Social Sciences: Geography
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Social Sciences
Study guide: Geography
Grade 5
SAMPLE
CAPS aligned M Lübcker E van Emmenes
Learning objectives
What learners should know at the end of the lesson according to CAPS requirements.
Lesson elements
Important terminology
New terminology to assist with the understanding of the subject as part of the lesson.
Tips
Any information other than the content, to guide learners through the learning process.
Define
Definitions of concepts to understand the content.
Activity
Questions to complete to test learners’ knowledge of the completed lesson.
Core content
SAMPLE
Emphasise the core of the content; in-depth explanation of a specific section of the lesson; learners must understand this content.
Study/Revision
Time spent studying the content at the end of the unit and to prepare for a test or examination.
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.
G05 ~ Social Sciences: Geography
Prescribed book
Preface
Recommended books are used supplementary to this study guide. It is always good to refer to other text books, such as:
● Diley, L., Monteith, M., Proctor, A. & Weldon, G. 2013. Oxford Successful Social Sciences Grade 5. Oxford University Press: South Africa.
● Any printed atlas, such as the Oxford Primary Atlas for South Africa.
Introduction
Geography forms a part of Social Sciences, which aims to encourage learners to study their worlds with fresh, critical eyes and introduce them to a world outside of their immediate realities. Geography is therefore the study of both our human and physical environment. We investigate different branches of Geography, namely physical geography and human geography.
This study guide will place specific focus on spatial literacy, patterns and trends, with a focus on Africa and its place in the world, paying specific attention to South Africa. We will investigate the physical features, weather, climate and vegetation of South Africa. It will also cover a section on the minerals and mining of these minerals in South Africa. This is in accordance with the guidelines set out in the CAPS curriculum.
Do not merely study the content provided in this study guide. Since Geography is constantly changing, you must also study the world around you, broaden your knowledge through the internet, libraries and magazines. Most importantly, keep abreast of current affairs by reading or listening to the news a minimum of three times a week.
SAMPLE
To make sure that all concepts that are shown in the study guide are thoroughly understood and can be applied, there is an activity after each lesson. All activities in the guide must be revised for the tests and examinations. There are also a number of online tests, quizzes and activities available for extra revision.
Year plan
Keep the following in mind when planning your year:
● Be realistic and flexible
● Keep your other subject timetables in mind
● Allow for enough time to study for tests and examinations
Term Unit and lesson
Unit 1: World map and compass directions
Lesson 1: Position of the equator, North and South Poles on a globe
Lesson 2: The seven continents
Lesson 3: Eight points on a compass
Lesson 4: Eight directions from a fixed point on a world map
Unit 2: Africa, our continent
Lesson 5: Position of Africa on a world map and globe
Lesson 6: Oceans around Africa
Lesson 7: Concepts of countries and borders
Lesson 8: Locations of countries in Africa
Lesson 9: Countries with a coastline
1
Lesson 10: Madagascar and Zanzibar
Lesson 11: South Africa’s neighbouring countries
Unit 3: A physical map of Africa
Lesson 12: Reading a physical map
Lesson 13: Africa’s highest peaks
Lesson 14: Africa’s three largest lakes
Lesson 15: Africa’s great rivers
Lesson 16: Southern Africa’s famous waterfalls
Lesson 17: Africa’s great deserts
Unit 4: Images of Africa
Lesson 18: Photos of a range of scenes and landscapes in Africa
Lesson 19: Use grid references on a map to determine position
Unit 5: Physical features of South Africa
2
Lesson 20: A physical map of South Africa
Lesson 21: Indicating altitude
Date started Date completed
2
Lesson 22: Physical features
Lesson 23: Naming of important places
Lesson 24: Where rivers start and end
Lesson 25: Concept of river systems
Lesson 26: Main rivers of South Africa
Unit 6: Physical features and human activity
Lesson 27: Human activities in different physical environments
Lesson 28: Influence of human activities on the physical environment
Unit 7: Water, climate and vegetation of South Africa
Lesson 29: Elements of weather and precipitation
Lesson 30: Measuring temperature and rainfall and the instruments used
Lesson 31: Determination and description of wind direction
Lesson 32: Weather charts and weather conditions
Unit 8: Climate, rainfall and natural vegetation
3
Lesson 33: Rainfall in South Africa
Lesson 34: Rainfall patterns
Lesson 35: Difference between weather and climate
Lesson 36: Different types of climate in South Africa
Lesson 37: Climate of own environment
Lesson 38: What is natural vegetation?
