Principles

Principles and characteristics of the approach to the teaching of the geography curriculum in St Colmcille’s BNS, Swords

The purpose and nature of geography in the school

Geography involves the simultaneous acquisition of knowledge about the natural and human elements of the local and wider environments, the development of geographical skills and concepts and the fostering of important attitudes.

Exploration of the school and the locality

One of the most important aspects of the geography curriculum and the wider SESE programme is the emphasis placed on the exploration of the local environment of the child and the school. Exploration of the school will involve teachers becoming familiar with:

The range of habitats in the area
The features of the natural environment
The materials from which the school is built
The direction in which the school is facing.

A key resource in this process will be the map of the school and its environs which will be made available in a digital format during the school year 2004 /2005.

Balance between theme teaching and a subject-centred approach

Thematic approach is more suited to the work of the infant and junior classes. As children grow older, a combination of methodologies will be utilised - theme-based, cross-curricular integration and subject-centred focus.

A broad and balanced geography curriculum

The geography programme for each class will include a broad range of local studies at all levels. There are two major concerns to be addressed – a) local studies answers the child’s need to understand the world which he encounters ; b) the study of the features and processes of natural and human environments should begin in the locality at all levels
The child’s awareness of environments in the county, in Ireland, in Europe and in the wider world gradually extends. The recognition of similarities and differences between environments can enrich the child’s understanding
Ensure that the child acquires a balanced and accurate understanding of the lives of people in their own and other environments
Provide adequate opportunities for the development and application of investigative skills
Identify how the reading, use of and construction of maps may be developed through units of work on natural, human and environmental themes.
Provide for the systematic development of graphical skills
Provide for continuity and progression
Foster the child’s sense of local, national and European identity

Assessment Policy

Assessment of the geography curriculum should facilitate teachers in evaluating the suitability of the geography programme. Assessment techniques will focus on knowledge objectives, understanding of geographical concepts, competence in the application of experimental and investigative skills and the cultivation of important attitudes. The following assessment methods will be used to obtain a broad and balanced picture of the child’s progress in geography:

Teacher observations
Concept mapping
Teacher-designed tasks
Work samples and portfolios