Lesson: The Geography of Japan
Course: 9th Grade World Geography
Teacher: Kaiti Kelley
Standard(s): W.71 – Identify the climate, physical process, geographical features, human modifications,
and population patterns of Asia, and list the major natural resources and their relationship to the
economy of the region.
Duration: one 90 minute block
Bell Ringer
Students will be given a blank map of Japan and instructed to identify and label the following:
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The 4 main islands
the 6 climatic regions
the capital
5 major volcanoes and the location of each
the Sea of Japan
Lesson Sequence
After all students have completed the bell ringer, the teacher will project a map so that student can
check their answers. When all students have made any necessary corrections, the teacher will begin the
introduction and instructions for the lesson on Japan’s geography. The teacher will remind students of
the rules and procedures for using the computer lab before they exit the room and go to the computer
lab to do their in class activity.
Students will be divided into 4 groups – the 4 main islands of Japan. Each group will be given a poster
board and the appropriate writing utensils. Each group will be required to research and answer the
following questions as they pertain to their assigned island in addition to 5 facts about their island:
1.
What climactic zone is it located in and what are the characteristics of this zone?
2.
What physical and geographical features are associated with this island?
3.
Population and population density and what U.S. city does it compare to?
4.
What are this islands main natural resources?
5.
What are its main imports and exports and where do these things come from and go to?
The links below will be in Edmodo for student access to research and answer the questions for the in
class group activity.
http://web-japan.org/factsheet/en/pdf/e01_geography.pdf
http://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1000.html
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/asia/geography-of-japan1.htm
Students will have 30 minutes to complete this in class activity. When time has expired, students will
transition back into the classroom for group presentations. Each group will give a 5 minute presentation
of their poster to the class. Students will be instructed to answer the 5 required questions about each
island as their peers are presenting. The teacher will reminded them that they will be responsible for
this information (even the information they did not research in their own group) on a test. Students will
have up to 2 minutes in between each group to make sure they got all questions answered. When all 4
groups have presented, the teacher will answer any questions and clear up any misconception students
may have.
Assessment/Evaluation
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Student poster presentations will be assessed on the following criteria:
Presentation skills – eye contact, voice projection, effectiveness of presentation
Behavior during other presentations
Behavior while researching in computer lab
Appearance of poster – is it well organized? Is it legible?
Accuracy of answers
Completeness of all 10 questions
Student poster presentations will count as a test grade. Direct observation will serve as summative
evaluation.