Skills for Geography

Help students visualize and make meaning
of spatial data

Being able to read and understand a map or GPS device

Used in field studies

Construct and analyze a variety of graphs ex. climate graphs, line graphs, bar graphs

Being able to read and understand a map or GPS device

Help students visualize and make meaning
of spatial data

Analyze and construct a variety of maps ex. Topographical, thematic, annotated, issue based

Develop and communicate a
sense of place

Literacy

Being able to read, understand, and interpret graphic texts, globes, and maps

Understanding that spatial data support various interpretations and can be used to communicate
different messages

understand and be able to correctly
use mapping and graphing conventions

Mathematical Literacy

Understand the intent of different types of data and how variations in scale interval can influence their meaning

Using online atlases or interactive maps when gathering data or information

Use graphing and mapping applications to communicate
their findings

Use geographic information
systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS)

Information and communications technology

multimedia resources, databases, websites, digital cameras, and an extensive array of specialized software.
Computer programs to collect, organize, and sort the data they gather, and to write, edit, and present reports on their findings, connect to other schools, at home and abroad, and to bring the global community into the local classroom

Independent Work

Independently monitor, assess, and revise plans to
complete tasks and meet goals.
Use class time appropriately to complete tasks.
Follow instructions with minimal supervision

Initative

Look for and act on new ideas and opportunities for learning.
Demonstrate the capacity for innovation and a willingness to take risks.
Demonstrate curiosity and interest in learning.
Approach new tasks with a positive attitude.
Recognize and advocate appropriately for the rights of self
and others.

Collaboration

Accept various roles and an equitable share of work in a group.
Respond positively to the ideas, opinions, values, and
traditions of others.
Build healthy peer-to-peer relationships through personal and media-assisted interactions.
Work with others to resolve conflicts and build consensus to
achieve group goals.
Share information, resources, and expertise, and promote
critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions.

Self-Regulation

Set own individual goals and monitor progress towards
achieving them.
Seek clarification or assistance when needed.
Assess and reflect critically on own strengths, needs, and
interests.
Identify learning opportunities, choices, and
strategies to meet personal needs and achieve goals.
Persevere and makes an effort when responding to challenges

Organization

Devise and follow a plan and process for completing work
and tasks.
Establish priorities and manage time to complete tasks and achieve goals.
Identify, gather, evaluate, and use information, technology, and resources to complete tasks.

Responsibility

Fulfil responsibilities and commitments within the learning
environment.
Complete and submit class work, homework, and
assignments according to agreed-upon timelines.
Take responsibility for and manage own behaviour.

Green - Geography specific skills

Yellow - Skills also developed in Math/Science

Purple - Skills also developed in English/Language/Literacy

Orange - Skills developed across all subject areas

Formulating Questions

Different kinds of questions: simple content and/or skill-related questions, analytical questions, review questions

Gathering and Organizing Information evidence and/or data

interpreting and analysing information, evidence, and/or data

Evaluating information, evidence, and/or data and drawing conclusions

Communicating findings

Rich, open-ended questions with multiple opportunities for students to ask and and answer

Solving problems enables students to explore,
discover, create, experiment, and arrive at solutions

Skills such as questioning, predicting, hypothesizing, analysing, synthesizing, examining opinions, identifying values and issues, detecting bias, and distinguishing between alternatives

Students develop a deeper understanding of the
issues they are examining

Students may discuss their thinking, asking questions and exploring ideas Other students, may take time to observe a situation or consider a text carefully before commenting; they may prefer not to ask questions or
express their thoughts orally while they are thinking

Critical Literacy

Critical literacy allows students to look
beyond the literal meaning of a text to determine what is present and what is missing, in order to analyse and evaluate the text’s complete meaning and the author’s intent

People make sense of a text, or determine what a text means, in a variety of ways.
Students therefore need to be aware of points of view.

Metacognition

Developing thinking skills by reflecting on one’s own thought processes. Metacognitive skills include
the ability to monitor one’s own learning.

students constantly revisit and rethink their work, leading to a deepening of the inquiry process

Reading, interpreting, and analysing various texts

Construct, extract information from, and analyse various types of maps and digital representations

Terminology specific to each subject and use language with care and precision in order to communicate effectively

students need to use a variety of strategies to construct meaning, choosing strategies appropriate to the particular
text form

Understand vocabulary and terminology that are unique to geography and need to acquire the skills necessary to interpret various kinds of graphic depictions

Develop their reading
skills and strategies

Develop media literacy skills and the ability to analyze and create media texts for a purpose or a specific audience

extracting information from and constructing various types of graphs, including line, bar, and scatter graphs related to various topics

Develop computational strategies, data management skills and, the ability to read graphs

Financial Literacy

Enable students to become responsible, active citizens
who are informed and critically thoughtful

Students have multiple opportunities to investigate and study financial literacy concepts related to the course expectations.

Learn to communicate information but also explore and come to understand ideas and concepts, identify and solve problems, organize their experience and knowledge, and express and clarify their thoughts, feelings, and opinions

Students a chance to engage
in brainstorming, reporting, and other oral activities to identify what they know about a new topic, discuss strategies for solving a problem, present and defend ideas or debate
issues, and offer critiques or feedback on work or on opinions expressed by their peers