2. What Dangerous Weapons Is North Korea Preparing to Test?

Episode 2 Activity 12th February 2013 North Korea

Key Learning Students will conduct research on North Korea. Students will further investigate how North Korea’s political position has shaped the region and the global implications of nuclear weapon testing.

The Australian Curriculum > Cross-curriculum priorities > Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia Organising ideas Cross-curriculum priorities

Asia and its diversity Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia  The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions. General capabilities  Interrelationships between humans and the diverse environments in Asia Literacy shape the region and have global implications. Intercultural understanding Link Cross-curriculum priorities Personal and social capability Critical and creative thinking

Focus Questions 1. Why is North Korea in the news? 2. What dangerous weapons is North Korea preparing to test? 3. What organisation has tried to step in and stop the testing? a. Greenpeace b. United Nations c. Red Cross 4. Who is the current political leader of North Korea? 5. Who controls what North Koreans watch on TV and listen to on the radio? 6. Why do they control the media? 7. Describe how the people of North Korea are being treated by their leader. 8. What are the consequences for a North Korean if they try to leave the country? 9. What three adjectives would you use to describe the situation in North Korea? 10. What did you learn from this story?

Activity Students choose one of the following investigations about North Korea.

Before students begin the investigation, hold a class discussion about North Korea, what they know and what they want to find out. Note: please refer to BtN’s Upsetting News document as this may be a sensitive issue for some students http://www.abc.net.au/btn/resources/story/UpsettingNews.pdf.

©ABC 2013 Here are some discussion starters:  Do you know why North Korea was in the news recently?  When was Korea divided into North Korea and South Korea? Why was the country divided?  Did you know that if ordinary North Koreans are caught listening to foreign broadcasts they risk being punished? Discuss how this impacts on people’s freedom of speech.  How does the rest of the world view North Korea?

Investigation 1 – Profile of North Korea

Students create a profile of North Korea and its people including the following information:  Geographical and physical features of the country including a map showing surrounding countries  People of North Korea  Government/politics  History. E.g. when was North Korea formed?

Students can present their research findings as an oral presentation or using the Cube Creator publishing tool. Go to http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/ then click on create-your- own cube.

Investigation 2 – Kids of North Korea

Students will imagine what life is like for kids that live in North Korea. Hold a group discussion, taking the following into consideration:  Family life  School and education  Health (e.g. do they have basic necessities like shelter, food, water)  Safety and wellbeing (e.g. the affects of nuclear testing)

Students can present their research as an artwork or a journal/diary entry. Here is a real life story from a South Korean student, take a look at their message to the world on the Voices of Youth website. http://www.voicesofyouth.org/posts/message-to-the-world-as-a-south-korean-citizen--3

Investigation 3 – Web on nuclear weapons

Write "Nuclear Weapons" on the board and circle it. Ask the students to brainstorm words that they associate with nuclear weapons. Draw a line from the circle to connect each idea to the central theme: nuclear weapons (see "example web" below). Write down everything students report, to affirm their knowledge. This will help the class to outline basic information about nuclear weapons, and can also serve to correct any false assumptions.

Some questions teachers can ask to stimulate students’ ideas include:  Which countries have nuclear weapons?  What do nuclear weapons do?  What makes nuclear weapons different than other weapons?  What is radiation?

Here is an example of a web on nuclear weapons:

©ABC 2013 Further Investigation

Investigate the damage caused by nuclear weapons. What are the short and long term effects of their use? Present your research using Prezi, a presentation tool that helps you organise and share your ideas. http://prezi.com/

8 Related Research Links

CBBC Newsround – Guide to North Korea http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/20692214

BBC News – North Korea Country Profile http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15256929

Business Pundit – Nuclear weapons (infographic) http://www.businesspundit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/nuclearweapons.jpg

ABC News – North Korea may conduct double nuke test http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-02-05/north-korea-may-conduct-double-nuke-test/4500698

Asia Education – Go Korea! http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/sites/gokorea/theme4.html#

Brain POP – Korean War http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/ushistory/koreanwar/preview.weml

Behind the News – Nuclear threats http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3469069.htm

©ABC 2013