Asia

Lesson 1

Today will be an introduction to the continent of Asia, detailing the geographical location, size, countries contained, population, history and sociopolitical aspects by viewing a powerpoint. The students will also investigate Chinas' one child policy to gain a better understanding of some of the issues in Asia. The students will have an opportunity to list prior knowledge at the begining of the lesson, and will then expand on the list at the end of the lesson with what they have learnt.

Learning Intention: To learn more about the continent of Asia and the culture of the countries within it.

Success Criteria: We know we have been successful if we could add to the column "What we have learnt".



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Lesson 2

Students will watch the Youtube clip 'Face of Asia' and choose one of the subjects shown to write a creative story detailing 'A day in the life of...'. The students could use netbooks to research the living condtiions and current political climate of where the subject lives (or where they infer they live if not stated) to creat the story.

Learning Intention: To understand how where a person lives affects how they live.

Success criteria: We know we have been successfull if we can use our writing skills to detail how a person in Asia might go about their daily life.

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Photo 1 - Young Indian Boy - [] - [] Photo 2 - Tibetan Girl -[] Photo 3 - Cambodian Monk - [] -[] Photo 4 - Sri Lankan Pole Fisherman - [] - [] Photo 5 - Kashmirie River Flower Vendor - [] - [] Photo 6 - Indian men covered in Kumkum (tumeric powder) - [] - [] Photo 7 - Afghani girl ready for school - [] - [] Photo 8 - Afghani refugee (Afghan girl) - [] - [] Photo 9 - Afghan girl as an adult: family life in Afghanistan - [] - [] Photo 10 - Young hindu child before a ceremony - [] - [] Photo 11 - Indian children with flower offerings - [] - []

Lesson 3

**The Japanese Tsunami**
What is a Tsunami? Ask the students and record some answers on the board. Answer: A Tsunami is a large ocean wave or tide that is caused by sudden movement on the ocean floor which could be caused by an earthquake, volcanic eruption or underwater land slide.
 * Students will look into Japans geographical position and discuss why it is that the Tsunami struck the coast of Japan last year.**


 * Students watch a video and answer questions to understand the damage and devastation caused by the Tsunami, and how this has impacted the people of Japan.**

One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck on Friday 11 March off the north eastern coast of Japan. It caused widespread loss of life and severe damage. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami, a destructive wave of water that washed away everything in its path - homes, buildings, vehicles and people. Days after the event, the exact extent of the loss of life, damage and personal suffering was unknown. Large areas where the tsunami impacted were not reached by journalists for weeks. Roads were blocked and communication systems destroyed. Many thousands of people died. Survivors were without the basics of life - food, water and shelter.

Minamisanriku video
Read the above or a similar report to set the scene about the event. Then prepare students to watch the five-minute video. (Note: watch it first to assess its suitability. There is a section at 4:00 which shows the wrapping up of dead bodies.) Say that while the reality it reports is distressing, the video is also a moving depiction of the dignity and humanity of those who survived. The video is a Channel 4 news report, fronted by presenter Alex Thomson in Minamisanriku, a small town on Japan's north eastern coast which was very badly hit by the tsunami. media type="custom" key="12522070"

Give the students a copy of the transcript to direct thoughts after the viewing. Use the following headings to structure thoughts about the report and the disaster. What in the report shows the following?
 * Respect for the dignity of the dead
 * The destructive power of the tsunami
 * How people are pulling together
 * The continuing danger

Respect for the dignity of the dead
See the section in which a body is "quietly" removed, "with whatever dignity an old blanket can provide". Also the sequence in which the necessary bureaucracy of identifying then wrapping and labelling the bodies is taking place. Note the reporter's comments, "this is a small town, they know these people".

The destructive power of the tsunami
Many long shots of the landscape indicate this, some pointed out by the reporter as he tries to show how far the wave washed through the area. Note the focus on personal belongings now lost - such as the photograph of a bride among the rubble.

How people are pulling together
The reporter remarks on the self-help and dignity of the survivors in very difficult circumstances. Note, for example, the group waiting patiently for rescue, one man carrying an elderly and possibly injured woman on his back. See the school, now used as a centre, sheltering people from the town. There is now no hospital, so people are improvising as best they can.

The continuing danger
Point to two instances - first where filming is interrupted by a tsunami alert and again as people are urged up and up to higher ground.

Further exploration
Other striking moments which could form the basis of exploration include:
 * The way the eyewitness, a teacher, recalls seeing a man standing on a roof. "I couldn't do anything to help him." Discuss the distress that this kind of helplessness causes.
 * The reported astonishment that the outside world should care about what has happened. Alex Thomson reports that "a woman hugged us and said I can't believe you've come all the way from England." How important is it in a crisis to feel that you are not alone? Even if people can be no practical help, what difference does it make to know that they care?