Practical Geography

Introduction to Geography - Meaning of Geography

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define the term Geography
- Identify the two main branches of Geography
- Relate Geography to everyday observations of weather, landscapes and human activities

- Brainstorm on the meaning of Geography and share in class
- Use print or digital resources to explore the definition of Geography
- Discuss examples of geographical phenomena observed daily

What is Geography and why do we study it?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Charts showing geographical concepts

- Oral questions - Observation - Written assignments

Practical Geography

Introduction to Geography - Branches of Geography
Introduction to Geography - Physical Geography branches

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the branches of Physical Geography
- Explain the branches of Human Geography
- Connect different branches of Geography to observable phenomena in the local environment

- Use print or digital resources to establish the branches of Geography
- Discuss the content covered under Physical and Human Geography
- Make class presentations on branches of Geography

How do the branches of Geography help us understand our environment?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Charts showing branches of Geography
- Pictures of physical features

- Oral questions - Written tests - Observation

Practical Geography

Introduction to Geography - Human Geography branches
Introduction to Geography - Importance of Geography
Introduction to Geography - Geography and Sciences
Introduction to Geography - Geography and Social Sciences

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Analyse the sub-branches of Human Geography
- Distinguish between economic, population, urban and political geography
- Relate human geography to community activities like farming and trade
- Examine the relationship between Geography and sciences
- Explain how Geography relates to Biology, Physics and Chemistry
- Connect geographical studies to scientific investigations in agriculture and meteorology

- Research on sub-branches of Human Geography
- Discuss economic, population, urban and political geography
- Make presentations in class
- Discuss the relationship between Geography and Biology, Physics and Chemistry
- Present findings in class
- Use digital resources to explore interdisciplinary connections

How does Human Geography explain human activities in society?
How does Geography relate to natural sciences?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Pictures showing human activities
- Reference books
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Charts showing subject relationships
- Reference books

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation
- Oral questions - Written tests - Observation

Practical Geography

Introduction to Geography - Careers in Geography
Map Reading and Interpretation - Meaning of maps

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify careers related to Geography
- Select possible career pathways from branches of Geography
- Envision personal career opportunities in fields like urban planning, cartography and environmental management

- Engage with resource person on careers related to Geography
- Create posters on careers in Geography and display in school
- Participate in work shadowing on a possible career in Geography

What career opportunities does Geography offer?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Career guidance materials
- Display boards
- Topographical maps
- Atlas

- Portfolios - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Types of maps

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Classify maps according to their purpose
- Distinguish between topographical, thematic and cadastral maps
- Select appropriate map types for different purposes like land registration and weather forecasting

- Use print or digital resources to research on types of maps
- Discuss characteristics of different map types
- Make class presentations

How do we select the right type of map for different purposes?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Various types of maps
- Digital resources
- Atlas

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Contour lines

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the concept of contour lines
- Interpret contour patterns on topographical maps
- Use contour knowledge to understand terrain for hiking, construction and farming activities

- Use print or digital resources to research on contour lines
- Draw sketches of contour patterns
- Interpret relief using contour lines

How do contour lines represent the shape of land?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources
- Tracing papers

- Observation - Written assignments - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Layer colouring and hill shading
Map Reading and Interpretation - Spot heights and trigonometrical stations

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe layer colouring and hill shading methods
- Interpret relief using layer colouring on maps
- Apply relief interpretation skills when reading tourist maps and planning travel routes
- Explain spot heights and trigonometrical stations
- Identify spot heights and trigonometrical stations on maps
- Use spot height information for practical activities like determining suitable building sites

- Discuss layer colouring and hill shading methods
- Interpret maps using layer colouring
- Make class presentations
- Use digital resources to research on spot heights and trigonometrical stations
- Identify these features on topographical maps
- Record findings and present in class

How do colours and shading show differences in land height?
Why are exact height measurements important on maps?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps with layer colouring
- Digital resources
- Coloured pencils
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources

- Written tests - Observation - Oral questions
- Oral questions - Written tests - Observation

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Interpreting landforms

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Interpret different landforms on topographical maps
- Identify hills, valleys, ridges and plateaus from contour patterns
- Relate map landforms to actual physical features observed in the local environment

- Discuss how relief features appear on topographical maps
- Interpret various landforms from contour patterns
- Watch video clips on relief interpretation

How can we identify different landforms from map contours?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources
- Video clips

- Observation - Written assignments - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Drainage features on maps

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify drainage features on topographical maps
- Interpret rivers, lakes, swamps and dams on maps
- Connect drainage patterns to water resource management in the community

- Use topographical maps to identify drainage features
- Discuss methods of representing rivers, lakes and swamps
- Make class presentations

How are water bodies represented on maps?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources
- Atlas

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Drainage patterns

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe different drainage patterns
- Interpret dendritic, trellis, radial and centripetal patterns
- Relate drainage patterns to underlying rock structures and landforms

- Discuss different types of drainage patterns
- Identify drainage patterns on topographical maps
- Draw sketches of drainage patterns

