GEOGRAPHY - YEAR 9

 

Teacher in charge - Mr P. Rowe

 

Aims/Objectives for Year 9

 

  • To build upon the geography experienced by pupils in Year 8.
  • To develop the students skills and knowledge in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum.
  • To prepare students the GCSE course in Key Stage 4
  • Since this is the last time that some pupils will study Geography it is important to emphasise the importance of the subject in understanding the world in which we live.
  • To foster a sense of awe and wonder about the world.

 

Course description

 

Unit 1 - Impossible Places

This unit involves the study of amazing places that people have created. In particular the work focuses on Las Vegas and Dubai.

 

Unit 2 - Settlement

Students learn how geography can be used to explain the location and function of towns and cities. Beyond that they are asked if our cities and towns are "fit for purpose" and they are challenged to design something better.

 

Unit 3 - Earthquakes and volcanoes

Pupils learn about the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanoes.

 

Unit 4 - Population and Development

Pupils examine where people live and why they might choose or be forced to migrate.

 

Unit 5 - Glaciers

Students look at the processes and landforms associated with glaciers and what happened when a prehistoric man fell (or was pushed) into one. The students examine whether change in glacier activity is associated with climate change.

 

Unit 6 - Hunger

In this unit students learn about why food is not distributed equally and whether aid helps or hinders those living with hunger.

 

Unit 7 - Environmental Issues, climate change and threatened environments

Students learn about climate change and the implications that it has for fragile environments. Students carry out an enquiry into an environmental issue of their choice.

 

Unit 8 - Mapping festivals

Students consider the geography that surrounds festivals and festival goers.

 

Unit 9 - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Many of the themes (population, hunger, development and environmental issues) that have been studied in Year 9 are re-examined using these three fascinating countries.

 

Range of activities

 

Pupils will use resources such as textbooks, worksheets, maps, aerial and satellite photographs, video, GIS (such as Google Earth) and the internet. Enquiry, group presentations and discussion work are just some of the teaching methods used.

 

Homework

 

45 minutes per week in rotation with History.

 

Assessment

Assessment is informal and ongoing. In addition there are a number of formally assessed pieces of work spaced throughout the year. These pieces are marked using the National Curriculum levels.