Introduction to Geography

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 1
Subject: Other (Geography - "Exploring Our World" Unit)
Lesson Number: 1 of 15
Duration: 40 minutes
Class Size: 20 students

Curriculum Links:
Australian Curriculum - HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences):

• Geography Content Descriptions:
  • ACHASSK015: The natural, managed, and constructed features of places, their location, and how they change.
  • ACHASSK017: The ways the activities of people influence a place.

Key Learning Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand what geography is and why it is important.
• Recognise common geographical features (e.g. land, water, maps, and directions).
• Engage in hands-on activities to explore their own surroundings.

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country (5 minutes)

Begin with a brief Acknowledgement of Country to respect Indigenous lands.
"We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we are learning on today and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging."

Hook Question:
"What do you think geography is? Have you ever used a map or seen an atlas?"

Encourage students to share their thoughts. Write key words on the board (e.g. places, land, water, maps, world).

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2. What is Geography? (10 minutes)

Explanation (Teacher-led):

• Geography is about places and how they are different.
• It looks at land, water, people, and animals.
• We use geography to describe where things are and how we live.

Visual Aid:
Show a large world map or a globe. Ask students to find Australia.

Think-Pair-Share Activity:

• Turn to a partner and describe a place you like (beach, park, school, home).
• Ask: "Why do you like this place?" (E.g. "I like the beach because it has sand and water.")

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3. Exploring Our Surroundings (10 minutes)

Interactive Activity – ‘Geographer’s Walk’

• Take the students outside to the schoolyard for a short observation walk.
• Ask them to look for different types of places around them:
  • Constructed (buildings, roads)
  • Natural (trees, rivers, mountains)
  • Managed (parks, gardens)

Discussion Questions:

• What did you notice around you?
• Is your school in a city, a town, or the countryside?

Back in the classroom, record answers in a simple "Our Place" Chart on the whiteboard.

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4. Hands-On Mapping Activity (10 minutes)

Students create a simple "My Favourite Place" drawing on a piece of paper.

• They draw a place they love.
• Include land and water features (e.g. beach, park, bushland).
• Label parts of their drawing (e.g. "tree", "river", "home").

Extension:

• Introduce basic directions (north, south, east, west).
• Show how a simple map key works (symbols for trees, water, and buildings).

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Conclusion & Reflection (5 minutes)

Wrap-Up Question:
"Why do you think geography is important?"

• Reinforce that geography helps us understand the world around us.
• Ask students to share one new thing they learned today.

Exit Ticket Task:
Before leaving, each student whispers their favourite place to the teacher!

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment (Informal):
✅ Participation in discussion, pair-sharing, and outdoor walk.
✅ Understanding geographical features through drawings.
✅ Ability to share and reflect on learning.

Differentiation:

• Support: Provide visual cue cards for students who need additional prompts.
• Extension: Ask advanced students to draw a simple map of their home or school.

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Materials & Resources

✔ Large world map or globe
✔ "Our Place" Chart (whiteboard)
✔ Drawing paper and colouring materials
✔ Simple map key templates (optional)

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Teacher's Reflection (Post-Lesson Notes)

• Were students engaged in discussion and activities?
• Did all students understand the difference between natural and human-made places?
• What adjustments could be made for the next lesson?

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Next Lesson Preview

📍 Lesson 2: Where Do We Live?
Students will explore their local community and key geographical features of Australia.