Geography – Leigh Academy Rainham

Curriculum Intent Statement

The Geography curriculum at Leigh Academy Rainham aims to provide a rich, balanced and diverse curriculum which interlinks with MYP values of being a global citizen. The curriculum aims to provide students with cross-curricular and interdisciplinary experiences which encourage the development of skills, investigation and inquiry whilst securing a deep knowledge base as well as developing enjoyment and passion for future study.

The Geography Curriculum aims to ensure all students:

Develop knowledge and conceptual understanding.
To introduce students to inquiry and develop problem solving and investigative skills
To help students develop a sense of identity and develop their own informed opinions and attitudes.
To deliver a broad and rich co-curricular offer that develops and enriches pupils’ love of Geography.
To develop responsible digital citizens through use of highly effective digital technology.

Geography at Leigh Academy Rainham is not just a study of their local environment- it is an invaluable tool in helping us understand our world today and how our world will continue to develop. In a world increasingly complex and constantly changing, students should be aware of how our present day has been shaped. One of the key things students will learn in our Geography lessons at Leigh Academy Rainham is that we are constantly interacting with new processes. Delivering the curriculum through the Middle Years Programme allows for consistent student reflection and comparison between learning and worldly surroundings.

Module 1: UK and Rainham - How does the UK culture look today?

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Culture & Processes

Statement of Inquiry

People’s understanding of place and orientation changes due to processes and interactions between different cultures.

Careers

Urban and regional planning
Business
Management
Administration

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What are the key physical and human features of both Rainham and the UK?
What are the similarities and differences between Rainham and the UK’s Geography?
What is Britishness?

Conceptual Questions

How can we measure place and orientation?
How has culture shaped and changed Britishness?

Debatable Questions

To what extent is the human and physical geography and Rainham and the UK changing?
To what extent do maps help people find out about their space and place?

Module 2: Weather and Climate (Micro climate) - how does the weather impact our day-to-day lives?

Key Concepts

Systems

Related Concepts

Patterns & Trends

Statement of Inquiry

Different weather systems affect the climate of natural and human landscapes as well as create new models to measure unique weather patterns and trends.

Careers

Human Services

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is weather and climate?
What is a microclimate?
Why does the climate differ depending on your location?

Conceptual Questions

How do different weather systems affect patterns and trends?
How can patterns and trends be identified using different weather measuring equipment?

Debatable Questions

To what extent are humans to blame for changing climate and weather patterns across the planet?

Module 3: Dynamic Places (Hot and Polar Deserts) - How have humans impacted physical landscapes?

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Causality & Consequence

Statement of Inquiry

Humans cause change in natural landscapes which consequently affect the environment of local communities and animals as well as their adaptations.

Careers

Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management
travel and Tourism
International Development

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What causes an extreme environment?
Why have animals and humans had to adapt?

Conceptual Questions

What is the relationship between human advancements and changes in our extreme environments?
How have changes in the landscape been a consequence of human development and change?

Debatable Questions

To what extent are changes in the environment naturally caused or occur due to human impacts?

Module 4: Population & Migration - How do levels of Population and migration shape our quality of life?

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Causality & Consequence

Statement of Inquiry

Displacement of humans occurs due to internal and external factors which consequently affect how equal and included people are in new communities.

Careers

Human Services
International Development

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What are the causes of population displacement?
What is the difference between push and pull factors?
How different are refugees and immigrants treated in new countries?

Conceptual Questions

Why does population displacement cause economic, social and political consequences?
Do the causes of displacement change depending on what country you are from?

Debatable Questions

To what extent do communities change due to immigration?
Immigrants will never be welcomed in foreign countries. To what extent is this statement true?

Module 5: Wasteful Worlds (Plastics & Sustainability in the Oceans) - How can we protect our oceans from the threats caused by humans?

Key Concepts

Global Interactions

Related Concepts

Sustainability, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

Local and global interactions have caused unsustainable impacts on the environment which requires management and intervention to reduce these effects

Careers

Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is pollution?
How do plastics and waste cause pollution?
What are the different ways we can dispose of waste?

Conceptual Questions

How do interactions between local and global communities affect sustainability?
In what ways has our local community managed and intervened in reducing waste?

Debatable Questions

To what extent can sustainable disposal be achieved?
How far are humans contributing and exacerbating unsustainable impacts around the globe?

Module 6: Breaking the Stereotypes (Africa) - A land of Contrasts

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Diversity & Globalisation

Statement of Inquiry

People’s understanding of place and orientation change due to globalisation which causes changes in natural and human landscapes.

Careers

Travel and Tourism
Economics
Finance
Financial analysis

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What are the stereotypes and misconceptions associated with Africa?
What is globalisation and how does it affect a country?
How diverse is Africa?

Conceptual Questions

How do the impacts of globalisation impact physical and human landscapes?
In what ways has Africa’s diversity changed over time?

Debatable Questions

To what extent does globalisation positively impact a country?

Module 1: Tectonic Hazards - Responses & Management

Key Concepts

Time, Place and Space

Related Concepts

Power, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

The place and power caused by a tectonic hazard affect how people manage and intervene to protect natural and human landscapes

Careers

Law and Public Safety
Urban and Regional Planning

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is a hazard?
What are the different types of tectonic hazards?
What are the causes and impacts of tectonic hazards?

Conceptual Questions

How does the power and place (location) affect management and intervention of tectonic hazards?
How does the power of tectonic hazards affect human and natural landscapes?

Debatable Questions

To what extent do developed countries better manage and intervene to reduce the impacts of tectonic hazards?

