AIMS IN TEACHING PRIMARY SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY

Core units: Key understandings Years F–4Illustration 1: Pointers to understanding

What are we aiming at in teaching primary school

geography?

How do we know when we achieve it?

AIM 1

Students develop a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect about places, people, cultures and environments throughout the world

How do we know when we achieve Aim 1?

Students:• find out information and want to share it• are fascinated by particular places in the

world• respond to our enthusiasms, and develop

their own

AIM 2

Students develop a deep geographical knowledge of their own locality, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and the world

How do we know when we achieve Aim 2?Students:• want to know more about their place, their

country and their planet• show understanding of the relative scale of

places• exhibit understanding of relationships

between their place and other places• show understanding and appreciation of

regional geographical diversity

AIM 3

Students develop the ability to think geographically, using geographical concepts:• place• space• environment• interconnection• sustainability• scale• change

How do we know when we achieve Aim 3?

Students:• demonstrate thinking about the reasons for

patterns and features on the earth’s surface• demonstrate thinking about the ways that

humans and the physical environment are interconnected

• show feeling for other peoples and for sustaining the environment

AIM 4

Students develop the capacity to be competent, critical and creative users of geographical inquiry methods and skills

How do we know when we achieve Aim 4?

Students:• show critical-thinking skills• demonstrate self-directed inquiry• work well with others in gathering and

processing information

AIM 5

Students develop as informed, responsible and active citizens who can contribute to the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable, and socially just world

How do we know when we achieve Aim 5?

Students:• link their information and knowledge to

imagining future scenarios• initiate and participate in individual and

group actions• articulate their opinions and beliefs related

to their environment and society• take on individual responsibilities to help

their environment