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Browse by Grade: Grade 12

Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations

Grade 12 Geography

This course explores the complex interactions between human societies and the physical environment. Students analyze spatial patterns, resource management, and the challenges of sustainability in an increasingly interconnected world.

6 units·72 topics·Ages 17-18

01The Geographer's Toolkit

12 topics·Term 1

Students master the technical skills required to analyze spatial data and interpret complex geographical information systems.

Introduction to GIS & Spatial Data

Students explore the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and different types of spatial data.

Concept MappingFlipped Classroom
GIS Software & Data Acquisition

Students learn to navigate GIS software interfaces, import various data formats, and understand data acquisition methods.

Flipped ClassroomCollaborative Problem-Solving
Remote Sensing & Satellite Imagery

Students learn about remote sensing principles, how satellite imagery is acquired, and its applications in environmental monitoring.

Case Study AnalysisGallery Walk
GPS and Location-Based Services

Students investigate the Global Positioning System (GPS) and its role in navigation, data collection, and location-based services.

Problem-Based LearningThink-Pair-Share
Data Visualization & Cartography

Students explore principles of effective map design, data visualization techniques, and common cartographic projections.

Project-Based LearningPeer Teaching
Spatial Analysis Techniques

Students apply basic spatial analysis techniques such as buffering, overlay, and network analysis to solve geographic problems.

Case Study AnalysisCollaborative Problem-Solving
Geospatial Ethics & Privacy

Students examine the ethical considerations and privacy concerns associated with the collection, use, and dissemination of geospatial data.

Socratic SeminarPhilosophical Chairs
Mental Maps and Perception

Exploring how personal experience and cultural background shape our internal maps of the world.

Concept MappingGraffiti Wall
Introduction to Physical Geography

Students are introduced to the major sub-disciplines of physical geography and the interconnectedness of Earth's systems.

Concept MappingChalk Talk
Earth's Internal Structure & Plate Tectonics

Students explore the layers of the Earth and the theory of plate tectonics, including different plate boundaries and their associated landforms.

JigsawConcept Mapping
Earthquakes & Seismic Risk

Students analyze the causes and effects of earthquakes, methods of measurement, and strategies for mitigating seismic risk.

Case Study AnalysisDecision Matrix
Volcanoes & Volcanic Hazards

Students investigate different types of volcanoes, their eruptive styles, and the hazards they pose to human populations.

Document MysterySimulation Game

02Physical Systems and Hazards

12 topics·Term 1

An investigation into the lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere, focusing on the impact of natural disasters on human settlement.

Atmospheric Structure & Composition

Students learn about the layers of the atmosphere, its composition, and the role of greenhouse gases in regulating Earth's temperature.

Concept MappingChalk Talk
Solar Radiation & Energy Balance

Students examine how solar radiation drives Earth's climate system and the concept of Earth's energy balance.

Flipped ClassroomThink-Pair-Share
Atmospheric Circulation & Pressure Systems

Students investigate global atmospheric circulation patterns, pressure systems, and their influence on weather and climate.

Simulation GameConcept Mapping
Ocean Currents & Climate Regulation

Students explore the role of ocean currents, both surface and deep, in distributing heat and regulating global climate.

Case Study AnalysisJigsaw
Global Climate Patterns & Drivers

Students examine the drivers of global climate patterns, including solar radiation, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation.

Case Study AnalysisDecision Matrix
Extreme Weather & Climate Change

Students investigate the causes and impacts of extreme weather events and the scientific evidence for anthropogenic climate change.

Socratic SeminarExpert Panel
Hydrological Cycle & Water Resources

Students explore the hydrological cycle, global distribution of water resources, and challenges of water scarcity and management.

Problem-Based LearningInquiry Circle
Freshwater Ecosystems & Management

Students examine the characteristics of freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, wetlands) and the challenges of their conservation and management.

Case Study AnalysisExpert Panel
Coastal Processes & Hazards

Students examine the dynamic processes shaping coastlines, including waves, tides, and currents, and associated hazards like erosion and tsunamis.

Case Study AnalysisSimulation Game
Marine Ecosystems & Threats

Students explore the diversity of marine ecosystems (e.g., coral reefs, open ocean) and the major threats they face, such as pollution and overfishing.

