The Value of Using Concepts in Curriculum Making

Geography is a conceptual discipline and one that offers a unique way of seeing the world.

Different authors use different language when discussing concepts.
A ‘concept’ is a fairly general term and one that is often not explicitly defined in the literature.

In this course, the definition of a concept is taken from Standish & Cuthbert (2017):
- ‘When we learn a new concept it often changes the way we see the known world or transforms our everyday concepts because it is through concepts that we think and interpret.’ (p.5)

Lambert (2004) made the distinction between geography’s vocabulary and its grammar.
- The former is facts, features and place names.
- The latter is the concepts and theories that help us make sense of those places.

In his seminal article titled ‘Thinking Geographically’, Jackson (2004) argues that ‘thinking geographically provides a language, a set of concepts and ideas that can help us see the connections between places and scales that others frequently miss’ (p.203).

Geography is not differentiated by its content as many other disciplines study climate, vegetation, and people. Yet, geographers have a unique approach to the study of the Earth (Standish, 2014).

1Organising a KS3 Geography Curriculum

1.1Introduction

1.1.1Organising a Key Stage 3 Geography Curriculum

1.1.2Regional Vs Systematic Geography

1.2Concepts in Curriculum Making

1.2.1The Value of Using Concepts in Curriculum Making

1.2.2What are Geography's Key Concepts?

1.2.3More Key Concepts

1.2.4Further Considerations

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