6th Grade Social Studies: World Geography and Global Issues Unit 2: The World in Spatial Terms Lesson 6. Lesson Graphic Organizer.

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1 Lesson Graphic Organizer Challenges Natural Features Opportunities Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 1 of 14

2 Big Idea Card Big Ideas of the Lesson 6, Unit 2 The natural features of a place present people with both opportunities and challenges for human survival. Different types of natural features affect how people meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Humans ability to adapt and respond to different environmental conditions has resulted in a variety of ways in which people live. Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 2 of 14

3 Word Cards 20 floodplain flat land along a river that is prone to flooding Example: Floodplains often have flat, fertile land for farming. (SS060206) 21 typhoon a tropical cyclone that occurs in the western Pacific region and Indian Ocean Example: Typhoons can cause wind and water damage. (SS060206) Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 3 of 14

Mississippi River Floodplain Source: http://irjci.blogspot.com/2011/05/record-flood-levee-breach-lead-to-talk.

4 Mississippi River Floodplain Source: Source: Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 4 of 14

5 Land The Geography of Japan Japan consists of a 1500 mile archipelago, or chain of islands. It is made up of four large islands and about 4000 smaller islands. Most of Japan s people live on the four main islands. Japan has solved the problem of connecting the islands together by creating a system of tunnels and bridges for roads and railways. About four-fifths of Japan is either hilly or mountainous. Several hundred peaks rise more than 6,500 feet above sea level. The mountain areas are popular sites for recreation such as hiking but offer many challenges. Terrace farming, which allows for farming in hilly areas, is often used to overcome one of these challenges. The mountain areas of Japan also include volcanoes. Japan has about 190 volcanoes, of which about 50 are active. Plains and relatively flat areas account for about a fifth of Japan's total area and occur mainly along the coast. Except for the Kanto Plain, on which Tokyo is situated, all are comparatively small. They are, however, of great importance as centers of farming, manufacturing, and population. Japan lies in the earthquake-prone belt called the Ring of Fire, which fringes most of the Pacific basin. Earthquakes are frequent; most, however, are only minor tremors that do little or no damage. The last major earthquake was in Water The rivers of Japan are generally short and swift. The longest is the Shinano, some 230 miles (370 km) in length. Many of the rivers are used for hydroelectric power and to irrigate lowland rice fields. Floods, especially those caused by torrential typhoon rains, sometimes cause widespread damage and many deaths. Virtually all the lakes of Japan are small. The largest is Biwa Lake, covering some 265 square miles (686 km 2 ) on Honshu (This is much smaller than Lake St. Clair, which is 430 square miles). Lakes are popular for marine sports like fishing, boating and wind surfing. Hot springs, associated with underground volcanic activity, are numerous. Many resorts have been built near these natural hot springs which are believed to have health benefits. The ocean is an important resource for Japan. It provides fish for food and export, as well as a way to connect Japan to the rest of the world. The ocean offers challenges, however. Japan experiences about 10 typhoons each year, which are tropical cyclones that begin over the ocean. These can cause flooding, high winds and other problems. Vegetation Forests cover nearly 70 percent of Japan so forestry is an important industry. In general, coniferous forests predominate in the higher mountainous areas and in the far north. Fir, spruce, pine, and cedar are among the chief types of trees. Elsewhere in northern Japan and throughout the central part of the country broadleaved deciduous trees, such as oak, maple, poplar, beech, ash, and elm, prevail. In many areas conifers are mixed among the stands. Most prevalent in the south are subtropical species, mainly broad-leaved evergreens such as camphor and laurel. Adapted from: The Geography of Japan. 8 August 2012 < Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 5 of 14

6 The Geography of Japan Natural Feature Challenges Opportunities Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 6 of 14

7 The Geography of Japan Possible Answers Natural Feature Challenges Opportunities archipelago (chain of islands) the islands of the country separate people access to the ocean mountains volcanoes recreation plains farming, manufacturing, places for people to live rivers flooding hydroelectric power, irrigation lakes marine sports ocean typhoons fish for food and export, transportation forests hard to farm in the area forestry and wood products Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 7 of 14

8 Pair Activity Natural Feature Challenges Opportunities Mountains Deserts Rain Forests Rivers and River Systems Lakes Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 8 of 14

9 Natural Feature Challenges Opportunities Oceans and Sea Islands Volcanoes Grasslands Glaciers Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 9 of 14

10 Pair Activity Possible Answers Natural Feature Challenges Opportunities Mountains Transportation problems Can t be used for farming Barriers between people Recreation Beauty minerals Deserts Rainforests Rivers and River System Difficult to farm Lack of water Extreme temperatures Difficult area to live in Dense vegetation Transportation problems Flooding Areas along the edges can be farmed Many valuable plants for medicine, etc. Trees for lumber Oxygen for the Earth Food Transportation Hydroelectr5ic power Drinking water Recreation Lakes Possible flooding Food Transportation Recreation Oceans and Seas Typhoons Tsunami Possible flooding Food Transportation recreation Islands Transportation problems Barriers between people isolation tourism recreation Volcanoes Violent eruptions that can cause lots of damage Scientific study Grasslands Can lack water and trees Prone to fire Areas can be farmed Flat for living space Glaciers Chunks falling off them can endanger shipping People can t live on them Scientific study Tourism Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 10 of 14

11 Assessment Materials Sample of Parts to the Travel Guide A Travel Guide For Planet Earth Major Natural Features Opportunities of the Natural Features Obstacles of the Natural Features Ways Humans Divide Earth into Regions Places to Visit Travel tips A Packing List Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 11 of 14

the Earth Suggestions for places to visit Travel tips A packing list Some visuals such as photos, maps or diagrams You should use some of the following resources: A Travel Guide For Planet Earth Your

12 Task Sheet Your Task: Create a Travel Guide to Planet Earth for extraterrestrial visitors. Your guide should include: Significant natural features of the Planet Opportunities those features present to humans Obstacles those features present to humans Three different ways humans regionalize the Earth Suggestions for places to visit Travel tips A packing list Some visuals such as photos, maps or diagrams You should use some of the following resources: A Travel Guide For Planet Earth Your Global Investigator s Notebook Fact sheets from Lesson 4 Opportunities and Obstacle charts From Lesson 6 Maps from various lessons Textbook An atlas or other reference book Websites Your project will be rated on the following criteria: Content Demonstration of Knowledge Organization and Structure Mechanics of Writing Visuals Creativity Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 12 of 14

13 Travel Guide Review Sheet Check all the components that are included in the Travel Guide Significant Natural features of the Planet Opportunities those features present to humans Obstacles those features present to humans Three different ways humans regionalize the Earth Suggestions for places to visit Travel tips A packing list What visuals have been included? Should it have more visuals? If so, what do you suggest? What are two positive features of the Travel Guide? What are some suggestions for improvement? Reviewed by Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 13 of 14

14 Travel Guide Project Rubric Content Demonstration of Knowledge Organization and Structure Mechanics of Writing Visuals Creativity Michigan Citizenship Collaborative Curriculum Page 14 of 14

Chapter 18 Introduction to. A f r i c a

Chapter 18 Introduction to. A f r i c a Chapter 18 Introduction to A f r i c a Ch. 18:1 Landforms & Resources 1. Africa s shape & landforms are the result of its location in the southern part of the ancient supercontinent of. Pangaea Over thousands