Grade 7 • Study Guide
Social Sciences: Geography
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Social Sciences
Study guide: Geography
Grade 7
Sample
CAPS aligned
T Greyling T van Vollenhoven
S Jordaan
LESSON ELEMENTS
LEARNING AIMS
What learners should know at the end of the lesson according to CAPS requirements.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY
New terminology to assist with the understanding of the subject as part of the lesson.
DEFINE
Definitions of concepts to understand the content.
IMPORTANT
Explains misunderstandings to avoid possible confusion with existing knowledge.
TIPS
Any information other than the content, to guide learners through the learning process.
FOR THE CURIOUS
Encouragement to do in-depth research about the content. Expand the activity and exercise to such an extent that learners are encouraged to explore. For gifted learners: expanded exercises. For Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN): explain the need to complete the basic questions to achieve a pass mark.
ACTIVITY
Questions to complete to test learners’ knowledge of the completed lesson.
EXERCISE
SampleTo conclude the specific unit. Formative assessment.
CORE CONTENT
Emphasise the core of the content; in-depth explanation of a specific section of the lesson; learners must understand this content.
STUDY/REVISION/REVISION
Time spent studying the content at the end of the unit and to prepare for a test or examination.
All lesson elements are not necessarily used in this guide.
PREFACE
ADDITIONAL READING
All the information you need to successfully complete the year’s Geography is contained in this study guide. The following are recommended for enrichment:
• Ranby, P, Johannesson, B, Monteith, (2013). Platinum Social Sciences Grade 7 Learner’s Book. Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman.
• Any printed atlas.
INTRODUCTION
Social Sciences is one subject, although each section (Geography and History) has its own study guide and facilitator’s guide.
Geography is more than a mere study of the earth, as was believed in the past. In fact, it is the study of both our human and physical environment. Geographers are interested in the natural processes that take place in various environments, human settlement and activities, our interdependence on our immediate environment and the impact that we have on that environment. But most importantly, geographers are fascinated with change. We live in an ever-changing world and therefore, the phenomena which we study are in an ever-changing environment.
This study guide will focus specifically on spatial literacy, patterns and trends, as well as on the reading and drawing of basic maps, using statement and linear scale. It will also cover a section on natural disasters caused by earth movement, population growth and change, and sustainable conservation of resources in South Africa. This is in accordance with the guidelines set out in the CAPS curriculum.
SampleIn order to get the most from this study guide, you should not merely learn the content that is provided. As geography is constantly changing, you are encouraged to study the world around you, broaden your knowledge with the use of the internet, libraries and magazines. Most importantly, keep abreast of current affairs by reading or listening to the news at least three times a week. Keep an ‘articles book’ in which you can keep and analyse geographically pertinent events that are covered in the news. You may indicate the locations of these events on a map.
By the end of this study guide you should be curious about the world we live in, have a decent general knowledge of the places and natural forces at work on earth and understand the interaction between society and the natural environment. You should care about the planet and well-being of all who live on it. You should have the ability to think independently and support your ideas with sound knowledge, understand and work with a number of sources and observe and engage in phenomena in your own environment. You will have discovered a wealth of knowledge about people, places, events and issues using
a wealth of various sources. Thereby, enabling you to make informed decisions, communicate ideas and information and most importantly, take appropriate action. 1
Sample1National Protocol for Assessment Grades R – 12, CAPS-SS-Senior phase, p14
Lesson 1: Local maps and street maps
Lesson 2: Sketch maps and explaining routes
Lesson 3: Distance and scale
Lesson 4: Current events
Lesson 5: The structure of the earth
Lesson 6: Earthquakes
Lesson 7: Volcanoes
Lesson 8: Floods
LEARNING AIMS
INTRODUCTION
UNIT 1: Map skills Sample
After you have completed this unit, you must be able to do the following:
• Use grid references to locate places on a street map.
• Use a street map and compass directions to describe a specific route.
• Sketch a map of a local area.
• Use and define scale, differentiate between linear and statement scale, compare different types of scales and use those scales to calculate distance.
• Know the main lines of latitude and longitude and use them to locate where events happened on a world map.
• Stay abreast of current affairs and analyse certain events to ascertain certain information about those events, such as where, when, why and how an event occurred and what the effects of the event in question were.
