A sample unit of work to study the contrasting part of Ireland
(based on Westport Co. Mayo)
Strand: Human Environment
Content objectives
Strand Unit: People living and working in a contrasting part of Ireland
•
learn about and come to appreciate and respect the people and
communities who live and work in a contrasting part of Ireland
This unit of work also integrates strongly with the skills and concepts •
become aware of the natural features in a contrasting part of Ireland
development of the Geography curriculum, particularly in relation to maps,
and their relationship to the lives of people living in these places
globes and graphical skills.
•
explore, investigate and come to appreciate the major features of the
built environment in a contrasting part of Ireland
•
explore and investigate, especially through practical studies, one or
more of the important economic activities of people in a contrasting part
of Ireland
•
learn about the methods of transport and transport routes in a
contrasting part of Ireland
Mapping content objectives
•
develop familiarity with, and engage in practical use of, maps and
photographs of a variety of scales and purposes
•
develop an understanding of and use common map features and
conventions
These documents were originally compiled by team members of the previous support services that are now part of PDST
Activities
Suggested activities for a unit of work based on the contrasting part of Ireland.
•
Discuss what the term Geography means to children. Record the children’s observations on the board.
•
Children are placed in groups across the class/classes. Each group will be given pictures, from these they have to decide and agree as to where this
place is – whether it’s coastal/inland, town/village etc. Children explain to teacher which photos helped them decide on location - they are given blank
maps of Ireland and mark where the town is and give an explanation.
• Place Westport on a map of the western area and compare this location with that of their own school. Teachers may wish to focus t h e que1stions
onon on
These documents were originally compiled by team members of the previous support services that are now part of PDST
on travel between the two locations/ counties in each province/ the similarities and differences between the two locations, placing Westport in context
to where the children live.
•
Distribute town plans of Westport (these are available from the tourist office). Focus on the key/legend and discuss how this helps us, what does it tell
us about Westport before we even look at the map? Symbols and keys are introduced in third and fourth class, whereas grid referencing is introduced
in fifth and sixth class.
•
In order to establish a sense of place and space, children are given the opportunity to visit the town and walk down the streets using Google Earth
(earth.google.com). Focused map work may occur where children may compare and contrast the information gained from the aerial photograph and
the plan of Westport town. Likewise children may sequence locations and place them on the plan of the town, focusing on extending the children’s
language of location.
•
Introduce a further map: a map of the western region (these are available from the tourist office). Each group will have one of these. Children identify
Westport on the map. Work may focus both on Westport town and the region. Using the sub heading of the strand unit: living and working in a
contrasting part of Ireland: people and communities, natural environmental features and people, settlement: homes and other buildings, people at
work and transport and communication; groups are assigned a specific sub unit. Using the maps at their disposal the children document as much
information as they can ascertain from the maps, in relation to the particular sub unit, these are presented to the class as an initial study of the
contrasting place. Children can add to these as additional maps/photos are introduced.
•
Alternatively, each group is given a task card with a set of questions which focus on the sub units of the strand unit: living and working in a
contrasting part of Ireland. Children work co-operatively, whereby each child is assigned a different role. Children work on their task card and report
their findings to the group. The jigsaw method may also be used.
•
Activity: Using all the knowledge they have gained from maps and photographs children are asked to design an information booklet/brochure about
Westport. Before the children begin the teacher and children set criteria by which they will assess the information booklets, alternatively a rubric
(assessment guidelines p. 25) may be used to assess the children’s work. The booklets should contain information which the children learnt about
Westport through the context of the lesson(s).
This lesson is available to view on line: http://www.ppds.ie/P10-East_To_West.html
These documents were originally compiled by team members of the previous support services that are now part of PDST.
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Possible follow on activities
•
Focus on the local area under same heading and methods used
•
Children to make 3D models of buildings in the contrasting part of Ireland/ local area
•
Children to work on maps of local area
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Focus on natural environments – physical features
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Children to draw maps/plans of local area – draw routes to school etc
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Using Google Earth children can draw routes of Westport/ plan of town etc.
•
Continue work on Google earth – for aerial photos/ planet earth in space/ Google Sketch up.
Skills:
Methodologies:
Geography Investigation Skills
Photographs
Maps, globes and atlases
A sense of place
Story
Models and simulations
A sense of space
ICT
Interview
Maps, globes and graphical skills
Fieldwork
Survey
Artefacts
Assessment and Recording
Differentiation:
Self Assessment
Concept Mapping
Group Work
Varying questions and tasks
Conferencing
Teacher Observation
Planning alternative work
Teacher Intervention
Portfolio Assessment
Standardised testing
Group Work
SNA/ Support Teacher
Questioning
Activities differentiated – 3rd/4th and 5th/6th
Teacher designed tasks and tests
Differing methods of communication
Linkage and Integration:
Resources and Materials:
SESE
Maths
Photos, Google Earth, maps of varying scale – town map, west of Ireland map,
English
Visual Arts
map of Ireland, globe – resources for activity – pictures, paper, card etc.
Gaeilge
PE/ SPHE
These documents were originally compiled by team members of the previous support services that are now part of PDST.
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