Australian Curriculum Geography

Goals for this session…… Consider the Australian Curriculum Geography concepts, skills & scope & sequence for P – 7 ; Consider the process of geographical inquiry; Engage in the process of planning & writing your school’s Geography Learning Area Overview Network, share ideas and moments of brilliance!

What is Geography? ‘Geography is a living topic discipline….not just the stuff of the everyday, such as shop locations, the countryside & parking issues;

Geography….. …… is also the things that have wider regional, national & global impacts.’

Geography has topicality…. Geography examines topical matters & concerns to provide insight into our own & the wider world…. Local Natural disasters Environmental issues Town Planning issues Provision of services National Effect of Government decisions Carbon impacts & environmental issues Industry & employment Migration Global Global warming World poverty International trade Natural Resources Refugees Natural Disasters

Why is Geography important? ‘Geography helps us make sense of the planet we live on and discover all we can to understand our ‘home’…. Matthews et al. (2009)

Every day Geographies….. foster children’s curiosity and interest in the world; put their everyday geographies in context and to share them. Everyday geographies are about how we use the environment, our connections with people and places, the goods we consume and the decisions we make about how we go about our everyday life. Activity : Record how much water you think it takes to make your morning latte? http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/people_and_the_environment/human_footprint/

World Knowledge ….. Geography …. Informs their knowledge & use of our local surroundings; Fosters what places mean to them – sense of place Extends children’s knowledge / understanding of the wider world; Develops their ‘World Knowledge’ – where places are; Challenges stereotypes, partiality and bias about others…. Activity – Let’s test your ‘World Knowledge’! http://www.jetpunk.com/quizzes/how-many-countries-can-you-name.php http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4snT568DVY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43yCiKlbCo

And Fieldwork ~ Fieldwork… Develops students spatial awareness through map work, using GIS (Global Information Systems) and other visual sources; Engages students locally and further afield; Allows students to observe geographical features, patterns & relationships on the ground & in a ‘real life’, relevant way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCaQ-O04ym4

Environmental Awareness…. Geography… Develops students’ understanding of what environments & places are like, why they are like that & why & how they are changing; Develops their appreciation of the Earth’s environments and Helps them recognise the ways people treat the Earth & how environmental decisions are made & their impact. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD2WTK94c1U http://earthengine.google.org/#intro/LasVegas

And Sustainability Awareness…. Geography … Encourages students to think about their own decisions, how these affect their lives and the lives of others – a sense of informed concern; Helps them understand why sustainable approaches are important – a sense of personal responsibility for the Earth, locally and more widely. http://worldwildlife.org/videos/how-your-t-shirt-can-make-a-difference http://worldwildlife.org/videos/change-the-way-you-think-about-your-laptop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28hZkIHTnnA http://www.showusyourclips.com/change-the-way-you-think-about-food-a-wwf-animated-short/ http://www.wwf.org.au/what_you_can_do/change_the_way_you_live/sustainable_living/

Environmental Awareness…. Geography… Develops students’ understanding of what environments & places are like, why they are like that & why & how they are changing; Develops their appreciation of the Earth’s environments and Helps them recognise the ways people treat the Earth & how environmental decisions are made & their impact. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD2WTK94c1U http://earthengine.google.org/#intro/LasVegas

Rationale for Teaching Geography Australian Curriculum -Geography

Comparing Rationales for Teaching History & Geography Activity : 10 minutes Goals : To compare the Rationale for the Australian Curriculum History & the Rationale for Geography. Record observations in a Venn diagram. Discuss observations

History Geography Inquiry based 2 integrated strands Local, national, global contexts Focus Inquiry Questions Skills based Folio of Evidence Use of a range of ICTs Cross curriculum priorities General capabilities Critical Thinking skills Relevant learning History Geography Analysis of primary & secondary sources from the past. Analysis of primary sources e.g maps, photographs Analysis of data Fieldwork

Let’s look at

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Geographical Skills ‘The key geographical concepts are developed through investigations enabled by skills…..’ Catling, S (2013)

Skills Compared History Geography Chronology, terms & concepts Historical questions & research - Analysis & use of primary & secondary sources Perspectives & interpretations ICT skills Explanation & communication Geography Formulate a question & research plan Recording & data representation skills. Interpret & develop maps, tables, photographs, satellite images, diagrams, graphs & other data. Use a variety of spatial technologies – ICT skills Communicate using geographical vocabulary.

Australian Curriculum Geography Scope & Sequence -A Thematic Approach Prep to Year 2 Local context Focus ? Environmental Characteristics? Human Characteristics? Years 3 & 4 National context Focus? Years 5 & 6 Global context

Australian Curriculum Geography Scope & Sequence Spend 10 minutes reviewing the Geographical Knowledge & Understanding & Geographical Inquiry & Skills Scope & Sequences. Comment / discuss observations.

An Inquiry Model for Geography

Geographical Inquiry Process Identifying an issue or problem & developing geographical questions to investigate the issue or find an answer to the problem. Collecting information from primary & secondary sources, recording the information & evaluating it for reliability & bias. Making sense of information gathered, identifying order, diversity, trend, patterns, anomalies, generalisations & cause/ effect relationships. Interpret results of this analysis & develop conclusions. Using combinations of methods – written, audio, graphical, visual & mapping – appropriate to the subject matter, purpose & audience. Reflecting on the findings of the investigation & evaluating what has been learned against the criteria of environmental sustainability, economic costs & benefits and social justice. Observing, questioning and planning Collecting, recording, evaluating and representing Interpreting, analysing and concluding Communicating Reflecting & responding

Using ICT in History & Geography Research Presenting data Accessing primary sources Multi-modal presentations Geography Spatial Technologies e.g: GIS - Geographic Information Systems GPS - Global Positioning Systems Google Maps Google Earth Analysis of data Research Multi-modal presentations

Can be purchased from AGTA website & local book distributors.

Other Geography Resources… (for teachers of Geography) AGTA – Australian Geography Teachers’ Association website. Contour Education website. ‘Keys to Geography – Essential Skills & Tools’ – AGTA (2011) Macmillan ‘Keys to Fieldwork – Essential Skills & Tools’ – AGTA (2008) Macmillan Your local area! QSA website

Six Characteristics of Good Geography Teaching That geography teaching and children’s learning is purposeful. That geographical topics are frequently problem, puzzle, issue or topically based. That geographical learning is structured through inquiry. That children work co-operatively in their geographical investigations. That geographical inquiries involve children’s active engagement with the world. That children are stimulated by using good quality resources.

Connect History with Geography where ever it fits!!!