Materials

• An overhead transparency of a map that shows the lights of the world at night (See <http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap001127.html>)
• PowerPoint presentation on “Siberia” (or video on Siberia)
• Handouts: Escape from Siberia assignment and grading rubric. (Attachments B and C)
• Student geography notes for the region (Attachment F)

Instructional Activities

1. Display the map of the lights of the world at night. Ask students to identify the string of lights that extends across Siberia and to explain what the string of lights represents. Students should conclude that the lights represent the towns along the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Point out that the cities along the route developed because they are located on the railroad.
   
   
2. Show students the PowerPoint presentation titled “Siberia,” or show a video on Siberia. Discuss the physical features and the climate of the region. Include facts from the student geography notes that are included in this lesson (Attachment F).
   
   
3. Assign the “Escape from Siberia” paper by distributing the assignment sheet (Attachment B) and the grading rubric (Attachment C) for students to use as they complete the assignment. Review the information on these sheets, and answer all questions the students may have.