Summary of Unit:

Students will explore features of a range of countries and the factors that influence where and how people live. Students will investigate the inquiry question: ‘How liveable is Australia?’ Students will compare life in another country and will choose from Europe, North America, Asia and Europe. Throughout the inquiry students will be collecting a variety of data and information, recording and representing data with the focus of maps, tables, charts and graphs.

Australian Curriculum Links:

AC Geography : Year 6

• ACHGS045 Present findings and ideas in a range of communication forms, for example, written, oral, graphic, tabular, visual and maps, using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate
• ACHGK031 The location of the major countries of the Asia region in relation to Australia and the geographical diversity within the region
• ACHGK035 The various connections Australia has with other countries and how these connections change people and places
• ACHGK032 Differences in the economic, demographic and social characteristics between countries across the world
• ACHGS043 Represent the location and features of places and different types of geographical information by constructing large–‐scale and small–‐scale maps that conform to cartographic conventions including border, source, scale, legend, title and north point, using spatial technologies as appropriate

AC Geography : Year 7

• ACHGS048 Collect, select and record relevant geographical data and information, using ethical protocols, from appropriate primary and secondary sources
• ACHGS053 Present findings, arguments and ideas in a range of communication forms selected to suit a particular audience and purpose; using geographical terminology and digital technologies as appropriate
• ACHGK045 The influence of environmental quality on the liveability of places.
• ACHGK043 The factors that influence the decisions people make about where to live and their perceptions of the liveability of places

Other Goals ACARA Cross Curriculum Priorities

OI.2 Country/Place

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities maintain a special connection to and responsibility for Country/Place throughout all of Australia.
• Australia has two distinct Indigenous groups, Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

OI.1 Asia and its diversity

• The peoples and countries of Asia are diverse in ethnic background, traditions, cultures, belief systems and religions.

OI.2 Systems

• All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing

GC58 consider what it might be like to walk in another persons’ shoes .

GC54 perceive and understand other people’s emotions and viewpoints, show understanding and empathy for others, identify the strengths of team members, define and accept individual and group roles and responsibilities, be of service to others (Social awareness)

Key Understandings:

• There are a range of different factors that influence the liveability of places (population, environment, resources, climate etc.)
• We use a range of different maps (physical and technology based) in order to locate different places in the world
• We use specific language in order to direct and locate people, places and things using maps and globes
• Australia is one of the 7 continents of the world.

Key Inquiry Questions:

• How do people influence the human characteristics of places and the management of spaces within them?
• How do places, people and cultures differ across the world?
• What are Australia’s connections between people and places?
• How do people connections to places affect their perception of them?

Knowledge:

• Key cartographic terms: border, sources, scale, legend, title, north point
• How to locate the major countries of the Asia region, Europe and North America
• The location and continent of their chosen countries. Students will know the different factors that influence liveability in both Australia and their chosen country
• The 7 continent names and locations: Australia, Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Antarctica.

Skills:

• Using maps and globes to locate different places and landmarks in Australia and their chosen country (Asia, Europe, North America)
• Collecting and recording a range of different information and data (primary and secondary sources)
• Representing location features of places by creating both small–‐scale and large–‐scale maps.
• Communicating findings and ideas in a variety of different forms using geographical terminology and digital technologies

Download the Full Sequence of Lesson Plans and Resources Below:

Geography Unit Plan – Liveability (PDF)

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