Open Access College Teaching and Learning Unit Plan 2021

Unit Planner Year 7/8 HASS

Learning Area Subject HASS Year Level 7/8 Sequence
Geography Duration: 8 wks
Unit Title From the Ground Up

Description Within this unit students will learn about the relationship of people and the environment through
the study of both physical and human Geography. Students will explore the concepts of space
and place through a focus on the management of resources and the landscape, and the
establishment of place through the ideas of liveability and urbanisation.

Learning Intentions By the end of this unit students will understand that:

● Societies are built in particular areas based on resource availability

● Once established societies can expand into cities and empires

● Survival is the first priority of people we can then develop art and culture

● People forge their relationship and connection to the land over time

Assessment Task/s
Standing the Test of Time

Students will develop, build and maintain a society throughout the year. In this unit students will establish their society
including drawing maps and establishing population density. The society will then be tested against geographical
challenges associated with Water and Landscapes and Landforms

Achievement Year 7: Geography

Standards - Describe geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and how the
characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently

- Explain interconnections between people and places and environments and describe
how these interconnections change places and environments

- Describe alternative strategies to a geographical challenge referring to environmental,

economic and social factors

- Identify geographically significant questions to frame an inquiry

- Evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to locate useful information and data

- Record and represent data and the location and distribution of geographical phenomena
in a range of forms, including large-scale and small-scale maps that conform to
cartographic conventions

- Interpret and analyse geographical maps, data and other information to propose simple
explanations for spatial distributions, patterns, trends and relationships, and draw
conclusions

- Present findings and arguments using relevant geographical terminology and digital
technologies in a range of communication forms

- Propose action in response to a geographical challenge, taking account of environmental,

economic and social factors, and describe the expected effects of their proposal

Year 8: Geography

- Explain geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and explain
how places are perceived and valued differently

- Explain interconnections within environments and between people and places and
explain how they change places and environments

- Compare alternative strategies to a geographical challenge, taking into account

Open Access College Teaching and Learning Unit Plan 2021

environmental, economic and social factors

- Identify geographically significant questions from observations to frame an inquiry

- Evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to locate useful and reliable
information and data

- Select, record and represent data and the location and distribution of geographical
phenomena in a range of appropriate digital and non-digital forms, including maps at
different scales that conform to cartographic conventions

- Analyse geographical maps, data and other information to propose explanations for
spatial distributions, patterns, trends and relationships, and draw reasoned conclusions

- Present findings, arguments and ideas using relevant geographical terminology and
digital technologies in a range of appropriate communication forms

- Propose action in response to a geographical challenge, taking account of environmental,

economic and social factors

- Predict the outcomes of their proposal

Literacy Connections Numeracy Connection

Students develop their ability to use the terminology of
Geography through the study of sources and inquiry.
Students develop texts explaining and responding to
geographical phenomenon. They utilise symbolism to
develop codes for mapping purposes.
Students develop their ability to use and manipulate
statistical data through exploring modern day countries.
Students use maps of different types and cartographic
conventions to interpret and create maps. They develop
means to display data and geographical phenomenon.

Teaching and Week 1:

Learning
Lesson 1: What is Geography?

Introduction to the Study of Geography

Ensure elements of
Exploring the Etymology of the term
Model, Share, Guide
and Apply Exploring Physical and Human Geography

Independent Work: Week 1 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 2: What is Space?

Introducing what space means in Geography

BOLTSSAN - Map Study

Independent Work: Continuing Week 1 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 2:

Lesson 3: What is Place?

Introducing what place means in Geography

The relationship between space and place

How do we decide where to live?

Independent Work: Week 2 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 4: The People

Population Density
Open Access College Teaching and Learning Unit Plan 2021

Charting Population Density

Why would we need to know this?

Independent Work: Continuing Week 2 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 3:

Lesson 5: “Depth Study” into the Murray River

Defining the “Space”

Defining resources

Independent Work: Week 3 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 6: “Depth Study” into the Murray River

Important Notes for Landscapes (Relationships between certain features e.g. Rivers and
Mountains)

Independent Work: Continuing Week 3 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 4:

Lesson 7: “Depth Study” into the Murray River

Exploring the idea of place in the basin

Exploring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the region

Population density of the region

Independent Work: Week 4 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 8: Working Lesson

Independent Work: Continuing Week 4 of Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 5:

Lesson 9: “Depth Study” into the Murray River

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples relationship to the space

Task Example

Independent Work: Week 5 of the Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 10: Working Lesson

Independent Work: Continuing Week 5 of the Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 6:

Lesson 11: Water Scarcity

What is it?
Open Access College Teaching and Learning Unit Plan 2021

What happens if it progresses too far?

Independent Work: Week 6 of the Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 12: Overcoming Water Scarcity

How do we prevent it getting worse?

Economic, Environmental and Social Factors

Independent Work: Continuing Week 6 of the Standing the Test of Time Task

Week 7:

Lesson 13: Drought and the Landscape

How does drought alter the landscape?

Independent Work: Week 7 of the the Standing the Test of Time Task

Lesson 14: Easter Weekend

Week 8:

Lesson 15:Overcoming Landscape Altercations

How do we overcome changes and restore productivity to the land?

Independent Work: Week 7 and Week 8 Standing Test of Time Task

Lesson 16: Wrapping up

What have we learnt in Geography and Why is it important?

Independent Work: Continuing Week 8 of the Standing the Test of Time Task and Wrapping up
anything the is outstanding still