Spatial Thinking
In this strand, students explore the important geographic features that help them understand the unique features of their island. This includes learning to locate their island using latitude and longitude, determining its geographical divisions, examining the impacts of weather and climate change, and understanding the importance of parklands, fresh water sources, and how human activity shapes their natural environment.
Grade Four Expectations for Spatial Thinking
Essential Learning Outcome: Island Location
To understand that our island has important geographic features that make us unique.
- Describe your island's location in relation to the wider Caribbean region
- Locate the island where you live on maps/globes using latitude and longitude
- Appreciate the advantages of maps and technology such as Google Earth in locating and describing our island's geography
Focus Questions:
How can we locate our island?
How are maps useful to us?
Specific Curriculum Outcomes
By the end of Grade Four, the learner will be expected to:
Inclusive Assessment Strategies
Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:
- Observations: Observe students during map work, field trips, group activities, and hands-on demonstrations
- Conversations: Class discussions, brainstorming sessions, think-pair-share activities, interviews with community members
- Products: Maps, charts, models, posters, journals, presentations, brochures, concept maps
Sample Assessment Tools:
- Observation checklists for field trips and group work
- Rubrics for evaluating map work and presentations
- Self-assessment forms for project contributions
- Peer assessment for collaborative activities
- Exit slips for checking understanding of key concepts
Inclusive Learning Strategies
Additional Resources and Materials
Multimedia Resources
- Videos on map elements and coordinate systems
- Interactive maps and globes
- Google Earth and digital mapping tools
- Videos on climate and climate change
- Documentaries on weather events and natural disasters
- Videos on natural reserves and fresh water sources
- Tips for effective group work in the classroom
- How to use Google Earth in the Classroom
Physical Materials
- Atlases and physical maps
- Globes and compass roses
- Art supplies for map creation
- Materials for model building
- Field trip observation sheets
- Water testing kits
- Materials for emergency kits
- Recycled materials for eco-friendly projects
Teacher Content Knowledge
Maps are essential tools for locating places. We can locate places using cardinal directions (main and intermediate) and latitude and longitude. Latitude lines (parallels) run east-west, with the Equator at 0 degrees dividing the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres. Longitude lines (meridians) run north-south, with the Prime Meridian at 0 degrees.
All countries are divided into smaller segments for administrative purposes. In the Caribbean, these geographic divisions were done mainly for administrative control of settlers and slaves. Most are demarcated by physical features like rivers or ravines. Boundaries may change over time due to factors like depopulation.
Climate refers to the typical weather conditions in a region over a long period. Climate change is a long-term change in weather patterns, largely caused by human activities releasing greenhouse gases. This can lead to problems like melting ice, rising sea levels, and changes in weather patterns.
A natural reserve is a protected area for plants, animals, and other living things. They are important for keeping plants and animals safe, maintaining biodiversity, providing clean air and water, and offering educational and recreational opportunities.
Freshwater sources are natural sources of water with low levels of dissolved salts and minerals, found in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers. They are essential for human life, agriculture, and ecosystems but can be affected by pollution and climate change.