What factors determine the pattern of rivers in an area?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources
- Charts showing drainage patterns

- Observation - Written tests - Portfolios

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Vegetation symbols on maps
Map Reading and Interpretation - Interpreting vegetation cover

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify vegetation symbols on topographical maps
- Interpret different vegetation types from map symbols
- Apply vegetation interpretation skills for land use planning and environmental assessment
- Interpret vegetation cover on topographical maps
- Relate vegetation distribution to relief and drainage
- Connect vegetation patterns to agricultural potential and conservation needs in different areas

- Use topographical maps to identify vegetation symbols
- Discuss methods of representing forests, grasslands and scrubland
- Make notes on vegetation representation
- Discuss how vegetation is interpreted on topographical maps
- Analyse relationship between vegetation, relief and drainage
- Present findings in class

How do maps show different types of plant cover?
How does vegetation distribution relate to physical features?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Digital resources
- Map symbol charts

- Oral questions - Written assignments - Observation
- Written tests - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Map Reading and Interpretation - Cross-section drawing
Map Reading and Interpretation - Interpreting cross-sections

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the purpose of cross-sections
- Draw cross-sections from topographical maps
- Use cross-section skills for practical applications like road construction planning and pipeline routing

- Discuss the purpose and procedure of drawing cross-sections
- Draw sketch sections from topographical maps
- Display completed sections in class

Why do engineers and planners use cross-sections?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Topographical maps
- Graph papers
- Rulers and pencils
- Completed cross-sections
- Calculators

- Observation - Portfolios - Written assignments

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Importance of statistics

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the importance of statistics in Geography
- Identify geographical phenomena that require statistical analysis
- Recognise how statistics help in making informed decisions about population, climate and resource management

- Brainstorm on the importance of statistics in Geography
- Discuss examples of statistical use in geographical studies
- Share findings in class

Why are numbers and statistics essential in geographical studies?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Statistical data samples
- Charts

- Oral questions - Observation - Written assignments

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Limitations of statistics

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the limitations of statistics in Geography
- Analyse situations where statistics may be inadequate
- Exercise caution when interpreting statistical data in news and reports

- Conduct library research on limitations of statistics
- Discuss instances where statistics may misrepresent geographical facts
- Write notes on limitations

When can statistics fail to tell the complete geographical story?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Reference books
- Library resources

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Primary data collection
Statistical Methods - Secondary data collection

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe primary methods of data collection
- Design simple questionnaires and interview schedules
- Apply data collection skills for gathering information about local geographical issues
- Describe secondary methods of data collection
- Identify reliable sources of secondary geographical data
- Evaluate the credibility of data sources when conducting research

- Role play methods of primary data collection
- Design questionnaires for geographical research
- Discuss observation and measurement techniques
- Discuss secondary sources of geographical data
- Research on sources like census reports, maps and journals
- Make class presentations

How do geographers gather first-hand information?
Where can we find existing geographical data and information?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Sample questionnaires
- Digital resources
- Interview guides
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Census reports
- Reference books

- Observation - Portfolios - Oral questions
- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Measures of central tendency (Mean)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Calculate the arithmetic mean from geographical data
- Interpret the meaning of the mean in context
- Apply mean calculations to analyse average rainfall, temperatures and population data

- Discuss the concept and calculation of arithmetic mean
- Calculate mean from given geographical data sets
- Present calculations in class

How does the mean help us understand typical values in data?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Calculators
- Data sets
- Digital resources

- Written assignments - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Measures of central tendency (Median and Mode)

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Calculate the median and mode from geographical data
- Compare mean, median and mode
- Select appropriate measures of central tendency for different types of geographical data

- Discuss calculation of median and mode
- Calculate median and mode from data sets
- Compare the three measures of central tendency

When is it better to use median or mode instead of mean?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Calculators
- Data sets
- Digital resources

- Written tests - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Bar graphs

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the types of bar graphs
- Draw simple and compound bar graphs
- Use bar graphs to present comparative data on production, population and trade

- Discuss types of bar graphs and their uses
- Draw simple bar graphs from geographical data
- Display completed graphs in class

How do bar graphs make geographical comparisons clearer?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Graph papers
- Rulers
- Data sets
- Coloured pencils

- Portfolios - Observation - Written assignments

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Comparative/Multiple bar graphs
Statistical Methods - Line graphs

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Draw comparative/group/multiple bar graphs
- Interpret multiple bar graphs
- Apply multiple bar graphs to compare regional or temporal data in geographical studies
- Draw line graphs from geographical data
- Interpret trends shown by line graphs
- Use line graphs to track changes in climate, production and population over time

- Discuss the procedure for drawing multiple bar graphs
- Draw comparative bar graphs from given data
- Make class presentations
- Discuss the procedure for drawing line graphs
- Draw line graphs showing trends
- Interpret patterns from line graphs

How do multiple bar graphs help compare different categories?
How do line graphs reveal trends and changes over time?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Graph papers
- Data sets
- Coloured pencils
- Rulers
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Graph papers
- Data sets
- Rulers
- Digital resources

