Materials

• Climate map of Russia and Central Asia
• Teacher-developed worksheet listing necessary vocabulary words
• PowerPoint presentation on “The Geography of Russia and Central Asia.”
• Background information on the region included with this lesson

Instructional Activities

1. Review the activity from the previous session
   
   
2. Display a climate map of the region. Instruct students to analyze the climates by reading the key and interpreting the map. Have the students predict the population density in the northern part of the region and justify their prediction. Instruct students to write a paragraph describing the climate extremes in Russia and Central Asia. Descriptions should include statements that show the students understand that the climates found in Russia and Central Asia range from subtropical to arctic. Have students share their paragraphs, and discuss the concepts mentioned.
   
   
3. Distribute the worksheet listing vocabulary words students need to understand. The teacher may direct students to define the words or may provide the terms and definitions as a matching exercise for students to complete. Vocabulary should include the following words:
   • tundra
   • permafrost
   • taiga
   • steppe
   • chernozem
   • Siberia
   • divert
   • irrigation
   • desertification
   
   
4. Use the PowerPoint titled “The Geography of Russia and Central Asia” to discuss the definitions with the students and show pictures that illustrate the meaning of each term. In addition, the teacher may wish to point out on a map the locations where particular geographical features occur.