The focus of this unit is to develop your ability to read and work with maps. You will investigate different types of maps including physical, political, sketch and road maps. You will also learn of the different elements of each of these maps and how to apply this knowledge in a practical sense. This unit will also teach you how to use different geographical skills and elements which will help you apply your knowledge, including a compass, linear and statement scale, grid references and lines of latitude and longitude.
The following definitions will help you to better understand the maps discussed in lesson 1. Ensure that you now the definitions before starting with lesson 1.
DEFINE
Map A picture or representation of the earth's surface, showing how things are related to each other by distance, direction, and size.
Maps can also be defined by type, e.g., political, physical, topographic, climate, economic or resource, or road and street maps.
Altitude The height of a place above sea level, usually measured in meters.
SampleThe top of the peak is 840 m above sea level.
Contour lines Lines used on a map, placed at intervals to indicate altitude and slope.
Contour lines
Precipitation Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to or condenses on the ground.
Diagram A sketch or picture used to explain something.
Cardinal The main directions (N, E, S, W).
directions
LESSON 1: LOCAL MAPS AND STREET MAPS
The types of maps below contain different details and are used to communicate specific information to the user. Each type of map will be discussed in detail during the lesson. The lesson will outline what each map is used for, as well as what type of information it provides to the user.
1.1 Types of maps
A map is a picture or representation of the earth’s surface, showing how things are related to each other by distance, direction, and size.
There are many different types of maps and each map is used for a specific purpose.
• Political maps show international, national and provincial boundaries of a place and usually include the locations of cities, depending on the detail of the map.
SampleA political map of South Africa
Source: https://goo.gl/6nH9o
Border between provinces, e.g., borders between Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State and North West. Capital cities of Gauteng are indicated: Pretoria and Johannesburg.
• A physical map shows the physical landscape features of an area such as mountains, rivers and lakes. Changes in altitude are usually shown using different colours and shades.
Rivers are indicated using thin blue lines, and mountains using brown. Different shades of brown are used to indicate the height of the mountain range.
Physical map of South Africa Source: https://goo.gl/wnkMPU
• A topographic map also shows some physical features, however it uses contour lines and shows man-made attributes too. All topographic maps use symbols to show different attributes such as roads, dams and power lines.
SampleLegend at the bottom of the topographic map indicates which symbol is used for each attribute on the map, e.g.:
Topographic map of Cape Town Source: https://goo.gl/6PtMke
Main road Trees
• Climate maps use colour to show information about the climate in a specific region. The climate of an area is the basic weather pattern and precipitation over a period of time.
Winter temperatures in South Africa
Source: https://goo.gl/FBNj9N
The colours give an indication of the temperature in a specific region over a specified period of time, e.g.:
Red: indicates average temperatures of 7,5 °C and less in a specific region.
Blue: indicates average temperatures of between 7,5 °C and 10 °C in a specific region.
SampleBrown: indicates average temperatures of between 10 °C and 15 °C in a specific region.
White: indicates average temperatures of 15 °C and higher in a specific region.
• Road or street maps are the most commonly used. They show highways, roads, hospitals, parks and various places of interest. People generally use these types of maps to find their way to or from a specific place.
Street map of Pretoria city centre
Source: https://goo.gl/Q9Sq49
Shows highways and roads, e.g., indicates different street names.
• Economic or resource maps show a specific type of economic activity or natural resource in an area, using symbols and colours depending on what is being shown on the map.
Agricultural map of South Africa
Source: https://goo.gl/3KWHJt
Sample
Resources cultivated and/or produced in a specific area, which brings about economic activities, e.g., in Cape Town, Western Cape:
• Oil refinery
• Engineering works
• Vehicles
• Textiles/clothing
• Chemicals and fertilisers
• Food/drink/tobacco
EXERCISE 1
Match the use of the map in column B to the type of map in column A. Only write the correct letter (A – F) next to the question number (1.1 – 1.6), e.g., 1.7 G.
COLUMN A
Type of map
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
COLUMN B
Use of the map
A Shows physical geographical characteristics of an area.
B Shows highways, roads, hospitals, parks and other important places.
C Shows physical characteristics, contour lines and man-made structures.
D Shows the climate of an area over a specified period of time.
E Indicates specific types of economic activity.
F Shows international, national and provincial borders of countries and regions.
1.2 Characteristics of maps
Each detailed map should contain the following characteristics:
• A bird’s eye view: Because maps are flat, they should give you a bird’s eye view of a location, in other words, a view as seen as if you are looking down on the map.
