Dover Sherborn Middle School Curriculum Road Maps

Course Title: World Geography Grade: 7^th Grade

Unit: South Asia

Month Presented: April Unit Length: 2 weeks

Essential Question (s):

• How do monsoons affect the lives and outlook of the people of South Asia?
• How does overpopulation affect living conditions in South Asia?
• What are the historical roots and basic beliefs of Hinduism and how does it influence life in South Asia?
• What are the historical roots and basic beliefs of Buddhism?

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the major countries, cities, and physical features of South Asia.
• Describe the monsoons and their effect on life in South Asia.
• Describe the pattern of population distribution in South Asia.
• List and explain the basic beliefs of Hinduism.
• List and explain the basic beliefs of Buddhism, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
• Explain the beliefs and influence of Mohandas Gandhi.
• Explain the effects of South Asia’s overpopulation problems.
• Describe the influence of physical geography on the countries of South Asia.
• Make connections between ancient and modern India.

Skills:

• Using an almanac to find key statistics
• Making inferences and writing generalizations based on detailed factual information

Instructional Strategies and Activities:

• Compare and contrast India and U.S. general statistics, sum up with generalizations
• Hinduism concept drawings
• Monsoon paragraph
• Arranged marriage advertisements

Materials Utilized:

• World Almanac
• Video/Multimedia:

PBS Nature video: “Monsoon!”

Excerpts from movie: “Gandhi”