Module 2: The Ecosystem and Importance of Rainforests

Key Concepts

Global Interactions

Related Concepts

Sustainability, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

Consumption of natural resources caused by global interactions consequently affects the management and conservation of ecosystems and the need for intervention to make it more sustainable.

Careers

Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental management
Travel and Tourism.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is a rainforest and what are the four layers?
What is deforestation and why is this happening in the rainforests?
How can we conserve and improve sustainability of the rainforest ecosystem?

Conceptual Questions

How do interactions between local and global communities affect the rainforest ecosystem?
In what ways are humans’ needs for natural resources increasing the speed of unsustainability and deforestation in rainforests?

Debatable Questions

To what extent can we reduce the need and reliance on natural resources to help alleviate rainforest destruction?

Module 3: The Causes and Impacts of Urbanisation on Brazil

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Sustainability, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

Increasing globalisation causes changes to the environment which requires management and intervention to ensure human impact remains sustainable

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is urbanisation?
What are the causes of urbanisation in Brazil?
What are the impacts of urbanisation in Brazil?

Conceptual Questions

To what extent does globalisation increase the need for better management and intervention?’

Debatable Questions

‘Brazil’s urban growth has been unsustainable.’ How far do you agree?
‘Brazil’s urbanisation has provided its population with more opportunities than challenges.’ How far do you agree?

Module 4: The Climate Crisis - Antarctica and Australia

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Causality & Consequence

Statement of Inquiry

Humans cause change in natural environments which impact local communities, landscapes and animals as well as their adaptations.

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What causes the Earth’s climate to change?
How and why is our Earth’s climate changing naturally?

Conceptual Questions

What evidence is there that the Earth’s climate is changing?
How has Australia been affected by climate change?
How and why is the Great Barrier Reef at risk from climate change?
How and why is Antarctica changing?
How and why is Antarctica changing?

Debatable Questions

To what extent are changes in Climate caused or occur due to human impacts?
To what extent can humans manage and reduce the impacts of climate change?

Module 5: Rivers - Management and Flooding

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Management & Intervention, Causality & Consequence

Statement of Inquiry

Natural cycles impact and change the human environment which requires management and technical intervention to ensure risks remain minimal.

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional Planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is the hydrological cycle?
How do rivers work?
How and why do rivers create new landforms?

Conceptual Questions

To what extent do humans use and abuse rivers?

Debatable Questions

‘How and why did flooding surprise the people of Tewkesbury?
How does the UK respond and protect the country from future flooding?

Module 6: Tourism

Key Concepts

Global Interactions

Related Concepts

Culture & Development

Statement of Inquiry

Global interactions between cultures has lasting consequences on the relationships between nations and their levels of development

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional Planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is tourism?
What are the impacts of tourism on a culture?
What are the causes of tourism?

Conceptual Questions

To what extent is tourism to blame for stereotypes of nations?

Debatable Questions

‘The Royal Family provide the UK with vast amounts of money each year through tourism.’ How far do you agree?
‘At what point does enjoying a country’s culture become appropriation .’ How far do you agree?

Module 1: Tropical Storms and extreme weather - How do humans cope with tropical storms and extreme weather risks?

Key Concepts

Time, Place and Space

Related Concepts

Power, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

The place and power caused by an atmospheric hazard affect how people manage and intervene to protect natural and human landscapes.

Careers

Law and Public Safety
Urban and Regional Planning

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is a hazard?
What are the different types of tectonic hazards?
What are the causes and impacts of tectonic hazards?

Conceptual Questions

How does the power and place (location) affect management and intervention of atmospheric hazards?
How does the power of atmospheric hazards affect human and natural landscapes?

Debatable Questions

To what extent do developed countries better manage and intervene to reduce the impacts of atmospheric hazards?

Module 2: Energy Resource Management - Is Earth running out of natural resources?

Key Concepts

Global Interactions

Related Concepts

Sustainability, Management & Intervention

Statement of Inquiry

Consumption of natural resources caused by global interactions consequently require the need for intervention to make it more sustainable.

Careers

Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management
Travel and Tourism.

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is energy?

Conceptual Questions

How far is global interactions causing more problems than opportunities in energy development?

Debatable Questions

To what extent is achieving sustainable living by using renewable energy possible?

Module 3: Global Development levels - How and why do different nations have varying levels of development?

Key Concepts

Global Interactions

Related Concepts

Disparity & Equity, Causality & Consequence

Statement of Inquiry

Disparity and equity of a nation’s level of development differs due to varying global interactions which can consequently improve inequality and support inclusion

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional Planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What is development?
What is HIC, Emerging and LIC?

Conceptual Questions

How and why is their disparity and equity differences between different countries?

Debatable Questions

‘Development levels will never be equal between nations’ How far do you agree?

Module 4: How is India's physical and human Geography different? (Inequalities, development whole country, Mumbai)

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Management & Intervention, Sustainability

Statement of Inquiry

Increasing globalisation causes changes to the environment which requires management and intervention to ensure human impact remains sustainable.

Careers

Government and Public Administration
Law and Public Safety
Human Services
Urban and Regional Planning
Sustainability, Conservation and Environmental Management

Inquiry Questions

Factual Questions

What are the key features of India’s physical Geography?
What are the key features of India’s human Geography?

Conceptual Questions

To what extent does globalisation increase the need for better management and intervention?

Debatable Questions

To what extent can opportunities in India outweigh the challenges?

Module 5: Industrial Asia - Globalisation, Development & Sustainability

Key Concepts

Change

Related Concepts

Management & Intervention, Sustainability

Statement of Inquiry

Increasing globalisation causes changes to human and natural environments which requires management and intervention to ensure human impact remains sustainable.

Careers