• Direction: All maps should have an arrow marked ‘north’. This helps you work out the other compass directions and ascertain the orientation of the map, i.e., north, south, east and west. On the following page is an illustration of a wind rose showing the 16 cardinal points of a compass.
The 16 Cardinal Points of a Compass
Sample
Bird’s eye view of Paris, Arc de Triomphe Source: https://goo.gl/x9zQBa
• Place/location: A direction, topographic or street map indicates exactly where a person is going. All buildings, rivers, roads, etc. should be clearly marked. However, these elements cannot be indicated on a world map. The details shown depends on the purpose of the map.
• Symbols: We can show some detail by using certain pictures to show landmarks or important structures. A cross may indicate a hospital, a capital ‘P’ a police station, or a dotted line may indicate power lines. These signs can only be understood if the map includes a key or a legend.
Point
Line
Designation
tower
Triangulation station
Fire tower and lighthouse
Water tower, reservoir, water point
Designation
Perennial river
Pipeline (above ground)
Secondary road, benchmark
Conservation area
Railroad, station or siding
Power line
Main traffic route
Area
Designation
Erosion; sand
Perennial water
Swamp and marsh
Orchard or vineyard
Wooded area
Built-up area (high, low density)
Cemetery; grave
• Key/legend: A key or legend is a little square on the map which explains each picture, sign and symbol, e.g., bridge.
Sample
• Scale: Naturally we cannot realistically represent an area kilometres wide on an A4 piece of paper. Therefore, all maps are reduced representations of what exists in the real world, e.g., 1 km of reality has been reduced to 1 cm on the map. There are different types of scales we can use, e.g., word scales, ratio scales and linear scales. Each of these are explained in detail in Lesson 3.
FOR THE CURIOUS
To determine direction, you need a compass. Follow these instructions to make your own compass.
MAKE YOUR OWN COMPASS
There are a number of videos on YouTube that can help, e.g., https://goo.gl/oVnHa2
Requirements:
• bucket with water
• small bowl
• magnet
• nail
TIPS
You will find the following websites helpful:
• Types of precipitation: https://goo.gl/S82hRh
• How a compass works: https://goo.gl/TqbZna
• First identify the four cardinal points. In order to remember the order of the four main cardinal points, think ‘never eat silk worms’ which represents north, east, south, and west.
• Then fill in the halfway point between each of the main points. Make sure you always start with north and south before east and west as they are more important, e.g., if you are labelling the point which is halfway between east and south, the direction would be south-east or SE, not east-south.
• Then for the rest of the points, write the main direction which is closest followed by the halfway mark, e.g., the direction between southwest and west would be west-south-west or WSW, as west is your main direction. However, if the point you are labelling is closer to south, you would label it south-south-west or SSW, as the main direction it is closest to is south.
• Watch: https://goo.gl/BsCe6T
Use the wind rose and tips in the lesson to complete the following activity.
Sample
1. In which direction must the butterfly fly to reach the following animals? (7)
1.1 The lion
1.2 The tortoise
1.3 The monkey
1.4 The elephant
1.5 The pig
1.6 The sheep
1.7 The bird
2. In which direction must the following animals move to reach the butterfly? (3)
2.1 The shark
2.2 The monkey
2.3 The fish
ACTIVITY 2
Use the map of the park to answer the following questions.
Sample1. What symbols are used to indicate the following? (3) 1.1 A tree
1.2 The path
1.3 A flowerbed
2. How many flowerbeds are there in the park? (1)
3. Where would you feed the ducks while they are swimming? (1)
[10]
4. How many see-saws are there in the park? (1)
5. If you like building sand castles, where would you play? (1) [7]
1.3 Indexing maps
The following definitions relate to how and where indexes are used:
DEFINE
Alphabetical
In the order of the alphabet, i.e., from A to Z.
Example: South Africa’s provinces in alphabetical order:
Eastern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
Northern Cape
North West
Western Cape
Landmark A large building, tree, mountain or any prominent, familiar and easily recognisable structure which serves as a guide.
Example: The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria.
SampleSource: https://goo.gl/MPZH86
The Voortrekker Monument is a famous landmark in Pretoria.
Reference Something, usually a set of letters or figures, that serves to identify somebody or something, i.e., a point on a map.
Example:
Represents an orchard or vineyard on a topographic map.