Unit 7
Monsoon Asia
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Some pages might be updating to new curriculum for 7th and 8th grade
Monsoon Asia
In this unit, students Study and map the physical and human geography of Monsoon Asia. Topics include: The Physical and Human Geography of Monsoon Asia, Waiting for the Rains: The Effects of Monsoons in South Asia, Tech Workers and Time Zones: India's Comparative Advantage, China: Dealing with Demographic Challenges, Population Density in Japan: Life in a Crowded Country, and The Global Sneaker: From Asia to Everywhere.
How can we describe the physical and human geography of Monsoon Asia?
How does climate influence human activity in a region?
What factors give some countries a comparative advantage in the global IT revolution?
How does a country deal with changes in its population and economy?
How does population density affect the way people live?
What is globalization, and how does it affect people and places?
Social Studies
Label physical and political maps of the region.
Use latitude and longitude to identify locations on a map.
Identify and describe characteristics of the region’s physical and human geography by using maps and charts.
Practice layering geographic information, similar to geographic information systems (GIS).
Compare and analyze information presented on different types of maps of the same region.
Discover what monsoons are, why they occur, and how they influence climate.
Examine the effects of climate and how it shapes life in four climate zones in South Asia.
Investigate how climate affects other parts of the world.
Examine the factors that give India a comparative advantage in the global IT revolution.
Investigate the impact of the global IT revolution and outsourcing on Bengaluru, India.
Discover factors that cause foreign companies to invest in the United States and the effects of such an investment.
Examine the challenges created by a large and changing population.
Analyze the steps taken by China to meet the challenges of its changing population.
Investigate ways in which rapidly growing countries around the world might address the challenges created by their expanding populations.
Describe how population density affects various aspects of life in Japan.
Analyze how population density affects life in one’s own community and around the world.
Identify the components and steps of manufacturing a global product.
Explain the impact of globalization on people and places.
Analyze the global efforts needed to design, manufacture, and distribute a particular product.
Language Arts
Summarize information that is presented graphically in writing.
Support a claim with evidence and reasoning in writing.
Interpret information that is presented in visual formats.
Choose relevant details to summarize text.
Take notes on information that is presented orally.
Identify information that answers a specific research question.
Synthesize and summarize information to write an informational piece.
Present a claim orally and in writing and defend it with evidence and reasoning.
Use reliable sources to locate answers to specific questions.
Write summaries with a main idea and selected relevant details.
Use reliable sources to locate the answer to a specific question.
Present information orally.
Examine and explain issues from multiple perspectives.
Interpret data by constructing visual representation and written inferences.
NJ Student Learning Standards for (Content Area):
7.PAaE.1.Using a variety of formats designed for a purpose and an authentic audience forms the basis for clear communication. Strong arguments contain claims with organized evidence and valid reasoning that respects the diversity of the world and the dignity of each person. Writing findings and engaging in civil discussion with an audience provides a key step in the process of thinking critically about conclusions and continued inquiry.
6.3.8.CivicsPR.4:.Use evidence and quantitative data to propose or defend a public policy related to climate change.
6.2.8.HistoryUP.3.a:.Compare and contrast social hierarchies in classical civilizations as they relate to power, wealth, and equality.
6.2.8.CivicsHR.3.a:.Compare and contrast the rights and responsibilities of free men, women, slaves, and foreigners in the political, economic, and social structures of classical civilizations.
6.2.8.GeoPP.4.b:.Assess how maritime and overland trade routes impacted urbanization, transportation, communication, and the development of international trade centers (i.e., the African caravan and Silk Road).
6.2.8.HistoryCA.3.a:.Evaluate the importance and enduring legacy of the major achievements of Greece, Rome, India, and China over time.
6.2.8.HistoryUP.3.c:.Compare and contrast the tenets of various world religions that developed in or around this time period (i.e., Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and Taoism), their patterns of expansion, and their responses to the current challenges of globalization.
6.2.8.HistoryUP.3.a:.Compare and contrast social hierarchies in classical civilizations as they relate to power, wealth, and equality.
6.2.8.GeoPP.3.a:.Use geographic models to describe how the availability of natural resources influenced the development of the political, economic, and cultural systems of each of the classical civilizations and provided motivation for expansion.
6.2.8.EconEM.3.a:.Analyze the impact of expanding land and sea trade routes as well as a uniform system of exchange in the Mediterranean World and Asia.
6.2.8.EconGE.3.a:.Explain how classical civilizations used technology and innovation to enhance agricultural/manufacturing output and commerce, to expand military capabilities, to improve life in urban areas, and to allow for greater division of labor.
6.2.8.HistoryCC.2.a:.Evaluate the importance and enduring legacy of the major achievements of the early river valley civilizations over time.
6.2.8.HistoryCA.2.a:.Analyze the factors that led to the rise and fall of various early river valley civilizations and determine whether there was a common pattern of growth and decline.
6.2.8.CivicsPI.3.a:.Compare and contrast the methods (i.e., autocratic rule, philosophies, and bureaucratic structures) used by the rulers of Rome, China, and India to control and unify their expanding empires.
6.2.8.CivicsHR.3.a:.Compare and contrast the rights and responsibilities of free men, women, slaves, and foreigners in the political, economic, and social structures of classical civilizations.
6.2.8.EconGE.2.a:.Explain how technological advancements led to greater economic specialization, improved weaponry, trade, and the development of a class system in early river valley civilizations.
6.2.8.GeoHE.2.a:.Determine the extent to which geography influenced settlement, the development of trade networks, technological innovations, and the sustainability of early river valley civilizations.
6.2.8.CivicsPI.2.a:.Explain how/why different early river valley civilizations developed similar forms of government and legal structures.
NJSLStandards - Technology and other content areas
Career Readiness, Life Literacies, and Key Skills Practices: Consider the environmental, social and
economic impacts of decisions. Activity: Students will identify the jobs that were used in Feudal Society and trace one’s history that is still a job in today’s society.
Career Ready Practice: 9.2.8.CAP.3: Explain how career choices, educational choices, skills, economic conditions, and personal behavior affect income.
8.1.8.DA.CI: People use digital devices and tools to automate the collection, use, and transformation of data.