Making a geographical decision
I can evaluate different sources of evidence to justify a decision about a geographical issue.
Making a geographical decision
I can evaluate different sources of evidence to justify a decision about a geographical issue.
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Lesson details
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 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
Context - the economic, environmental, historical or social background to an issue
Biodiversity hotspot - an area with a very high number of different species, many of which are found nowhere else
Carbon sink - a natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases
GNI per capita - the total income of a country divided by its population; shows average income per person
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.
To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Making a geographical decision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 geography lesson on: Making a geographical decision, 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 Making geographical decisions unit, dive into the full secondary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to its definition.
information used to support a conclusion
a reasoned case for or against a decision
a visual way of presenting numerical data
how land is used e.g. for farming, housing or parks
Q2.What is the purpose of using maps and graphs when making decisions in geography?
Q3.What do geographers try to balance when making land use decisions?
Q4.Which of these is an example of a geographical issue?
Q5.What does a well-justified decision include?
Q6.Which of these best describes a graphical source of data?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keyword to its definition.
economic, environmental or social background
area with many species, sometimes found nowhere else
absorbs more carbon than it releases
average income per person in a country