Evaluating geographical issues
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate different sources of evidence to justify a decision about a geographical issue.
Key learning points
- Geographical issues link different parts of geography together and involve decisions about how land is used.
- There is a wide range of data that can be used when evaluating geographical issues, including graphs and maps.
- Data can be used to understand the issue and as evidence to support an argument.
- Geographers use evidence to make decisions and aim to balance the needs of people and the environment.
Keywords
Pre-release material - resources that are released prior to an examination, which include maps, graphs and text that give information about a geographical issue
Tidal barrage - a dam built across a bay or estuary that uses the movement of the tides to generate electricity
Context - the economic, environmental, historical or social background to an issue
Common misconception
There is always a correct solution to a geographical issue.
There is not a 'correct' answer to a geographical issue. Geographers try and balance economic, social and environmental concerns and use evidence to justify their opinion.
Teacher tip
This lesson provides a framework to help students understand and engage with the pre-release material. Once the pre-release is available, you may wish to revisit this lesson and break it into smaller parts that directly link to the specific content of the booklet.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of balancing people’s needs with the environment?
Q2.What kind of data would most help a geographer evaluate a traffic issue in a city?
Q3.Which type of map is most useful for showing land use in a city?
Q4.What is the purpose of using graphs in geography?
Q5.Which of these is least useful when evaluating the environmental impact of building a shopping centre?
Q6.Some students think geographers don’t need to use graphs and maps if they’ve visited a place. What’s a better way to think about it?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their correct meanings:
Q2.What type of energy is generated by a tidal barrage?
Q3.Which of these would you expect to find in pre-release material?
Q4.Why might there be no single correct answer to a geographical issue?
To help you plan your 11 geography lesson on: Evaluating geographical issues, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 geography lesson on: Evaluating geographical issues, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 geography lessons from the Decision making in geography unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.