Topic: Year level: 6 Curriculum: Geography

World Differences

Curriculum

Content descriptors: Inquiry and skills

Knowledge and Understanding Researching
Differences in the economic, demographic and social characteristics of countries Locate and collect relevant information and data from primary sources and secondary
across the world (ACHASSK139) sources (ACHASSI123)
Organise and represent data in a range of formats including tables, graphs and large-
and small-scale maps, using discipline-appropriate conventions (ACHASSI124)

Analysing
Interpret data and information displayed in a range of formats to identify, describe
and compare distributions, patterns and trends, and to infer
relationships (ACHASSI128)

Communicating
Present ideas, findings, viewpoints and conclusions in a range of texts and modes that
incorporate source materials, digital and non-digital representations and discipline-
specific terms and conventions (ACHASSI133)

Inquiry Question/s:

How do countries differ economically, geographically and based on their social characteristics?

Focus question (perhaps a smaller question within the larger inquiry question):

What are the trends in population size and density around the world?

Concepts

Place Students explore several places of the world by looking at their population

Space Students explore the spatial distribution in relation to population

Interconnection Students recognise how the issue of geographical study cannot be viewed in isolation as places and the people in them are all interconnected and have
significant influence over each other.

 General Capabilities

Literacy students utilise topic-specific vocabulary to describe comparative relationships and use specific text structures to communicate research

Numeracy students represent collected data in numerical and graphical forms

ICT Students locate, process, analyse, evaluate and communicate geographic information through digital technologies

Resources

Tablets (personal devices)

Country Comparison activity sheet
World map x 6
PowerPoint
Excel Example

Prior Lesson

In the previous lesson, students worked in groups to explore Australia in regards to location, population, income and demographics. Students collected this information in
groups of 3-4. From here, students selected a range of countries from each continent which they hoped to explore in the following lessons.

Stage/time Teacher Differentiation

Explore Lesson
Introduction T places activity sheets on each desk
(7min)
T introduces geography lesson.

Today in Geography we will be continuing on our unit topic World Differences. In our last lesson,
we completed an inquiry on Australia where we looked at Australias social characteristics, income
and population Then remember we chose a few countries from 6 of our 7 continents that we wanted
to explore. This lesson, our focus question is what are the trends in population size and density
around the world?
Does anyone know the worlds population?
Revisiting technical vocabulary for all
Recap word wall students
Last lesson when completing our research on Australia, we came across some specific vocabulary,
which we added to our class word wall. These include;

 Population
Population density Check for understanding
Anomalies
Continents
Is anyone unsure of what some of these words mean?
Providing contextualised example to help
When I say population density what do I mean? further explain difficult concepts

If no understanding: if I were to have two same sized jars but in one jar I had one m&m and the other
I have 150 m&ms, the jar with 150 m&ms would have a higher population density.

Body In this lesson, we will be working individually to find the population of certain countries. From this,
you will build a graph, analyse the data you have found and the write a paragraph on your findings.

Go through the activity sheet as a class and explain that students will glue these sheets in their book
and write their responses on the next page
Step One: If you look at your activity sheet, there is a table with a list of countries in the second
column. It is your job to find the population of these countries using the provided websites. Though
before you do, you have to work out what continent these groups of countries belong to. If you have
trouble working out which continent these countries belong to, there is a website on your activity
sheet, which directs you to a world map. Explicit explanation of activities to ensure all
students understand.
Step Two: Once you have found this data. It is time to place this information in excel and create a
graph. You must choose the appropriate graph.
Would we use a pie chart? Why/why not?
Answer: A pie chart cant be used because we are not looking at the whole worlds population,
therefore there is not 100%.
Is this discrete or continuous data?
If you are unsure on how to create a graph on excel, after everyone has collected their information, I Check for understanding of what graphs
will be going through how to create a graph so youre invited to come to the front of the room and should be utilised for this type of data.
work with me. If you did not bring your device to school, you must work with a partner in this phase.

Step Three: Once you have created your graph, you will analyse your graph. Some questions are
provided to help you start your analysis but you might find some other trends or interesting points Opportunity for all students to receive
yourself. further guidance for graphing.

Step Four: Once you have finished your analysis which should take you only a few minutes, you are
going to begin writing your paragraph explaining your findings. A paragraph structure has been Guided questions to aid in analysis.
provided to help you write this paragraph.

 Does anyone have any questions?
Suggested paragraph structure to guide
We will remind you when you should be moving onto each step. students writing.

Students begin task.

After 3 minutes remind students they should move onto step 2 and begin excel demonstration on the Opportunity for students to make
projector. clarifications

After 5 minutes, ask to students to move onto their analysis

After 5 minutes, ask students to move onto their paragraph writing.

Conclusion As a class, students will share their findings. Students show their understanding in a
What did you notice? multifaceted manor.
Did you find any anomalies?
Ask some students to share their paragraph with the class.
Next Lesson

Next lesson, students will explore the income of the countries explored in this lesson to further understanding of the economical differences in countries around the world.