Stage 1 - Features of Place
Discover the natural and human features of Sydney Harbour through interactive outdoor learning and hands-on exploration. Students will investigate, observe, and map key historic sites while connecting with the environment and caring for it.
About this excursion
On this exciting day of outdoor learning, through games and activities, students will enjoy investigating the importance of different places and features for people and the environment. Students will explore Circular Quay, Bennelong Point, Cadman’s Cottage and historic George St, observing and recording human and natural features and how these sites are cared for. Through hands-on play, students will observe, collect data, and build maps as a geographical tool for inquiry as they make connections and develop a sense of the world around them. Every student participating in this excursion on the iconic Sydney Harbour will have an unforgettable, rich learning experience.
Key Inquiry Questions:
- What are the natural and human features of places?
- How can spaces within a place be used for different purposes?’
- How can we care for places?
Student pre-visit and follow-up activities:
Successful excursions have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out before the excursion will help students better understand the excursion content and provide a sense of connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.
View the excursion Support Website for information and activities to enhance students' understanding of the excursion content.
Activities on the day:
- Visit the iconic Circular Quay and The Rocks to learn about a special 'human-made' place.
- Participate in a simple mapping (transect) activity along George St, The Rocks, to classify how people use urban spaces.
- Construct a simple map/model of Circular Quay showing the main features of this 'special place', including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
- Learn about natural and human features of places and how people use (and care for) different spaces in the city. They also sketch an iconic human feature, i.e., the Opera House of Harbour Bridge.
Important information
- Government Schools: $15 per student (GST-free)
- Non-Government Schools: $30 per student (GST-free)
The Rocks and Circular Quay, Sydney.
View the Google Map with an approximate walking route, meeting location, and pickup location.
Please note that the bus drop-off and pick-up point is the bus bay at Argyle Place, at the base of Observatory Hill. Public transport is also available at Circular Quay station.
Key syllabus outcomes
- GE1-1 – describes features of places and the connections people have with places
- GE1-2 – identifies ways in which people interact with and care for places
- GE1-3 – communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry
Integrating the ‘Sustainability’ Cross Curriculum Priority is a feature of the program.
Skills outcomes
- apply geographic tools for geographical enquiry
- develop skills to aquire, process and communicate geographical information.
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About our centre
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