Overview

This 10-lesson unit introduces Year 2 and 3 Australian students to geography concepts focused on places, how people care for places, perceptions about managing places, and communicating geographical information, closely aligned with Australian Curriculum (v9) Geography outcomes GE1-2, GE1-3, and GE2-3. Each lesson is designed for 70 minutes with 11 students, emphasising age-appropriate inquiry, discussions, creative activities, and assessments at Weeks 5 and 10.

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Unit Learning Objectives

Aligned with the Australian Curriculum (v9):

• GE1-2: Identify ways people interact with and care for places.
• GE1-3: Communicate geographical information and use geographical tools for inquiry.
• GE2-3: Examine differing perceptions about the management of places and environments.

Students will gain an understanding of: what a place is, identifying special places, ways to care for places, and explore different views on managing places through hands-on and creative learning.

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Lesson Sequence Summary

Week	Focus	Key Learning Outcome / Activity	Assessment
1	What is a Place?	Define and explore "place"; share special places
2	My Special Place	Map and describe students’ special places
3	Caring for Places	Ways people care for places; discuss local and Aboriginal care
4	Tools to Explore Places	Introduction to simple maps, photos, and observation
5	Assessment 1: Place Project	Present a project on their special place using maps and words	Formative assessment
6	People’s Impact on Places	Explore human activities and impacts on places
7	Different Views on Caring for Places	Discuss and compare ideas on managing places
8	Places Around Australia and Neighbours	Compare Australia's places with neighbouring countries
9	Communicating About Places	Create visual and oral presentations of local places
10	Assessment 2: Place and Care Inquiry	Final assessment: group inquiry, presentation, reflection	Summative assessment

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Detailed Lesson Plans

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Lesson 1: What is a Place?

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Understand concept of "place" and identify special places.
• Introduction (15 min): Circle time discussion about 'place'—what it means, examples (home, school, park). Use pictures of familiar places.
• Activity (30 min): Students draw or describe a place they call special. Teacher guides questions: Where is it? What do you like about it?
• Sharing (20 min): Each student shares their special place orally using a simple map or drawing.
• Resources: Picture cards, drawing materials, map frame.

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Lesson 2: My Special Place

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Communicate geographical information about a special place.
• Introduction (15 min): Recap "special place". Discuss simple map features (title, map symbol).
• Activity (40 min): Create a personal map of their special place using symbols and simple labels.
• Reflection (15 min): Students pair share and describe their maps.
• Resources: Paper, coloured pencils, example maps.

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Lesson 3: Caring for Places

Curriculum Links: GE1-2
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Identify ways people care for places.
• Intro (10 min): Story reading about caring for the environment (could include Aboriginal perspectives).
• Activity (40 min): Group brainstorm of care ideas (litter picking, planting trees, respecting land).
• Creative Task (20 min): Create a "Care for Our Place" poster.
• Resources: Storybooks, poster materials.

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Lesson 4: Tools to Explore Places

Curriculum Links: GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Use geographical tools to explore places.
• Intro (20 min): Show tools: map, compass, camera, photos.
• Outdoor Activity (40 min): Nature walk to make observations, take photos/sketches.
• Wrap-up (10 min): Share findings with class.
• Resources: Simple compasses, cameras/tablets (if available), clipboards.

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Lesson 5: Assessment 1 - Place Project

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Task: Individually present a project about their special place, showing location (map), description, and how they care for it.
• Marking: Use rubric aligned to outcomes (identification, communication, care understanding).
• Feedback: Oral feedback for growth.

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Lesson 6: People’s Impact on Places

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE2-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Examine how human actions affect places.
• Intro (15 min): Discuss examples of positive and negative impacts (parks, pollution).
• Activity (40 min): Sort pictures/stories of places cared for and places harmed by people.
• Discussion (15 min): Talk about why place care matters.
• Resources: Pictures, sorting cards.

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Lesson 7: Different Views on Caring for Places

Curriculum Links: GE2-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Investigate differing views on place management.
• Activity (30 min): Role-play different perspectives (e.g. local community, government, tourists).
• Group Discussion (25 min): What do they value? How do views differ?
• Reflection (15 min): Write or draw one idea they learnt.
• Resources: Scenario cards, role badges.

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Lesson 8: Places Around Australia and Neighbours

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Identify similarities/differences between Australian and neighbouring places.
• Activity (30 min): Compare photos/maps between Australia and neighbouring countries.
• Group Discussion (25 min): What makes places special? What do people do differently?
• Creative Task (15 min): Create a Venn diagram comparing places.
• Resources: Maps, photos.

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Lesson 9: Communicating About Places

Curriculum Links: GE1-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Learning Objective: Develop skills communicating geographical information.
• Activity (40 min): In pairs, prepare a small presentation/poster about a place visited or studied.
• Sharing (30 min): Present to class using maps/photos.
• Resources: Art supplies, digital tools if available.

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Lesson 10: Assessment 2 - Place and Care Inquiry

Curriculum Links: GE1-2, GE1-3, GE2-3
Time: 70 minutes

• Task: Group inquiry project on how people manage and care for a local place.
• Presentation: Groups share insights via posters, oral report, or digital presentation.
• Reflection: Write/draw personal action plan to care for a place.
• Assessment: Rubric on inquiry, collaboration, communication, understanding perceptions.
• Feedback: Written and oral for future learning.

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Teaching and Learning Strategies

• Inquiry-Based Learning: Encourage questioning, investigating special places, and care practices.
• Visual and Creative Arts: Through drawing, map-making, poster creation to reinforce ideas.
• Collaborative Learning: Group discussions and role-plays to build empathy and understanding.
• Use of Storytelling: Incorporate First Nations stories to link cultural values with place care.
• Geographical Tools Introduction: Simple maps, observation tools adapted for young learners.
• Formative and Summative Assessments: To track understanding and application.

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Notes on Alignment with Australian Curriculum (v9)

• All lessons explicitly address outcomes GE1-2, GE1-3, and GE2-3 for Years 2 and 3, focusing on identifying, communicating, and examining perceptions of places and their management.
• Activities use age-appropriate geographical tools such as simple maps and observation, integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives of caring for Country.
• Assessments in Weeks 5 and 10 provide opportunities for students to demonstrate understanding through projects, presentations, and reflections consistent with curriculum standards.

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This unit is designed to provide an engaging, thorough, and curriculum-aligned approach to teaching the concepts of 'place' and 'caring for places' to young Australian students, encouraging them to connect personally and culturally with their environment and community.

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If you would like, I can provide detailed lesson materials or rubrics for assessment next.