Inquiry CircleDocument Mystery
Biogeography: Biomes & Biodiversity

Students investigate the distribution of major biomes globally and the factors influencing biodiversity patterns.

Gallery WalkConcept Mapping
Ecosystem Services & Conservation

Students explore the concept of ecosystem services (e.g., pollination, water purification) and the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Problem-Based LearningExpert Panel

03Population and Migration

12 topics·Term 2

A study of demographic trends, the movement of people, and the resulting cultural and economic shifts.

Population Distribution & Density

Students analyze global patterns of population distribution and density, identifying factors that influence where people live.

Gallery WalkConcept Mapping
Demographic Transitions

Analyzing why population growth rates vary significantly between different stages of economic development.

Case Study AnalysisJigsaw
Population Pyramids & Age Structures

Students interpret population pyramids to understand age and sex structures and predict future demographic trends.

Think-Pair-ShareDecision Matrix
Population Growth & Carrying Capacity

Students explore theories of population growth, including Malthusian theory, and the concept of environmental carrying capacity.

Socratic SeminarConcept Mapping
Global Migration Flows: Push & Pull Factors

Investigating the push and pull factors that drive international and internal migration.

Role PlayCase Study Analysis
Types of Migration & Their Impacts

Students differentiate between various types of migration (e.g., voluntary, forced, internal, international) and their socio-economic impacts.

JigsawDocument Mystery
Migration Policies & Border Issues

Students examine national and international migration policies, border control, and the human rights implications of migration.

Formal DebateSocratic Seminar
Cultural Diffusion & Migration

Students explore how migration facilitates cultural diffusion, leading to cultural landscapes and hybrid identities.

World CaféCase Study Analysis
Urbanization and Megacities

Exploring the rapid growth of urban centers and the challenges of providing infrastructure and housing.

Experiential LearningGallery Walk
Urban Structure & Land Use Models

Students analyze various models of urban structure (e.g., concentric zone, sector, multiple nuclei) and their application to real cities.

Concept MappingCase Study Analysis
Challenges of Urban Growth

Students investigate the social, economic, and environmental challenges associated with rapid urban growth, such as slums, pollution, and traffic.

Problem-Based LearningTown Hall Meeting
Sustainable Urban Planning

Students explore concepts and strategies for creating more sustainable and livable cities, including green infrastructure and smart growth.

Project-Based LearningExpert Panel

04Global Economic Systems

12 topics·Term 2

Analyzing the spatial distribution of economic activities and the impact of globalization on local industries.

Economic Sectors & Development

Students differentiate between primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary economic sectors and their role in national development.

Concept MappingJigsaw
Industrial Location Theories

Students examine classical and contemporary theories explaining the spatial distribution of industrial activities.

Case Study AnalysisDecision Matrix
The Geography of Trade

Examining how transport networks and trade agreements shape the global movement of goods.

Formal DebateSocratic Seminar
Globalization & Supply Chains

Students analyze the processes of globalization, the formation of global supply chains, and their impacts on local economies.

Case Study AnalysisWorld Café
Resource Management: Energy

Students investigate the extraction, distribution, and consumption of various energy resources, both fossil fuels and renewables.

Decision MatrixExpert Panel
Resource Management: Water & Food

Students examine the challenges of managing water and food resources globally, including issues of scarcity, access, and sustainability.

Case Study AnalysisProblem-Based Learning
The Resource Curse & Development

Investigating how abundant natural resources can sometimes hinder, rather than help, a country's economic and political development.

Case Study AnalysisSocratic Seminar
Development Indicators & Disparities

Students analyze various indicators of development (e.g., GDP, HDI, Gini coefficient) and the spatial patterns of global inequalities.

Decision MatrixFour Corners
Theories of Development & Underdevelopment

Students explore different theories explaining global development disparities, such as modernization theory and dependency theory.

Socratic SeminarJigsaw
Tourism & Economic Development

Students investigate the geography of tourism, its economic impacts, and challenges related to sustainability and cultural preservation.

Case Study AnalysisProject-Based Learning
Agriculture & Food Production

Students examine global agricultural systems, food production methods, and the challenges of feeding a growing population sustainably.

