Year 4 Overview |
The Year 4 Geography theme is "The Earth's environment sustains all life".
In Year 4 approximately 20 hours of teaching time is allocated to Geography per semester. This semester allocation may be spread across one or two terms at the discretion of the teaching team.
In Year 4 approximately 20 hours of teaching time is allocated to Geography per semester. This semester allocation may be spread across one or two terms at the discretion of the teaching team.
Do We Really Need Bees |
In this brief Geographical study linked to a Science inquiry, students explore the interconnections between vegetation, animals and people.
Our Changing Earth |
Inspired by the story of The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry, students are reintroduced to the concept of interdependence between living things and the environment. Students learn about the significant landforms and vegetation types in South America and consider how humans impact on the landforms and vegetation. They investigate issues such as deforestation caused by rainforest removal for coffee growing and other crops. Linking to their studies in Science about changes to the Earth's surface, students look at evidence in South America for continuing changes of both natural and human causes. They consider how Indigenous people in many countries, including Australia, have cared for (and continue to care for) the environment.
Nim's Island |
After listening to the novel, Nim's Island, by Wendy Orr, students draw a map of the fictional island using cartographic conventions.
Up the creek, Down the drain |
Students undertake a geographical inquiry focused on issues of waste management the impact of plastic on the environment and animals. Through a storythread experience, students engage emotionally and intellectually with the local catchment area. Students collect data about litter in the school and create maps, tables and graphs to display their data. They view maps of our catchment and track the journey of plastic from drains to the ocean, and raise awareness about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Amazing Animals |
They are introduced to basic mapping skills and identify the major types of vegetation in Australia, Africa and South America. Inspired by popular children's animated movies (including Lion King, Rio 2 and Penguins in Madagascar) students investigate a number of questions about the animals and vegetation in these three continents (e.g. Are there really penguins in Madagascar?) Students investigate an animal from Africa or South America and create a report about the animal, its environment and how this animal could be protected.