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Lesson Planhorizontal rule

Rural Yunnan in the 21st century

Learning area
In relation to Studies of Society and Environment - a Curriculum Profile for Australian Schools, this lesson plan can contribute to the following strands: 'Time, continuity and change', 'Place and space', 'Culture', 'Natural and social systems'.

Level
Years 9-10

Outline
Students examine aspects of the question: 'With China undergoing rapid change, how will rural areas of Yunnan face the 21st century?'

Studies of Asia emphases
Major emphasis: Being informed about contemporary issues

Curriculum context
These activities could stand alone as an area of study or could complement other studies of potential continuity and change in the future.

Duration
Variable, depending on the extent and depth of research.

Materials required
Suitable resources include the following:
Brundall, J 1997, China: The People and the Place, User Friendly Resource Enterprises, Christchurch, NZ.
Brundall, J 1998, China: A Glimpse of the New China, User Friendly Resource Enterprises, Christchurch, NZ.
Bloomfield, R 1993, China: Tradition and Change, Longman Paul, Auckland, NZ.

Procedure

  1. Students use the resources above (or others) to research the existing situation in rural Yunnan in relation to one or more of the following:
    • The nature of rural villages and dwellings.
    • Mud-brick building techniques.
    • How and where crops are grown.
    • Farming techniques.
    • Village markets and their functions.
    • Village life for children: games, school.
    • Earning a living.
    • The role of ethnic minorities ('nationalities').
    • Prevalence and occurrence of flora and fauna.

     

  2. arrowStudents then research the impact of one or more of the following:
    • 'Western' influences on young people.
    • Deforestation for building timbers and firewood.
    • Satellite TV.
    • Rural modes of transport and the Kunming—Bangkok 'freeway'.
    • Rural infrastructure: the provision of clean water and sanitation.
    • Population drift to urban areas: push and pull factors.
    • Availability of fast foods and international brands.
    • Reduction of numbers of jobs in State-owned industries.

 

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