Geography

The following document was created together with learning buddies in Google Docs to outline Geography. Reading Sheet 1 - Geography

__//**Big Idea's to be taught in Geography **//__ 

Knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development: -The reading focuses on the importance of educating students about maintaining our ecological system, and understanding the problems we are faced with today in terms of degrading environmental and living situations. Students should be aware of the impact human life has on the Earth, and how this affects the planet and living conditions for all species. Therefore, they will have greater reasoning and drive for sustaining a positive future for our environment.

Knowledge and understanding of places: -Some other big ideas that stand out from the reading are that of students knowledge and understanding of places.This could be places geographically, as well as the processes of places, and how they affect the lives of people who live there. There are many learning strands that stem from this, but basically, the main focus is how people affect place; the relationship between them; and to have an understanding of wider geographical locations.

Knowledge and understanding of patterns and processes: - The main idea in terms of patterns and processes is that students understand why certain patterns or processes occur in particular places. Therefore, they have better understanding about how the world works in general (living patterns, environmental patterns, geographical patterns, etc). So, for example, they could compare landscapes and typical weather patterns that occur there, thus linking into aspects of how human life might be affected due to this. __//** Knowledge & Content to be taught in Geography **//__ 

For students to understand the principles of ecologically sustainable development, such as: - Conservation - Peace and equity - Appropriate development - Democracy

Mapping skills such as location, direction, representation, perspective and distance. Also time zones, seasons and climate. Mapping skills can also relate to interdisciplinary knowledge in subjects such as maths and English. For example mapping teaches area and distance which relates to maths.

Other knowledge being taught is of various natural environments and the affect on their ecosystems caused by factors such as human. Also the patterns and process to produce various landscapes.

Identifying where people and places are located in the world; examining the physical and human aspects of places; understanding how these aspects change or persist over time; and recognising how people and place interrelate (every chance to learn ELA23).

//ELA 23: The student understands world issues and events. //  23.EC.3 The globe as a representation of the earth and distinctive landscapes and places (eg climate, landscape, housing and population). 23.EC.4 Some difference between Australia and places they talk about (eg climate, landscape, housing and population). 23.LC.5 Significant geographic areas (eg deserts, seas, continents) and reference points in the world (eg countries, capital cities, equator, poles). 23.EA.5 The origins of conflict around the world based on geography (eg availability of natural resources). 23.LA.5 The relationship between geographical context and particular world issues and events (eg the location of water or oil, the rise in sea levels). __//** Skills to be taught in Geography **//__  - Investigate and solve issues in the environment - Mapping skills as mentioned earlier which link to spatial awareness and problem solving. - Interpretation which can relate to maps, images, information etc. - Critical thinking. - ICT skills. - Problem solving skills (in general). //ELA 23: The student understands world issues and events. //  23.EC.7 Locate places on a globe where significant issues and events are occuring. 23.LC.9 Locate places and geographic features on world maps (eg in the Asia-Pacific region). 23.EA.9 Locate places on a world map where significant issues and events are occuring and identify their geographical features using geographical language (eg scale, grid, references, legends, latitude and longitude). 23.LA.10 Evaluate and use a range of historical and geographical sources to construct reasoned explanations about world events in the past. __//**<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Values to be taught in Geography **//__ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">

Through studying and investigating geographical issues, students will learn and develop a number of values such as: - Acquiring attitudes of care and concern for the environment - Consideration of our impact on the planet. - A change in mindset and positive attitude towards other places and people in the world. - The ability to link values to locations to determine their affect on future sustainability. - Empowerment to promote contribution to a better future. - Appreciate the diversity of peoples, cultures, societies, environments, languages and beliefs in the world.

As shown in the following website, Google Maps & Earth can be used to teach not just Geography, but right across the curriculum with its multi purpose application. **[]
 * Teaching Examples

This website Google Maps for Educators talks all about the various uses capable for using Google Maps & Earth in the classroom. Some examples include calculating the area of a car-park space in Las Vegas.

This website has many uses for Google earth in the classroom, and includes lots of Google Earth lessons and files to use! Google Earth Lessons

Is all about finding out what the students know and accessing their prior knowledge
 * Tuning In:**
 * Complete a brainstorm on what they know about Maps and what they are used for? This will develop into some good discussions.
 * Use a KWL graphic organiser to show prior knowledge, what they want to learn, and what they have learnt at the end of the unit.
 * Think, pair, share.
 * Gain vocabularly. Students work in groups to brainstorm words they know associated to the Mapping and Geography.
 * Class then can come together to discuss definition of words.
 * Use of images and websites, including Google Map & especially Google Earth (if bandwidth capable) to show students about mapping and the earth.

Is all about using the actual content, including research, Internet, books, games, etc. The teacher can use mapping activities in the class, as well as orienteering activities around the school, to further develop their prior learning and engage their interest in the unit. Another fantastic way to help students in their finding out stage is to use the **Mapping Our World - Interactive Resource. This resource is for use on the smart board or computers, aimed at 8-14 year olds, and has a program of 9 activities that develop the inquiry skills of the students. It will look into how students' view of the world changes their perception of the whole world around them. **
 * Finding Out:**

Is when the students use their knowledge from the finding out process & doing activities that really solidify their learning.
 * Sorting Out:**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">An example of this would be: Use of Google Maps or Earth to plot a journey or visit, accompanied by the placement of photos taken at specific places on the map in Google Maps or Earth. Here is an example of Gungahlin, showing many photos placed around the area, which really brings the mapping learning to a first person experience that can be visualised in real life. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">media type="custom" key="6564551"

The below file can be used to open the map in Google Earth. Link:


 * Going Further:**

Usually includes a project, contract or group work for the younger years. For example: Setting a project for the students to create geography WikiSpaces to show evidence of learning with ICT assisting in the experience. The project will give the students the option to choose how they will present their findings in their WikiSpace, and express it with Mapping tools like Google Earth or Maps. The students will be capable of this at home, from their learn of it at school. The students will also be able to attach to the work, pictures taken, history notes, geographic information and anything else relevant to their findings.