Endangered Islands:

Island Vulnerability

 

Lesson Plan Format

 

Name: Patrick Connelly______ Date: 4/9/05________ Age/Grade Level: 9-12______

Subject: History/Geography/Economics_ # of Students: 1+__ # of IEP Students:_________

Major content:____________  Unit Title: Endangered Islands: Island Vulnerability

 

Overview: When we think of tropical islands, we think of beautiful beaches and multi-million dollar resort destinations.  But for indigenous people of islands-from the Mediterranean to the South Pacific-there exists a constant battle to keep old culture and customs while trying to succeed and survive in the 21st century.  Threatened by environmental factors, the economy, tourism, and malnutrition, the ancient ways of life are fast disappearing.  How are island cultures around the world coping with a growing capitalist economy? In what ways are island cultures vulnerable?

 

Connections to the National Geography Standards:

Standard 4: "The physical and human characteristics of places"

Objectives:

Students will

• learn how indigenous island cultures obtain food, water, and foster a profitable economy;
• discover why the land, too, is very vulnerable and susceptible to human disturbances;
• search the Internet for valid and accurate sources; and
• study an island in detail and present detailed information about it to the class.

Materials Required:

• Computer with Internet access
• Wall map of the world
• Push pins or stickers to locate islands on world map
• Writing materials

 

Procedure:

1) Ask your class to brainstorm reasons why their is an increase in people moving, settling, and visiting islands.  Write these reasons on the board.  Then ask the students why the indigenous population may be affected, both good and bad, by the intrusion of foreigners.  Let them consider economic, environmental, health, and cultural reasons.  Write these on the board as well.

2) After a brainstorming session have the students get in groups of two or put them in groups of two.  Each group will then pick an island or island chain that they will research.  Make sure no two groups have the same island(s). 

3) Students should focus on four areas that effect islands: Environment, nutrition, economy, and indigenous people and human migration.  Using books from the library or classroom, the internet, or other sources have the students research the four areas.

    Nutrition: For many islands the need for food and water is a daily struggle.  Land quality and quantity restricts most farming and grazing, while isolation hinders importing of food.  Many islands depend on the sea and fruits to survive on a day to day basis.  Water is also often hard to find.  Conversion of salt water to fresh is expensive and collecting rainwater is sometimes the only option.  How would today's economy and the influx of foreigners effect this lifestyle?

    Environment: Exotic species have been introduced to almost all islands by outsiders.  Hurricanes and typhoons can destroy entire islands.  Diseases have been introduced by foreigners to island people with no immunity to them.  Global warming and melting ice caps threaten low-lying islands.  Let your students research these issues.

    Economy: Many islands struggle to produce goods that can be imported cheaper overseas.  This causes high employment in already poverty stricken areas.  Ask the students to find out how islands survive economically in the current capital society. 

    Indigenous peoples and human migration: Native island cultures are quickly losing their past and identity as the migration of outsiders increases.  Ask the class to research reasons why this is happening and what is being done to save island cultures.

 

Assessment: Students should be able to present their island(s) to the class with understanding and knowledge of their selected topic.  They should be able to locate and show where their island is located on a map and describe the various problems and threats facing it, as well as possible solutions and precautions that are being taken.