Inquiry CircleChalk Talk
Geographies of Consumption

Students explore the spatial patterns of consumption, the role of consumer culture, and its environmental and social implications.

Graffiti WallProblem-Based Learning

05Political Geography and Conflict

12 topics·Term 3

Studying the organization of space into political units and the disputes that arise over territory and identity.

States, Nations & Nation-States

Students define and differentiate between the concepts of state, nation, and nation-state, exploring examples and complexities.

Concept MappingThink-Pair-Share
Territoriality and Sovereignty

Defining the concepts of the nation state and the challenges to traditional borders.

Concept MappingSocratic Seminar
Types of Political Boundaries

Students examine different types of political boundaries (e.g., physical, cultural, geometric) and their role in shaping geopolitical landscapes.

Gallery WalkCase Study Analysis
Boundary Disputes & Resolution

Students investigate different types of boundary disputes (e.g., definitional, locational, operational, allocational) and methods of resolution.

Role PlayCase Study Analysis
Electoral Geography & Gerrymandering

Students explore how electoral districts are drawn, the impact of gerrymandering, and its effects on political representation.

Simulation GameCollaborative Problem-Solving
Geopolitics of the Commons

Analyzing the struggle for control over shared spaces like the Arctic, deep oceans, and outer space.

Simulation GameExpert Panel
Maritime Boundaries & Law of the Sea

Students investigate the principles of maritime boundaries, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Case Study AnalysisFormal Debate
Geopolitics of Resource Conflict

Students examine how competition over natural resources (e.g., oil, water, minerals) can fuel geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts.

Case Study AnalysisRole Play
Supranationalism & Devolution

Students explore the forces of supranationalism (e.g., EU, UN) and devolution (e.g., Catalonia, Quebec) and their impact on state sovereignty.

JigsawSocratic Seminar
Geographies of Terrorism & Conflict

Students analyze the spatial patterns of terrorism and other forms of political violence, examining their causes and impacts.

Case Study AnalysisDocument Mystery
Geopolitics of Cyberspace

Students explore the emerging political geography of cyberspace, including issues of digital sovereignty, cyber warfare, and internet governance.

Socratic SeminarExpert Panel
Indigenous Land Claims & Self-Determination

Students investigate indigenous land claims, treaty rights, and the struggle for self-determination in various geographical contexts.

Case Study AnalysisPhilosophical Chairs

06Sustainable Futures

12 topics·Term 4

Synthesizing geographical knowledge to propose solutions for environmental challenges and social inequity.

Defining Sustainability & Development

Students explore different definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, examining their historical evolution and core principles.

Concept MappingSocratic Seminar
Strategies for Sustainability

Evaluating different models of development that balance economic growth with ecological health.

Project-Based LearningStations Rotation
Circular Economy Principles

Students investigate the principles of a circular economy, focusing on waste reduction, resource efficiency, and regenerative design.

Project-Based LearningCase Study Analysis
Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability

Students explore indigenous knowledge systems and traditional ecological practices as models for sustainable living and resource management.

Socratic SeminarExpert Panel
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation

Students examine strategies for mitigating climate change (reducing emissions) and adapting to its unavoidable impacts.

Decision MatrixProblem-Based Learning
Renewable Energy Transitions

Students investigate the potential and challenges of transitioning to renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro) globally.

Case Study AnalysisExpert Panel
Environmental Justice

Students investigate the concept of environmental justice, analyzing how environmental burdens and benefits are unequally distributed.

Case Study AnalysisFour Corners
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Students explore sustainable agricultural practices, local food movements, and strategies for creating resilient food systems.

Project-Based LearningInquiry Circle
Conservation & Protected Areas

Students examine different approaches to biodiversity conservation, including the establishment and management of protected areas.

Case Study AnalysisFormal Debate
Sustainable Consumption & Production

Students explore strategies for promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns, including eco-labeling and responsible sourcing.

Graffiti WallProject-Based Learning
Global Citizenship & Local Action

Reflecting on the individual's role in a globalized world and the power of local action.

Experiential LearningProject-Based Learning
Geographic Futures & Scenarios

Students engage in future thinking, developing scenarios for potential geographic futures based on current trends and interventions.

Simulation GameProject-Based Learning