Resource #V107151

Précis

This is a place knowledge resource focusing on identifying features by using Key Geographical Questions in the area around Southampton Water.

Contextual Summary

The activities reinforce knowledge and understanding of the Key Geographical Questions and their central role in identifying and understanding features of places. The photograph supplied is central to the introduction and development of concepts and the practice of key ideas across all three parts of the resource. The on-site activities are to be used while on board a Red Funnel Vehicle Ferry, are designed to build on this pre-visit work, which has to be taken along on the trip. During the trip the classroom work will be linked to the real environment by asking the students to find the actual site where the photo was taken. Together they offer the rare opportunity to compare a Geographical Investigation performed in the classroom - using a photo - with a real site in its actual context. This experience will highlight the power of well-conducted Geographical investigation/enquiry. The visit will also provide the opportunity to take - ideally - own photos or to make brief sketches which in turn will be the basis for the post-visit activities. These activities encourage discussion and review of the Geographical investigation and the use of Key Geographical Questions to analyse a place. They also demonstrate power of close observation in situ. The final activity will round off the whole experience by allowing each student to design his own poster, containing all crucial information connected with such an investigation, including personal experience and tips.

Curriculum Relevance

Geography → Place Knowledge → Identifying Landscape Features

Implementation

The resources will require students to re-cap their place knowledge, focusing on identifying features by using Key Geographical Questions. They require skills in close observation and some familiarity with analysing images of places with the aid of Key Geographical Questions. This will include locating and describing features on the photo supplied as well as on the trip itself and requires note taking. The follow-up work consist of completing and then evaluating individually made posters which sum up the main points of Geographical investigation and the use of Key Geographical Questions. Working in pairs, there is opportunity to use key vocabulary and practise practical co- operation and team work.

Key Skills Practised

• Focused observation and analysis of images
• Use of Key Geographical Questions to aid analysis
• Deeper understanding of the Geographical reasons for the existence of different features in different places
• Comparison with familiar local area
• Use of directional language and geographical key vocabulary
• Team working skills in field work conditions.

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

Students will reinforce and develop their knowledge and understanding of the Key Geographical Questions and their central role in identifying features of a place on a photo; they will be able to compare their local region with this South-Eastern coastal region, will become familiar with applying key concepts and vocabulary in a new context and prepare for finding the site on the photo during their trip.

On Site

Students will apply knowledge & understanding of Key Geographical Questions and their central role in identifying features of a real place by using their prepared work to locate the place on the photo, which they have analysed earlier. Under fieldwork conditions they can practise taking notes, photos and / or making sketches of new places and interesting features in order to investigate them when back at school.

Post-Visit

Students will be able to re-inforce learning by completing a poster each with the information gained and collected before and during the field trip including their own tips on how to use Key Questions in a place investigation. They are encouraged to discuss, compare and evaluate their individual results and approaches as a whole class activity.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate and develop their knowledge and understanding of the Key Geographical Questions and their central role in identifying features of places. They can demonstrate & develop use of directional and geographical key vocabulary and concepts. Students will practise co-operation skills.