The Pacific Rim

UNIT OVERVIEW: In this unit, students hop, skip, and jump around the Pacific Rim. It is an in-depth study covering a broad range of topics from basic geography, mapping skills, climate studies and resources to type of government - all as they relate to the twenty-four nations of the Pacific Rim. Students will gain a new understanding of the emerging trade powerhouse. PART I - CORE TEACHING LESSONS: In this section, students learn all about the Pacific Rim using a structured format. Exciting activities related to each of the lesson topics are used to (cement in) concepts. The student notes can be photocopied and given as handouts or simpy written on the board for students to write in their notebooks. A sample review exam is included. Lesson topics and activities are as follows: 1. The Pacific Rim - From Coast To Coast (Map, wordsearch), 2. Ring of Fire - Shes Going To Blow! (Diagram, mapping activity), 3. Climate - And Now For The Weather (Graph), 4. Population - People Everywhere! (Pictograph), 5. Resources - Gifts From Nature (Classification, diagram), and 6. Goverment - Take Us To Your Leader! (Role-play activity). PART II - OPTIONAL LESSONS: These optional lessons are meant to enhance and supplement the core lessons. They help to build a degree of flexibility into the unit. Teachers may use these activities however they wish. The lessons include: 1. Novels, 2. Internet Sites, 3. Current Events, 4. Bulletin Board Display, 5. Volcano Model, 6. Art Activities, 7. Mexican Hat Dance, 8. Ethnic Recipes, 9. Pen Pal Program, 10. Latitude and Sunlight Exposure, 11. Temperature Experiment, 12. Capital Cities Wordsearch, and 13. Pacific Rim Review Puzzle. PART III - COUNTRY REPORT AND MOSAIC: For this project, students choose a Pacific Rim country to research and then write a report on. The completed reports will be presented in (mosaic) form. PART IV - JUST THE FACTS: This section contains general information pages on each Pacific Rim country. The pages can be photocopied into booklet form to use as a student handbook. The flags of each country can be coloured as an added activity.