KS3 Geography

Curriculum Content

In Years 7, 8 and 9 the course is divided into six units of study which will develop basic geographic map skills such as direction, scale, symbols, map/grid references and contours. These six units are.

Year 7

1. What is Geography?
2. Weather and climate.
3. Mapwork.
4. Settlements.
5. Transport (includes project for assessment).

Year 8

1. Weathering and erosion (includes rivers project for assessment).
2. Primary activities: farming.
3. Secondary activities: Factories.
4. Environmental issues.
5. Population.
6. Developing countries.

Year 9

1. Natural Environments (climate and vegetation).
2. Hazards – volcanoes and earthquakes.
3. Tourism (includes project for assessment).
4. European Union and Italy.
5. Global superpowers.
6. World Development (population, trade etc.).

Resources

For Years 7 and 8 a textbook is used: “Foundations” for Year 7 and “Connections” for Year 8. These are supplemented by a wide range of additional materials including atlases, worksheets, photographs, slides, audio/video tapes, computer databases and spreadsheet programs.
The textbook used by Year 9 is “Interactions”.

Teaching Methods

In all years pupils experience a variety of methods including written and oral work and group activities. We also use Information and Communication Technology (computer) programs, audio visual materials, simulation exercises and “fieldwork”.

Skills and Knowledge

Your child will be encouraged to develop basis geographic skills of observation, recording, interpretation, map reading and drawing, information handling. These skills will be used to show understanding of the different aspects of the course. Pupils will learn a basic geographic vocabulary and gain knowledge of the general location of places. In addition, your child will come to an understanding of world environments.

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