Lesson 39: The relationship between climate, natural vegetation and wildlife
Lesson 40: The Savannah grasslands
Unit 9: Mineral and coal resources in South Africa
Lesson 41: Minerals as a non-renewable resource
SAMPLE
Lesson 42: The most important minerals mined in South Africa and their uses
Lesson 43: How coal is formed
Lesson 44: Uses of coal
4
Lesson 45: Location of mineral and coal mines
Unit 10: Mining and mining environments
Lesson 46: What mining is and the ways of mining
Lesson 47: Open cast/surface mining and shaft/deep level mining
Lesson 48: Pollution, waste and sewage
Lesson 49: Health and safety risks for mineworkers
Eenheid 1 Unit 1
World map and compass directions
Learning aims
After completing this unit, you should be able to do the following:
● Understand and work with a variety of resources – including maps, data and pictures.
● Know the position of the equator and North and South Poles on a map or globe.
● Identify and know the positions of the seven continents.
● Identify the eight cardinal points on a compass.
● Use these cardinal points and identify the eight directions from a fixed point on a map.
Introduction
This unit covers a study of the globe and your place in the world. You will learn about the seven continents, how our world is divided, how to use a compass and what the eight cardinal points of the compass are.
Important terminology
Equator Hemisphere Continent Compass World map
Ensure you understand all new concepts. Draw up a terminology list for yourself, so that you can learn all the important concepts taught to you throughout each unit.
Lesson 1
Position of the equator, North and South Poles on a globe
Define
Equator: an imaginary line on the globe that divides the earth in half, dividing the northern and southern hemispheres
Hemisphere: Half of the world which has been divided by the equator. Generally, the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.
People used to believe that the earth was flat, like image 1.1, and if you sailed too far, you would fall off the edge.
However, we know now that the earth is round, like a beach ball, with no edges. The equator is an imaginary line which divides the earth into two equal parts. The top part is the northern hemisphere and the bottom part the southern hemisphere. South Africa lies south of the equator and is therefore in the southern hemisphere.
SAMPLE
Image 1.1: A depiction of a flat earth
Northern hemisphere
Equator
Southern hemisphere
Image 1.2: The location of the equator, northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere on a map
The North and South Poles are the tips of their respective hemispheres. The northernmost point of the globe is the North Pole and the southernmost tip, the South Pole.
Activity 1
Use the words in the following word bank to label the diagram of the earth.
SAMPLE
Image 1.3
Image 1.4
Lesson 2
The seven continents
Define
Continent: a large land mass on the globe consisting of various countries
Core content
The world is divided into seven land masses, which form the seven continents. They all consist of various countries, except Antarctica.
Here is a map that shows the seven continents.
SAMPLE
Image 1.5: A world map of the oceans and continents
Activity 2
Study the globe and name the highlighted continents.
SAMPLE
Define
Lesson 3
Eight points on a compass
Compass: an instrument used to determine direction Core content
We use a compass to indicate direction. Before the compass was invented, people used the stars as a point of reference.
G05 ~ Social Sciences: Geography
A compass can indicate sixteen different directions. This year, however, we are learning the eight cardinal points.
A compass works with a magnet which is pulled towards magnetic north . Magnetic north is the direction or area to the north towards which the needle of a compass points, situated in a specific area near the North Pole. This means that a compass will always point north, and we can determine the direction in which we are travelling using this as a reference. On a compass, abbreviations are used for the different directions.
Study the image below. The eight directions and abbreviations used are:
N – North
NE – Northeast
E – East
SE – Southeast
S – South
SW – Southwest
W – West
NW – Northwest
North, east, south and west are the four main directions and the others are in-between directions.
Tips
An easy way to remember the four main directions is by memorising this rhyme:
Image 1.7
As north and south are most important, the next four points will start with these directions, followed by whichever direction is closest, e.g., NW (northwest) or SW (southwest).
We don’t carry around compasses anymore. If you need to find your way around, you can use the following method to help you find your way:
The sun always rises in the east. If you look at the sun, north will be on your left and south will be on your right. The sun sets in the west, so west should be directly behind you.
Lesson 4
Eight directions from a fixed point on a world map
Define
World map: a flat portrayal of the world where you see the whole world in a single view
The island of Madagascar is highlighted on the map of Africa below. We must be able to determine direction from any given point on a map; there is, therefore, usually a small compass drawn on maps to help us. North always points towards the top of a map.
SAMPLE
Activity 3
Study the map of Madagascar and answer the questions.
1. Which continent is north of Madagascar? (1)
2. Which continent is south of Madagascar? (1)
3. Which continent is east of Madagascar? (1)
4. Which continent is west of Madagascar? (1)
5. Which continent is northeast of Madagascar? (1)
6. Which continent is northwest of Madagascar? (1) [6]
Revision exercise
1. Name the seven continents of the world. (7)
2. Study the grid below. Use the eight compass points and describe the direction from the house in the middle.
SAMPLE
Image 1.10
