The first time I saw a Komodo Dragon was on a Japanese TV program. There was a female wearing a Yukata, a traditional Japanese summer outfit, who tied a piece of raw meat to herself with a long line in an attempt to attract the attention of the Komodo Dragon. As expected, the dragon started chasing her at a remarkably high speed. The girl kept shouting, “So fast! So fast!” I couldn’t help but wonder, seriously? Don’t you guys have any idea that a Komodo Dragon is not only fast but also incredibly venomous?
Every time we play the “secret bag,” the most thrilling animal that never fails to capture everyone’s attention is the Komodo Dragon, also known as the largest lizard in the world. It somehow manages to captivate the kids’ full attention, probably because it represents the closest thing to an actual “Dragon” in today’s world. I mean, where else can you encounter a real-life dragon in the 21st century? 😉
When kids are unsure about where to place the Komodo Dragon, here are a couple of hints: 1) It can be found in Asia, and 2) It resides in a country that has numerous islands.
However, these two clues lead to two possible answers: the Philippines or Indonesia. Let’s examine the map to determine the correct one. The Philippines is a long north-south oriented country, while Indonesia is wider from west to east. Additionally, it is important to note that the Komodo Dragon originates from Indonesia.
Shifting our focus to this month’s topic concerning the Komodo Dragon, it is worth discussing Indonesia’s decision to relocate its capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan in Borneo. The primary reason behind this relocation is that Jakarta is experiencing an annual sinking rate of 20 centimeters, which is considered one of the fastest sinking speeds for a city. Additionally, issues related to overpopulation, pollution, and heavy traffic congestion have also contributed to the need for this move.
This topic may not be very familiar to kids, as it could be their first time encountering the concept of a “capital,” let alone understanding what it means to relocate one. However, that’s what makes it interesting in this class, both for the children and myself. It’s a challenge to introduce these abstract ideas in a simple language that they can comprehend. But that’s exactly why I love teaching this class – it allows us to explore and learn about such concepts together, and witnessing their understanding and curiosity grow is truly rewarding.
