Janet Laurence
Little Flower Catholic School
2103 Government Street
Mobile, Alabama   36606
[email protected]

Overview:  This lesson focuses on the seasonal changing wind currents that occur
worldwide particularly in India and China.  Students identify what these winds are and
how they affect life in these regions.

Connections with curriculum standards:
     Geography for Life 
            Places and Regions
            *  Standard # 4  The physical and human characteristics of places
            Human System
            *  Standard # 12  The processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement
            Environment and Society
            *  Standard # 15  The physical systems affect human systems
        SAT 9  Analyze a special purpose map
        Alabama Course of Study Social Studies - 8th Grade
            *  Standard #2  Compare the significant features of civilizations that developed in the Tigris-Euphrates,
                Nile, Indus, and Huang He River valleys - Natural Environment.
        Alabama Course of Study Science - 6th Grade
            *  Standard #  Analyze factors producing global patterns of atmospheric movement that influence local weather.

 Suggested Grade Level:  8th Grade

Purpose of the Lesson:
        Students will explore, how do monsoons occur?

Secondary questions:
        What is a monsoon?
         How do monsoons affect the people and the environment?

Materials needed:
     Monsoons of India and China Web Page
     Copies of a map of Asia
     Colored pencils
      Internet connection and computer
      Students’ Geographers Log notebook

Procedure:  How do monsoons occur?
       What is a monsoon?
         How do monsoons affect the people and the environment?
1. Brainstorm a list of vocabulary words from prior knowledge of weather, wind currents and seasonal changes.
Write words and lesson questions in their Log.
2. Allow students to use ArcVoyager to gather data on precipitation and population.
3. Send the students on a Track Star web search of information, recording data into their Log.
4. The students take the online quiz.
5. Students view the online monsoon animation.

 Assessment:  Student write a paragraph in their Geographer's log describing the monsoon phenomenon
and color the map showing wind patterns.