- Written tests - Observation - Portfolios
- Observation - Written assignments - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Combined bar and line graphs

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Draw combined bar and line graphs
- Interpret combined graphs
- Apply combined graphs to show relationships like rainfall and temperature patterns

- Discuss the procedure for drawing combined bar and line graphs
- Draw combined graphs from climate data
- Present completed graphs in class

Why combine bars and lines on the same graph?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Graph papers
- Climate data
- Rulers
- Coloured pencils

- Portfolios - Written tests - Observation

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Interpreting statistical graphs

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Interpret data from various statistical graphs
- Draw conclusions from graphical representations
- Make informed decisions based on statistical evidence in everyday situations

- Analyse various statistical graphs
- Interpret trends and patterns from graphs
- Discuss conclusions drawn from data

What stories do graphs tell about geographical phenomena?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Various statistical graphs
- Digital resources
- Data sets

- Oral questions - Written tests - Observation

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Planning geographical research

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify steps in conducting geographical research
- Formulate research questions and objectives
- Plan a research project on a geographical issue affecting the local community

- Discuss steps in geographical research
- Formulate research questions on selected topics
- Plan research methodology

How do we plan and conduct geographical research?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Research guides
- Digital resources
- Sample research proposals

- Observation - Portfolios - Oral questions

Practical Geography

Statistical Methods - Conducting field research
Statistical Methods - Presenting research findings
GIS - Introduction to geospatial technologies

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Collect primary data using appropriate methods
- Record and organise collected data
- Conduct field investigations on road safety and other local geographical issues
- Present research findings using appropriate methods
- Use digital resources for presentations
- Communicate geographical findings effectively to different audiences

- Carry out research within the school on a selected geographical topic
- Collect, analyse and interpret data
- Write a research report
- Use digital resources to make presentations on research findings
- Present findings in class
- Write research reports

How do we gather and record data in the field?
How do we effectively communicate research findings?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Questionnaires
- Recording sheets
- Digital resources
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Projector
- Presentation software
- GIS software demonstrations
- Charts

- Portfolios - Observation - Written assignments
- Portfolios - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

GIS - GPS and Remote Sensing

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain Global Positioning System (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS)
- Distinguish between GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing
- Apply GPS knowledge when using smartphone navigation and location services

- Discuss GPS and Remote Sensing as geospatial technologies
- Compare GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing
- Use digital resources to explore applications

How do GPS and satellites help us locate places and gather information?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- GPS devices
- Digital resources
- Satellite images

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

GIS - Components of GIS

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe the components of GIS
- Explain the role of data, software, hardware, users and methods in GIS
- Identify GIS components in local institutions like county offices and utility companies

- Discuss the components of GIS (data, software, hardware, users and methods)
- Present findings in class
- Create charts showing GIS components

What elements make up a Geographic Information System?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- GIS component charts
- Computers

- Oral questions - Observation - Portfolios

Practical Geography

GIS - Importance of GIS in geographical studies

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Examine the importance of GIS in geographical studies
- Analyse applications of GIS in various sectors
- Connect GIS to real-world applications in urban planning, health mapping and disaster management

- Use print or digital resources to research on importance of GIS
- Discuss GIS applications in geography
- Write notes on GIS importance

How does GIS help solve geographical problems?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- GIS application examples
- Reference books

- Written tests - Oral questions - Observation

Practical Geography

GIS - GIS applications in Kenya
GIS - Converting geographic coordinates

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Analyse GIS applications in Kenya
- Explain the role of GIS in road safety and traffic management
- Appreciate how GIS helps in monitoring designated crossing points and reducing road accidents
- Explain geographic coordinates
- Convert coordinates from decimal degrees to degrees, minutes and seconds
- Use coordinate conversion skills when working with different GPS devices and mapping applications

- Engage resource person on role of GIS in road safety
- Discuss GIS applications in Kenya
- Create posters on GIS importance
- Discuss geographic coordinate systems
- Convert geographic coordinates (decimal degrees to DMS)
- Present calculations in class

How is GIS used to improve road safety in Kenya?
How do we express and convert location coordinates?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Digital resources
- Display boards
- Resource person
- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- Calculators
- Digital resources
- Coordinate conversion charts

- Portfolios - Observation - Oral questions
- Written tests - Observation - Oral questions

Practical Geography

GIS - Using GPS to locate features
GIS - Practical GPS application

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Use GPS to determine location coordinates
- Locate key features in the locality using GPS
- Apply GPS skills for practical activities like marking boundaries, locating facilities and navigation

- Use digital resources to locate points on the earth's surface
- Practice using GPS devices to find coordinates
- Peer evaluate GPS usage

How do we use GPS to find and record locations?

- Longhorn Comprehensive Geography pg. 1
- GPS devices
- Smartphones with GPS
- Digital resources
- Smartphones
- Display boards
- Mapping software

- Observation - Practical assessment - Oral questions