Geography

Geography
 

Geography is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, the features, the inhabitants, and the natural processes of Earth. Geography seeks an understanding of the Earth and the complexities of humans and nature. This involves understanding how objects were created, have changed, as well as where they exist.

The study of Geography combines both human geography and physical geography. Human geography studies people and their communities, cultures, economies and  how they interact with the environment. Physical geography studies the natural environment's processes and patterns in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and geosphere.

In contemporary society, issues such as urbanisation, population, development and environmental quality are increasingly important. These, and other themes that express the major concerns of our times, reflect the consequences of decisions about how resources are to be used. Geography combines elements of the humanities and the sciences to examine how people live, where they live and how they interact with their environment. Geography has an important role in planning, encouraging international understanding and respect for different cultures.

Geography used to be a subject where students had to  learn long lists of facts. It is much more interesting than that today. It allows students to enquire into the world we live in. The course involves: field trips, local surveys, case studies, models, simulation activities, observing, looking, listening, writing, summarising, reading aerial photographs and using weathermaps, topographical maps, graphs, statistics, investigating other countries at different levels of development, interviewing, recording, research, gathering resources, using newspapers, texts,
magazines, year books, problem solving, current issues, resource, and conflict.

NCEA Geography
 

Level 1
Level 1 Geography begins to equip students with a broad base of knowledge about aspects of the world in which we live and with the skills of information processing and analysis that are important to many careers. Skills developed in the course: effective communication, including presentation of information in maps, graphs, models and written reports; problem solving - processing information to form conclusions; understanding other people’s points of view, beliefs, cultures and perspectives; research - collecting, presenting, analysing and evaluating information.

Level 2
This course is about our environment and the people who live in it. The focus is on the environment, resource use, cultures, spatial patterns and issues relating to people’s interaction with one another from a local to international level. Large natural environments, difference in development, and global topics are covered in the course. Skills developed in the course: collection and analysis of information, using information to solve problems, clear reporting of facts and ideas, ability to work co-operatively, and an understanding of the reasons for people’s decisions and actions.

Level 3
This course investigates elements of our environment and the people who live within it. A variety of geographyspecific skills, knowledge and concepts are examined and developed in depth throughout including the study of coastal geomorphology and marine processes focussing on the Canterbury coastline. This will be followed by an investigation of a contemporary coastal geographic issue in our local area. Students complete a field trip to local beaches as part of their study. Skills developed in the course: collection and analysis of information, using information to solve problems, clear reporting of facts and ideas, ability to work co-operatively, and an understanding of the reasons for people’s decisions and actions.
 

Geography with AHeadStart

“AHeadStart provide friendly, helpful tutors who are well organized and passionate about the subjects they teach. They are quite flexible with times, and the thing that suited us the best is that they come to your home. The tuition they provided for our son was invaluable. Definitely value for money.”

Matthew’s mother Cate
Year 11, Level 1 Geography, Mathematics & Science

All of the following book resources can be purchased at leading bookshops or the following websites:

ESA Publications Store: https://esa.co.nz/

Cengage: https://cengage.co.nz/

Level 1
ESA Level 1 Geography Study Guide
ESA Level 1 Geography Learning Workbooks
ESA Level 1 Geography AME Workbook

Nelson Cengage Geography Skills for NCEA Level 1 Workbook
Nelson Cengage Geography on the Edge: NCEA Level 1

Level 2
ESA Level 2 Geography Study Guide
ESA Level 2 Geography Learning Workbook
ESA Level 2 Geography AME Workbook

Nelson Cengage Geography Skills for NCEA Level 2 Workbook
Nelson Cengage Geography on the Edge NCEA Level 2

Level 3
ESA Level 3 Geography Study Guide
ESA Level 3 Geography AME Workbook
ESA Level 3 Scholarship Geography AME Workbook

Nelson Cengage Geography Skills for NCEA Level 3
Nelson Cengage Our World: Geography Concepts and Case Studies for New Zealand Students