Chapter 4 Geography

Performance Objectives
Students will be able to:

• identify the effects of cramped space upon the Japanese explain the need to cooperate in order to survive
• propose a hypothesis which links space and behavior

Teacher Background:
This geography lesson utilizes a simulation to dramatically illustrate the effects of limited land resources on the Japanese mentality.

Procedures:
Arrange classroom with all the chairs clustered together in as tight a space as possible. Leave No Space Between Chairs.

As students walk in, direct them to walk quietly to their chairs and sit down. Announce Do Not Move The Chairs!

Part 1
Ask students to do a 3 minute "free-write" on the following:

"Sitting like this, I feel..."

Encourage students to identify and articulate their feelings. Let students know that their feelings are okay. Process and summarize responses on chalkboard.

Part 2
Again, Do Not Move The Chairs! Direct students' attention to the chalkboard which contains the following scenario:

You have been growing up in an environment like this classroom. Because space is at a premium, you and your family have had to adapt. Work with the two people immediately next to you and list as many ways as possible in which living in such a small area would impact on or change your lives. You have 15 minutes to finish.

Debrief student responses on chalkboard. Explain to students that the Japanese generally live in cramped quarters according to American standards. Rooms are measured in terms of tatami (straw) mats. A tatami mat measures 3' x 6'. The effects of living in close proximity to others has a profound impact on the Japanese people. Slow picture of Japanese streets and homes.

Summary
Write an essay explaining how the personality and behavior of peoples who live in a country with abundant space and abundant resources would be different from that of Japan.

Application

Take a cartoon strip from any Sunday newspaper and white out the balloons. Create a conversation between two people-one from Japan and one from a country such as the United States.

Enrichment
Have students watch the film Gung Ho and analyze it from the perspective of how geography has affected the cultures of the peoples of Japan and the United States.