Cultures Around the World

Year level: 6 Teaching Staff: EMD, NIK, ROR

Topic Overview:
A diverse and connected world takes a global view of geography and focuses particularly on the concepts of place and interconnections. Students learn about
the diversity of peoples and cultures around the world, the indigenous peoples of other countries, the diversity of countries across the world and within the
Asia region. They reflect on cultural differences and similarities, and on the meaning and significance of intercultural understanding. The focus of study
becomes global, as students examine Australias connections with other countries and events in places throughout the world, and think about their own and
other peoples knowledge of other countries and places. Students mental maps of the world and their understanding of place are further developed through
learning the locations of the major countries in the Asia region, and investigating the geographical diversity and variety of connections between people and
places.

Understandings: Guiding Questions;

The location of the major countries of the Asia region in relation to Australia and the geographical diversity How do places, people and culture
within the region. differ across the world?
Differences in the economic, demographic and social characteristics between countries across the world. What are Australias global
The worlds cultural diversity, including that of its indigenous peoples connections between people and
The various connections Australia has with other countries and how these connections change people and places?
places. How do peoples connections to
Significant event that connect people and places throughout the world. places affect their perception of
The effects that peoples connections with, and proximity to, places throughout the world have on shaping them?
their awareness and opinion of those places.

VIC. CURRICULUM & ASSESMENT;

Identify different points of view on a contemporary issue relating to democracy and citizenship(VCCCC015)
Investigate how people with shared beliefs and values work together to achieve their goals and plan for action(VCCCC016)
Examine the concept of global citizenship(VCCCC017)
Identify who can be an Australian citizen and describe the rights, responsibilities and shared values of Australian citizenship and explore ways citizens can participate in society (VCCCC014)
Location of the major countries of Europe and North America, in relation to Australia and their major characteristics including the influence of people on the environmental characteristics of
places in at least two countries from both continents (VCGGK091)
Interpret maps and other geographical data and information using digital and spatial technologies as appropriate, to develop identifications, descriptions, explanations and conclusions that use
geographical terminology (VCGGC090)
Location of the major countries of the Asian region in relation to Australia and the geographical diversity within the region (VCGGK092)
Differences in the demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of countries across the world (VCGGK093)
Influence of people, including the influence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, on the environmental characteristics of Australian places (VCGGK094)
Impacts of bushfires or floods on environments and communities, and how people can respond (VCGGK095)
Environmental and human influences on the location and characteristics of places and the management of spaces within them (VCGGK096)
Factors that influence peoples awareness and opinion of places (VCGGK097)
Australias connections with other countries and how these change people and places (VCGGK098)
 WEEK Gather data about students existing thinking, knowledge, feeling & understanding What are Australias global connections between people and places?
Help students make connections with Big Question Where are other continents / countries in relation to Australia?
1, 2, 3 & 4 What are the differences in population size, density, life expectancy
Provide purpose and the big picture
Mapping Motivating, exciting, engaging students
and per capita income between countries across the world?

Key Vocab Atlas, map, continents, countries, oceans, rivers, latitude, longitude, co ordinates, population, density, economy, trade, exports, imports, statistics,
Materials & MyAitken Geography Page.https://myaitken.fireflycloud.net.au/year-6/humanities/topics/year-6-geography http://www.helpteaching.com/questions/Geography/Grade_6
Resources You tube clip - Geography Now! Australia, Maps and Globes Presentation Skitch iPad app./ Google Earth / Map of South East Asia BTN stories: Australia 24 000 000 -
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4404497.htm / World 7 Billion. http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3354554.htm
Introduce Geography Unit with the Welcome to earth PowerPoint this is also located on MyAitken Geography
Week 1
Begin with a pre-test of the location of major countries in the world Term 3 Geography Pre Topic Test

Australia Now! Students view clip of Geography Now! Australia from YouTube. Students take notes while watching and discuss.

Mapping Research; Students draw various continents (handouts of Maps- Awesome Atlas Activities by Silvia Cilas)
Discuss the latitude and longitude. Look at why the lines are the shape they are, and what they mean. Latitude is horizontal, whilst Longitude is
vertical. Explain how to find places (Latitude first followed by Longitude) looking at handouts (eBook??) state, find features and label them with
their coordinates.

Mapping Research continued: Students draw various continents and recreate a world atlas with their maps.
Week 2
Teach students how to use the Skitch app and have them use google maps and the app Skitch to research and label a map of South East Asia.

