builder, creative and lots of fun.

Example:

Canada ...you could have students standing/ sitting alternatively to represent the mountains out west, students with short stand up kind of hair, group together to become the wheat fields of Central Canada....five people with blue waves link together to form the great lakes....tallest person in the group stands by `lake Ontario`and is the CN Tower....can work in animals,sports, indigenous people, languages, population , ways people greet each other, festivals etc.

Lonely Planet Guides for South-East Asia, North-East Asia , Japan, Thailand etc are great for overall information about a country, sites and landmarks.

References:
Resource Book and Video Series:

Geertz, Clifford. 1973. "Ethos, World View, and Analysis of Sacred Symbols". In Interpretation of Cultures. Clifford Geertz. New York: Basic Books pp.126-141.

asia@tgmag.ca