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