Population issues. View BTN story about Australias Population reaching 24 Million and BTN story from 2011 when the worlds population
reached 7 Billion. BTN stories: Australia 24 000 000 - http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s4404497.htm / World 7 Billion.
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3354554.htm

World Statistics w/sheets Australia Curriculum Geography RIC Publications

Week 3
Research the population size and density of a selection of countries around the world p13
Comparing and analysing population, health & economy data p21
Investigating relationships p23
World religion p 37

Comparing Countries
Week 4 Similarities and Differences; Select five countries and compare with key words Exploring Cultures p vi w/sheet

Mini Country profile (flag, population, capital, currency, official language, area, main religion, industries, landmarks, imports / exports,
historical dates)

Week To help students apply their learning to other contexts (put the learning to use) How do places, people and culture differ across the world?
To enable the students to reflect on what and how they have learned and set
5&6 goals for the future What are Australias global connections between people and places?
To assess final understanding and growth in skills
PROJECT How do peoples connections to places affect their perception of them?
Key Vocabulary Linguistics, sustainability, environment, national and global situations, technology, social and economic consequences, development
Materials & LIVABILITY IN AUSTRALIA COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES Country Comparison.
Resources A good place to find information about liveability is http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0778562.html / Comparing Maps of Countries: http://overlapmaps.com/ Health and
Wealth of Countries: http://www.gapminder.org/, http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm Australian Bureau of Statistics; http://www.abs.gov.au/
BTN Story on Indigenous Language http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2744198.htm iPads / iMovie app for iPad.
Major Project LIVABILITY IN AUSTRALIA COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES Country Comparison.
Week 5 & 6 Students select Australia and 1 other country to complete a research comparison task on;

Students use research grids to research and gather their information.

Students cannot research two countries from the same continent.
Students need to decide what factors make a country liveable and research these factors
Students need to use a range of resources when completing this project. Try and use first hand sources of data as well as primary & secondary.
Students select an appropriate way to present the information to the class.

Students present their projects. Other students are given feedback sheets and are required to fill them out about the presentations (these will not
be used to assess, but to teach students how they must incorporate all questions asked of them)
Begin by giving students a handout / projected images with places from Australia and overseas. Have students write a phrase about how that image
Week 7 makes them feel. This is giving students an understanding of the Key Inquiry Question: How do peoples connections to places affect their perception of
them? Show images on board and discuss similarities and differences in answers.

Did we all feel pride at looking at the MCG/Uluru? Were we bored looking at an Australian landmark? Why?
In pairs, students make a slide show of worldly landmarks and present to the class. Did we all find the places outside of Australia exciting?

As a class, come up with a list of events that have happened recently that may connect people and places throughout the world.
Japanese Volcano eruption http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/11132472/Seven-more-bodies-found-on-deadly-Japanese-volcano.html
Soccer world cup Brazil
2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami
2004 South East Asia Tsunami / 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia / 2012 Summer Olympics London
Isis and Australias involvement / MH17 shot down over Ukraine
Kate and Wills Wedding/Baby
Hurricane Katrina / 2010 Haiti Earthquake
2008 Obama elected / 2017 Trump elected

Students prepare a report on a significant event from a specific country. Work in partners and choose a significant event that happened in
history that connected people and places throughout the world they are to research that event and create a News report using iMovie.
Each student must contribute to the content, and each student must be filmed presenting a portion of the news. Students must upload their
news program into My Aitken for presentation.
 Week To help students apply their learning to other contexts (put the learning to use) How do places, people and culture differ across the world?
To enable the students to reflect on what and how they have learned and set
8&9 goals for the future
To assess final understanding and growth in skills
Key Vocabulary Patriotic, pride, connections, sympathy, awe,
Materials & My Aitken
Resources http://www.ga.gov.au/earthquakes/ http://www.gapminder.org/dollar-
street/matrix?thing=Families&countries=World&regions=World&zoom=4&row=1&lowIncome=26&highIncome=15000&lang=en
Continue Significant Event Movie Report
Week 8
Debates; Students in groups of 3 and teacher assigns them a side:

Man-made events are more significant in connecting people and places throughout the world
Natural events are more significant in connecting people and places throughout the world

Students have 1 lesson to come up with arguments. Set up debates

World Cultural Events; Students are asked to think of a custom/holiday that they and their family take part in e.g.: Christmas
Week 9 (carols by candle light, presents, tree /Easter /Birthdays/ Ramadan or even New Years Eve. Find out where that tradition came from,
and how much of it is the same as the original tradition, and how much has evolved whilst happening in Australia.

Explore 3 very different annual world events e.g.

Hajj the pilgrimage to Meca http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/saudiarabia_mecca
Chinese New Year http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year
Carnival in Rio de Janerio https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2013/feb/09/rio-carnival-2013-samba-parade-video

Look at Humanitarian Aid that Australia delivers Aid to (World Vision, Australian Red Cross, DFAT). Students are then to analyse
the effects of the aid on places in countries. Watch videos on the aid provided by the Australian Defence Force after the Japanese
tsunami of March 2011- Operation Pacific Assist. Students can list ways the Australias armed forces provided assistance after this
natural disaster.

Connections with the world; Explain that with the modern conveniences of technology and travel, Australia is more connected with
other countries than ever before.
Have students list ways they think Australia could be connected to other countries and solidify that list on the board (if needed to get
them rolling some examples are: Tourism, Trade, migration, aid, education, defence, cultural influences)