Behind the News 2008

TITLE OF STORY:TIBET

Curriculum Outcome Links Society and Environment/HSIEDATE 25/03/08

Behind the News 2008

Student learning outcomes
Students will:
  • Develop an understanding of Tibet and its relationship with China.
  • Further develop their research skills.
Focus Discussion
  1. Where is Tibet?
  2. Why is Tibet called the `rooftop of the world’?
  3. Who is the Dalai Lama?
  4. What is the religion of Tibet?
  5. When and why did the Dalai Lama leave Tibet?
  6. What do the Chinese believe was happening in Tibet?
  7. What has been the impact of hundreds of thousands of Chinese moving to Tibet?
  8. Why are some Tibetans now trying to draw attention to their cause?
  9. Why is it difficult to know exactly what is happening in Tibet at the moment?
  10. What impact might the current protests have on the upcoming Olympics in Beijing?

Profile of Tibet

Students will be researching and developing a profile of Tibet to gain a deeper understanding of the region.

Ask students to brainstorm, in pairs, what they know about Tibet and record it on the sheet ofpaper. Using the `how, who, what, why, when, where’ framework, ask students to write questions that they would like to find out the answers to. Regroup and share these questions with the rest of the class. Discuss how the students could find answers to these questions.

Topics to include in the profile of Tibet:

  • Geographical and physical features of the region
  • Facts about Tibet
  • Political history
  • Relationship with China
  • Timeline of significant events
  • Profile of the Dalai Lama
  • Tibetan Buddhism

Encourage students to gather information from a variety of sources.There are some website links at the end of this activity sheet that may be useful.

Students can present their profile of Tibet in number of different ways. These include:

  • Powerpoint presentation
  • Webpage
  • Video
  • Poster
  • Brochure
  • Oral presentation
  • Report

Ask student to share their profile with the rest of the class.

Follow-up Suggestions
INTRAPERSONAL
Summarise the Dalai Lama’s life using the Biocube at:
INTERPERSONAL
Research the impact Tibetan Buddhism has had on the rest of the world. Share the information with the rest of the class.
LOGICAL AND MATHEMATICAL
Use the online puzzlemaker to create a word search or crossword about Tibet.
VERBAL – LINGUISTIC
In pairs, find out more about the Dalai Lama’s teachings. Discuss how they could be applied to your own lives.
BODILY – KINAESTHETIC
Create an individual or group dance showing the conflict between Tibet and Chinaor the Teachings of the Dalai Lama.

 Related Research Links

Aust. Government response to Tibet protests

Security for Olympic torch relay

Riots in Tibet

Inside Tibet

Tibet’s future

Profile of Tibet

Info about Tibet

Behind the News 2008