Asia Geography

Asia is one of the most exciting and diverse continents on the planet. There you will find a variety of physical features from towering mountains to ever changing river valleys. Asian people have rich cultures steeped in ancient traditions which are reflected in their art, literature, music and everyday lives. Nearly half the people on earth call Asia home it has some of the most densely populated areas on earth and some of the least densely populated. Across Asia you will find a variety of climates and weather patterns. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean wash its southern shores while the icy waters of the North Pacific crash its eastern shores. Volcanoes, eathquakes and tsunamis threaten human life and agriculture but the people of Asia find harmony in the ebb and flow of life.

You are going to create a travel journal as you journey across Asia. You may choose to begin in any place in Asia and you may choose to end in any place in Asia however you must follow the guidelines. First you must visit at least five different places in Asia and you must visit East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia. If you are really adventurous you can venture back to Southwest Asia, the region we studied earlier in the year. As you visit each place think in character and write about the places, the people and the things you encounter.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: What is the physical and cultural geography of Asia?

You must choose one of the following characters

An anthropologist from a well known university who is traveling across Asia to compare the various cultural elements of the continent. he would be interested in food, clothing, language, religion or ways of making a living and will write notes in his journal describing the places he visits and the people he meets.

A teacher from a local middle school who is so excited to be touring Asia with a group of students from her school. She would be interested in seeing the sites, listening to music, viewing art, eating the different foods and talking with the locals, especially young teens, about their culture.

A tourist(vacationer) who is on his first trip to Asia and send home an email each night about the sites he sees, the people he meets, the food he eats and constantly compares life in Asia to life back home in Winder, Georgia. He is particularly fascinated with businesses, modes of transportation and the architecture.  

A geographer from a large US city who has traveled to Asia several times to study the various landforms in Asia, population patterns, the differences in the way of life between rural people and city dwellers, modes of transportation and how it affects businesses, Asian factories and the effects of the Asian Tsunami from December 26, 2004. 

Steps in the Process

1-Choose a character from the list above

2-Break down the character's description into research categories. Complete the graphic organizer described below.

3-Decide which five Asian countries you are going to visit and place them on your graphic organizer described below.

4-Research your countries and fill in the graphic organizer as described below

5-Once all research is complete use the information to write informed journal entries about your virtual travels in Asia in character.

Note-Taking

Create a note taking chart for the character you choose to portray in your journal and draw it in your notebook. Along the top of the chart list the things your character focuses on during their trip such as architecture or culture on the left side of your chart list the places you plan to visit on the trip. In the blanks write the notes you take as you visit the websites linked above. See the chart EXAMPLE below.

Use maps of Asia including political, physical and other special maps to plan a trip across Asia. The maps should give you some idea of the physical, political and human geography you will encounter on your travels.

You must visit at least five locations in each of the three regions of Asia; East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Use the websites below to gather information about the places you visit and record your notes on the note-taking form provided.

Click on any of the countries or terms on the list below to go to their a website.

The Write UP-Use your notes to write your journal entries

As you finish exploring each location write a journal entry describing your visit. Be sure to maintain your character while writing in your journal. You should have at least five 1-2 paragraph journal entries when you complete your project.

The other option you have is to create a podcast documenting your journey. You can do this with a partner if you would like!

I would recommend using https://anchor.fm/dashboard for the podcast or setting up a google meet to complete the project with a partner. You can record your meeting or just do it all through the podcast site. 

Take it to another level.

Add photos, sketches or personal (pretend) letters between you and someone you met while you traveled in Asia to your journal.

More weblinks

geographia.com

http://www.askasia.org/

http://www.factmonster.com/encyclopedia/1seapg.html

Chinese Culture

http://www.infoplease.com/

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/russell/seageog.htm

In order to receive the 40 points total all you have to do is:

1. Upload a map of Asia showing the countries you visited. 

2. Turn in 5 Journal entries, or one Podcast link, talking about each country.

3. 

Thank you for going on this adventure and sharing your trip! The class will have greater knowledge of Asia because of your tales. 

Permissions

We all benefit by being generous with our work. Permission is granted for others to use and modify this WebQuest for educational, non-commercial purposes as long as the original authorship is credited. The modified WebQuest may be shared only under the same conditions. 

Credit: Susan Grasso, Haymon-Morris Middle