This strand explores Caribbean geography including island classifications, volcanic and coral formations, major landmarks, climate patterns, and the impact of severe weather events. Students develop geographic skills while understanding how location influences culture, economy, and the need for regional cooperation in addressing climate change challenges.
Students will understand Caribbean geography, island classifications, climate patterns, and how location influences culture, economy, and regional cooperation.
Students explore the different ways Caribbean islands are classified: Greater and Lesser Antilles, Windward and Leeward Islands, the Bahamas, and mainland territories. They examine linguistic, political, and economic groupings and develop skills in mapping these classifications.
By the end of Grade Five, the learner will be expected to:
Inclusive approaches for diverse learners
Island Classifications: The Greater Antilles include the larger islands (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico). The Lesser Antilles are divided into Windward Islands (facing trade winds: Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada) and Leeward Islands (sheltered: Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Antigua, Montserrat, Guadeloupe).
Volcanic vs Coral Islands: Volcanic islands (like Dominica, St. Vincent, Montserrat) have mountainous terrain, fertile volcanic soil, freshwater rivers, and are suitable for agriculture. Coral islands (like Barbuda, Anguilla, parts of the Bahamas) are flat, have limited freshwater, sandy soil, and are better suited for tourism and fishing.
Climate and Weather: The Caribbean has a tropical maritime climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Hurricane season runs from June to November. Major disasters include Hurricane Hugo (1989), Hurricane Ivan (2004), Hurricane Maria (2017), and more recently Hurricane Beryl (2024). Regional cooperation through CDEMA and CARICOM helps coordinate disaster response.
