World Geography 3(A) 24-25-3(A) Assignments

Today we will begin our unit on South Asia, the fastest growing region of the world. By 2050, more than 50% of the world's economic activity will be run through this part of the world. So, it is important when spend some time learning about the region. The essential question for this unit is: How do people adapt to their changing environments, economies, and societies in a time of climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict?

Our lesson today will focus on discovering the geography of South Asia and identifying the major environmental, economic, and demographic issues facing the region.

After you finish your notes, please complete the digital map activity and create a map of South Asia using the template attached.

This week we will wrap up our Africa unit by watching a movie that embodies many important character traits such as perseverance, ingenuity, and hard work. This is a true story of William Kamkwamba, a boy living in Malawi during the great floods there in 2001, and his quest to save his village from famine after the grain fields were ruined. It’s really an amazing story, one that I know you’ll enjoy!

The history of Africa has contributed to many of the problems modern African nations face today: poverty, hunger, lack of education, poor infrastructure, violence, and inequality. What role do the Sustainable Development Goals play in trying to lift modern Africa into prosperity? Today we will examine some of the issues facing countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, South Sudan, Malawi, and others. Working in your groups, identify a major issue and examine how the SDGs will serve as a blueprint to their future success.

After the Berlin Conference ended in 1885, a new era of Imperialism in Africa began, leading to intense pressure between nations for control of Africa's valuable minerals. This competition was one of the causes of World War I (1914-1918). In the decades that followed, including World War II (1939-1945), Africa saw a surge in decolonization movements as weakened European powers struggled to maintain control. African soldiers returning from the war with new ideas and a desire for self-determination fueled the fight for independence. But what were the consequences?

This week we will take a look at the history of Africa and the impact European colonization had on the continent. 

Prior to the Berlin Conference in 1884-85, Africa was characterized by diverse kingdoms, city-states, and cultures, with European influence primarily limited to coastal trading posts, but the conference marked the beginning of a rapid "Scramble for Africa" where European powers aggressively claimed and divided the continent.

The environment we live in has an impact on how our civilizations develop economically, socially, and politically. Africa has hosted many great empires over the ages, but despite having contact with both Europe and Asia, did not keep up in these areas (except Wakanda). There are many environmental, political, and social issues issues facing Africa today. Here is one possible theory to explain why.

As we close out our South America unit, we will take one last look at the favelas of Rio de Janeiro by exploring the "Beyond the Map" and learning more about what makes them sustainable communities.

Use the links in the document below to access the videos from the Google Beyond the Map site on Rio de Janeiro and complete the graphic organizer.

Today we will look at Brazil's most famous city: Rio de Janeiro. We will study the impact of "urbanism" on Rio's development, how the environment impacted Rio's culture as a tourist destination, and how people created sustainable communities when no government would help them.

Review this slideshow and the information contained in the links inside the slide to complete this study guide. Attached is a copy of the study guide in case you lose your paper copy.

Today we will examine how three South American countries - Bolivia, Colombia, and Brazil - use their resources to support economies of scale, that is, an economy based on one resource large enough to support its population. We will do this through the lens of three teenagers - Omar (Bolivia), Daniella (Colombia) and Vinicius (Brazil). Listen to their stories and learn from their experiences. When finished we will discuss what we have watched, and complete the writing activity attached.

Using the information you gathered from the slideshow and graphic organizer, complete the attached Google Form.

Let's explore the Five Themes of Geography of South America! First, we will review the FIVE THEMES OF GEOGRAPHY: Location, Place, Region, Movement, and Human-Environment Interaction. Then we will look at how we can describe South America using each of these themes. CHALLENGE: Write a paragraph describing South America using language from the Five Themes. Attach you document to the assignment.

In this unit, we will explore the geography of South America and apply our lessons from the sustainability unit to identify and solve some of the continent's most pressing issues. Later in the unit, we will conduct an in-depth study of South America's largest country: Brazil.

Topics we will cover include:

Identifying physical and human characteristics of South America
How the natural resources of a nation contribute to the economy
How children of South America are impacted by the economic policies of nations
Impact of global demand for resources on people and the environment

Now that we have explored our personal ecological footprint, the human footprint of consumption, and the unit on Sustainability let's examine global sustainability issues around the world. Working in groups, you will choose a region of the world, and a sustainability issue affecting a country in that region. You will develop an essential question, conduct research, and present your findings to your audience in a Google Slideshow.

Please utilize World Book online to start your research.

     Username: nhbook
     Password: barn

Make a copy of the slideshow template and attach it to your assignment to start. Use this as a graphic organizer to organize your research.

See the attached instructions to create a poster for your assigned SDG

Use the SDGs to complete these scenarios from around the world.

Use the Ecological Footprint Calculator to determine your carbon & ecological footprints. Use the graphic organizer to collect your data. After you analyze the data, brainstorm ways you can reduce that number and re-test. Any difference?

Once completed, use the data to create an infographic on the "footprint" worksheet explaining how you can help live sustainably. Refer to the rubric and examples from previous classes for specific requirements and ideas.

Today we will look at the trends in POPULATION GROWTH and POPULATION DENSITY up to the year 2100 by reading the article "Predicting the World Population" from the November, 2020 issue of Junior Scholastic, and completing two population growth activities.

Assignment #1: IMAGINE THE POPULATION OF TOMORROW. Complete the activity per instructions using the website Imagining tomorrow's population linked below.

Assignment#2: POPULATION DENSITY exercise. Using a calculator, find the correct population density for each of the countries listed on the worksheet, and respond the following question on the back of the paper: What surprised you about the data on population density? What issues may arise in countries with high population density?

Now that we’ve watched the video and went over the various statistics, you are going to look up the language, religion, poverty and literacy rates from 3 countries. After you have completed your research and answered the questions, create an infographic to display the results.

In this unit, you will learn how human activities such as the consumption of food and energy, and the need for global economies, affect the planet. You will also learn about the concept of SUSTAINABILITY, and the tools we have to preserve the planet, maintaining balance with the environment, economy, and social justice.

Assignment: Please complete the "Global Scavenger Hunt" worksheet that was handed out in class. A copy is attached if needed.

Now that we have learned about maps, it's time to use that knowledge and create your own thematic map. See the assignment attached.

Failed crops in Africa are limiting the world's cocoa supplies. What does this mean for our favorite chocolate treats?
Today we will learn more about the global cocoa shortage and how it relates to themes we will study this year. Read "The High Price of Chocolate" in the October, 2024 issue of Junior Scholastic and answer the attached questions.

Junior Scholastic password: fogcloud6774

Learn how geographers organize the globe into hemispheres, and use latitudes and longitudes in order to tell us where things are located on the Earth.

There are TWO assignments:
1. Read the article on the history of the compass and answer the questions.
2. Create your own Compass Rose per instructions

Now that you have completed maps on the world and the United States, use them to complete the following activities for a quiz grade.