Introducing Geography

Planning a ‘mini unit’ at the start of Key Stage 3

So what is Geography and why is it important?

• Geographical imaginations can be a good place to start. Most students will have an idea about different aspects of geography and this can be explored by simply posing the question “What is geography?”

• From here, the importance statement can provide a good guide as to what to include in an introductory unit

How to use the importance statement

• There are various parts of the importance statement that can be used to introduce geography at key stage 3 for example:– Wonder about places– Changing world– Interconnectivity– Asking questions– Issues affecting the world and people’s lives

Wonder about places

• This could involve thinking about holiday destinations of the class and getting students to find out more about places they have visited

• Introducing students to completely different places with awe and wonder for example Fantastic Places as featured on the RGS-IBG website www.rgs.org/schools

Changing World

• Looking at maps to see how the world has changed in terms of, for example, population, wealth, rainforest cover – the possibilities are endless!

• Using satellite images to show land use change and development in the local area

Interconnectivity

• Mapping countries involved in making a single item of clothing

• Internet shopping and how it connects people and companies all over the world

• Mapping food found in cupboards at home

Asking questions

• Students write down questions they have about geography in general at the beginning of the course. These questions can be put on the classroom wall and referred to during the unit

• Students write down questions at the end of the lesson about aspects of the topic they would still like to know about

Issues affecting the world and people’s lives

• This provides an opportunity to build in topicality

• Local issues – building new houses, closing down of local post office

• Global issues – climate change, deforestation, food supply

How to make it successful

• Plan your mini unit to suit the strengths of your department and needs of your students – make it relevant to them!

• Lessons can be one off ‘tasters’ which are punchy and thought provoking

• Introducing geography in this way gives you the scope to deliver something a little bit different to topics covered in your schemes of work

For more ideas

Have a look at the ‘Revealing the Importance of Geography’ article on the

RGS-IBG website, which has ideas about using the Importance Statement and how and why to involve students in making the

curriculum

www.rgs.org/schools