Unit Objectives:

• identify, recognize, and explain major geographical features, economic distributions, populations, and indigenous flora and fauna of Australia
• compare and contrast key features of the United States and Australia
• develop an appreciation for another countryıs cultural and historical backgrounds

Activities by Taxonomy Level:

• Knowledge
  • define a given list of vocabulary words
  • given an outline map of Australia, students label major cities, rivers, points of interest, and geographic features
  • identify pictures of indigenous animals
• Comprehension
  • demonstrate understanding of vocabulary terms by using them in a letter to a student in Australia
  • explain distinguishing characteristics of indigenous animals by writing several sentences about each
• Application
  • apply the concept of earthıs tilt, rotation, and revolution to explain/demonstrate the reversal of seasons in the southern hemisphere
  • apply the concept of Pangea/ plate tectonics to explain possible reasons for unique lifeforms on the continent
• Analysis
  • create a graphic organizer to compare/contrast key characteristics of the United States and Australia and draw conclusions from your information
  • design a topographical map upon which is superimposed an economic distribution map; correlate geographical features with economic distributions
• Synthesis
  • create an illustrated glossary of vocabulary terms
  • plan a continental trip across/around Australia; outline your itinerary and sketch your route
• Evaluation
  • write an editorial for a major national newspaper in which you discuss the plight of the Australian Aboriginal peoples
  • debate the pros/cons of changing the Australian national flag