Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
17.3
Structure of Junior High School Curriculum
for Geography
The Geography curriculum is commonly structured via two main approaches,
regional or thematic. The thematic approach is further classifi ed into systematic,
issues-based, and systems (IGU-CGE
1992
). Some western countries made curricu-
lum compromises by merging these approaches (Haubrich
2006
). Recently, this
trend has been found in Asia.
17.3.1
Systematic and Issues-Based Approaches in Singapore
The junior high school geography curriculum was implemented in 2006. Table
17.2
summarizes curriculum contents. There are a total of fi ve themes, three to be cov-
ered in the seventh grade and two in the eighth grade. The curriculum adopts the
systematic approach “to show how relationships between people and environment
have given rise to the distinctive character of places” (MOE
2005
, p. 2). Hence, the
themes primarily include scientifi c content related to physical and human geogra-
phy. Case studies are used to explain physical-human relationships in some regions.
For example, in the case study “Living with Volcanoes” in Indonesia, pupils evalu-
ate benefi ts and risks of living in volcanic areas (MOE
2005
). The curriculum also
supports the issues-based learning approach, as “current issues and events should be
incorporated into the lessons to ensure that the subject remains relevant and interesting”
(MOE
2005
, p. 2).
Table 17.2
Contents of Junior High School Curriculum for Geography in Singapore
Seventh
Grade
Theme I: Introduction to Geography
1
Overview of Geography
2
Earth as Home—Solar System
Theme II: Understanding the Environment
3
Physical and Human Environments
4
Environments Through Maps
5
Environments Through Photographs
Theme III: The Physical Environment
6
Landforms and Rocks
7
Rivers
8
Weather and Climate
9
Natural Vegetation
Eighth
Grade
Theme IV: The Human Environment
10 Population and Settlements
11 Agriculture
12 Transport and Communications
Theme V: Managing the Changing
Environment
13 Land Supply
14 Water Resources
15 Pollution
16 Global Warming and Ozone Depletion
Source
: MOE
2005
