CaldersideWelcome to the Geography Department
Welcome to the Geography Department
Geography is always included in the news whether it be weather, global warming, green peace, natural disasters, deserts, populations or migration.
Geography is in our sense of community, our food, our environment, sustainability and our communications. It is Earth’s past, present and possible futures.
Many pupils decide to choose Geography and from this, they learn about citizenship, sustainability and outdoor learning. They also gain a host of skills including team working, critical thinking and analysis, evaluation skills and many more geographical skills and techniques.
Choosing Geography is a great way for young people to keep their options open, irrespective of whether they are going into further education or straight into a job.
Careers in Geography can include:
· Renewable energy
· Town and transport planning
· Environmental management and
· conservation
· Travel and tourism
· Education, including teaching
· Housing and social welfare
· Resource exploration and extraction
· e.g. mining, petroleum
· Work in the charity sector
· e.g. aid agencies
Geography members of staff are:
Miss Allison
Mrs Gallagher
Mr Palmer
Topics and Course Description
S1
What is Geography?
Pupils will be introduced to Geography and what will be included in the years to come.
Pupils learn about physical, human and environmental geography.
Pupils will also gain map reading and annotating skills.
Japan
Pupils will gain in depth knowledge of Japan, including the climate, culture and population.
S2
Countries of the World
This topic will build on pupils’ knowledge of a variety of countries including their capitals and information on each.
Volcanoes
Pupils will learn about the structure of Earth and causes & impacts of volcanic eruptions.
Earthquakes
Pupils will learn about the structure of Earth and causes & impacts of earthquakes.
S3
Extreme Weather
Pupils will learn about the location of tropical storms, how they form, the impacts of tropical storms and ways we can predict them. They will also look at a case study of a hurricane before carrying out independent research to complete a project on a tropical storm of their choice.
Fast Fashion
Pupils will learn where our clothes come from and how this has changed over recent years. They will look at the impacts of fast fashion on people and the environment.
Empty Lands (Hot and Cold Deserts)
Pupils will learn about the location of hot and cold desert areas and life in the desert.
Pupils will learn how wildlife, plants and people adapt to survive the harsh conditions of the desert.
Pupils will carry out independent research to complete a project on a desert of their choice.
Brazil
Pupils will learn about the Amazon Rainforest’s climate, tribes, animals and deforestation. They will also learn about the rural to urban migration from the rainforest to Rio de Janeiro and the Zika virus.
Mapping Skills
Pupils will learn key skills such as reading grid references, scales, map symbols and reading heights on a map.
Health
Pupils will learn about diseases which affect different parts of the world including heart disease, malaria, AIDS and COVID-19.
Climate Change
Pupils will learn about the main features of climate change including the causes, the effects and the solutions.
Tourism
Pupils will learn about the main features of mass tourism and eco-tourism including the causes, effects and solutions.
Senior Phase
S4
Coasts
Pupils will learn about coastal erosion and the features created by erosion. Pupils will also learn about how the land is used in the UK’s coastal areas.
Glaciation (Mountainous Landscapes)
Pupils will learn about glacial erosion processes and the features created by erosion.
Pupils will learn about different land uses in glaciated areas, such as Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, conflicts which can arise from these land uses and possible solutions.
Weather
Pupils will learn about the main factors which affect the weather in the UK.
Population
Pupils will learn about the factors which affect population distribution globally (where people choose to live and why).
Pupils will also learn about the reasons behind population change.
Urban
Pupils learn about the main characteristics of a developed world city (Glasgow).
Pupils also learn about the main characteristics of a developing world city (Rio de Janiero).
Rural
Pupils compare the differences between farming in a developed country (UK) and a developing country (India).
S5/S6
The Higher Geography course is split in to 3 main sections.
Physical Environments, Human Environments and Global Issues.
Physical Environments:
Atmosphere
Pupils learn about how energy is distributed around the globe and how this affects weather patterns.
Biosphere
Pupils learn about the properties and formation processes of podzol, brown earth and gley soils.
Hydrosphere
Pupils will learn about the movement of water around the world.
Pupils also learn about the formation of features along a river.
Lithosphere (Coasts and Glaciation)
Pupils learn about the formation of coastal and glaciation features.
Human Environments:
Population
Pupils learn about the effects of different population structures in different countries.
Pupils also learn about the causes and effects of migration. (India to Britain and Ukraine to Poland).
Urban
Pupils learn about urban change in a developed world city (Glasgow) and in a developing world city (Mumbai).
Rural
Pupils learn about the effects and solutions of deforestation in The Amazon Rainforest.
Pupils also learn about the conflicts and solutions of glaciated land use conflicts.
Global Issues:
River Basin Management (Dams)
Pupils learn about the need for water management projects (Hoover Dam in the Colorado River Basin).
Pupils also learn about the effects that dams have on surrounding areas.
Climate Change
Pupils learn about the causes, effects, solutions and effectiveness of solutions of climate change.
Geographical Skills
Pupils use their Geography skills to interpret and analyse a variety of scenarios using OS maps, sketches, photographs and cross sections.
Extra-Curricular
Trips
The Geography department run a yearly S3 excursion to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh to reinforce the learning covered in S3.
A yearly Higher excursion runs where pupils practice field work which can be used in their assignment.
Supported Study
Ongoing support is offered to all students at all levels.
A class teacher should be contacted if extra support is required and arrangements can be made.