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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Geography 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2027
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Life Skills

Life Skills for Stage 4/5

Through collaborative curriculum planning, it may be decided that Life Skills outcomes and content are the most appropriate option for some students with intellectual disability.

Geographical tools

Geographical tools content is to be integrated throughout the course where appropriate.

Maps

Maps are to be integrated into Life Skills content as appropriate: large-scale maps and small-scale maps, road maps, special-purpose maps, physical maps, political maps, topographic maps and thematic maps, such as cartogram maps, population distribution maps, weather maps or synoptic charts.

  • Locate key features on a map using cartographic conventions, such as border, orientation, legend, title or scale

  • Use a compass to determine direction

  • Recognise natural features on a physical map, such as lakes, mountains, rivers or coasts

  • Recognise human features on a political map, such as states and national boundaries, capital cities and major cities

  • Locate features on a map using area or grid references

  • Locate features on a map using latitude and longitude coordinates

  • Measure distance or area using a scale

  • Identify the altitude of a location using contour lines

  • Recognise the steepness of a slope using contour lines

  • Identify patterns using a range of maps

  • Engage with weather maps to gather information

Fieldwork

Field instruments are to be integrated into Life Skills content as appropriate: compasses, global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), measuring equipment, weather instruments, identification charts, testing equipment and photographic devices.

Fieldwork is used to collect and observe data through one or more senses, using geographical tools such as maps, graphs or spatial technologies to identify connections and draw conclusions. Fieldwork may involve measuring, collecting and recording data, and developing and conducting surveys or interviews.

  • Develop geographical questions

  • Locate and select geographical information

  • Collect geographical information

  • Record geographical information

  • Identify information from the data collected

  • Communicate findings from the fieldwork

Data and graphs

Data and graphs are to be integrated into Life Skills content as appropriate: picture graphs, column graphs, line graphs, bar graphs, sector graphs and climate graphs. Quantitative data can be recorded and represented for students using tally marks and charts, tables and graphs.

  • Construct graphs to organise data

  • Recognise data presented in graphs

  • Respond to data presented in graphs

  • Use a range of graphs or tables

  • Identify patterns or trends in graphs or tables

Spatial technologies

Spatial technologies are to be integrated in Life Skills content as appropriate: virtual or digital maps, satellite images, global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), augmented reality and virtual reality.

  • Locate geographical features using a range of images and maps

  • Recognise changes over time using relevant spatial technologies

  • Identify and recognise map features using GPS

Additional geographical representations

Additional geographical representations are to be integrated into Life Skills content as appropriate: 3D models and globes, illustrations, multimedia, tactile graphics and models, posters and collages, soundscapes, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Knowledge Systems (such as Cultural mapping and Oral Histories), paintings and artworks, picture books, diagrams, infographics, mind maps, cartoons, flowcharts, sketches such as field sketches, line drawings and photo sketches, digital tools such as apps and web tools, and photographs by location.

  • Recognise different types of photographs

  • Identify how a place has changed over time

  • Use a range of geographical representations to collect geographical information

Related files