Exploring Our World: People, Places, and Cultures

Chapter 25: Physical Geography of East Asia and Southeast Asia

Web Activity Lesson Plans

Introduction
In this chapter, students learned about the physical features and climate regions of East Asia and Southeast Asia. Rain forests in the region have abundant rainfall and rich soil. These resource-filled areas, however, are often threatened by physical and climatic changes caused in part by human activities. Students will visit an environmental web site to learn about the animal and plant species of the Borneo rain forest as well as recent environmental changes that threaten the forest.

Lesson Description
Students will visit an interactive Web site sponsored by National Geographic. On this Web site, they will take a virtual tour of the Borneo rain forest to probe the environment and learn about the challenges facing plant, animal, and human habitats. Then, they will answer questions that focus on the rain forest’s unique features and challenges.

Instructional Objectives

1. The learner will be able to compare and contrast the different animal and plant species of the rain forest.
2. The learner will synthesize images and data to increase their understanding of the rain forest environment.
3. The learner will draw conclusions about the effects of environmental changes on rain forest habitats.

Student Web Activity Answers

1. The canopy is an umbrella-like covering formed by the tops of trees in a rain forest
2. The rafflesia is a plant without leaves or roots that produces the world’s largest flower. Its rotting petals give off a stench that attracts pollinating flies.
3. The Wallace’s flying frog has long webbed toes and specialized toe pads that enable it to glide through the air at night.
4. The rain forest contains plants that can be used for special medicines.
5. Deforestation destroys trees that provide food and shelter for plants and animals. As trees are cut down and plants and animals die out, people have fewer resources to survive in the area.