Overview
SESE: Geography enables children to make sense of their surroundings and the wider world by learning about the natural and human elements of local and wider environments. Through learning about their environments, children develop a range of geographical skills and concepts. Geography encourages children to appreciate the interdependence of individuals, groups and communities. It promotes an understanding of, and respect for different cultures and how different people live their lives. The Geography Curriculum also fosters children's sense of individual and community responsibility for caring for the environment
SESE: Geography Curriculum
Geography is for all children in the primary school from junior infants to sixth class. The curriculum is presented in two sections: a skills and concepts section and a content section.
Skills and concepts
The Geography Curriculum outlines the skills and concepts which children should develop including:
- A sense of place and space
- Maps, globes and graphical skills
- Geographical investigation skills.
Content
The Geography Curriculum includes a number of strands:
- Human environments
- Natural environments
- Environmental awareness and care.
These strands outline the content to be included in the Geography Curriculum at each of the four class levels. Each strand is subdivided into strand units. These units focus on particular themes within the strand.
Current Status
National in-service for SESE: Geography took place in the 2005/2006 school year. Implementation in primary schools followed in the 2006/2007 school year. The advisory service provided by the Primary Professional Development Service (PPDS) continues to support teachers and principals in their implementation work.
Documentation
SESE: Geography Curriculum (Primary Curriculum online) (1999)
SESE: Geography: Teacher Guidelines (Primary Curriculum online) (1999)
To view and download PDF format of these documents, please click here.
Related Publications
Related links
Primary Professional Development Service (PPDS)