Australia , Oceania, and Antarctica
Summary: The region of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica is one of the most diverse in the world. It spans the tropical islands of the Pacific, the deserts and reefs of Australia, the mountains, lush valleys, and beaches of New Zealand, and the ice and snow of Antarctica. The region of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica is a blend of indigenous peoples that arrived from Asia as early as 60,000 years ago, European colonists, and later Asian immigrants. Today the countries have a mix of modern, urban lifestyles and traditional lifestyles with strong kinship ties. Although there are some mineral resources in the region, agriculture and service industries play the most important economic role. The region has many unique animal and plant species, but the environment is threatened by pollution, including fallout from nuclear testing decades ago.
Big Picture
The climate and vegetation of the region has affected the economic activities and population density of the region
The British Colonization of Australia and New Zealand (or your chosen country) greatly affected the native peoples and the countries current cultural identity.
While owner ship of Oceanic islands has changed hands many islanders still live traditional ways of life.
Essential Questions
1. “How have the climate and vegetation of the region affected the economic activities and population density of the region?”
2. “How has the British Colonization of Australia and New Zealand (or your chosen country) affected the native peoples and the countries current cultural identity?”
Power Standards
· Describe the physical geography and climate of Australia and New Zealand (or your chosen country) and how they differ.
· Explain how the islands of Oceania (or your chosen countries landscape is) are formed.
· Identify what vegetation survives in cold, dry Antarctic climate.
· Identify the peoples who settled Australia and Oceania (or your chosen country)
· Discuss how the region’s geography affects population density, distribution, and growth.
· Summarize how colonial rule affected Australia and Oceania (or your chosen country)
· Explain the affects of World War II on the region.
· Describe how people in the region make a living.
· Explain environmental challenges this region faces.
Terms to know:
Atoll
Lagoon
Aborigines
Maori
Subsistence Farming
Places to locate or describe:
Countries – with a focus on important nations in world events.
Outback
Micronesia
Melanesia
Polynesia
Great Dividing Range
Great Barrier Reef
Coral Sea
Tasmania
North Island
South Island
Southern Alps
Murray River
Darling River
Power Point Project
Be sure to read the SUMMARY & BIG PICTURE first to gain some background knowledge on the regions of Australia, Oceania, and Antarctica.
Create a Power Point containing the following information:
Choose 4 Power Standards to explain.
You may include Maps locating terms from the category: Places to Know as well as pictures to describe items from the section Terms to Know
However, the bulk of the power point must state one of the Essential Questions as well as giving a well defined answer.
MAXIMUM of 12 slides
minimum 7 slides
I realize these directions are somewhat vague, however, use this to your advantage and get creative. The South Pacific is a very unique places and has great possibilities when creating a slide show.
Rubric
Title Slide 5 pts
4 Power Standards 40pts
1 Essential Question Answered! 30pts
Appropriate Pictures 15pts
Spelling/Complete Sentences 10pts
Relevant Slides beyond the minimum which really show you are trying to add to your power point will result in Extra Credit points of 2.5 per additional slide from the minimum of 7.
As an alternative to the South Pacific you may use the same directions but create a power point on any other country in the world. In light of all the negative news facing America ’s economy, you may find that creating a positive spin on our country would be a great way to wrap up the school year. It is up to you which country any where in the world you choose to focus only be sure you follow the guidelines listed above.