S3 BGE Geography

Why do this course?

The course will provide pupils with the opportunity to develop thinking skills, collecting, processing, comparing and interpreting/evaluating information. There will be opportunities to use and develop skills in ICT. Mapping skills are obviously vital to a successful Geography course and will be visited throughout the units of study.

Studying GEOGRAPHY will encourage you to develop important attitudes, including: An open mind; An understanding of where you live; Respect for the values, beliefs and cultures of others; Openness to new thinking and ideas; A sense of responsibility and global citizenship

What will you experience?

A wide range of teaching strategies are used with classes, such as thinking skills, direct teaching, paired and/or group work. Work in class is supported through the use of work guides, ICT and other digital media. Pupils will be involved in setting their own targets and evaluating their own as well as others progress. Pupils are expected to take on an early responsibility for their learning. Two day trips to look at human and physical Geography are planned.

What will you learn?

The aim of this course is to provide pupils with a broad experience of social studies, providing coverage of the Level 4 experiences and outcomes. The units we will study are:

Topic 1 - Urban Geography

  • Settlements (patterns and functions)

  • Services

  • Sphere of Influence

  • City Zones – Inner city/suburbs/rural urban fringe

Topic 4 – Rivers

  • Hydrological cycle

  • River basins

  • River erosion and transport

  • River landforms

Topic 2 – Weather studies

  • Air masses

  • Elements of the weather

  • Weather charts

  • Depressions

  • Anticyclones

Topic 5 – Farming

  • Arable farming

  • Livestock and mixed farming

  • Changes in the countryside

Topic 3- Interdependent world

  • Measuring development

  • Population

  • Shanty towns

  • Ebola

Optional Opportunities

  • A study of Aberdeen City Centre with a field trip

  • A look at the oil industry in the northeast

A field trip to Loch Muick to support the study of rivers

Key Facts

Everything you need to know before selecting this course

Homework

Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis and may involve practice of skills, preparation for assessments or research assignments.

Assessment

Knowledge and skills will be assessed in different ways, depending on the topic being studied. This will include project work and assessed work/homework. Pupils will undertake peer evaluation of class work and use assessment to set achievable short-term targets.

Progression and Employment

Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course

Progression

  • S4 – National 3 People and Society or National 4/5 Geography

  • S5 – National 4/5 or Higher Geography

Employment

This course is suitable for all learners who are interested in becoming a:    


Learner Experiences