Government services and liveability in the local area
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Introduction
Students explore liveability in their local community. They use a map to investigate and locate the services provided by all levels of government and collaboratively complete a PMI chart to suggest additional services that their local area might need to improve liveability.
This activity focuses on the geographical concepts of place, space, interconnection, sustainability and change.
Achievement standard
By the end of Year 7, students describe geographical processes that influence the characteristics of places and how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently. They explain interconnections between people and places and environments and describe how these interconnections change places and environments. They describe alternative strategies to a geographical challenge referring to environmental, economic and social factors.
Students identify geographically significant questions to frame an inquiry. They evaluate a range of primary and secondary sources to locate useful information and data. They record and represent data and the location and distribution of geographical phenomena in a range of forms, including large-scale and small-scale maps that conform to cartographic conventions. They interpret and analyse geographical maps, data and other information to propose simple explanations for spatial distributions, patterns, trends and relationships, and draw conclusions. Students present findings and arguments using relevant geographical terminology and digital technologies in a range of communication forms. They propose action in response to a geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social factors, and describe the expected effects of their proposal.
Content descriptions
Geographical Knowledge and Understanding
The influence of social connectedness and community identity on the liveability of places (ACHGK046).
Strategies used to enhance the liveability of places, especially for young people, including examples from Australia and Europe (ACHGK047).
Geographical Inquiry and Skills
Interpret geographical data and other information using qualitative and quantitative methods, and digital and spatial technologies as appropriate, to identify and propose explanations for spatial distributions, patterns and trends, and infer relationships (ACHGS051).
Apply geographical concepts to draw conclusions based on the analysis of the data and information collected (ACHGS052).
Reflect on their learning to propose individual and collective action in response to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social considerations, and predict the expected outcomes of their proposal (ACHGS054).
Teacher resources
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Talking cards
Student learning resources
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The three levels of government and their responsibilities
A map of the local area
Government services and liveability in the local area
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Suggested activity sequence
This sequence is intended as a framework to be modified and adapted by teachers to suit the needs of a class group.
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As a class, read the explainer.
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Students develop a Y-chart of what liveability in their local area might look like, sound like and feel like.
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Students share their ideas to create a class Y-chart.
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Use a grouping strategy to organise students into groups of 4.
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Groups use a map of their local area to identify different types of services provided by the government.
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Give each group a set of talking cards to support a group discussion on the positive and negative impacts of government services on the liveability of the local area.
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Groups complete part 2 of the worksheet.
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Each group shares their ideas with the whole class and add additional ideas to their PMI chart.
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As a class, discuss the additional services that the local area might need to improve liveability.