Grade 8 Geography

In Grade 8 Geography, our students will learn about trends in human settlement, identify spatial patterns, and explore how the physical environment influences people. Students will explore the effects of human settlement and land use on the environment. From there they will use graphs to investigate and compare global quality of life and the distribution of wealth. This course is designed to be 50-75 instructional hours.

Curriculum Information: Social Studies (2018)

Developed by: D2L

Development Date: 2021

Please note that elementary courses do not have prerequisites, and Ontario schools do not issue transcript credits at the elementary level. All courses are available in the facilitated and independent pathways.

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Course Outline

Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability

In the Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability unit, students will learn about trends in human settlement, identifying spatial patterns and exploring how the physical environment influences where people live. With the help of maps, they will investigate how physical processes interact with human settlements. They will identify the effects of land-use and human settlement on the environment, discussing sustainable practices. Students will also discuss human settlement around the world today and into the future, gathering information, evaluating evidence, and communicating their findings with a variety of tools throughout.

Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life

In the Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life unit, students will learn about quality of life around the world. They will use tools like scatter graphs and population pyramids to help compare quality of life measurements in different countries. They will explore the relationships between economics and quality of life, discussing economic systems, wealth, and economic development around the world. They will assess groups and organizations that work to improve quality of life around the world, drawing their own conclusions and communicating their findings in a variety of ways.

This course is entirely online and does not require nor rely on any textbook. Students will require the following resources:

  • A scanner, smartphone camera, or similar device to digitize handwritten or hand-drawn work
  • A device to record audio
  • A printer
  • A physical binder, folder, or notebook for offline activities
  • Various household items to complete offline activities
  • Pencil, coloured pencils, ruler

Through a balance of problem-solving and direct instruction, students develop a strong foundation of geography processes, knowledge, and skills to apply in real-world contexts. The course utilizes a combination of technology and offline activities, providing opportunities to develop an understanding of skills and concepts in interactive and concrete ways and engage multiple learning styles. The lessons feature a variety of intriguing storylines, characters, videos, storybooks, and interactive games to reinforce students’ learning. These activities also build a foundation of geography-related terms that students will use throughout the elementary grades.

The course relies on the assistance of a teacher to support young students through the content. The teacher will be involved in facilitating the course content, and participating in discussion-based activities to assist students in developing communication skills.

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